Carrizo Plain is one of California's hidden gems for wildflower photography. During a strong superbloom year like this one, the hills transform into a sea of yellow hillside daisies, rolling in waves of color to the horizon beneath the dramatic Temblor Range.
The previous superbloom was unforgettable, one of the best in the last decade. I made the three-hour drive out to the badlands and was thrilled to discover the hills blanketed in yellow coreopsis and hillside daisies stretching endlessly, as if someone had spilled paint across the landscape. Normally dry grassland turned into a living canvas, with fields of purple, orange, and yellow accompanied by the intoxicating fragrance of blooms.
Right now in 2026, from the most recent reports, Carrizo Plain is in full superbloom mode thanks to heavy winter rains, hillside daisies and goldfields dominate the yellow landscape, with tidy tips, purple owl's clover, and patches of goldfields adding contrast. The bloom kicked off early and is strong across the lowlands and Temblor Mountains, with good color expected through late March or into April. Crowds are building (parking fills early on weekends), so plan ahead for this rare display.
This photograph captures that fleeting magic exactly as I experienced it. Imagine stepping into those hills and feeling the color, the breeze, and the scent of wildflowers as if you were there yourself. Bring the awe and beauty of the Carrizo Plain superbloom into your space every day.