Poppy Hikes in the San Francisco Bay Area

The Bay Area has some great pop ups in spring, specifically, the California poppy, popping up now. Here are some hikes and bike rides that can pop with poppies.

Week: 04.05.2023
Regions: Northern CA

Valentine Vista Loop

Hike Valentine Vista Loop in Moore Creek Park Napa

Woman standing on the trail of Valentine Vista Loop at Moore Creek Park in Napa with poppies blooming on the grass
Woman standing in a field of wildflowers at Valentine Vista Loop Trail in Moore Creek Park Napa
Hike the 4.3-mile Valentine Vista Trail at Moore Creek Park. It's spectacular for views and poppies blooming in spring.
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Spring for a New Adventure

Spring Adventures in North Lake Tahoe for 2023

family sledding in north lake tahoe
kids roasting marshmallows in north lake tahoe
skiers in north lake tahoe
skiers in north lake tahoe
North Lake Tahoe is having a spring for the ages, with historic snow levels. This season has always been special: There are great mid-week deals, and this year the snow is going to stick around for a while—skiing until July! Make a week of it!
Spring Adventures in North Lake Tahoe

Pedal, Poppies, Picnic

Bike or hike at Helen Putnam Regional Park near Petaluma

Woman sitting at a bench overlooking the fields and foothills at Helen Putnam Regional Park near Petaluma.
Biker by the water at Helen Putnam Regional Park in Sonoma County
Poppies on a trail in Helen Putnam Regional Park Petaluma
Biker on a trail at Helen Putnam Regional Park in Sonoma County Petaluma
Helen Putnam Regional Park punches above her weight. The compact yet bountiful park near Petaluma explodes with wildflowers every spring, in particular the state’s signature California poppy.
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Well Rounded

Hike the Grand Loop at Mount Diablo in the East Bay

Epic views, fields of flowers, and ridgeline thrills offering one of the biggest views in the West: Hiking the Grand Loop at Mount Diablo State Park in spring is eye-candy, with reams of poppies and more than 200 miles of California landscape rolling to the snowcapped Sierra.
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Colorful Calero

Hike or bike at Calero County Park in the South Bay

A hiker sitting on the trailside taking photos of poppies and wildflowers at Calero County Park in the South Bay
California poppies decorate the green hills at Calero County Park in the South Bay
Two cows on the trailside hills at Calero County Park in the South Bay
Hiker on a trail at Calero County Park in the South Bay
Rolling green hills, gorgeous vistas, and wildflowers festooning the landscape … this 5.4-mile out-and-back hike in the South Bay’s Calero County Park is a gentle ascent through landscape currently awash with color.
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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. All right, Almaden!

    Take a trip through time on this 5-mile loop in Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Explore the ruins of an old cinnabar mine and enjoy the first hints of wildflower season.

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  2. Waterfalls and Wine Pours

    Cooler temps, green hills, and the return of our magnificent waterfalls! This family-friendly 2-mile hike at Uvas Canyon County Park in Morgan Hill is a great way to get the most out of a short hike post-rain.

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  3. Woman hiker is climbing up the ladder in the Steep Ravine section of the Dipsea Loop Trail on Mount Tam

    Misty on Mount Tam

    Mount Tam’s 3.9-mile round-trip Steep Ravine and Dipsea Trail Loop weathers the wets and wilds with some confidence, sheltered in parts by redwoods, and wowing with a waterfall.

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  4. Mile-Long Cataract Club

    In winter after heavy rains, the north flank of Mount Tam glows with flows. The nearly mile-long series of waterfalls—Cataract Falls—transforms into a supercharged spectacle. Starting at Alpine Dam, a 1.6 mile (one-way) narrow trails threads through redwoods and ferns along Cataract Creek.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Peace Labyrinth

    Hidden in LA’s historic West Adams district, the Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens is a welcome respite from the norms of urban noise.

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  2. Weekend Sherpa Podcast: Take It Outside

    Adventure for your earbuds. What's new in the world of the outdoors? Listen to Weekend Sherpa co-founders discuss local hikes, beaches, bike rides, camping spots and all kinds of travel and adventure in California and beyond!

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  3. Hikers sitting on a large rock slab next to Three Sisters Falls in Cleveland National Forest Southern California near Julian

    Three Sisters

    Good things come in threes at this hike to a lovely trio-tiered waterfall in Cleveland National Forest. The 4.25-mile out-and-back hike rambles among rolling hills, with rocky mountain views as switchbacks take you down to a lush canyon and the falls.

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  4. People gathered around a tree at an LA Park as part of the Tree Tour led by Stephanie Carrie

    LA's Tree Tour

    Los Angeles is famous for its iconic palm trees but did you know that LA is home to one of the most diverse urban forests in the world? With over 1,000 different tree species lining its streets, LA offers a unique urban canopy waiting to be explored. One of the best ways to discover it is by joining a Tree Tour

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