Almond blooms are falling in the Central Valley of California in April. More than 1.5 million acres of almond trees grow in California, and in February and March, all of those trees burst into fragrant, beautiful blossoms. A day journey to the Central Valley is well worth it if you want to see the California almond blossoms for yourself.
We set out in search of some springtime inspiration, aided by a friend's recommendation and a little assistance from a friend in the central valley for the almond blossom map. It was well worth the short day drive from the Bay Area. The blossoms smelt fantastic, the trip was lovely, and it was a great excuse to get out of the house.
The following offers helpful advice on how to view California's almond blooms, along with helpful information on where to locate them, how to behave at them, and interesting facts about almonds.
Where Can I Watch The Almond Blossom?
With hundreds of thousands of acres dedicated to almond plantings, Modesto's nut orchards are an excellent location to witness a high concentration of blossoms. Here are some good places to look for them:
between I5/590 and Hwy 99, on Hwy 132. Although this road is crowded, there are plenty of room for pullouts and side roads to explore.
This road is busy, but it has wide pull-outs and lots of side roads that you can wander down.
In a square with borders to the north, east, and west of Hwy 132, Beckwith Road, N. Hart Road, and N. Dakota Road.
This is located west of Hwy 99 and Modesto's downtown.There are groves of almond trees all across the region. There are many of spacious pullouts and the roads are generally peaceful.
Along the picturesque path between Hwy 132 and Hwy 120. This loop travels west.
This circle travels to La Grange, west of Modesto, then north to Hwy 120 and back, via East Oakdale. Take your selfies in one of the aforementioned spots as there aren't as many pullouts on this route. On the other hand, the path is lined with ancient landmarks, gorgeous pastoral scenery, and groves.
Apart from the almond orchards, there are numerous other family-run enterprises in the Modesto area that produce delicious food. Visit Sciabica's Olive Oil (situated just west of Modesto), Robert's Ferry Country Store (located in Robert's Ferry) for nuts, popcorn, and milkshakes, River's Edge Restaurant (located in Knights Ferry) for locally grown beef burgers, and Oakdale Cheese Shop (located in East Oakdale) for locally made gouda.
Guidelines for Visiting the Almond Blossoms in California
The orchards are all situated on private land. Simply getting out of your car and stomping around the orchard's interior is not cool. Stay near the orchard's margins if you want to ask someone for permission.
Take caution to stay away from any irrigation machinery.
Take great care not to damage the white bee boxes. They are frequently found near the end of a tree row. Let the bees do their job; they are essential to maintaining the health of the almond flowers.
Where esle can I see Almond Blooms in California?
1. Dixon to the west and south of Woodland.
2. Southeast of the city, on the Fresno County Blossom Trail. Here's the map.
3. Along Hwy 43, northwest of Bakersfield.
How long do Almond Blossoms last in California?
The blooms are not time-sensitive. However, they typically begin in the second week of February and may extend into March.
What is special about Almond Blossoms?
California produces 80 percent of the world's almonds.
Trees require chilly winters and hot summers to grow. Which is why California's Mediterranean climate is ideal.
An almond tree might take between 5 and 12 years to begin producing nuts. A mature tree can bear almonds for up to 25 years.
We can consume simply the nuts, but the hulls are also useful. They can be used for cattle feed, animal bedding, or as a biomass fuel.
Almond milk is not a hipster trend. They used nut milks as early as medieval Europe.
Favorite Almond Blossom Location
Woodland/Dixon Area
Modesto Area
Bakersfield
Fresno