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Spring is one of the best times of year to explore the open spaces of the Peninsula and South Bay.
The landscape is alive with carpets of colorful wildflowers. It’s a season of abundance and the ideal time to try out new trails and see new places.
Use this guide to find some of the best wildflower displays in the Bay Area. Remember to check the weather forecast before you go, as some flowers only bloom when the sun is shining.
Please confirm the trail status before heading out, since recent rains and other events have led to temporary closures at many preserves.
Time to stop and smell the flowers!
Serpentine Loop
at Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve
- Location
- [hike.location]
- Length
- 3.15 miles
- Elevation Change
- 500 feet
- Hiking Time
- 2 hours
- Difficulty
- [hike.trail_type]
The serpentine soil in this preserve produces some of the best displays of spring flowers on the Peninsula, and these trails take you right through the middle of it all. It’s a go-to spot if you’re looking for a walk in a sea of wildflowers.
Arastradero Creek Loop
at Pearson-Arastradero Preserve
- Location
- [hike.location]
- Length
- 3.7 miles
- Elevation Change
- 300 feet
- Hiking Time
- 2 hours
- Difficulty
- [hike.trail_type]
The rolling hills in this preserve create a range of habitat types offering refuge for a great diversity of wildflowers. You’ll find the biggest patches of wildflowers along the sunny, southern-facing slopes.
Bald Hills Loop
at Calero County Park
- Location
- [hike.location]
- Length
- 8.34 miles
- Elevation Change
- 1,860 feet
- Hiking Time
- 6-7 hours
- Difficulty
- [hike.trail_type]
Enjoy a large outcropping of serpentine soil, offering big, showy displays of native wildflowers. You’ll also enjoy views of the southern Santa Cruz Mountains and nearby Diablo Range.
Arrowhead Loop
at Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve
- Location
- [hike.location]
- Length
- 4 miles
- Elevation Change
- 575 feet
- Hiking Time
- 2-3 hours
- Difficulty
- [hike.trail_type]
Just a short drive from downtown San Jose, this preserve offers phenomenal views of Coyote Valley, the Diablo Mountain Range and a plethora of spring flowers. You don’t have to complete the full loop to get your fill of spectacular flowers!
Purisima Creek Loop
at Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve
- Location
- [hike.location]
- Length
- 9.1 miles
- Elevation Change
- 5,528 feet
- Hiking Time
- 5-7 hours
- Difficulty
- [hike.trail_type]
Meander through a lush redwood forest and along a creek before climbing to an exposed ridge. You’ll find a variety of wildflowers as you move through the preserve, but the most exciting display is along the sunlit ridge.
River Trail
at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Location
- [hike.location]
- Length
- 2 miles
- Elevation Change
- Flat
- Hiking Time
- 1 hour
- Difficulty
- [hike.trail_type]
Giant redwoods tower over the cool waters of the San Lorenzo River in this beloved park. It contains one of the largest stands of old-growth redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and an abundance of spring flowers add to the beauty of this landscape.
Ridge Trail
at Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve
- Location
- [hike.location]
- Length
- 3.6 miles
- Elevation Change
- 600 feet
- Hiking Time
- 2 hours
- Difficulty
- [hike.trail_type]
Cruise the top of Russian Ridge for sweeping views of the surrounding open spaces including rolling hills dotted with wildflowers. Note that the peak bloom for this preserve usually comes a little later in the season.
Spine Ridge Trail
at Golden Gate National Recreation Area
- Location
- [hike.location]
- Length
- 4 miles
- Elevation Change
- 3,590 feet
- Hiking Time
- 4 hours
- Difficulty
- [hike.trail_type]
Climb the rugged flanks of Montara Mountain for views of drought-tolerant wildflowers and the Pacific Ocean in the distance. It is frequently foggy here, so be sure to check the weather forecast for sunny skies.
Pillar Point Loop
at Pillar Point Bluff County Park
- Location
- [hike.location]
- Length
- 1.4 miles
- Elevation Change
- 100 feet
- Hiking Time
- 1 hour
- Difficulty
- [hike.trail_type]
This is an easy, wheelchair-accessible hike with great views of the Pacific. There’s a seasonal wetland where wildflowers thrive. But be sure to visit when the sun is shining for the best displays.
Bird Trail
at Wavecrest Open Space
- Location
- [hike.location]
- Length
- 1.5 miles
- Elevation Change
- Flat
- Hiking Time
- Less than 1 hour
- Difficulty
- [hike.trail_type]
Wander through a coastal wetland, where vernal pools support a surprising array of native wildflowers. This spot is also frequently foggy, so check the forecast for sunny days and the best wildflower viewing times.
Año Nuevo Point Trail
at Año Nuevo State Park
- Location
- [hike.location]
- Length
- 1.5 miles
- Elevation Change
- Flat
- Hiking Time
- 1 hour
- Difficulty
- [hike.trail_type]
Best known as the destination to see 5,000-pound elephant seals, Año Nuevo is also home to a spectacular display of spring wildflowers. This easy, gentle trail is good for all ages and abilities. Check the forecast for sunshine and the best viewing times.
Keep it Beautiful
Here are a few guidelines while viewing wildflowers:
- Stay on trails to avoid damaging sensitive species and their habitats.
- Please don’t pick wildflowers so that they are more likely to return next year.
- Clean your boots after each hike to avoid the spread of invasive species.
- Keep dogs leashed at all times.
POST protects open space on the Peninsula and in the South Bay for the benefit of all.
The land in POST’s working area has been home to many distinct communities of Native people since time immemorial. We work to conserve and care for these lands — the ancestral territory of at least four contemporary Indigenous communities: the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, Muwekma Ohlone, Ramaytush Ohlone and Tamien Nation. These groups have survived centuries of oppression and displacement, and are the past, present and future caretakers of this land.
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