There’s a moment every year when the light shifts—brighter, longer, softer. The air smells different, like damp earth and something green unfurling. If you live in San Francisco, you know that spring isn’t really a season here, more a fleeting suggestion. But outside the city? Spring is loud, unapologetic, and spilling over with wildflowers.
From golden poppy fields to coastal calla lilies, these are the best places to see spring blooms near San Francisco, whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway or just a quick day trip.
1. Mount Tamalpais – Wildflowers with Bay Views
The hills of Mount Tamalpais turn electric green after the rains, and if you time it right—late March into April—you’ll find fields of golden poppies and lupine spilling down the slopes. Park at Rock Spring and hike up to West Point Inn for the best views (pancakes optional, but recommended). Early mornings are ideal before the fog rolls back in.
- Best time to visit: March to May for peak blooms.
- Best hike for wildflowers: Start at Rock Spring and take the Matt Davis Trail toward West Point Inn.
- Pro tip: Go early before the morning fog rolls back in.
2. Point Reyes National Seashore – Coastal Wildflower Wonderland
Spring here feels wild and raw, a collision of wind, waves, and flowers clinging to the cliffs. Chimney Rock Trail is the spot for wildflowers—paintbrush, tidy tips, and blue-eyed grass—set against the backdrop of the Pacific. Watch for elephant seals on the beaches below.
- Best time to visit: March through early May.
- Other wildflower spots: Abbotts Lagoon and Tomales Point also have excellent spring blooms.
- Bonus: You might spot elephant seals lounging on the beaches below.
3. Calla Lily Valley, Big Sur – Hidden Coastal Blooms
A pocket of magic just south of Garrapata State Park, Calla Lily Valley is exactly what it sounds like—an entire valley filled with delicate white calla lilies, tucked along a stream that leads to the ocean. They bloom from February through April. Go early to have it to yourself, and wear waterproof shoes if it’s been raining.
- Best time to visit: February through April.
- Getting there: Park near Garrapata Beach and take the short trail down to the valley.
- Pro tip: Wear waterproof shoes if it’s been raining—mud is guaranteed.
4. Mustard Flowers in Wine Country – Napa & Sonoma in Bloom
Before the vines wake up, Napa Valley and Sonoma County go golden—bright yellow mustard flowers carpeting the vineyards, stretching in every direction. It happens from mid-February to early March, making winter drives through wine country feel like spring came early. Best paired with a long lunch and a glass of something crisp.
- Best time to visit: Mid-February to early March.
- Where to go: Carneros, St. Helena, and Dry Creek Valley have some of the best displays.
- Pro tip: Book a wine tasting at a vineyard with panoramic views—Tres Sabores and Quintessa are both stunning this time of year.
5. Filoli Gardens – Manicured Spring Perfection
If you want a spring bloom experience that feels straight out of a fairytale, Filoli Gardens in Woodside is the place. The estate’s gardens burst with tulips, wisteria, cherry blossoms, and camellias.
For something manicured but still wildly beautiful, Filoli in Woodside is worth the drive. The gardens explode with tulips, cherry blossoms, and wisteria in March and April. The scent of citrus blossoms in the air is intoxicating. Stop for tea and pretend you live there.
- Best time to visit: March through May.
- Must-see flowers: Tulip displays in March, wisteria in April.
- Bonus: The citrus trees in the garden smell incredible this time of year.
6. UC Berkeley Botanical Garden – Native California Blooms
Closer to home, but no less magical, the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden is an underrated spring wildflower destination. The California native plant section turns into a riot of color in spring— with golden poppies, ceanothus, fairy lanterns, and douglas iris turning the trails into something out of a fairytale. Plus, the redwood grove always smells amazing after the rain.
- Best time to visit: March through May.
- Pro tip: The redwood grove is ideal to visit just after a good downpour.
7. North Table Mountain, Oroville – Super Bloom Territory
If you’re chasing a California super bloom, North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve is one of the best places to see endless wildflower fields. Expect vast rolling hills covered in yellow goldfields, purple lupine, and orange poppies.
This one is a trek—three hours north—but worth it for the super bloom effect. Table Mountain is a wildflower spectacle: vast, rolling fields of yellow, purple, and orange that make you feel like you’ve stepped into a storybook. Aim for mid-March through April.
- Best time to visit: Mid-March through April.
- Hike to take: Phantom Falls Trail for a wildflower waterfall moment.
- Pro tip: Bring sturdy shoes—this hike gets muddy after rain.
8. Pacific Grove – Neon Pink Coastal Blooms
For a wildflower moment unlike anything else, Pacific Grove’s “Magic Carpet” is worth the trip. In April and May, the coastal ice plant turns neon pink, covering the cliffs along the shore. It looks surreal against the blue of the ocean. Go at golden hour for maximum effect.
- Best time to visit: April through May.
- Where to go: Lover’s Point Park for the best views.
- Bonus: It’s also butterfly season—stop by the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary nearby.
9. San Francisco Bonus: Cherry Blossoms at the Palace of Fine Arts
Not every spring bloom requires a road trip. The cherry blossoms at the Palace of Fine Arts peak in March, and for a few perfect days, they turn the lagoon into something out of a painting. There’s something about the way the soft pink petals contrast against the grand arches that makes this feel like a quiet secret in the middle of the city.
- Best time to visit: Late February through early April.
- Pro tip: Bring coffee, walk slow, and enjoy the quiet early in the morning.
10. Foothills Nature Preserve, Los Altos – Hidden Poppy Fields
An under-the-radar gem for California poppy fields, Foothills Nature Preserve in Los Altos turns golden in early spring. The bright orange poppies contrast against the rolling green hills, with oak trees scattered in between, making it feel like a painting come to life.
- Best time to visit: Late March through April.
- Best trail for poppies: Take the Los Trancos Trail for the best blooms.
- Pro tip: Go in the afternoon when the poppies are fully open—mornings can still be chilly, and the flowers tend to stay closed.
11. Japanese Tea Garden, San Francisco – Cherry Blossom Magic
Again, you don’t even need to leave the city for a proper spring bloom moment. Tucked inside Golden Gate Park, the Japanese Tea Garden becomes a dream in March when the cherry blossoms explode into soft pink clouds. Paired with koi ponds, arched bridges, and pagodas, it’s the kind of place that makes you forget you’re in San Francisco.
- Best time to visit: Mid-March through early April.
- Pro tip: Go on a Monday, Wednesday, or Friday before 10 AM for free admission.
More Places to Explore
If you’ve already hit the usual wildflower spots, these lesser-known trails, preserves, and gardens offer something a little more unexpected—from high-elevation blooms to tucked-away coastal fields.
- Alamere Falls via Coast Trail (Point Reyes, CA) – A waterfall that plunges onto the beach, lined with wild radish and paintbrush in spring. Best after winter rains.
- Russian Ridge Preserve (Woodside, CA) – A hidden ridge blanketed in lupine and poppies with panoramic Bay Area views. Best at sunset.
- Edgewood Park & Natural Preserve (Redwood City, CA) – A lesser-known wildflower haven with deep purple owls’ clover and bright goldfields.
- Jepson Prairie Preserve (Dixon, CA) – Vernal pools surrounded by rare wildflowers like tiny white meadowfoam and vibrant goldfields. A dream for botany lovers.
- Saratoga Gap Trail (Saratoga, CA) – A fog-kissed trail in the Santa Cruz Mountains, bursting with shooting stars and mission bells in early spring.
- Pinnacles National Park – High Peaks Trail (Paicines, CA) – Dramatic rock formations framed by fields of mariposa lilies and silver bush lupine. Go in April.
- Mori Point Coastal Trail (Pacifica, CA) – A hidden bluff-top walk where poppies and seaside daisies meet crashing waves. A quick, easy wildflower fix.
- Post Ranch Inn Gardens (Big Sur, CA) – A tucked-away wildflower garden at an iconic clifftop retreat, with rare native blooms overlooking the ocean.
- Arastradero Preserve (Palo Alto, CA) – Rolling golden hills with scattered wildflowers and zero crowds. Great for an easy after-work walk.
- South Yuba River Trail (Nevada City, CA) – Bright orange California fuchsia grows between the boulders along the riverbanks—best seen on a warm afternoon.
- McLaughlin Natural Reserve (Napa/Lake County, CA) – One of the best places in Northern California for rare serpentine wildflowers, including jewelflowers and cream cups.
- Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve (San Jose, CA) – A permit-only trail that offers some of the most untouched wildflower meadows in the Bay Area, including the rare Santa Clara Valley dudleya.Tilden Regional Park
- Seaview Trail (Berkeley, CA) – A ridge walk with an unexpected mix of wildflowers—iris, larkspur, and buttercups—plus panoramic views of the Golden Gate.Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve.
- Blue Ridge Loop (Winters, CA) – The steep climb pays off with hillsides covered in lupine, fiddlenecks, and Indian paintbrush above Lake Berryessa.
- Rockville Hills Regional Park (Fairfield, CA) – A mix of poppy fields, oak woodlands, and basalt rock formations—feels like a mini version of Table Mountain but without the crowds.
- Los Vaqueros Watershed – Eagle Ridge Trail (Brentwood, CA) – A secret wildflower hike just east of the Bay, with hills bursting in lupine and poppies from March through April.
- San Bruno Mountain – Summit Loop Trail (Brisbane, CA) – A rare coastal wildflower spot just outside SF, home to mission blue butterflies and covered in tidy tips and checkerbloom.
- Sugarloaf Ridge State Park – Bald Mountain Trail (Sonoma, CA) – A summit trail lined with wild iris and popcornflowers, plus one of the best wildflower-meets-wine-country views in the state.
- Bodega Head (Sonoma Coast, CA) – A bluffside loop where you’ll find springtime swaths of Douglas iris, wild radish, and seaside daisy overlooking the waves.
Each of these spots has its own moment in spring, so check conditions before heading out.
What you might be wondering
Where can I see the best wildflowers near San Francisco?
Some of the best wildflower viewing spots near San Francisco include:
- Mount Tamalpais – rolling green hills covered in California poppies and lupine
- Point Reyes National Seashore – windswept coastal wildflowers at Chimney Rock
- Foothills Nature Preserve, Los Altos – golden poppy fields tucked among oak-dotted hills
- Calla Lily Valley, Big Sur – a hidden valley where white calla lilies bloom along a stream
- Pacific Grove’s Magic Carpet – neon pink ice plant covering the cliffs in late spring
Each spot peaks at different times, so check wildflower reports before heading out.
When do wildflowers bloom in the Bay Area?
Wildflower season in the Bay Area runs from late February to May, shifting slightly each year depending on rainfall.
- February to early March – mustard fields turn Napa and Sonoma golden
- March to April – California poppies, lupine, and other native wildflowers peak at Mount Tamalpais, Point Reyes, and Foothills Nature Preserve
- Mid-March to April – Calla Lily Valley in Big Sur reaches peak bloom, with lush white lilies lining the stream
- April to May – coastal blooms take over, with Pacific Grove’s Magic Carpet at its best
For a super bloom year, Table Mountain in Oroville is worth the drive.
Where can I see cherry blossoms in San Francisco?
A few places around the city get bursts of pink in early spring, but the best spots for cherry blossoms are:
- Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park – koi ponds, pagodas, and delicate pink blooms in March and April
- The Palace of Fine Arts – cherry trees framing the lagoon for a quiet, photogenic moment
- Japantown – home to the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival in April
Mornings are best if you want to avoid crowds.
Where can I see California poppies near San Francisco?
For golden fields of poppies without a long drive, try:
- Foothills Nature Preserve, Los Altos – poppies spill across the hills in late March and April
- Mount Tamalpais – a mix of poppies, lupine, and buttercups along scenic ridges
- Point Reyes National Seashore – wild coastal poppies mixed with paintbrush and tidy tips
- North Table Mountain, Oroville – one of Northern California’s most dramatic spring displays
If you’re up for a longer drive, Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve is the classic California poppy experience.
What is the best time of day to see wildflowers?
- Morning (8 AM – 11 AM) – softer light, fewer crowds, and the best chance of catching the morning dew
- Midday (11 AM – 2 PM) – the flowers are fully open, but the light can be harsh
- Golden Hour (4 PM – 6 PM) – the best time for photography, with warm light making the colors pop
California poppies close up in the early morning and on cloudy days, so late morning or early afternoon is best if you want them fully open.
Spring never lingers, but maybe that’s the point. If you’re in the Bay Area and looking for the best places to see wildflowers near San Francisco, these spots offer everything from super blooms to secret gardens. The window is short—so get outside before it’s gone.
