SoCal is a place where you just want to be outside. So start planning some fun outdoor adventures to embrace all the beauty that SoCal has to offer! From wildflowers and botanical gardens, to incredible state parks and nature preserves, here are 10 spectacular outdoor places to visit in Southern California:
1. Sierra Madre Wistaria Festival
Shake off the winter and embrace spring! In mid-March, you can head to the charming town of Sierra Madre to celebrate the annual Wistaria Festival. What makes this event so epic? You'll get to see one of the world's largest blossoming wistaria vines that dates back to 1894 when it was first planted. Note: the festival is canceled for 2021, but will hopefully come back in 2022. Be sure to visit the Sierra Madre Wistaria Festival Facebook Page for updates.
2. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
This state park sure is a stunner. Every spring beings wildflower season, where the fields come alive with color. There are plenty of places to see the colorful flowers in SoCal, but Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is one of our favorites. After having heaving rains this season, we bet the flowers will be bright and colorful this year. You can visit this state park at 200 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004.
3. UCR Botanic Garden
With over 3,500 different plant species, a variety of wildlife, and a picturesque walking trail, a day trip to this hidden botanical garden is the perfect way to spend an afternoon in SoCal.. You can find the UCR Botanical Garden Trail at 1 Botanic Gardens Drive, Riverside, CA, 92507.
4. Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Park
Head to Inland Empire and you'll discover a picturesque open-space preserve with over 1,500 acres of stunning land to explore. Although Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Park can be enjoyed all year long, our favorite time to show up is during the spring season when the wildflowers along the trails are in full bloom and bursting with color. You can visit this park at 400 Central Avenue, Riverside, CA, 92507.
5. Jacaranda-Lined Streets
When spring rolls around in Southern California, the bright purple blossoms of the jacaranda serve as a reminder as to why we love this season so much. Bursting with blooms and adding a splash of color to SoCal's streets, the jacaranda tree is always a beautiful sight to see.
6. The Tulip Fields
Nothing says spring like a blanket of tulips in the garden. To see an abundance of these beauties in SoCal you can head to Descanso Gardens during tulip season this spring. Descanso Gardens is located at 1418 Descanso Drive, La Canada Flintridge, CA, 91011.
7. California Citrus State Historic Park
Although California Citrus State Historic Park is a delightful place to visit all year long, it's an especially magical place to be during the spring season, when the smell of citrus is oh-so-fragrant throughout the park. In addition to touring this beautiful park, you will also have the opportunity to sample citrus right off the tree! California Citrus State Historic Park is located at 9400 Dufferin Avenue, Riverside, CA, 92503.
8. Los Angeles County Arboretum
Not only does the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden have 127-acres of lush plants and gardens to explore, but it's also home to Baldwin Lake. An enchanting place to be, especially in the spring season when the colors come to life, this local gem should definitely be at the top of your list. Los Angeles County Arboretum is located at 301N N. Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia, CA, 91007.
9. Point Vicente Lighthouse
A trip to the Point Vicente Lighthouse is especially spectacular in the spring when the surrounding plants and flowers are in full bloom and blue skies overhead seem to go on for infinity. You can find the Point Vicente Lighthouse at 31550 Palos Verdes Drive W., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, 90275.
10. Pacific Coast Highway
No list of things to do in spring in Southern California is complete without a mention of the Pacific Coast Highway. Although you can't go wrong with a Sunday drive in SoCal most any time of year, the spring season is one of the best times to hit the road and head down the Pacific Coast Highway when that chilly spring breeze is still in the air right before the heat of summer takes over. Breathtaking!
There's no doubt about it -- SoCal is simply magical, especially during the springtime. Do you agree with our top 10 outdoor places to visit in Southern California? What other magical places would you add to the list? Leave your suggestions in the comments below!
And if you're looking for a few more reasons to fall in love with SoCal's beauty, you may also want to take a look at these 15 places that belong on your SoCal bucket list.
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