Of course the iconic California Poppy pictured above is known all over the world but what isn’t so well know is the tremendous wild flower diversity, especially in the santa monica mountains. The best time for seeing wildflowers is spring, specifically mid February through April with March being the best month. Many people don’t realize the vast amount of wild flowers that bloom and transformation that occurs every spring, turning golden hills, green with flowers everywhere.

Here I have photographed the wild flowers that are common in this area and found on backbone trails hikes.

California Fucshia

Bull Thistle

Bush Poppy

Canyon Sunflower

Chaparrel Nightdhade

California Prickly Phlox

Cost Indian Paintbrush

Giant Coreopis

Grape Soda Lupine

Heartleaf Keckiella

Hummingbird Sage

Mission Prickly Pear

Monkey Flower

Morning Glory

Purple Sage

Spanish Broom

Sunflower

Two Tone Everlasting

Black Mustard

Bermuda Buttercup

Silver Lupine