The Marin CNPS Facebook page has a wildflower report for the Skyline Serpentine Prairie area in Redwood Park in Oakland.
Yesterday I hiked the Serpentine Prairie area of Redwood Park in Oakland. This small unit fosters native plants — it’s a good choice for East Bay hikers or those who are physically unable to hike long distances. An easy hour long stroll would cover all the paths in the serpentine area. I extended this on a hike through the woods, for a 3.5 mile loop.
Grassland was super green, with pretty displays of California poppy and California buttercup, with some creamcups, blue-eyed grass, and gold fields mixed in. The serpentine area is mostly fenced, so it’s hard to look for “the tinys.” I did note some blooming plectritis; linanthus and mariposa lilies should flower next month. The area is supposed to support a colony of Presidio clarkia; would make a fun treasure hunt.
The woods here are a mix of redwood, California bay, and coast live oak. I saw quite a few fairybells and feathery false lily of the valley preparing to bloom. A standout for me was a gorgeous bunch of mission bells — the prettiest I can remember.
Trailhead at the Trudeau Center on Skyline Boulevard.
http://www.ebparks.org/…/stewardsh…/plants/serpentineprairie
http://www.ebparks.org/…/_Nav_Ca…/Parks/Maps/Redwood+map.pdf
See photos at (1) Marin Native Plants
Natural History Wanderings 
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