Get your hiking boots ready — it’s wildflower season!
It’s time to get out on the trails and experience one of the best parts of spring in the Bay Area! And, with a little rain in the forecast again, it looks like this could be another great year for our wildflower displays.
To make it as easy for you to find them, we put together this field guide: Wildflowers of the Peninsula and South Bay. It will help you find the best blooms in our areas. Grab your copy!
For me, learning about a new wildflowers is like making a new friend. Something about knowing a plant’s name and story changes your experience with it and heightens your appreciation.
But probably the best part about the spring wildflower blooms are those big, showy blankets of flowers where the ground is exploding with color.
Where to find the best wildflower blooms?
Our wildflower guide has more information, it’s more comprehensive and includes the best spots for the entire region. But here’s a sampling to whet your appetite:
Edgewood Park
Redwood City
When to visit: Late March to mid-April
Where to park: Click here
Where to go: Follow the Clarkia Trail to the Sunset Trail, turn left followed by a quick right on the Serpentine Trail. The serpentine soil in this portion of the preserve boasts some of its best displays of spring flowers.
Preserve information: Click here
Calero County Park
San Jose
When to visit: Late March to mid-April
Where to park: Click here
Where to go: Follow the Los Cerritos Trail, turn left on the Peña Trail to the junction with the Serpentine Loop Trail. Follow this loop trail around a large outcropping of serpentine soil before retracing your steps to the parking area.
Preserve information: Click here
Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve
Redwood City
When to visit: Late March to mid-April
Where to park: Click here
Where to go: Follow the Blue Oaks Trail to the Hassler Loop Trail where there is large off-leash dog area. Wildflowers abound throughout this preserve and this loop trail take you right through the center of it all. This preserve also has an easy access trail suitable for wheelchairs (see the trail map for more information).
Preserve information: Click here
Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve
Morgan Hill
When to visit: Late March to mid-April
Where to park: Click here
Where to go: Follow the Arrowhead Loop Trail around the perimeter of the preserve. If a shorter hike is desired, walking out and and back to the southern vista area will also take you through wildflower territory.
Preserve information: Click here
Photo credits: Edgewood bloom, Tom Hilton, 2016 (CC); Calero bloom, Philip Bouchard, 2012 (CC)
About Post
Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) protects open space on the Peninsula and in the South Bay for the benefit of all. Since its founding in 1977, POST has been responsible for saving more than 87,000 acres as permanently protected land in San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties. Learn more