California Flowers Calendar

As a major fan of blossom chasing, being a photographer in California is a dream come true. The unique climate of the Golden State creates the most amazing and phenomenal displays of flowers throughout each season. Northern California is one of the best spots to be to see flowers that thrive in every temperature and elevation. If you are looking to book a photoshoot during your favorite flower’s season this guide should help map out when and where you need to plan for.

January

Tulip Magnolias are a flower very near and dear to my heart. They seemingly explode overnight, usually in late January- early February. Once the trees bloom you have about a week to photograph them in full brilliance, as the petals are extremely delicate and begin to fall quickly.

February

Mustard blossoms explode all throughout the hills of the San Francisco Bay Area! Mustard happens to be one of the oldest plants cultivated and one of the oldest spices. The plant is super pet and kid friendly. (as long as you don’t have an allergy!) It grows in large, wild tufts, which aren’t regulated. It’s fairly invasive, so you don’t need to feel terrible if you pick or trample it.

Late February

Late in the month delivers the most stunning display of Californian blooms- our iconic almond blossoms! The Golden State is the lead export of almonds for the country. Over 90% of the almond farms are family owned, which means these gorgeous trees are on private property! It’s important to always be respectful of these farms. Damage to the trees means damage to a family business.

March

The Carlsbad Flower fields are a MUST visit if you are ever in the San Diego area March through April. The flower fields are a working farm which is open to the public. The flowers rotate fields and the best time to see them in full glory is March. It can be a tricky spot to visit, so weekdays are best to get the place all to yourself! Tickets to the fields are sold online.

March also brings the first round of spring flowers to San Francisco. If you aren’t looking for any specific flowers Golden Gate Park is filled with calla-lillies, bluebells, cherry blossoms, and camellias.

Late March

Bulbs begin the first round of blossoming in high elevation areas that retain a lot of water through winter. Redwood city, Palo Alto, Walnut Creek, and Lafayette are towns that have the first rounds. They continue to sprout all through spring and dry up once the sun gets pretty warm. These are absolutely amazing to photograph as flowers pop up in bulk and can fill entire hillsides.

April

Lupines have taken California by storm the past couple of years. After the amazing Folsom Lake Superbloom they’ve become a huge tourist attraction to big flower lovers. Purple lupines bloom in high elevation and require a lot of water. Once it gets too warm they burn up, but their bloom can last from late May to mid June!

California Poppies begin showing up as soon as the sun warms up the ground! These beloved flowers are actually an invasive weed- but they’re still protected by the state so don’t go pulling them up!

You can begin spotting these vibrant flowers on hillsides with other wildflowers. They love to coat grassy areas in high elevations, but will grow just about anywhere when the time is right. These flowers only bloom for four days before withering away, so once you spot them don’t miss the opportunity to stop and enjoy them.

April also bring vibrant bulbs, fragrant wisteria, and dogwood blossoms! San Francisco will see Lotus flowers and honeysuckle.

May

Yellow Lupines come just a couple weeks later! These are more common in central California and grow in pockets around the Bay.

June

Summertime brings big, fluffy roses! Rose gardens are some of my favorite places for quiet family sessions and romantic couple sessions. Roses will follow the warmth and begin blooming in Southern California, working its way up to the bay. San Jose will get the first round, and cooler spots like Walnut Creek and Oakland will keep big rose blooms into August.

Lavender will also be in peak season. Lavender farms in the bay area are privately owned, and spots for sessions book up very quickly, sometimes months in advance. If you want a Lavender session plan as early as possible!

July

The end of summer bring the delightful and fluffy sunflowers. Much like Almond farms, sunflowers are primarily grown on private, family owned land as a crop. These farms should always be respected, and the flowers never picked.

August

It’s roses round two! The last of the blooms will remain at the very beginning of August and begin to dry out through the month. It’s usually my last huzzah of the spring and summer blooms for any families who prefer to book photoshoots before the school season starts.

September

Depending on the fog, Hydrangeas will become to open up all over San Francisco. These plants pack such a fun, visual punch. Don’t pass them up when flower hunting. They usually begin their bloom in late July and can be spotted in neighborhoods all throughout the bay. These flowers thrive in wet environments, and the vibrancy of the petals can vary depending on the Ph levels of the soul. Mixed ecosystems, (like gardens near redwood groves) can grow ombre hydrangea plants!

October

Geraniums pop up in the fall, perfect for families who plan photoshoots before the holiday chaos begins. These bright flowers usually grow in tended gardens, and seldom pop up wildly. However there are many gorgeous spots to enjoy these sweet buds.

November

While blossom hunting wraps up for the year, the fall brings a spectacular burst of color in the changing leaves. Christmas Tree farms open up and give amazing photo opportunities under twinkling lights. You can start spotting holly brushes, cypress trees in full greens, and vibrant yellow gingko trees.

Smaller sunflowers will have their last blooms in dry areas early September, and orchids will begin to sprout flowers.

December

Okay, you caught me. These aren’t technically flower blossoms, but I couldn’t pass up giving a special shout out to citrus! California is one of the leading exports of citrus around the world, with lemons and oranges growing year round. The fragrant buds get an extra bloom early winter, with layers of fruit trees full of color right before harvesting season. If you love the idea of incorporating a floral element into your shoot but flowers aren’t in season, a citrus grove might be the perfect solution. The groves catch light in such a unique way and become so dreamy!

Year Round

Another cheater post- however another great garden option for your photoshoot would be a cactus garden. These are so unique, offering a bright, neutral backdrop. Cactus flower once a year, and in larger gardens you are bound to find a bloom here and there.

Hibiscus is an amazing tropical plant (and the state flower of Hawaii!) that blossoms year round in the bay area climate. They’re a challenge to find in packed areas, but definitely something to keep your eyes out for.

Oak and olive trees are other beautiful plants that stay vibrant year round. True, you won’t get florals, however on bright, sunshiney days, the waxy leaves bounce light in the most amazing way. This light effect creates a warm summery glow. This shouldn’t be passed up during a dark and cozy season.

Thanks for reading!

I hope this guide was fun and helpful! I continue to chase blooms every year as they bring so much brightness and joy into your images. If you are interested in booking a shoot, let’s get in touch and plan something amazing!