Spring is a great time to get outdoors in the East Bay Regional Park District. Hillsides and meadows are bursting with life, vibrant colors, and one of spring’s greatest gifts on full display—wildflowers!
Some Regional Parks to view wildflowers include Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve, Ohlone Wilderness Regional Preserve, and Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, among others. Hundreds of wildflower species can be viewed in East Bay Regional Parks.
To learn more, visit ebparks.org/parks/nature/wildflowers.
From late March to early May, Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve hosts special Sunol Wildflower Season hikes and programs. For more information, visit the Sunol Wildflower Season webpage at ebparks.org/parks/nature/wildflowers/sunol-wilderness-regional-wildflower-season
Other Regional Parks also offer naturalist-led programs. For a complete list of wildflower-themed programs, visit ebparks.org/calendar and search “wildflowers.”
Wildflower Hikes 2025
Arrive early to ensure the park is open before reaching capacity. Sunol Wilderness will close the entry gate when no more parking lots are full and reopen when parking becomes available. Program space will be limited, and sign-ups will occur on the day of on a first come, first served basis at the visitor center.
| Sat March 29 9-11am |
Wildflowers of Sunol Valley Sunol Valley provides the perfect landscape to showcase Spring’s greatest gift – wildflowers! Come explore the trails and embark on a treasure hunt for wild wonders. |
| Sun Mar 30 9-11am |
Springtime in the Serpentine California’s State Rock, serpentinite, creates interesting soil that helps to highlight our native wildflowers. Explore the trails to search for early wildflowers and enjoy wonderous views. |
| Sat Apr 5 9-11:30am |
Women in Wilderness: Wildflower Hike Grow your community during this wildflower hike! Build your love of nature as you connect with people and place. |
| Sun Apr 6 9-1:30pm |
Perennials at the peak Traverse from the valley floor to a park peak while discovering the diverse array of wildflowers at different elevations. From rocky outcrops to grasslands, you’ll find that flowers flourish in Sunol’s varied terrain. |
| Sat Apr 12 9-11am |
Wildflowers and Wonders Spring in Sunol is spectacular! Explore the trails to search for early wildflowers and enjoy wonderous views. |
| Sat Apr 12 9:30 – 11:30am |
ASL Wildflower Wander Celebrate wildflower season in Sunol as we welcome deaf communities of the bay area to join a Naturalist guided hike with professional American Sign Language interpreters! Discover the beauty of Sunol in Spring during this stroll. |
| Sun Apr 13 9-11:30am |
Watershed Wildflowers Join us as we hike along Alameda Creek and learn about one of the largest watersheds in the Bay Area and the bounty of blooms it hosts. |
| Sat Apr 19 9-12:30pm |
Flowers and Fire Hike Hike through the 2024 Creek Fire burn area to discover what blooms have burst from the burned hillside. Learn about the role of wildfire in the wilderness on this 3-mile hike. |
| Sun Apr 20 9am-noon |
Wildflower Bioblitz Join us for a Wildflower BioBlitz as we find, identify, and record the wildflowers we see! You will have the opportunity to learn how to identify some common wildflowers with interpretive staff as we hike around the park. No prior training or experience necessary. |
| Sat Apr 26 9-11:30am |
Wildfire and Wildflowers Traverse the 2024 Creek Fire burn area to explore the role of wildfire in the wilderness and explore the superb flower displays that arise from the ashes. |
| Sat May 3 9-11am |
Birds and Blooms The wonders of wildflowers wouldn’t be possible without the assistance of winged pollinators! Join us to admire some avian flower friends. |
| Sun May 4 9am-12:30pm |
Bedrock Blooms Discover how the rocks of Sunol support superb wildflower displays on this 3-miles meander through the park. |
Sunol Wildflower Art Contest
Spark your creativity in nature and celebrate the season by creating wildflower-themed art!
Categories: nature journal pages, painting, photography, and poetry
Criteria: Submit one artwork piece/category only.
To submit: Email the following to [email protected] with the subject; Art Submission 2025
Include your name, contact info, category, artwork title (if applicable) and a 2-3 sentence description of how your artwork reflects your experiences with spring in Sunol or the East Bay. We will be taking submissions from March 1 – April 12. Winners for each category will be announced on May 2.
Visit the Activity Page to search for all upcoming programs!
