An unusual number of wildflowers are currently blooming across California’s deserts, with many areas reporting early and abundant displays due to recent rainfall and warm temperatures.
In Greater Palm Springs, visitors can see purple sand verbena, yellow brittlebush, and brown-eyed primrose along roadsides and trails. Mission Creek Preserve in Desert Hot Springs offers fragrant brittlebush and desert lavender near the creek. The Indian Canyons in Palm Springs feature Arizona lupine and beavertail prickly-pear cactus, while Andreas Canyon is home to more than 150 plant species within a half-mile radius.
Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve in Thousand Palms has yellow-flowered brittlebush covering the sands. Since late January, the trail to Pushwalla Palms has been lined with gold desert dandelions.
At Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, flowers began blooming earlier than usual after nearly 3.5 inches of rain fell in November and December. Sand verbena, desert lily, evening primrose, and desert sunflowers have been visible since January. While a heat spell affected some blossoms in January, February rains improved conditions for March. Henderson Canyon Road outside Borrego Springs features large swaths of purple sand verbena and clusters of evening primrose. The S-22 highway showcases Parish’s poppy alongside other blooms.
Coyote Canyon Road provides access to apricot mallow, purple desert phacelia, Fremont’s pincushion, as well as common wildflowers like verbena and sunflowers for those with suitable vehicles. Arroyo Salado Primitive Camp is recommended for those seeking fragrant desert lilies. Hikers on the Borrego Palm Canyon Trail can find red ocotillos and chuparosa among other species.
Joshua Tree National Park experienced both warmth in January and frost in February but continues to see Joshua trees and Mojave yucca producing white blooms since early January. Lower elevations near Cottonwood and Pinto Basin have bladder pod, desert gold, brittlebush, Arizona lupine, and poppies along the Bajada Trail. Wildflower blooms are expected to progress into higher elevations through March.
The Antelope Valley California Poppy State Natural Reserve has begun showing early-blooming poppies following unseasonably warm weather in January. February rains are expected to bring a larger bloom by March when orange blossoms typically cover grassy slopes.
Death Valley National Park reports that wildflowers are currently visible on alluvial fans and washes during what is described as a “good bloom year.” Brown-eyed primrose, phacelia, desert gold, Mojave desert star are blooming along Highway 190 between Stovepipe Wells and Furnace Creek; South Badwater Road features sand verbena among others. David Blacker of the Death Valley Natural History Association stated: “Death Valley is poised for a better-than-average bloom,” adding that how long it lasts “depends entirely on the weather.”
Carrizo Plain National Monument east of San Luis Obispo is also experiencing an early bloom this year due to winter rains combined with warm temperatures. Hillside daisies, orange poppies, blue phacelia have been reported on west-facing slopes near Caliente Ridge and Selby Campground. Monument manager Johna Hurl noted: “Displays seem to be earlier this year due to the early rains and warm temperatures.” Some monument roads may be impassable after recent rain; visitors should check current conditions before traveling.
Wildflower displays will continue elsewhere in California throughout spring—especially at higher elevations or farther north—as seasonal patterns progress.
