Almond Blossoms in Full Bloom on the Road to Yosemite

“Popcorn Trees” are back in California’s Central Valley

The road to California’s Gold Country is paved in petals for a few weeks every spring when the Central Valley’s almond trees have their annual bloom. As kids we called them “popcorn trees” for obvious reasons, but as an adult I think their bounty is a lot tastier than popcorn! Spring is an amazing time to visit Gold Country gems like Yosemite, Big Trees, and Columbia State Park, and if you time it right, you can head right through the white almond blossom forests near Ripon and Manteca on your way there.

Ripon even hosts an annual Almond Blossom Festival in February to celebrate the bloom (this year the dates are the 24th-27th). There are carnival rides, musical guests, and booths with every almond-based product you can dream up. If you’re headed up to the mountains to enjoy some cool mountain air or catch some of the late-winter snow, be sure to stop and smell the flowers on the way.

For more information, visit Ripon Almond Blossom Festival Website.