The rain is gone and wildflowers are in bloom. Here’s how you can spot them on the Peninsula.

Each year from February through May, throngs of people head outdoors hoping to witness nature’s colorful show of wildflowers in bloom. “This year’s rains, combined with the recent warm weather, should contribute to a great wildflower season,” said Ryan McCauley, public affairs specialist at Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. “We’ve had the perfect combination of water and sun the last few weeks.”

Superblooms are pretty rare here in Northern California, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have an abundant display of wildflowers to enjoy. “We’re in a biodiversity hot spot, so we get a lot of different pockets of species,” McCauley said. “We’re really fortunate that in our area we have hundreds of blooming species at different times of the year.”

He further explained that while we enjoy the big, showy blooms that blanket hillsides, we should also pay attention to other flower species that are unique to our area.

“To really appreciate what our region has in terms of biodiversity, we encourage people to explore during other seasons beyond spring,” he said. “For example, during winter one of our endemic species, the Western leatherwood shrub, blooms in January and February. If you know what you’re looking for it can be like a year-round treasure hunt.” According to the California Native Plant Society, the Western leatherwood (Dirca occidentalis) is one of four Dirca species in the world and the only California member of the Thymelaeaceae family.

And like any good treasure hunt, planning and preparation are key to a successful experience. While rain is necessary for wildflowers to bloom, a lot of it can encourage grasses to also grow. McCauley said, “Often there’s a race between the wildflowers and grasses and if there’s too much rain early in the year, it can make the grasses shoot up and crowd out the wildflowers and prevent them from receiving the proper amount of sunlight.”

Grazing is one of the primary ways that MROSD maintains native flowers. “Year-round conservation grazing through livestock and mowing is a great way to control the grasses,” said McCauley. “It’s also helpful for the environment by turning the earth, which helps with seed germination and distribution, in addition to reducing wildfire risk.” Other restoration work includes removing non-native and invasive species that crowd out native wildflowers.

The open space district also maintains optimal wildflower blooms with outreach and education. Reminders to stay on trails and not pick wildflowers are disseminated throughout the organization’s website, social media channels and informational guides. With 25 publicly available preserves, MROSD manages and protects over 250 miles of trails on the Peninsula and in the South Bay, so hit the trails and uncover the floral treasures in your area.

Edgewood Park and Nature Preserve

Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve is known for a diverse assortment of wildflowers. A recent visit proved that to be true, with sightings of warrior’s plume, cream cups and the white-rayed pentachaeta that thrives in the park’s serpentine soil. Friends of Edgewood, a member-run and member-funded organization dedicated to preserving the park’s rich diversity, is a great resource for updates on trails, current conditions and ways to get involved. Check out their wildflower survey, updated weekly with wildflower and wildlife sightings.

Mori Point

Tidy tips are carpeting the hills at Pacifica’s Mori Point right now, so don’t wait too long to view this spectacular display set against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean. The Mori Point Peak Loop is the most direct way to access the flowers. Park at Mori Point Road and follow the trail or park at Sharp Park Beach and enjoy some beach time before tackling the stairs up to the top of the peak.

Milagra Ridge

Currently, Pacifica’s Milagra Ridge lives up to its reputation as an island ecosystem, surrounded by urban development. Compared to some of the Peninsula’s thousand-acre parks, Milagra Ridge is tiny at only 250 acres. Volunteers help keep this scenic park, part of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservatory, enjoyable for amateur naturalists and weekend hikers. Some wildflowers currently on display are Douglas iris, warrior’s plume and blue-eyed grass.

La Honda Creek Preserve

Midpen’s Grasshopper Loop Trail has buttercups, forget-me-nots and redwood sorrel blooming right now. Part of La Honda Creek Preserve, this trail opened in 2022. It’s where you can see the Western leatherwood bloom in late winter. The relatively short trail covers a lot of ground, from redwoods to oak woodlands and ridgelines with coastal grasslands.

Skyline Ridge

McCauley recommends visiting Midpen’s Skyline Ridge Sunny Jim Trail to view poppies and lupines. From the main entrance’s upper parking lot, access the Ipawa Trail that intersects with it. You can also view Alpine Pond and visit the David C. Daniels Nature Center. Continue on the trail path, which runs into the Butano View Trail, or circle back. For a more organized wildflower experience, visit the preserve on May 7 from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., where naturalists will host a guided wildflower walk titled “Flowers and Fancy.” View the details here.

California Native Plant Week runs through April 20. This annual event, sponsored by the California Native Plant Society, asks Californians to deepen their connection to the state and its native plant species for eight days. Consider introducing a friend to the world of wildflowers or helping the society collect data on native oak trees.