Now that the City of Lake Elsinore is charging people $10 a shuttle ride to see nature, here are alternatives places you can go to enjoy flowers but less crowded.
Flowers are flowers and they aren’t exactly ONLY blooming in Lake Elsinore. As beautiful as it is, these flowers are everywhere. Off of Cajalco & 15, Perris, Moreno Valley, Escondido, Lancaster, Yucaipa and down into San Diego. People who go to Lake Elsinore should also enjoy the Main St shops and restaurants. And if you’d like to go elsewhere. Read on.
1. Riverside County Regional Conservation Center Authority
Distance from Walker Canyon- 1.1 Miles
Parking: Free
Flower Rank- Just as much flowers as Walker Canyon
Address: 26900 Walker Canyon Road, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
Located just a couple miles east of Walker Canyon Regional Park, this location should still have plenty of people visiting but it’s probably not closed off to the public. Parking is limited and you can try parking off of Hill Top Dr.
2. Carrizo Plain National Monument
Distance from Walker Canyon- 210 Miles
Flower Rank: Super Bloom
Fees: Free
Address:
If you’re willing to travel a little bit or Carrizo is closer to you, this is one of the better places to go and see some flowers in Super Bloom levels of blooming that rival Walker Canyon. I recommend visiting the website listed above to familiarize yourself with details on where to see the best flowers.
3. Diamond Valley Lake Marina
Distance from Walker Canyon- 29.1 Miles
Fees: $10/car $3/Person
Flower Rank- Not as many flowers as Walker Canyon but still, plenty for Instagram.
Address: 2615 Angler Ave Hemet, CA 92545
There’s a dedicated Wildflower Trail you can take for the best photo op. NBC Los Angeles did a great piece on what to expect.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BvMacvoBAlD/
4. Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park-
Distance from Walker Canyon- 29.1 Miles
Flower rank: Not Super Bloom levels obviously
Fees: Free
Address:
Located near Lake Forest, this park is on the other side of Lake Elsinore. You’ll have to look to find the blooming poppies but the crowds won’t be as big, obviously.
5. Limestone Canyon Regional Park-
Distance from Walker Canyon- 43.6 Miles
Flower Rank: Not Super Bloom levels and you’ll have to hike a bit to find patches of flowers but still quite beautiful.
Fees: Free to park
Address: East Santiago Canyon Rd Silverado, CA 92676
Also, not on the I-15, you’ll find some flowers here, too. Again, not as big as drastic as Walker Canyon but still quite amazing.
6. Laguna Beach
Distance from Walker Canyon- 50.5 miles
Flower Rank: Not really a Super Bloom locale but there are patches and flowers and you’re at the beach.
Fees: Free to Park
Address:53 Emerald Bay Laguna Beach, CA 92651
I’ve perused Instagram and found a couple of photos of some flowers in bloom, as per the season but this is the Ironic Super Bloom area. While you’re at the beach, take a couple of Instagram photos with flowers, enjoy not having to deal with crowds and have some fun. The beach is now less crowded because everyone’s in Lake Elsinore. Ew.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BvVBhKylQKb/
7. Chino Hills State Park-
Distance from Walker Canyon- 28.5 Miles
Fees: $5 a car
Flower Rank- Just as much flowers as Walker Canyon
Address: 4721 Sapphire Rd, Chino Hills, CA 91709
Chino Hills State Park is not as crowded as Lake Elsinore but people still come here for the poppies. You’re going to want to go on Bane Ridge Trail. This Yelp reviewer has the right idea.
Read Jaimie H.‘s review of Chino Hills State Park on Yelp
8.Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve
Distance from Walker Canyon- 128 miles
Flower Rank: Super Bloom is in full swing
Fees: $10/car
Address: 15101 Lancaster Rd, Lancaster, CA 93536
Perhaps Antelope Valley is closer to you than Walker Canyon. If so, you’re in luck because there are PLENTY of poppies here. Check out some photos below.
9.Coachella Valley Preserve
Distance from Walker Canyon- 81.1 Miles
Flower Rank: Super Bloom!
Fees: $10/car $3/Person
Address: 29200 Thousand Palms Canyon Rd, Thousand Palms, CA 92276
More info can be found by visiting Visit Greater Palm Springs here but crowds will be less than Walker Canyon, you’re in the beautiful Coachella Valley, and the flowers are plentiful! Visit the website linked below the address for the absolute latest information.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BvTFkcrDxG-/
10.Kabian Park
Distance from Walker Canyon- 15 Miles
Flower rank: Not really Super Bloom at all but a close place you can drive to if you went to Lake Elsinore, saw it was crowded, and want a nice place to hike with a few flowers and want to unwind.
Fees: Free
Address:
I threw this wildcard on the list for the heck of it, there are patches of flowers in super bloom-like levels of density but it’s honestly just a less-traveled location near Walker Canyon where you can enjoy a stroll and take a few Instagram-worthy pics. And oh, there’s more flowers here than usual.
