Every spring season, the San Joaquin Valley’s fruit and nut trees blossom and can be seen locally on the Fresno County Blossom Trail. Among a variety of produce, blossoms include apricots, nectarines, peaches, plums and almonds.

Stretching from the cities of Clovis to Reedley, the San Joaquin Valley Blossom Trail officially opened for visitors in 1988. Enthusiasts can travel via car or bicycle to navigate highway and smaller roads; the trail offers rich colors to the environment along Highway 180, providing an opportunity for people to enjoy the outdoors while admiring the various blossoms.

Depending on the weather, the Blossom Trail buds in late February or early March. This year, the San Joaquin Valley has only received 3-4 inches of rain during the winter. This, in addition to the season’s warm, 70-plus degree temperatures, have hastened the budding of tree blooms and wildflowers.

According to agriculturist Francisco de la Playa, who owns a farm in Dinuba and has sold his fruit in the area for nine years, the blossoms are what beautifies the Valley and provide him with the chance to enjoy his pastime.

“My favorite part about selling fruit is that it’s a hobby, not a job,” de la Playa said. “With everything I sell, I grow myself. Everybody who stops here is congenial and they all leave happy and with a smile on their face. All of the blossoms are my favorite because that’s what beautifies this Valley.”

While some people live off the growing and selling fruit, most people just admire and appreciate the blossoms as they bloom into fruit. For freshman Elise Winegarden, the Blossom Trail showcases radiant colors that evoke feelings of her of her favorite season: spring.

“I like the Blossom Trail when the trees are in blossom and all the flowers are radiant colors, especially the pink ones because those are my favorite,” Winegarden said. “Pink is my favorite color and it reminds me of spring, which is my favorite season.”

Along with enjoying the scenery for its colors, Winegarden believes people should take time to see the blossoms in order to take pleasure in nature.

“I think people should go see all the blossoms because its God’s creation,” Winegarden said. “I love to admire his works because I feel like during the spring I can really admire his creation, and it really amazes me that he created the flowers for us to enjoy, to give him the glory and thank him for the beautiful blossoms.”

For more information, read the March 7, 2011 article, Blossom Trail blooms at sunrise or The Fresno Bee’s March 2 article, It’s bloom time for Fresno County Blossom Trail.