Carrizo Plain: The Best Wildflowers in California?
- wordwize
- 5 days ago
- 7 min read
Spring has sprung—and the rolling hills and lush grasslands of Carrizo Plain are coming back to life. Let me help plan your visit so you can experience this stunning sea of wildflowers for yourself.
Carrizo Plain National Monument
Carrizo Plain is a vast and largely untouched grassland, just a few hours north of Los Angeles. The pristine plain sits nestled between the Temblor Mountains to the northeast, the Caliente Mountains to the southwest, and the ever-shifting San Andreas Fault. This hidden gem in San Luis Obispo County is home to a wide range of wildlife, including kit foxes, pronghorn, and migrating sandhill cranes.
It was designated as a National Monument in 2001, and since then, not much has changed. Even today, it remains a rugged, unspoiled landscape with no facilities or cell service. Carrizo Plain offers a true off-the-grid experience, where you unplug and enjoy nature—without all the distractions.
California Wildflowers
Spring in California is always full of life. The typical brown landscape turns a vibrant green hue and explodes in multicolor wildflower blooms. Carrizo Plain is home to many species of spring-blooming plants. April is the best month to spot blindingly bright yellow goldenbrush shrubs, radiant violet bush lupines, and even patches of orange California poppies—our state flower!
Now, not every year is a “super bloom.” These sublime spectacles occur when the wildflowers are so dense, they carpet the entirety of the plain’s floor. This is typically after unusually wet winters that drench the otherwise arid landscape.
Getting to the Monument
As they say, getting there is half the fun! There are some stunning vistas on the way to the Monument. If you’re coming from Los Angeles, take the 5 North through the Grapevine to the 33. Farmlands and orchards stretch out as far as the eye can see as you pass through towns like Maricopa and Taft.
Then, head down Highway 58, deep into rolling hill country. Here lonely oil pumps sit amongst a sea of flowers. The highway winds up and over the Temblor Range, offering breathtaking views of the valley below, the hills dotted with bright blooms.
As you head down into Carrizo Plain National Monument, there is a worthwhile stop off to your right. An old ranch with some abandoned farm equipment and a picturesque windmill offers a glimpse into this area’s agricultural history. It is a perfect spot to take in the rustic charm of the landscape.
Also take a moment to stop when you hit Seven Mile Road to soak up the scenery from the canyon you just emerged from. While it is the first stretch of gravel road, it is not nearly as nasty as others you will soon face.
Wallace Creek Interpretive Trail
From Seven Mile Road, turn on Elkhorn Road for a bit more of a bumpier ride. Wallace Creek is a small creek bed right at the foot of the San Andreas fault. While dry for most of the year, it provides a unique vantage point to see the rolling landscape sprawl out before you. The Interpretive Trail is a short, easy walk through the wildflowers. It is lined with plaques marking the violent geological features and vivacious fauna this area is so known for.
San Andreas Fault
Speaking of geological violence, the San Andreas Fault is the ever-evolving boundary between the North American and Pacific tectonic plates. The Carrizo Plain features some of the most dramatic surface expressions of the entire fault trace.
Running along the eastern border of the Monument, the Elkhorn Scarp is one of the oldest sections of the San Andreas. The Elkhorn Scarp’s striking pressure ridge jets out from the flat plain, marking the violent upheaval from the two plates colliding.
Soda Lake
This massive alkaline lake covers over 3,000 acres. Runoff from the mountains surrounding the plain empty into this low point—there is no exit. As the water evaporates in the hot summer months, white deposits of salt and sulfates are left behind.
The Soda Lake Trail follows along the water’s edge. Meandering down the boardwalk, watch for some of the many species of migrating birds. Along with numerous sandhill cranes, I saw several American Avocets foraging in the muddy banks of the lake.
If you want a better vantage point, head across Soda Lake Road to the Overlook. From this hill, you can get a better birds’ eye view of the impressive landscape.
Simmler Road
For those willing to test the rough terrain, Simmler Road offers different views from the eastern edge of the lakeshore. Stretching out across the isthmus that cuts through Soda Lake, the road meets Elkhorn Road just north of Wallace Creek. There are several parking areas with small trails leading out to the east bank of the lake.
Painted Rock and Traver Ranch
I also wanted to touch on a few other honorable mentions in the Monument area. While they were closed when I visited, Painted Rock and Traver Ranch are on my bucket list for when I visit next—and I will!
Painted Rock
Painted Rock is a truly unique, nearly fully encased sandstone structure. The horseshoe shaped rock hides extraordinary Chumash pictographs from around 2,000 BCE. There are guided and self-guided tours available from mid-July to the end of February. As the gates are locked, you need a code—so reservations are a must. Tickets and be booked online at Recreation.gov. The tour itself is free, but there is a $1 reservation fee.
Traver Ranch
Traver Ranch is an old farmstead with vintage equipment from the 1940s still laying around. It is a cool place to stop—and it has one of the few restrooms available in the Monument.
Where to Stay Carrizo Plain
The Monument has several options for camping, all of which are free on a first-come-first-serve basis. There are two designated campgrounds that offer pristine solitude and wide-open views, but can be hard to get to for larger rigs due to the rough roads. Both campgrounds offer basic sites with a fire ring, table, and decently clean vault toilets.
Selby Campground
Selby Campground is the furthest north of the two. While it is closer to the visitor center—technically—you have to traverse 13 miles of unpaved roads to get there. Although rough, the road is incredibly scenic. There are unique sandstone features and an abandoned barn from the 1940s along the way.
KCL Campground
Further south is KCL Campground, which is much closer to Soda Lake Road. This quaint campground is nestled amongst eucalyptus trees, offering some of the only shade in the park.
Given that much of the area around the Monument is BLM land, there are also tons of places to boondock. Dispersed camping is available in the rolling hills north of Wallace Creek and near Selby Campground. No camping is allowed on the valley floor, so just check BLM maps before setting up camp.
Songdog Ranch
While I really wanted to snag a spot at one of the campgrounds in the Monument, it was peak wildflower season. That meant everything was taken. Knowing this before heading into a cell service black hole, I had researched a few other campsites just outside of the Monument.
Songdog Ranch sits just outside the southern entrance to the Monument. I found it on HipCamp, and while expensive ($40/night), I was not disappointed. It offers basic campsites perched atop of a ridge overlooking the breathtaking vistas of Ballinger Canyon. Me and my dog, Mowgli, rolled up without reservations and were the only ones in the entire campground.
While it was a bit of a rough road getting up the mountain, my trusted Honda Fit made it without problems. I picked a spot with amazing views of the sunset as it sunk across the valley. The pitch black skies made for premiere stargazing.
Tips on Visiting Carrizo Plain
Prepare for How Remote Carrizo Plain Is
Be ready for no facilities or services—for miles and miles. There is virtually zero cell service in the Monument, although I got a single bar on Verizon while walking along the Wallace Creek Interpretive Trail. There is no water or gas, so bring everything you need—including a map. The Goodwin Education Center will be your best friend if you need directions or a bathroom stop. The rangers are super informative and have tons of free maps.
Be Ready for Rough Roads
The roads are NOT paved or maintained. These are some rough roads, so be ready for some dust! There are 18 miles of paved road on Soda Lake Road, north of the Goodwin Education Center—and that’s it! The rest of the roads are all gravel or straight up OHV trails, which become impassable after a rain. While Simmler Road was the roughest one I experienced, it was super fun to drive down the isthmus. Even Soda Lake Road eventually turns into a rough and tumble dirt road. So, word to the wize, do not plan on using the southern entrance to Highway 166 if you are concerned about your clearance. Yes, I did drive this stretch to get to Songdog Ranch—but honestly, I wouldn’t do it again in my car. That’s why—like most other people coming from LA—I went all the way around to the northeast entrance.
Stay on Public Roads
There are several private ranches in and around the Monument, so stay on marked roads on your map—don’t be that trespassing tourist.
Camping During Busy Seasons
The campgrounds inside the Monument fill up quickly during peak wildflower season. While April is the best month to peep wildflowers, it is also the busiest time to visit. Have a plan b, and c, before heading to the Monument. Songdog Ranch is a good option, but there are also tons of boondocking spots in the hills surrounding the plain if you’re feeling adventurous.
So that is my advice for visiting Carrizo Plain! I really recommend heading out to such a unique landscape, especially during this time of the year! If you go, please tag me in your pictures because I swear, I will never see enough of those insane blooms!
Thanks for reading and see you next time!
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