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Every spring, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ puts on its desert best.Ìý
One day, the side of the road is nothing special. The next, it's bright with pops of color from Mexican gold poppies and blue lupines.Ìý
Annuals — like poppies and lupines — germinate in the fall with enough rain. Then, throughout the winter, they need regular rain to keep growing.ÌýPerennials like brittlebush and globemallows don't need that initial rain and are better able to endure rising temperatures, John Wiens, nursery horticulturalist with the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥-Sonora Desert Museum, told us last year.
Wildflowers kick off our spring bloom, making way for flowering cacti and trees in the months to come.Ìý
Some of the blooms you're likely to see right now are those gold poppies and blue lupines, yellow brittlebush and orange globe mallow. For a more in-depth guide to ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ flowers, go here.Ìý
Obviously, you can marvel at the wildflowers on your morning commute or evening walk, but we love taking mini adventures in pursuit of these blooming beauties each spring. Here are a few places to admire ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s brilliant bloom.Ìý
1. Go to nature
Spring poppies and other wildflowers are in bloom and all over at Picacho Peak State Park on March 05, 2019.
Flowers are popping up at both Picacho Peak and Catalina state parks. Michelle Thompson, the communications chief for ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State Parks and Trails, says the bloom at both parks gets better each day.Ìý
She suggests taking at Catalina State Park. Although it's a 9.1-mile trail one-way, you can obviously go as far as you'd like and then turn around. We also love the 2.3-mile Canyon Loop Trail any time of the year. She adds that at Picacho Peak State Park, you'll see poppies just about everywhere.Ìý
Take Oracle Road north to get to Catalina State Park.ÌýIf you want to head to Picacho Peak State Park, hop onto Interstate 10 westbound.Ìý
2. Wander these lovely gardens
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On the northwest side, you can wander desert paths at Tohono Chul, . Right now, gold poppies, desert bluebells, fairy dusters and more are already in bloom, says Michelle Armstrong, director of marketing and communications at Tohono Chul.Ìý Even more flowers should be blooming in the weeks to come.Ìý
Tohono Chul is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and costs $15 for adults and $6 for kids ages 5-12. Students with ID, seniors and active military get in for $13and young children get in free. For more information, visit .Ìý
At the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Botanical Gardens, , you'll see lots of other blooms besides wildflowers (like tulips).Ìý
Admission is $15 for adults, $13 for students, seniors and military, $8 for kids 4-17, and free for members and kids 3 and younger.Ìý
The botanical gardens are open 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, with hours extended until 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays. Visit  for more information.
3. Just go outside
Wildflowers line the paved pathways at Tangerine Sky Community Park in Marana, March 5, 2020.Ìý
Get some exercise and savor spring. We recommend a walk or bike ride in your neighborhood.Ìý
We also love , in Marana, which has playground areas, dog parks, a grassy field and paved pathways currently lined with poppies.Ìýâ¤ï¸
Life is short... Make it an adventure!
Get your family outside in comfort more this season with . They’re family owned and they have a great selection for you to tour (including this cute retro model) while you daydream about lakeside views and family adventures.Ìý!