I’ve been wanting to visit the Antelope Valley Poppy Fields in Lancaster, California for at least 6 years now. And came up with a little road trip that combines a few fun things along the way (including a remote desert set where they shot scenes from Star Trek, Big Bang Theory and others). You know, juuuuust in case there are no poppies (which has been pretty much an on-going joke).
Every Spring, I jump on the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve website where one of the rangers enthusiastically gives weekly updates and photos. Which brings us to the question, why has it taken me 6 years to visit? Well, it’s because these beasts are fickle. There is always such hope in the beginning with the ranger/blogger hinting that this could be a big year! But then a cold front moves in (and all the poppies die). Or not enough rain (and boom, no more poppies). Are you getting the picture here?
Could this be the year my luck changed? Hint: it was! But you’ll have a hard time locating them inside the reserve and I will tell you where you can find fields full of them!
Here is a suggested fun trip up to the Antelope Valley (and be sure to check out the singing road while you’re up there).
Entering the Antelope Valley Poppy Fields…just a little parched!
Stop 1: Breakfast at Bagel Boyz
Okay, I have to admit. I sort of have a natural aversion to any business that uses a “z” for plural. But wow, this place is a must stop. Located in a strip mall next to a liquor store, the place doesn’t look like much. But these bagels (or bagelz… see isn’t that so unnecessary with a “z”?) are fresh and crispy on the outside and soft in the middle.
Even if you aren’t hungry, you should stop along the way north of LA. These bagels rival any on the East Coast!
Next stop: Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park, AKA the set of Star Trek
You’ll feel like you’ve just landed on Mars as you drive up to the Vasquez Rocks. This is a really fun stop along the way to the poppies (because you know, there might just not be any when you get there!). Hollywood location scouts love this place — and the visitors center goes over the many movies that were shot here from The Flintstones to Blazing Saddles to Star Trek.
The guides in the Vasquez Rocks visitor center warned us to watch where we sit on the hike (i.e. inspiring me not to sit once!).
There are several hike options, with many people braving their lives climbing on the rocks themselves. We chose the not-so-brave version of a hike figuring I just got off my crutches. If you just want a quick jaunt, you can go on the Vasquez Rocks Trail just a 1.7 mile loop trail.
Vasquez Rocks are pretty spectacular – we can see why it’s served as a backdrop for so many Hollywood films and TV shows.
Be on the lookout for critters though. The visitors center displayed lots of snakes and when we asked if we’d come across any, the workers just said “yes.” It was my extra motivation to not sit once during this hike!
Stop 3: The Antelope Valley Poppy Fields
Well, we finally made it to the poppy fields. This year’s prognosis, according to the ranger’s diary on the website, wasn’t looking hot. Apparently this year, the flowers were “early bloomers” and already dying off. I could feel my hopes sink deeper when we pulled in and paid the ranger $10 to park. She told us, people have been demanding their money back all day (i.e. enter at your own risk!). Kevin asked, “So is it still worth going then?” and with a pause could only say, “well I still like it.” Okay, not a ringing endorsement here. But we made it this far and there was no turning back. Grassy fields here we come!
The official poppy field reserve has a visitor’s center but beyond the few old-timey photos, there isn’t a whole lot going on there. We decided to do one of the shorter hikes (since I’m still recovering from my knee surgery and it was really hot). Along the drive we saw a few snakes and Kevin even saw what was either a coyote or a wolf. He wasn’t sure. I missed it, but it could have been a dog. Whatever! We were no longer in West Hollywood and a sign warning about rattlesnakes certainly didn’t help our fears as we set off for our hike.
Kevin looks excited to look at fields of grass and rattle snakes!
We decided to take the trail to the Godde Hill Tehachapi Vista Point (45 minutes), which gives you a nice vantage point over all the dead grass. Along the way, we dodged little lizards that nearly gave me a heart attack because I kept thinking it was a rattlesnake.
And then we came across it – a patch of Poppies. We did it! Triumph! Okay, slightly anti-climactic but I felt like we accomplished something big. Took a photo and headed back to the car.
Eureka, I found a patch of Poppies! Seriously, I was so excited.
It was at this point, things got real!
Stop 4: Gold Rush, Intersection of Munz Ranch Road and Elizabeth Lake Road
As we were leaving the official State Park poppy fields, Kevin mentioned one of his co-workers was just up here and said there might be a place (for free!) that you can find poppies. Maybe. Just a 10 minute drive away, we followed Google Maps to the intersection of Munz Ranch Road and Elizabeth Lake Road. And OMG, this is the spot. The secret spot where you can enjoy poppies as far as the eye can see!
Poppy madness – the secret spot with tons of poppies (and free!)
Kevin wins – we struck gold. Best place to see the poppies.
And truly a mission accomplished! And now you know the secret Poppy spot.
The Lowdown:
Bagel Boyz: Seriously good bagels, get a few for the road!
18580 Via Princessa
Santa Clarita, CA 91387
Vasquez Natural Rock Formation: The visitors center is worth the trip alone. History, TV/film shooting overview, and culture all in one. There is also a variety of hikes from 1 hour to longer.
10700 W Escondido Canyon Rd
Agua Dulce, CA 91350
Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve: Not a lot of poppies here. But they enthusiastically blog their photos and updates (which I oddly enjoy to no end!)
15101 Lancaster Rd
Lancaster, CA 93536
Secret Poppy Field: FREE! and tons of Poppies
Intersection of Munz Ranch Road and Elizabeth Lake Road. Put it into Google Maps
Antelope Valley Poppy Festival: Spectacular, and should time your trip to the poppies around the festival (held typically the 2nd weekend of April). It’s massive and like a county fair with poppy themed gifts and plenty of food and mash up of exhibits.
Locations (for Google Maps): 43011 N. 10th Street West, Lancaster, CA 93534
Musical Road: This is located up on the outskirts of Lancaster and I even did a separate blog post on this really odd road that sings as you drive over it (vibrations will shake the car to the “William Tell Overture”). Weirdly enjoyable, so much so that we drove over it 7 times!
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