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See the Beautiful California Spring 2017 Wildflowers Bloom in Lompoc
Take a Trip to Lompoc for California Wildflowers in Bloom
After the rainy winter season, California is looking like a wildflower paradise!
Lompoc, California traditionally blooms big in springtime with wildflower on the hillsides, vineyards budding with blooms, and emerald green hills to explore by car, bike, or on a hike. And if mother nature cooperates, we hope that 2017 will be an amazing year to see the wildflowers in all of their glory in and around Lompoc.
While nature can be a bit unpredictable, we expect this season’s wildflowers to bloom from late March through early May depending on weather and temperatures.
Top five local Lompoc Scenic Drives & Hiking Spots to view the wildflowers:
Highway 1
Traveling north by car from Southern California? Veer off the 101 onto Highway 1, just past Gaviota Pass, and explore this take-your-breath-away scenic route that bring you into the heart of Lompoc. You’ll cruise by emerald green hillsides, cattle ranches, wild mustard, and coming soon … fields of poppies and lupine (expected early Mayl). Be sure to pull off onto the shoulder if you want to snap some photos.
Santa Rosa Road
One of our prettiest country back roads, Santa Rosa Road meanders through the Sta. Rita Hills wine appellation, past vineyards, farm fields, ranches, and spring wildflowers in bloom. Be sure to stop at Sanford Winery & Vineyards for the ultimate wine tasting experience. Sanford was the first to plant vineyards in Santa Barbara County over 40 years ago, and is home to the oldest Pinot Noir vines. You may recognize Sanford from the 2004 hit movie Sideways (2004) that made Pinot the must taste wine.
Jalama Road
Just off Highway 1, south of Lompoc, is Jalama Road – a slow, scenic 14.5 mile drive to the coast and Jalama Beach County Park. In springtime, California poppies bloom on the hillsides, and mustard fields are abundant. When you get to the end of the drive, you may see yellow Coreopsis gigantea on the bluff, with picturesque Jalama Beach below. Come hungry, and enjoy a world-famous Jalama Burger grilled at Jalama Beach Store. Afterwards, stroll the beach or take a short hike.
Drum Canyon Road
East of Lompoc on Route 246, turn north onto Drum Canyon Road. When conditions are right, it’s bursting with spring wildflowers, and a lovely drive on a meandering country drive. Be sure to stop at Dierberg-Starlane Winery & Vineyards along the way. The tasting room is open 7 days, from 11 am to 5 pm, and features Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Syrah.
La Purisima Mission State Park
Twenty-five miles of trails make La Purisima Mission State Historic Park a popular spot for day hikes and wildflower viewing. The main trail winds up to the cross above the mission, and provides wonderful views of the surrounding wilderness and the mission below. It then follows the fence line and loops around to the main loop which connects with the original mission road – El Camino Real. It’s an easy five-mile hike; dogs and horses welcome. A variety of wildflowers bloom on the 2,000 acres of this state park. Spotted blooming this spring are the following: Purple Nightshade, Greenspot Nightshade, Morning Glory, Bush Poppy, Golden Yarrow, Blue Dicks, Fiesta Flower, Caterpillar Phacelia , Chia Sage, Lupine , Wall flower, Primrose and others.
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