What) The Antelope Valley California Poppy State Reserve is a state-protected reserve land located in the rural west side of the Antelope Valley in northern Los Angeles County, 15 miles (24 km) west of Lancaster. The reserve is at an elevation ranging from 2,600 to 3,000 feet (790 to 910 m) above sea level in the Mojave Desert climate zone. The reserve's namesake and protection is based on the state flower, the California poppy. The area is one of the state's most consistent poppy-bearing lands. Other wildflowers within the reserve include the owl's clover, lupine, goldfields, cream cups and coreopsis.

    The intense blooming season for the California poppy falls usually within late winter to early spring during the months of mid-February through mid-May. Blooming seasons are dependent on the amount of rainfall received during the winter to early spring seasons. Within the reserve, there are seven miles (10 km) of trails which traverse through the poppy fields. (1)

    Why) This was actually a spontaneous Buckys.  We were initially intending to visit the Carrizo Plain National Monument to see some spring wildflowers.  That didn't work out but on the way to Lancaster I spotted a highway sign and we ended up visiting this lovely spot instead.