Published April 2, 2026
They say that April showers bring May flowers, but in California, our spring wildflowers start blooming as early as February and begin to hit their peak in April.
Wildflowers are more than just a pretty picture that decorate our open spaces; they are ecologically important native species that support our region’s incredible biodiversity! There are hundreds of wildflower species that bloom year-round across the Bay Area and Santa Cruz Mountains. From redwood forests to coastal grasslands to serpentine soils, each kind of habitat supports its own community of native wildflowers. These diverse populations are important food sources for wildlife and pollinators such as bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
Eager to learn more about the pink, purple, blue and yellow petals popping up around Midpen preserves this time of year? Midpen offers dozens of free docent-guided activities each month, including several wildflower-themed outings in April. As you travel the trails and among the flowers, you can learn more about each species, how to identify them and the habitats they thrive in. Beyond wildflowers, guided activities are a fun opportunity to discover new trails and preserves and learn more about what makes our open spaces special. Some activities require prior registration, so don’t forget to check each activity’s webpage for more information.
Whether you plan to enjoy the wildflowers during a guided activity or on your own time, it is important to practice proper wildflower viewing etiquette so that these blooms can continue to flourish year after year:
Stay on established trails. Off-trail usage can trample wildflowers and their habitat, limiting future blooms and disrupting the wildlife that depend on them for food.
Take photos, not flowers. Remember to follow "leave no trace" principles in Midpen preserves. Allowing wildflowers to complete their lifecycles will help them return next spring.
Take photos OF flowers, not IN flowers. Sitting in, standing in or walking through flower fields will damage existing wildflowers and prevent the next generation from growing.
Enjoy!