Poppies and lupines at Monte Bello
(See more pictures in our Blooming Plants Photo Gallery)

In some areas, wildflowers are blooming more profusely as a result of the District’s resource conservation efforts, aimed to ensure long-term protection of natural and cultural resources on District preserves. Prescribed burns, like the one implemented at Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve, help control non-native invasive species and enhance the natural values of the Preserve’s environment.

Wildflower Hotspots of the Santa Cruz Mountains

Cindy Roessler, Senior Resource Management Specialist, presented Wildflower Hotspots of the Santa Cruz Mountains on April 24, 2011 for the annual wildflower show of the California Native Plant Society - Santa Clara Valley Chapter. Below is her list of 20 wildflower hotspots with links to agency websites for more information about trails and logistics.

South

• Coyote Ridge
• Coyote Lake - Harvey Bear Ranch County Park
• Rancho Canada del Oro, Blair Ranch
  See also Friends of Santa Teresa Park
• Almaden Quicksilver County Park
  See also New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association
• Santa Teresa County Park
• Santa Teresa Park Wildflowers and Views
• Joseph D. Grant Ranch
• Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve

North

• Edgewood Park & Nature Preserve
  See also Friends of Edgewood Park
• San Bruno Mountain County Park
  See also San Bruno Mountain Watch
• Huddart Park
• Thornewood Open Space Preserve
• Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve
• Monte Bello Open Space Preserve

Coastal

• San Pedro Valley County Park
• Montara State Beach and McNee Ranch State Park
• Bean Hollow State Park & Pescadero Beach State Park
• Ano Nuevo State Park

Further Out

• Henry W. Coe State Park
• Pinnacles National Monument
• Sunol Regional Wilderness
  

These are general recommendations where wildflowers are found in most years. Actual conditions can vary from year to year. The best locations and dates of the local spring wildflower bloom fluctuate, often depending on the amount and timing of winter rain and when the spring days start to get sunny and warm.

In general, Russian Ridge, Pulgas, Sierra Azul, Monte Bello, Los Trancos, Windy Hill, and Picchetti Open Space Preserves are some of the best Midpeninsula Regional Open Space preserves for spring wildflowers in the months of March, April and May.

Sunny, grassy trail sections are typically best for spring wildflowers. And don’t forget that in late winter (January - March) there are often good wildflowers on the shady trails, and in early spring (March - April) the chaparral shrubs have their own fragrant wildflower blooms.