15 Best Places To Visit In California In Spring

1. Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve

One of the main reasons why I love spring so much is the beautiful blooming wildflowers. And there is no better place to see the flowers bloom than the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve in Lancaster!

This location is specifically known for protecting the wild California poppies. After a rainy winter season, you might see the surrounding hillsides covered in bright orange poppies as far as you can see.

The best time to visit Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve is in March and April. I recommend checking out the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve Facebook Page for the latest bloom updates before heading out there.

It costs $10 per vehicle to visit this location or $9 if there is a senior (62+) in the car. The reserve is open to visitors from sunrise to sunset but does not allow dogs (except for service animals).

2. Carrizo Plain National Monument

Carrizo Plain National Monument is another location in California where you can see wildflowers blooming in the spring months. This is a lesser-known destination that’s about a 3-hour drive north from Los Angeles, so it doesn’t get as crowded as the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve.

In the spring months, you can drive around the park and see rolling hills covered in bright yellow, purple, and orange flowers such as poppies, goldfields, owl’s clover, and lupine.

A few of the main attractions here include camping, hiking the Soda Lake Trail, hiking the Wallace Creek Interpretive Trail, and going on a tour of the Painted Rock. Note that to visit the Painted Rock, you will need to book advanced reservations on Recreation.gov here.

3. Yosemite National Park

As the weather starts warming up in the mountains, there are so many incredible adventures to enjoy in Yosemite! Spring is one of my favorite times to visit Yosemite National Park because you don’t need to get advanced entrance reservations, and it’s less crowded.

I love traveling to Yosemite in spring when you can see the valley’s waterfalls at their peak flow after the winter season.

For first-time visitors, I recommend going on a scenic drive through the park, taking a walk through the lush Cook’s Meadow, going river rafting, and hiking to a few of the waterfalls, including Lower Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Fall, and Vernal Falls.

Spring is also an excellent time to hike to Mirror Lake. This is a seasonal pond with gorgeous reflections that only has water in the spring months.

Read more: 12 Incredible Things To Do In Yosemite In Spring

4. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is a beautiful outdoor space in Southern California. This is a great place to visit in the spring months to go off the grid and disconnect from the busy city life.

Spring is a great time to camp and hike at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park before it gets too hot. By June, the temperatures in this region reach over 100°F, which can be dangerous.

From February to April, the Anza-Borrego Desert comes alive with colorful blooming wildflowers. One of the best places to see wildflowers is at the Anza-Borrego Wildflower Fields.

A few other top activities in this region include hiking the Slot Canyon Trail, hiking the Borrego Palm Canyon Trail, and visiting the Galleta Meadows metal sculptures.

The day fee to visit Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is $10 for vehicles or $9 for seniors (62+).

5. Big Sur

Big Sur is one of my favorite places to visit in California year-round. Spring is an especially great time to travel to Big Sur before the big crowds arrive for the summer season.

In spring, you may also have a better chance of reserving the highly coveted campsites that are always booked up. I have camped at Kirk Creek Campground and Pfeiffer Big Sur Campground in the off-season since it’s nearly impossible to book these campgrounds in the summer.

When visiting Big Sur in the spring, come prepared for foggy and rainy weather. I recommend packing warmer clothing, a lightweight rain jacket, waterproof hiking boots, and lots of layers.

Visitor Tip: Be sure to check for Highway 1 closures before heading out to Big Sur. After the rainy winter season, this area can experience a lot of mudslides and road closures.

6. Death Valley National Park

Despite being one of the hottest places on Earth, Death Valley National Park can experience a superbloom in the spring months. Spring is the recommended season to visit Death Valley National Park while the temperatures are still mild.

I visited Death Valley in the spring, and the daytime hiking weather was just perfect! The nights were a bit windy and chilly, so come prepared with proper cold-weather gear if you plan to camp overnight.

For first-time visitors, I recommend visiting the Badwater Basin Salt Flats, roaming around the pastel-colored hills at Artists Palette, exploring the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, and stopping by Zabriskie Point for sunset.

7. The Flower Fields In Carlsbad

The Flower Fields in Carlsbad are one of the most picturesque places to visit in California during spring. Here you can roam around 55 acres of rolling fields, home to the Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers.

These flowers bloom only from March to May, so don’t miss this beautiful phenomenon! And be sure to bring your camera to snap a few photos for memories.

Aside from the Ranunculus flower fields, you can enjoy exploring other gardens, walking through a sweet pea maze, going on a wagon ride, and indulging in snacks like pizza, ice cream, shakes, and more.

Note that entrance tickets must be purchased online prior to arrival. The tickets cost $27 for adults, $25 for seniors (60+) and military, and $17 for kids (3-10). Keep in mind that this location does not allow drones or dogs.

8. Cambria

Planning a relaxing getaway by the beach? Then consider Cambria, one of the coziest small towns along the Central California Coast.

While there is no ‘bad’ time to visit Cambria, spring is my personal favorite when there are fewer people and you can see blooming flowers along the coastal pathways.

While in Cambria, walking the Moonstone Beach Boardwalk is a must. This is a scenic wooden boardwalk that travels next to the ocean for 2.6 miles out and back.

For hotel choices, White Water Lodge, Cambria Beach Lodge, and Oceanpoint Ranch are a few of my favorites.

Read Next: 13 Incredible Things To Do In Cambria, California

9. Ventura

Ventura is another place on the California Coast that surprised me during the spring months. Ventura is a small beach town surrounded by rolling hills that are covered in blooming flowers during the spring season.

If you enjoy hiking, head out to Harmon Canyon or Arroyo Verde Park, which have several miles of free hiking trails.

Ventura Botanical Gardens is another excellent location to see flowers in the spring months. Here you can hike along scenic trails and explore different areas of the garden, including the Mediterranean Garden, South Africa Garden, and Chilean Garden.

The entrance to Ventura Botanical Gardens costs $7 for adults 18+. Fridays are free, so this is by far the busiest day at this nature garden. If you plan to bring your dog, note that dogs are only allowed on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Read Next: 26 Best Things To Do In Ventura, California

10. Napa & Sonoma

Napa and Sonoma are great places to plan an adult spring getaway. During the spring months, the vineyards and surrounding hills are covered in beautiful flowers, and the entire area just looks so green and lush.

During the off-season, you can also find better rates at local hotels and encounter fewer people on wine-tasting tours.

For first-time visitors, I recommend taking this Sonoma Walking Food, Wine & History Tour. This guided tour will take you to sample some of the best food and wine in Sonoma’s historic downtown.

11. San Diego

If you’re looking for a destination that has it all, then look no further than San Diego! From a fun downtown to the beautiful beaches and family-friendly activities like the San Diego Zoo, this city appeals to everyone.

For beach lovers, La Jolla Cove, Coronado Beach, and Sunset Cliffs Natural Park are some of the most beautiful places to enjoy ocean views or catch a colorful sunset.

Spring is also a great time to go on a whale-watching tour in San Diego. The whale watching season typically lasts until mid-April, which is a great time to see migrating grey whales.

12. Joshua Tree National Park

Any dry, desert area in California is best visited during the spring season. This includes the popular Joshua Tree National Park, which is located just a 2.5-hour drive east of Los Angeles.

Spring is the ideal time for camping and hiking at Joshua Tree before it gets too hot. Some of my favorite day hikes include the Barker Dam, Ryan Mountain, and Cholla Cactus Garden.

I visited Joshua Tree in April before, and the weather was chillier and windier than I expected. It rarely rains at Joshua Tree, but I was lucky to experience some rainfall during my visit. Come prepared with a warm insulated jacket and a light rain jacket.

13. Catalina Island

With a rugged coastline, bright blue water, and amazing wildlife viewing opportunities, Catalina Island is just waiting to be explored!

If you’re itching for a backpacking trip, spring is a great time to hike the 38.5-mile-long Trans-Catalina Trail. This trail starts in Avalon and ends in Two Harbors, traveling across the entire island.

I backpacked this trail in May when the sprawling hills that cover Catalina Island looked so green and lush. In spring, it is also easier to reserve the backpacking campsites that get booked up very quickly in the summer.

You May Also Like: 15 Best Catalina Island Tours

14. Lake Tahoe

If you’re looking to hit the slopes one more time before the snow season ends, Lake Tahoe is just the place to go! Depending on the snowfall, the ski resorts around Lake Tahoe can stay open through April.

As the snow begins to melt, the beaches and hikes around the lake become more accessible. During my visit in spring, I went on a scenic drive around the lake and stopped to hike the 0.7-mile-long Eagle Rock Trail that overlooks Lake Tahoe.   

Emerald Bay State Park is one of the most amazing places to visit in South Lake Tahoe, which offers scenic viewpoints, trails, historical sites, and turquoise beaches.

Spring snowmelt brings more water to waterfalls in this region, like Eagle Falls and Cascade Falls, that can be reached by going on short hikes.

15. Palm Springs

If you’re looking for a relaxing getaway, plan a trip to Palm Springs! From luxurious hotels to private rentals with pools and top-rated restaurants, you’ll leave this place feeling rejuvenated and ready to take on the summer.

In April, Palm Springs comes alive with tourism and music fans who flock to this area for Coachella & Stagecoach music festivals. If that’s not your scene, there are still plenty of other things to do in the area.

Take a ride up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, hike the Tahquitz Canyon Loop Trail that leads to a waterfall, or simply lounge by the pool with a cocktail in hand.

I hope this roundup has helped you discover a few new places to visit in California in the spring months! Have you been to any of these locations? Let us know in the comments below!

Looking for more California travel inspiration? Here are a few other posts that you may like:

• 15 Most Scenic Drives In California
• 50 Interesting & Unique Places To Visit In California
• 15 Best Central California Coast Resorts
• 15 Best Hikes On The California Central Coast
• 20 Best Waterfalls In Central California

This post is written by Laura. Hi, I’m a California local and the founder of the California Wanderland travel blog. I currently live in Ventura County and help 50,000 readers a month discover things to do in Central California! Read more about me here.

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