The California “Poppypalooza”

"It's everywhere," he whispers to himself as he finally puts down his tablet and looks out the car window. For once, nature has won over my son's attention. He puts the electronics aside and sweeps his gaze across the rolling hills surrounding Lake Elsinore. Expansive blankets of orange and yellow paint the otherwise green hills and canyons, with blotches of purple and white laced in between.

After months of drenching winter rains, southern California is experiencing its most intense spring superbloom in ...