California poppy season is winding down in Southern California, as the bright orange flowers start to disappear into the landscape, weary of the warmer weather. But if you ever find yourself in the Los Angeles area when California poppies are in peak (usually in April), the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve just outside of Lancaster is the place to be. It’s about an hour out of L.A.
During the peak on a good year (like this year), as you drive toward the reserve from the south, the poppies suddenly come into view. (The picture below was taken traveling north toward the reserve on San Francisquito Canyon Road.)
The poppies carpet the valley floor and some hillsides with a brilliant shade of orange. The pictures really don’t do the scenery justice.
A lot of people pull over along Lancaster Road near the poppy reserve and walk out into the flowers to take pictures. Unfortunately, that damages the poppies for everyone else and you can get just as good of shots (without damaging the flowers) inside the park.
For $8 (or $7 if there’s a senior in the car), you can park in the park’s official lot, right by the visitor’s center. The visitor’s center is seasonal and closed this past weekend (May 9, 2010) until next year. It’s named after a local woman who pushed to create the poppy reserve.
Admission gets you a pamphlet that helps identify some common wildflowers. The pamphlet includes a small trail map.
The visitor’s center has a small museum, a gift shop and restrooms. The docents inside can tell you which trails have the best views of the poppies in the most brilliant bloom when you’re there. Nearby, there are picnic tables, if you want to bring along lunch or a snack and eat among the poppies, poppies, poppies! (Sorry, can’t help myself. Too much “Wizard of Oz” and Dr. Demento as a kid.)
The trails in the park get you into the poppy fields without crushing the poppies. At times, it really does feel like something right out of the “Wizard of Oz,” except instead of an emerald castle and flying monkeys, you get snakes and lizards. So you probably don’t want to lay down in the flowers. Here’s a common lizard in the area.
Rattlesnake season starts about the same time the poppies start to bloom. So don’t be surprised if you see rattlesnakes in the park. I didn’t see any when I was there in early April. But if you watch out for them and don’t bother them, they generally won’t bother you.
Some of the trails in the park are accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. Several miles worth of trails snake through the park. You can choose whichever loop fits your fitness level. Most of the trails are not too steep and fairly easy to walk.
One thing that’s important to note is that poppies don’t open when the sun is not out. So you won’t get a good display on a cloudy day. On a sunny day, they’re wide open.
The picture-taking possibilities are endless.
The sunlight plays off of the poppies, creating different shades of orange that seem to change as the day progresses.
When I was there, the poppies along the Antelope Trail North and South Loops were the most brilliant.
The South Loop of the Antelope Trail drops you into the poppy fields.
You can’t pick the wildflowers here. No dogs allowed, either. And there are small gnatty bugs that bite if you stand still for too long.
But definitely bring a camera to capture some of California’s gold.
Poppy Reserve Wildflower Hotline (for info about the poppy bloom) (661) 724-1180
Directions to Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve (from Los Angeles, the scenic route):
Make your way to northbound Interstate 5. Exit McBean Parkway. Turn right onto McBean Parkway. Right on Copper Hill Drive. Left on San Francisquito Canyon Road. (Follow this through the Angeles National Forest. This curvy route is popular with motorcyclists on the weekend.) Left on Elizabeth Lake Road. Then right on Munz Ranch Road. Munz Ranch dead-ends into Lancaster Road, where you turn left to head to the park.
Less scenic route (also from Los Angeles):
North on Interstate 5. North on Highway 14. Exit Avenue I. Turn left onto Avenue I. The road eventually will make a jog. Stay to the right. Avenue I turns into Lancaster Road.
Park Hours: Sunrise to sunset (Visitor Center only open during peak poppy season. Closed for 2010 as of May 9. You can still enter the park on your own, though.)
Peak Season: Usually around April. Poppy Festival is in late April and tends to be the most crowded weekend at the park. You can check the reserve website for the latest pictures to see if it’s worth your time to make the drive out.
Parking Fees
$8 per vehicle
$7 per vehicle with a senior on board (62 and over)
$4 per vehicle with DPR Disabled Discount Card
K-12 school groups get in free if they contact park officials ahead of time.
Susan Valot
Detour 