I did a quick trip out to California to check out the remnants of the 2023 wildflower season. I was not disappointed. Both Carrizo Plain National Monument and Mt. Figueroa has tremendous displays of flowers. The poppies were as thick as I have ever seen them at Mt. Figueroa. All that rain earlier this season really proceeded a stunning display of flowers.
The Carrizo Plain is located near Bakersfield, CA on one end and about 1.5 hrs from San Luis Obispo on the other. I drove the 45 mile dirt road from end to end. The best displays were air the northern part from Soda Lake northward. The tidy tips and hillside daisy were blooming in profusion at the southern end of Soda Lake. Large fields of owl’s clover could also be seen nearby.
At Mt. Figueroa near Los Olives, the poppies were the star. I have never seen such thick carpets of poppies there. Grass mountain had a good display going near the top but the best spot was right at the entrance station. The fields there were radiant orange. Lupine and bush lupine were also mixed in giving the area an orange and purple glow. What an amazing sight to see.
Wildflowers, Mt. Figueroa Mountain Park, Los Olivos, CA
Wildflowers, Mt. Figueroa Mountain Park, Los Olivos, CA
Wildflowers, Mt. Figueroa Mountain Park, Los Olivos, CA
Wildflowers, Mt. Figueroa Mountain Park, Los Olivos, CA
Wildflowers, Mt. Figueroa Mountain Park, Los Olivos, CA
Wildflowers, Soda Lake, Carrizo Plain National Monument, CA
Wildflowers, Mt. Figueroa Mountain Park, Los Olivos, CA
Wildflowers, Mt. Figueroa Mountain Park, Los Olivos, CA
Wildflowers, Mt. Figueroa Mountain Park, Los Olivos, CA
Wildflowers, Mt. Figueroa Mountain Park, Los Olivos, CA
Wildflowers, Mt. Figueroa Mountain Park, Los Olivos, CA
Wildflowers, Mt. Figueroa Mountain Park, Los Olivos, CA
Wildflowers, Mt. Figueroa Mountain Park, Los Olivos, CA
Wildflowers, Mt. Figueroa Mountain Park, Los Olivos, CA
Wildflowers, Mt. Figueroa Mountain Park, Los Olivos, CA
Wildflowers, Mt. Figueroa Mountain Park, Los Olivos, CA
Wildflowers, Mt. Figueroa Mountain Park, Los Olivos, CA
Wildflowers, Mt. Figueroa Mountain Park, Los Olivos, CA
Wildflowers, Mt. Figueroa Mountain Park, Los Olivos, CA
Wildflowers, Soda Lake, Carrizo Plain National Monument, CA
Wildflowers, Soda Lake, Carrizo Plain National Monument, CA
Wildflowers, Soda Lake, Carrizo Plain National Monument, CA
Wildflowers, Soda Lake, Carrizo Plain National Monument, CA
Wildflowers, Soda Lake, Carrizo Plain National Monument, CA
Wildflowers, Soda Lake, Carrizo Plain National Monument, CA
Wildflowers, Soda Lake, Carrizo Plain National Monument, CA
Wildflowers, Soda Lake, Carrizo Plain National Monument, CA
Wildflowers, Soda Lake, Carrizo Plain National Monument, CA
Wildflowers, Soda Lake, Carrizo Plain National Monument, CA
Wildflowers, Soda Lake, Carrizo Plain National Monument, CA
Wildflowers, Carrizo Plain National Monument, San Luis Obisbo County
Wildflowers, Carrizo Plain National Monument, San Luis Obisbo County
Wildflowers, Carrizo Plain National Monument, San Luis Obisbo County
Wildflowers, Carrizo Plain National Monument, San Luis Obisbo County
Wildflowers, Carrizo Plain National Monument, San Luis Obisbo County
