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SLO County wildflower superbloom begins — here’s a look at one of the best spots

There’s a silver lining to all the cold, rainy weather that’s buffeted the Central Coast — actually an orange, yellow and blue one.

Vast fields of wildflowers are blossoming en masse across the eastern swath of San Luis Obispo County as a lush superbloom returns to California.

One popular place to find colorful blooms are the hills east of Santa Margarita along Highway 58, most notably along Shell Creek Road, but also Bitterwater Road and La Panza Road, as well as in the foothills of the Temblor Range.

Fields of wildflowers paint the hills yellow, orange and purple along Highway 58 and 7-Mile Road on April 1, 2023.
Fields of wildflowers paint the hills yellow, orange and purple along Highway 58 and 7-Mile Road on April 1, 2023.

On Saturday, visitors carefully walked the dirt paths scattered through the blooms, taking photos, settling down for a picnic and even doing cartwheels.

Women frolick among the wildflower fields in the hills along Highway 58 and 7-Mile Road, as seen on April 1, 2023.
Women frolick among the wildflower fields in the hills along Highway 58 and 7-Mile Road, as seen on April 1, 2023.

Along Shell Creek Road, lush carpets of goldfields, California poppies, yellow-and-white tidy tips and baby blue eyes adorn the fields and hills.

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Scott and Lauren Whitney of San Luis Obispo brought their dog Cali along, pausing to grab a selfie while walking among the wildflowers.

Scott and Lauren Whitney of San Luis Obispo pause to take a selfie while walking their dog Cali among the wildflowers at Shell Creek Road on April 1, 2023.
Scott and Lauren Whitney of San Luis Obispo pause to take a selfie while walking their dog Cali among the wildflowers at Shell Creek Road on April 1, 2023.

The Latham family of San Luis Obispo made the trip out together to marvel at the springtime display.

“I love the purplish-blue ones. Those are my favorite. Just all the different colors,” Melissa Latham said. “It’s nice to sit here and have a picnic and enjoy it. Soak it up while you can!”

California poppies, tidy tips and goldfields bloom together along Shell Creek Road on April 1, 2023.
California poppies, tidy tips and goldfields bloom together along Shell Creek Road on April 1, 2023.

Her husband Ryan Latham called the scene “peaceful, serene.”

Their two daughters, sisters Callie and Ella, simultaneously said, “They’re really pretty. I love the colors.”

The heavily-flowered stretch along Shell Creek Road is private property, and owner Daniel Sinton urged people to remember to be respectful while in the area.

“We don’t cut it off from people because we we think that people should enjoy it as well,” he said.

He also reminded folks to not park off the road when stopping.

The Tribune is looking for more photos of SLO County wildflowers. Email them to Tribune Local/Entertainment Editor Sarah Linn at slinn@thetribunenews.com.

Two people enjoy a picnic in a large wildflower field along Shell Creek Road on April 1, 2023.
Two people enjoy a picnic in a large wildflower field along Shell Creek Road on April 1, 2023.