Explore LA like We Don't Live Here

Sat, Mar 21, 2026 · 8:00 AM PDT

Poppy Bloom in Antelope Valley. AND Hockney, Llano and Devil's Punchbowl

201 S Front St, Burbank, CA, US

The bloom for 2025 is not going to materialize. Not enough rain early in the year.

The event is being moved to 2025 with hopes there will be a big bloom next year.

Read about the 2024 issue here
https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/nation/california/2025/02/25/california-wildflowers-this-spring-2025-antelope-valley-poppies/80258169007/

If you have never been here before . . . it worth seeing.

If you have been before . . . it's time to revisit.

Let's get to the event date first . . . The poppies bloom anywhere from Feb to May.

At the moment we are aiming for April 14th
https://ktla.com/news/california/southern-california-poised-for-another-wildflower-superbloom/amp/

Or https://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/wildupdates.html

We'll walk some or most of the 8 miles of trails--not all of it.

Each spring, the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve comes alive with the seasonal surprises of the Mojave Desert Grassland habitat. The duration and intensity of colors and scents vary from year to year. The wildflower season generally lasts from as early as mid-February through late May,

Parking Fees
$10 per vehicle
$9 per vehicle with a senior on board (62 and over)
$5 per vehicle with DPR Disabled Discount Card (see below)

Be prepared for wicked strong winds and bring sunblock! The desert temperatures can vary widely and change suddenly, so bring layers for unpredicted changes in weather.

Dogs are NOT allowed on trails or in the visitor center (just like any California Sate Park)

Whether you most enjoy expansive fields or the close-up study of a single flower, this is the place to visit.

Location - Directions The Reserve is located 15 miles west of Lancaster at 15101 Lancaster Road.

From Highway 14: Take the Avenue I exit and head west 15 miles. Avenue I becomes Lancaster Road.

From I-5: Take Hwy 138 east and turn right on 170th Street West. Make a left at the end, onto Lancaster Road. Follow the road two miles.

Carpool? YES!!!!

We will meet at the meet time and address. That location is a designated Park & Ride. It is a free lot that has roving security in the area. So it's safe to leave your car for the day.

We meet and then re-shuffle to then pool and caravan to the Poppies.

Why this location as meet-point? It's rather central. And just off the 5 . . . the main freeway we need to take to get there.

Carpool to our meetpoint? Sure. Post in the comments on the main group posting.

This is a free hiking event that take a little more work to make happen than a quickie local thing. This is not local in-town. As such you will drive to and meet there. OR you will use the carpool info sent a week before to work on setting up a carpool.

To attend this event:

• RSVP on this event (then)
• Click Here and fill out our Attendees google form

The form is a safety thing. If you do not fill it out. You will not be hiking with us.

Got questions?
Click Here to send a Direct Message to Marc (screen name Oddie)

Other notable hiking we have planned:

AFTER the poppies . . . the plan is to go to the location where Hockney shot his photo. It is 45 min away at 126th and Pearblossom . . . Standing on 126th looking south.

https://www.getty.edu/art/collection/object/103QT4

Then go the 200 feet to Llano Del Rio and poke in the ruins (again) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Llano_del_Rio
https://la.curbed.com/2017/5/1/15465616/utopia-socialist-los-angeles-llano-del-rio
https://www.lancastermoah.org/single-post/the-llano-del-rio-cooperative-colony

Then drive up to Devils Punchbowl
https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/southern-california/devils-punchbowl-nature-area-so-cal/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil%27s_Punchbowl_(Angeles_National_Forest)

Hike or just view it. It's up to you.

NOTICE: For our events we do not discriminate by Age, Gender, Gender Preference, Ethnicity, National Origin, Race, Color, Religion, or even Belly Button Lint.

Fri, May 22, 2026 · 2:00 PM PDT

Yosemite! MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND w/ Valley Floor Activities - 4 days/3 nights !

Location not specified yet

We have done Yosemite before on the group.

And each and every time it fills up early with lotos of people with big sadness they can not go.

Plain and simple . . . our events have limited size. So when it fill . . . it fills.

Yosemite is that amazing and iconic place that everyone loves to go.

There are Saturday/Sunday planned Easy, Medium and Hard Options.

We will divide by interest for different hikes.

The "Easy" route:

• Yosemite Falls (the easy walk)
• Tunnel View
• Glacier Point
• Bridal Veil Falls
• Mirror Lake
• The Meadows
• The River
• Ahwahnee Hotel

Planned Medium Hike:

• Vernal/Nevada Mist Trail

Planned Difficult Hikes

• Yosemite Falls
• 4 Mile Trail
• Pohono Trail

To attend this event:

• RSVP on this event
• CLICK HERE for the payment link.
• Click Here and fill out our Attendees google form (this is also what the carpool info gets built from)

Notes:

• You MUST take care of payment to be confirmed to go.
• After payment you will get a confirmation email from Paypal
• You do NOT need a paypal account. Click the process as guest, or use any credit or debit card.
• If you have a X2 or a Plus One . . . just do the link a 2nd or 3rd time.
• You may see LOTS of people RSVP on the event. Many do RSVP and not take care of payment.
• Event is limited in size. When filled the payment link will be disabled.
• If you not ready to commit yet . . .
• Click Here and fill out our google "interest" form (there is a box for "interested and keep me in the loop")

Includes:

• Site (on private land) for a three day weekend
• All Firewood & propane heaters provided.
• Flush restrooms (that are clean)
• (free)(hot) Showers available
• Restaurants and Grocery adjacent
• Pool and Jacuzzi available.
• Super Civilized Camping.
• Perfect for the beginner and first timers.
• Many come solo.
• Come alone and leave with friends. Come with friends & leave with more friends.

Tell me about food and everything else . . .

The logistics of providing food for every possible diet, as well as food prep issues is just not feasible or safe.

AND

Due to varied dietary needs and food contact issues, it's better if bring what you like and prep it.

What gear do I need?

The only specialized gear you need is Tent, Sleeping bag, Sleeping Pad (yoga mat). Everything else is household items you already have.

Special note: this is Tent camping. No RV. No Trailers. No giant campervans.

Can I park my car next to my tent?

Sniffing tires, oil, exhaust and fuel? Yuck!!! You cars will be close. But not on top of us. Cars on one side. Humans on the other. If we overflow our parking area . . . there is an overflow parking area.

Carpools?

• Carpool info goes out ONLY to paid attendees. (it really sucks to set up a carpool with a person who is not actually going)
• Carpool info ONLY goes out to those who fill out the ATTENDEES/CARPOOL FORM (this way it is reliable info)
• Carpool info goes out all at once (not as you sign on)
• Carpool info goes out 1 week before the event. Too early and most carpools fall apart. It really sucks when your ride canceled at asked for a refund a month ago but did not tell you. Carpools info sent when it is stable of who is attending.
• Carpool in week before makes sense because that's when people can really determine schedule and departure time and availability.

Refunds?

If requested 2 weeks before event start: 100% refund.

If requested less than 2 weeks: 100% Full Credit be applied to ANY future event we run.

Questions? CLICK HERE to send a Direct Message

OTHER INFO:

• Carpool info
• Newbie Camping Advice All things GEAR
• Newbie Camping Advice All things FOOD
• General Policies

This event is cross-posted to several groups. The number RSVP'd is not accurate. ONLY Paid attendees are actually going to be attending.

To See MORE of those RSVP'd

CLICK HERE to join in on the other fun events planned.

Notice: We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, age, disability, gender, gender preference, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, national identity, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, political beliefs or even for belly button lint.

We welcome all, and that includes you!

Fri, May 29, 2026 · 7:00 PM PDT

Unforgettable Croatia! The Pearls of the Dalmatian Coast - Split, Dubrovnik ...

Los Angeles International Airport, 1 World Way, Los Angeles, CA, US

Join our Meetup group on this exciting tour of beautiful Croatia - a country blessed with both, transparent sapphire waters and glamourous old towns. A blissful vacation to a country full of beauty and history with an awesome group of active and fun people! Create lifelong friendships on our tours! Come alone, leave with friends!

From north to south, we will start with Croatia's charming capital, Zagreb. Visit the amazing Plitvice Lakes National Park, with its cascading waterfalls. Explore the former Roman citadel of Split with Diocletian's famous palace. Marvel at the UNESCO World Heritage city of Dubrovnik, boasting the largest and best preserved city walls in Europe. Check out the filming locations of Game of Thrones. Relax on Croatia's stunning Dalmatian coast, overlooking the crystal blue Adriatic Sea. Spend a couple of days on the sun drenched island of Hvar. Be our own boat crew for a day, while sailing to the famous Blue cave and 5 more islands.

For a detailed Day By Day itinerary:
Click Here to fill out our info request form

The trip includes:

• 2 Nights Zagreb
• 2 Night Split
• 2 Nights Hvar
• 3 Nights Dubrovnik
• Arrival and Departure Transfers
• Boat Charter for a day with visits to the Blue Cave and 5 islands
• Ferry Tickets
• Bus Transportation from Zagreb to Split
• Zagreb Sightseeing Tour
• Plitvice Lakes National Park Tour
• Split Walking Tour
• Dubrovnik Old Town Walking Tour
• Daily Breakfast
• 2 dinners and 1 lunch
• Wine and Olive Oil Tasting

Not Included:
x Transatlantic Airfare (we can help you arrange that)
x Meals or activities not listed above
x Tips and any personal and incidental expenses

Price per person, double occupancy: $4150
(we match roommates for those willing to share and save)
Price for single room: $5180

The only way to secure your spot is a $450 deposit
Click Here for Secure Deposit Link
Deposit is refundable up to 90 days before the departure (less PayPal fees).
Click Here and Fill out this Form if you are making a Deposit

Limited capacity of 20 total. This trip will fill up extremely quickly.
***Airfare from/to the US not included. Contact Anna for a quote***

Optional Extension: France Culinary Trip starting on Sep 06, 2024.
Click here for more info

Click Here to Message Direct to Anna with any questions including airfare quotes.
She can help you arrange the airfare and answer any logistics questions.
Click Here to see all our other fun events

SOT 2000318-10