Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve

Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve Wildflower Season

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Wildflower Season

Each year from about the end of March to the beginning of May, a rich diversity of wildflowers bloom in Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve and the Ohlone Wilderness. Experience the season here through videos, printable activities and guides, and check out our Activity Guide for Naturalist guided virtual and in-person programs. Visit us on the Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve Facebook page for more. Enjoy the season!

Check out the Activity Guide for more!

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 svisit@ebparks.org 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!

Naturalist Videos

Welcome Wildflower Season

 As winter turns to spring join Supervising Naturalist Ashley to discover the importance of wildflowers and which parks to spot them., 3m:57s

Seed Starters

 Ever wanted to grow native flowers in your own garden? Follow along with Interpretive Student Aide Aaron to create a seed ball., 6m:24s


Felt Flowers

 It is important to leave flowers growing in their natural habitats. Interpretive Student Aide Stacy can show you how to create a felt flower to display in your home all year long., 6m:46s

 

Wildflower Activities and Guides

Download these activities and guides. Bring them with you to the park to discover more!

Anatomy of a Flower (PDF)

Print it, color it, or use it as you dissect a flower from your garden or the store. Watch the Wildflower Dissection video to follow along.

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Anatomy of a Flower

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pollinator and Wildflower Guide (PDF)
Discover how plants spread their seeds and what pollinators are attracted to.

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Pollinator Guide Thumbnail

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Sunol Mini-Trekkers Guide (PDF)
Find these 15 common spring wildflowers at the park.

Sunol Wildflower Key (PDF)
Not sure what that flower is? Take this with you and “key it out!” Follow the step by step instructions to learn about identifying many different species of wildflowers.

Sunol Wildflower Guide (PDF)

Ohlone Wildflower Guide (PDF)

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Butterflies and Wildflowers drawing
Drawing by Erica Stephens

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