I am sure you have been following all of the media hype of this years super bloom in Anza Borrego. Some are calling it the best wildflower season in 15 plus years due to the amount of rain that has dumped on Southern California this past winter.

For better or worse with this hype comes the crowds.
Apparently traffic in and around Borrego Springs was at a standstill for most of the last couple of weekends as hordes of people descended on the sleepy desert town.

On a positive note I think it is pretty cool that so many people are into taking the time to experience this marvel of nature.

As a quieter alternative, at least until the media gets a hold of it, I recommend checking out some of hills of Southern California.

California Poppies near Lake Elsinore

I am not going to give you the exact location but do a little exploring in the eastern parts of San Diego and Riverside counties and you won’t be disappointed. These pictures were taken a short hike up a hill in southern Riverside county.

California Poppies near Lake Elsinore

California Poppies near Lake Elsinore