There is a knock on California.
It goes something like this: There are only two seasons here.
Supposedly it’s summer and winter.
But get real.
This is one of only seven areas in the world that has the much coveted Mediterranean climate.
It consists of hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters.
There are transitions.
One could go on and on about the pros and cons of weather.
But let’s cut to the chase.
We have an endless spring.
It’s not just one and done.
There is an endless wave of blooms that starts with the almond blossoms and works through a long list of flora until mid-May or so.
But that applies just to the foothills and valley.
Work your way up the Sierra, or into nooks and crannies of the Coastals, there are more blooms popping up until the edge of July.
That said, you do not want to miss the opportunity that this year’s stretched out start of spring thanks to milder-than-normal weather affords you to enjoy.
The temperatures recently finally nudged up against the 70-degree mark.
And it’s just in time for spring that fell this year on Tuesday, March 19.
With that in mind, take advantage of the next few weeks and see spring end March on a massive roar of colors and textures.
There are more than a few spots where you may want to head. Among them:
*MT. DIABLO: This is “the” spot.
And it’s not just because of what you can see from the “view shed” from its summit at 3,839-foot that you can drive right up to.
Mt. Diablo State Park has than more than 20,000 acres. It includes a slew of semi “micro climates” with a series of flora blooms that stretch into May.
But to be honest, this time of year it is “the” view.
Between the wind and the rain, the view is clear this year although clouds can get in the way.
You can see 40 of California’s 58 counties from the summit.
You can see Sentinel Dome in Yosemite Valley.
Mt. Lassen can be seen 181 miles away.
You can see landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge and the Farallon Islands.
And, yes, you can take in almost all of the Delta.
If you have a pair of binoculars, take them with you.
*YOSEMITE VALLEY: I can’t believe the number of people I come across in Manteca, Ripon, Lathrop, Modesto, and Turlock who have never been to Yosemite Valley.
You do not have to go for a hike. Instead you can stroll in meadows, up to the base of thundering waterfalls, and to mirror-like lakes while surrounded by soaring glacier-carved walls while the Merced River rushes through the lush valley that more than 4 million people flock to see each year.
The best time to do it is late March (assuming there’s no snow) or early April when the waterfalls are in the full glory and the crowds are at their lowest ebb for fair weather months.
If you can’t count your lucky stars that you have Yosemite Valley in your own backyard then you are a lost cause.
*LODI LAKE: The city-owned lake that connects to the Mokelumne River is reached by taking Turner Road west from Highway 99 in Lodi.
It has an abundance of stately trees and plenty of grass along the water’s edge. It also has paddleboats for rent.
You can top the day off by walking across the street from the park’s main entrance to get a chocolate and vanilla twist soft-serve frostie from the Sno-White Drive-In.
*CASWELL STATE PARK: Located along the Stanislaus River at the southern end of Austin Road west of Ripon and south of Manteca, the 267 acres of woodlands is perfect spring, summer, winter, and fall.
The summer crowds can be a tad hectic.
For a quiet getaway this time of year you can’t beat it when nature starts to come out of its slumber of the early days of spring when nature’s blooms create a pleasing scent. Winter is a quiet and reflective time while fall is a kaleidoscope of colors.
*MAVIS STOUFFER PARK ALONG THE STANISLAUS RIVER: This is a city park located in Ripon off Manley Road just north of where it T-intersects with East Main Street in Ripon.
The park is usually a lush green with ample trees to provide shade. The real attraction is the sound and sight of the Stanislaus River flowing by.
*MCHENRY RECREATION AREA: Of all the Stanislaus River Parks operated by the Army Corps of Engineers from Knights Ferry in the east to Orange Blossom and down river toward Ripon, this is by far the best for a spring or summer escape when the temperature can kill any romantic venture outdoors.
The heavily wooded McHenry Recreation Area is located on a bend on the Stanislaus River. It can be a bit hectic during summer and three-day weekends but most of the time it is lightly populated.
Take River Road out of Ripon and drop down to the river at the entrance just before the Escalon Sportsman’s Club and the Escalon wastewater treatment plant. Both are a world away once you drop into the thick wooded area along the riverside.
If you don’t turn into the park off River Road you’ll reach McHenry Avenue in a half mile where a left turn takes you into Escalon and a right turn takes you across the river into Stanislaus County.
