Cherry blossom season has officially begun in Japan, which considers the dainty pink bloom its national flower.
Cherry blossoms, known as “sakura” in Japanese, usually peak in late March to early April. The flowers only bloom for a short time — about two weeks each year from the first bud to all of the petals falling off, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
Fortunately, many people can enjoy the beauty of cherry blossoms throughout California in cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego.
Here are some of the places where people can enjoy cherry blossoms in California.
Lake Balboa, Los Angeles
Address: 6300 Balboa Blvd., Lake Balboa, CA 91406
Los Angelenos and tourists can view cherry blossom trees along a 1.3-mile footpath around Lake Balboa in Anthony C. Beilenson Park.
Peter F. Schabarum Regional County Park, Los Angeles
Address: 17250 Colima Rd, Rowland Heights, CA 91748
A cherry blossom grove provides a splash of color each year at the Peter F. Schabarum Regional County Park in Rowland Heights, where people can set up a picnic on the grass lawn.
Huntington Library and Gardens, San Marino
Address: 1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino, CA 91108
The Huntington Library grounds feature a number of botanical gardens, including a Japanese garden home to the okame flowering cherry tree.
Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
Address: 75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr., San Francisco, CA 94118
The Japanese Tea Garden at Golden Gate Park features koi ponds and plenty of cherry blossom trees, available for viewing by tourists and Bay Area natives alike.
Fresno County Blossom Trail, Fresno
Address: Various locations (check map)
Nearly 70 miles long, the Fresno County Blossom Trail features a path of pink and white cherry blossoms found throughout the county.
Balboa Park, San Diego
Address: 2215 Pan American E Rd., San Diego, CA 92101
The Japanese Friendship Garden in San Diego’s Balboa Park comes alive with vibrant hues of pink each year as visitors come to take part in the tradition of hanami, or flower viewing.
Eager flower viewers must hurry as the fragile blossoms will begin to disappear in the next few weeks.