California’s dazzling superbloom steals the show — despite vandals

California’s dazzling wildflower season is turning into a lawless free-for-all, with vandals, selfie-chasing crowds and careless visitors leaving destruction in their wake.

And now a fresh burst of blooms is drawing even more people outdoors.

Newly released video shows a sea of vivid purple lupine carpeting the Bald Hills near the Lyons Ranch Trailhead in northern California, where the flowers are expected to last through May. 

And without any formal trails — visitors are being warned not to crush the fragile plants and to stick to animal-made paths in areas.

Officials are also pushing a strict “take only photos” message, stressing that removing even a single bloom damages the ecosystem. 

The late-season bloom comes as California’s wildflower spectacle shifts locations.

While the famous low-elevation displays in Death Valley and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park have mostly faded, higher elevations and coastal areas are now delivering the best views.

Colorful patches are still appearing in spots like Henderson Canyon Road and Red Rock Canyon State Park, thanks to weather that helped extend the season.

But the surge in attention has brought a darker side.

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In Monterey County, a brazen act of vandalism hit Garrapata State Park’s Calla Lily Valley in March, where someone beheaded a bed of the iconic flowers. 

The location had gone viral on Instagram, drawing large crowds eager for photos.

Farther inland, the chaos turned costly.

At Dutch Hollow Farms in Modesto, owner John Bos says a flood of visitors trampled thousands of tulips. 

The damage was so severe the farm shut down early, with Bos blasting guests for treating the property like a backdrop instead of a working farm.

While officials haven’t officially labeled 2026 a “superbloom,” the state is still seeing “moderate-to-strong” blooms.