Explore the Yolo County Almond Bloom
Just before spring officially begins, Yolo County offers a beautiful sign. Around mid-February, the almond orchards start bursting with pink-and-white blossoms. By early March, their petals start blanketing the ground with what locals refer to as the Yolo County snow.
For those itching for spring, the weeks from mid-February to mid-March are a great time to explore Yolo County. Visitors can use our self-guided map to make their way through the many almond orchards throughout Yolo County, taking in some stops along the way. Check out historic downtown Winters for its steakhouse, wine and beer tasting rooms, and the small shops along Main Street. Explore the Yolo Countryside with a drive through the lush Capay Valley to see more almond blooms, then take in a wine or olive oil tasting at Seka Hills. Stop by Davis to take in the Davis Farmers Market and stroll the UC Davis Arboretum.
Celebrate All Things Almond
Are you all about the almond? Those blooms and the much-loved nut will be the focus of the 2023 Capay Valley Almond Festival, Feb. 26, 2023.
The event includes activities from 8AM – 4PM throughout the Capay Valley including a parade, live music, food trucks, an almond-themed bakeoff and more!
This is the 108th year since the start of the Capay Valley Almond Festival. The first event was in October 1915, celebrating the almond harvest. In 1964, the Esparto Regional Chamber of Commerce took over the festival, moving it to the last Sunday in February to coincide with the almond bloom.
Visit The Blooms Responsibly
As you drive among the blooms, do keep in mind that the fields are private property and should only be viewed from the road. The large crowds that have come in the past have done considerable damage to farmers’ businesses, which is especially frustrating for them. We understand the desire to be among the blooms, but please DO NOT wander into the orchards. Make sure to read through our viewing tips here.
- Respect the Area: Just as you wouldn’t enter someone’s backyard without permission, it is inappropriate to enter a farmer’s private field.
- Protect the Bees: Bees are drawn to the almond flowers to reach the nectar and pollen. While buzzing around the orchards, bees carry pollen from flower to flower. This pollination can help increase the farmer’s yield. Please don’t disturb them or their work. The bees don’t like trespassers any more than the farmers do and may harm trespassers.
View the blossoms
When? February through early March is the best time of year to view Yolo County almond blossoms.
Directions: From Sacramento, take I-5 north to Exit 541 (CA-16), then Highway 16 west to Esparto. From the Bay Area, exit west on Highway 16 from northbound I-505.
Photo etiquette: Do not trespass. Do not park or walk on private property, and do not pick or cut blossoms (both damage the trees, land and irrigation).
Be safe: Drive carefully and pull over to a safe spot to take photos. Highway 16 is a two-lane rural road without shoulders, and has few pullouts.
Nutty facts
– Farmers pronounce it “aa-monds” not “all-monds.” They joke that they’re “all-monds” until they’re harvested by the tree shaker, which knocks the “L” out of them.
– Almonds were one of Yolo County’s top crops in 2021 with 45,100 acres harvested for a total value of $137,114,000.
-They are reliant on bees for pollination.
-Almonds were one of the earliest cultivated foods.
-California produces more than 80 percent of the world’s almonds.