As every California schoolchild knows, the official state flower of the Golden State is the California poppy. At the time of selection in 1903, fields of orange poppies were regularly found throughout the state. Today, though, the best place to see this uniquely California gem is in the western Antelope Valley.
Established in 1976, the Antelope Valley Poppy Preserve protects 1,800 acres of prime poppy-bearing land.
For nine to 10 months of the year, the desert grasslands are monotonous golden fields of native groundcover.
Then, in March in years of significant rainfall, the hillsides explode in color with poppies and other flora, including lotuses, clover, fiddleneck, daisies and many others.
The palatte of lovely color lasts until around Mother’s Day, when the fields grow dry with the heat of the upcoming summer.
During this peak spring season, many international tourists and California natives alike make the trek to the western Antelope Valley to experience the flowers, take selfies and group photos, and enjoy some hiking along the eight miles of easy- to moderate-difficulty trails.
In 2024, despite an unusual second year of heavy rainfall, the natural display of poppies is perhaps surpisingly less magnificent than usual. Persistently cold spring weather is at least partially to blame.
But yellow and purple flowers at least partially make up for the missing orange bulbs.
The first stop for visitors to go is the Jane S. Pinheiro Interpertive Center, where a short documentary on desert wildflowers and exhibits on the various varieties of California flora educate the day tripper. Postcards, magnets and bookmarks at affordable prices make it possible to celebrate your visit for years to come!
During the summer, autumn and winter, the trails are still open and the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve is still a great place to explore. But the visitor center is only open during the spring blooming season. And beware…winters can be chilly, even snowy, while summer heat can be brutal.
PBS California expert Huell Howser was a regular visitor to the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve. Google him and the first photos you see are likely of him in this special place.
Spend a few hours on a sunny, mild afternoon at the poppy reserve and you’re likely to develop just as strong an affinity for this place that exemplifies the natural side of California.
Ft. Tejon: Early California, the Big One and Amish Country
During California’s first full decade as a U.S. state in the 1850s, the adobe buildings in the tree-lined meadow of Ft. Tejon protected settlers from conflict with Native American tribes.
Situated at an altitude of more than 3,500 feet, the fort is part of the Tejon Pass, which many Southern Californians know as the Grapevine. Periodically, this pass is closed in winter due to snowfall or strong winds, disrupting the supply chain between Northern and Southern California that relies on the I-5 Freeway.
In calm times, Ft. Tejon is a great stop for those traveling the length of California – or the history buff seeking out a lesser-known spot to explore the California story.
Buildings such as the officers’ quarters, kitchen, bakery, jail, Civil War-era hospital and more are open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Especially in spring or autumn, the surrounding meadow looks more like Appalachia than Southern California, making it a great spot for photography!
Earth science buffs will remember Ft. Tejon as the epicenter of one of the largest earthquakes in United States history – the Jan. 9, 1857 earthquake that may have registered as high as Magnitude 8.2.
At the time, Southern California was still sparsely populated. But reports clearly point to a 220-mile surface scar along the San Andreas fault and powerful earth movement in Los Angeles to the south.
When Southern Californians speak of the feared “Big One,” they are usually referencing a repeat of this quake, which today would cause untold damage in the Los Angeles and Inland Empire areas and in desert communities, and would seriosuly disrupt supply lines.
Ft. Tejon today is part of Lebec, a town of about 1,000 people that includes a rare western U.S. Amish community.
The Amish here are Beachy Amish, following a less strict form of Anabaptism that allows for some modern conveniences, such as driving a car or having a home or business wired to electricity. And unlike the Old Order Amish common in Pennsylvania or Ohio, these Amish are less legalistic and worship in a way more akin to mainstream conservative Protestant Christianity. Still, the Beachy Amish of Lebec maintain a way of life that is quieter than the societal norm, making a living off of agriculture, animal husbandry or family-owned businesses.
The visitor’s opportunity to observe this Amish community is limited. But you can enjoy the ambiance of an old country church, small-town post office, antique shop and other aspects of the more laid-back rural American life.
The western Antelope Valley and the Grapevine are at the northern border of Los Angeles County. It’s hard to believe that the miles of open spaces are actually part of L.A.! A reminder that the pristine, virgin scenery of California that the native peoples lived in and that the first Spaniard and American pioneers discovered still exists in many places. You just need to know where to look!
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