Day Trip: California Poppy Fields

2021 UPDATE: Unfortunately, the lack of rainfall this year has caused almost zero poppies to bloom at the reserve. Save this post for your visit next year, and let’s all hope the poppies get some rain! This photo is from 2020.

About an hour outside Los Angeles are the Antelope Valley Poppy Fields - rolling hills covered in California’s national flower. The Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve has reopened at limited capacity, but the surrounding areas are covered in orange-blanketed hills - quite the sight to see even from inside your car.

Poppy season is generally from February through May. The best time to visit is in the morning or early afternoon when poppies are opened. They’re true Angelinos as they curl up in the evenings when the cold winds pick up.

If you’re comfortable parking on the side of the road and getting out of your car, remember to not step on or pick the flowers and beware of snakes on warmer days.

Want to grab a bite to eat on the way? Stop by The Best of Europe Deli in Lancaster for the best sandwiches!

Can’t make the drive? Enjoy these beauties from your home on the Poppy Reserve Live Camera at parks.ca.gov/live/poppyreserve

Getting There:

The best way to get to the poppy fields is to enter the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve into your GPS. You’ll start seeing the poppies miles away from the reserve. Some visitors, myself included, pull over on the side of the road prior to arriving at the reserve.

Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve:

15101 Lancaster Rd.

Lancaster, CA 93536

The Best of Europe

41971 50th St. W.

Lancaster, CA 94536