With California receiving enough rain this season to pull the state out of a drought, all eyes, at least locally, are on the hillsides to see whether or not a super bloom will occur.
Yellow flowers are popping up at the Carrizo Plain National Monument in eastern San Luis Obispo County, forming on the hills and blanketing parts of the valley floor, but Monument Manager Johna Hurl says the best is yet to come.
“It’s actually the early part of the season, so they are just coming,” Hurl says.
A potential super bloom at Carrizo Plain will occur later than the coastal areas as snow fell along Highway 58 just a few weeks ago.
Hurl expects April to be the peak month with lots of yellow and purple flowers and maybe even orange ones, like California poppies.
For those planning to head out to see the area, which Hurl says has already drawn crowds, there are some things they should keep in mind.
It’s a remote place in San Luis Obispo County and people should respect private property, Hurl said. She also says people should fill up their gas tanks before heading out there and make sure they have food and water.
Drivers are reminded to heed warning and road closure signs as clay is causing some of the roads to be impassible and drivers are getting stuck.
Super blooms sometimes happen during years of heavy rainfall that follow a drought. The drought eliminates the grass and weeds that take up nutrients allowing wildflowers to thrive.
The last super bloom in California was in 2017.
