California is one of the best places to visit in the United States and has long been a favourite holiday destination of mine. Also known as the Golden State, it’s a place full of sunshine, incredible beaches and a laid back atmosphere.
There are many things to see and do when visiting the beautiful state of California, so if you happen to have limited time when travelling here, I would say an absolute must is seeing the almond blossoms. These beautiful trees burst into bloom for only a short space of time each year, but offer some of the most spectacular scenery when they do.
If you are planning to visit California to see the almond blossoms and want a little more information, all the details below will help guide you in the right direction.
When is Almond Blossom Season in California?
Almond blossoms bloom in California between February and March. During this time, the many trees that are scattered up and down the state come to life, showing off outstanding white and pink flowers.
Although the almond blossom is in full bloom sometime in February and March, they actually begin to bud the previous summer, reaching full flush and showing off the incredible flowers the following year.
So, if you are looking to catch the renowned California almond blossom in its maximum glory, then a trip to the state during the winter and spring months is the best time to visit, as you are most likely to get the best experience of the flowers as they display their true beauty.
Best Time of Day to See Almond Blossom
California is known for its sunshine, but one of the most beautiful times of day to see the almond blossom trees is at sunrise or sunset. The trees and flowers are bathed in golden light at this time, offering some of the best conditions to take some seriously impressive photos of the blossom.
Not only do you get the chance to catch the most stunning sight of the almond blossom during this time, but you also get the opportunity to watch the sunrise or sunset, which is another brilliant thing to do in California.
Where To Find The Best Almond Flowers in California
The main place to see almond blossoms in California is throughout the Central Valley. Places such as Durham and the trip from Woodland to Dixon in Sacramento are particularly popular places to see the trees in full bloom.
However, if you happen to not be visiting the Central Valley area, do not worry as there are also many other places to visit in both Northern and Southern California.
Northern California
The northern area of California is a great spot for seeing the almond blossom trees in their full magnificence. Between Dixon and Woodland, near Sacramento, you will find the almond trees in abundance.
YOLO County is a great northern location for sightings of the almond blossom. Between Woodland and Winters, you will find many trees providing a beautiful pop of colour to the already impressive Californian backdrop. Bear in mind that you might have to drive around the area a little in order to find the best blossoms, but this is a great chance for a little road trip through the state.
I-80 along highway 113 near Davis also offers some incredible views of the almond blossom in California. The route is surrounded by trees and creates a romantic and magical atmosphere for all who journey through.
Southern California
If you are visiting southern California, then there are still some great spots for catching the almond blossoms in full bloom.
Bakersfield and Kern County are particularly popular southern destinations for spotting the almond blossom in California. Bakersfield in particular is a great place to see the flowers once they have come to life during February and March.
If you choose to visit Bakersfield and Kern County to see the almond blossom, then it also provides the perfect opportunity to travel 2 hours to Los Angeles, where you can explore the state further and perhaps bump into some famous faces whilst you are there!
The Modesto Almond Route
When visiting California, if you are travelling from the Bay Area to Yosemite then you will make your way through Modesto.
The Modesto almond route is one of the best places you can visit when aiming to catch the best sights of almond blossom in California. As you travel through the rich agricultural county of Modesto, famous for its almond offering, you will be greeted with a plethora of almond trees that are bursting with pink and white colour.
There are many almond orchards in and around the Modesto area, some of the best being Rodin Farms and Roberts Ferry Nut Company. These two impressive orchards are brimming with almond trees, and throughout February and March you can expect to see at least some of the trees in full bloom.
Many choose to explore this area by following a designated almond blossom cruise, which guides you around the area and takes you to places where the tree population is most concentrated.
Other Tips
It is important to remember that many of the almond blossoms orchards in California are on private property, so visitors must be respectful of this and only walk along the designated routes. This is to ensure that the trees aren’t harmed by any of the visitors but that the public can still come and admire the blossoms.
When wandering through the orchards, you must never pick the flowers. Farmers spend their whole year preparing for harvest, so the trees must be left exactly as they were.
If you are exploring California, always remember to tidy up after yourself and leave no trace of your visit.
Summary
After reading through my top tips and information on almond blossoms, I hope you can now visit California and enjoy the stunning trees just as much as I did. If you’d like more recommendations for how to spend your time in the Golden State, you can check out more of my advice in my California Travel Guide here.
xo
Mrs O