Natural History Wanderings

As of April 4th, the blooming poppies are blanketing the reserve with their magnificent orange color.  Every flower and other plants that exist at the Poppy Reserve are currently blooming.  This is a great time to visit.  We are expecting the bloom to last through April.   If you are looking to find the exact location of a particular flower or plant, our staff can point you to the right trails when you arrive.

Please remember, visitors must stay on OFFICIAL TRAILS only; photos in the flowers are not allowed in the park. Walking in the poppies creates dirt patches and may result in a ticket. DO NOT walk where others have already damaged the habitat; it will compound the damage and leave a scar for years to come.

Commercial and student filming/photography requires a permit. No dogs, bikes on trails, drones, or picking flowers.

Poppies open up in mid morning, and curl up in the late afternoon/evening or if it’s cold, so check the weather forecast before arriving.  The weather can change suddenly and it is frequently windy here during the spring.  This is a DESERT grassland, so drink water often.  Note that it can be very windy here in the spring.

Current Photos