Visit The Antelope Valley Poppy Fields
Thinking about planning a day trip? The Antelope Valley Poppy Fields are a great place for a quick escape out of Los Angeles. While quarantine has most of us trapped indoors, taking a drive to explore nature is the perfect way to feel refreshed.
Click above to check out our trip!
The Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve encompasses more than 1,700 acres of poppy covered hills just north of Los Angeles. The state park officially closed as of April 7th, but there are still plenty of ways to experience the beautiful poppies. The flowers typically bloom around late February through May, so now is the time to plan your local getaway. The heat wave and heavy rains have made this years bloom even more spectacular.
With the state park technically closed, many roads are gated off. (Don’t worry, I have the scoop on where to go 😉) The restrooms and other facilities are also shut, so make sure to plan ahead. Please don’t pick or trample the flowers, or leave garbage. The nature reserve is gorgeous and deserves to be left that way.
What to Bring:
Sunscreen, cold water, Claritin (so necessary!), snacks, toilet paper, & a camera
When to Go: 🕒
Plan your trip for golden hour. We left Los Angeles around 4:00pm and arrived with stunning light at 5:30pm. There were few other visitors and the day had cooled off a bit. Don’t go too late - poppy flowers close at night or in cold weather.
Directions: 🗺
This is where we went! Take the scenic route through Santa Clarita to San Francisquito Canyon Road. This road winds through picturesque green hills and gets you right to the heart of the poppy hills. From Los Angeles, the trip is about 90 minutes. Follow the map and take the turn off at Myrick Canyon Road. This turns into a dirt path so be sure to take a sturdy car that can handle sand and lots of bumps. For the drive home, take CA-14 which will get you back to Los Angeles faster. Plus, there is a Chick-fil-A and a few In-N-Outs right off the highway. 😋
Have you ever been to the poppy fields? Let me know if you make the trip and what you think in the comments below! 🌷
