The Incredible Peach Orchard Bloom

Starting at about the 1st of March, and lasting about 10 ten days, there is an explosion of color in the orchards around Yuba City as the peach trees come into bloom with sprays of pink, ranging from delicate to intense.

It's my absolutely favorite bloom of the year, better even than the almond bloom and the wildflowers that follow in April.

Peach Blossoms near Yuba City

However, the bloom is limited to the area right around Yuba City and Marysville. I'm not sure why peach orchards in the Sacramento Valley center around the Yuba City/Marysville area, but it is the only significant area of peach production in the Valley (see map, below).

Distribution of Peach Orchards around Yuba City

Unfortunately, a lot of peach orchards were cut down during the real estate boom of the mid-2000's. Many of the home built on the former orchards now stand empty, a testament to boom's failure.

If you get the chance during the peak of the bloom (typically March 5-10), you should take a drive through the area surrounding Yuba City and Marysville to experience the intensity of the bloom.

Peach Blossoms & Mustard

Peach Orchard in Bloom

Peaches & Almonds in Bloom

Pink Peach Blossoms