Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve — Attraction in Quartz Hill

Spring has already come in the Northern Hemisphere, but the wildflowers are late in their arrival in the Bay Area, California where I reside. But if you know me, you know I will always find a way to see those flowers. Because when there's a will, there's always a way. 😉

So, guess what happens when work approves your time-off request to take a much-needed five-day weekend for self-care? You pamper yourself with the things and activities that make that little girl in you jump for joy and put that pep back in your step.

I couldn't resist the vibrant orange blooms that I randomly saw in some online photos a couple of weeks back. So, I decided to take a spontaneous road trip down to Southern California to see the blooming poppies at this park as soon as April began. Unfortunately, I must have missed the peak, because the blossoms dwindled down quite a lot. Nevertheless, I had such a darling time strolling through this park, and enjoying some quietness, the blue sky, some sunshine and taking in the colorful sight of the hills.

While out there, I couldn't help but returned to this thought over and over again--It's often the simplicity, the gentleness, the most kindest, the most generous and the most loving that are often taken for granted in this world, aren't they? What has happened to our world? I can barely recognize it these days.

Please don't wait until it's too late to learn to appreciate all the beauty and the goodness that are still left around us. We already have enough hate and meanness in our world. If you can, open your own heart and add your softness to it. If humans only pay attention, we can learn a lot from those flowers--they don't compete with each other; they just bloom, reach for the sky full of sunshine and let their beauty radiate out into the world. 🌸

Here are some tips from me:

• If you must go, do it ASAP before the orange blossoms are gone for good this year. But then again, if you can wait, there's always next Spring.

• And if you can, go on a weekday to avoid the weekend crowds and the mad traffics. That way, you'll get to have the park mostly to yourself to enjoy in peace.

• Parking is $10. Plenty of restrooms but please bring your own hand soap and hand sanitizer.

• Morning is better, because as soon as the afternoon rolls around, those strong crazy winds will pick up and may sweep you off your feet. Don't lose your hat, now!

• Take the Poppy South Loop trail first. You'll get to see more blooming poppies on those hills from that route.

• Pack some snacks and water, sit down at one of those benches along the trail, pull out all your five senses and take all that beauty in.

• With all the chaos and destructions going on in our world, both near and far, it is wise to turn off the TV and allow yourself to receive the peaceful offerings of nature to help nurture your spirit and soothe your soul. Because when your cup is full and overflowing, you can share some of your own sunshine with this...

I love our state flower, the California Golden Poppy. It's so pretty, so of course I have had this place bookmarked for a while. Unfortunately I forgot about poppy season and didn't manage to make it here until the tail end of it. Apparently the poppies were in full bloom mid-April. The annual Poppy Festival took place the weekend before we visited last week. There were still a lot of poppies in bloom, but the sight wasn't as breathtaking as it was the week before. This 1,800 acre state park is open from the beginning of March to the end of May and charges $10/car for parking. If you have a senior in the car, you get a $1 discount.

There are restrooms by the parking lot but those were pretty nasty so I would recommend trying out the restrooms by the visitor center. The visitor center has a video and some pictures about poppies and also has a small gift shop with hats, shirts, and other accessories. You can also get a map of the trails from the visitor center; there are a few different trails you can hike while you are here. Since I came with my mum, we didn't hike any trails and just went to the Kitanemuk Vista Point. That was enough of a walk for her and I got to see enough poppies to be happy. The rules for this park state that you have to stay on their official trails and can be fined if you walk into the wildflower fields. Flower-picking, dogs (except for service dogs), smoking, and eating (outside of the picnic area) are also prohibited.

There are warnings about rattlesnakes, but thankfully I didn't see any. What I did encounter a lot of were butterflies and bugs. Oh my goodness so many bugs... I definitely recommend putting on bug repellant before walking around the reserve. I was not there for too long but I still ended up getting bug bites -_- Since this is a desert, the park also recommends wearing sun protection, layering clothing, and drinking a lot of water while walking around on the trails. All good recommendations!

I'm glad I got to come here and see the poppy fields, even if they weren't as magnificent as the pictures I've seen. But with all the bugs and the distance/time we travelled to get here (as well as paying $9 for parking), it's not worth a second visit... which is why I bought a pack of seeds from a nursery on the way back and will be creating my own poppy...

This park houses the most amazing display of California State flower poppies when they are in full bloom. You will be wowed by a field of yellow orange, with splashes of white, lavendar, red and yellow flowers, green lucious lawns, blue skies with puffy clouds and some cool breezes in Spring.

It is a smaller park than other preserves, but it doesn't diminish the depth or beauty of the landscape. Even when poppies aren't in full bloom, there is a calm and a beauty about it. It is a quiet serene place to hike and enjoy the nature around you. There is a wonderful variety of flora and fauna - be sure to get the brochure they hand out so you can look for and identify them all.

A great place for groups or family outings.

Few tips. You will get a ticket if you stray from official trail. Do not disrespect the rules by trampling the flowers to lay down and take selfie. Or place your child in the field while they eat the flowers! (Yes I saw this on my visit!) Walking in flowers causes damage and scars in years to come. You can capture the poppies in whatever fashion you choose WITHOUT being on them!

Additionally there are no dogs or bikes allowed on trails, drones or picking flowers. Commercial or student filming requires permit.

There is $10 per car entry fee. You receive a pass to visit other parks in area at no cost for limited time (they provide map). The parking lot gets full at peak times, but they do not allow entry unless there is space. Handicap parking is available but limited and gets taken quickly.

There are port a potties on site, as well as a few handicap accessible restrooms in same location on way to visitor center.

Most important here is to enjoy the beauty. It is worth the time to...