Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia) is in the beech family family (Fagaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 911 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in March.
Nationally it blooms mainly from March to April, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Coast Live Oak: observations by month (U.S.)
About Coast Live Oak
Quercus agrifolia, the California live oak, or coast live oak, is a highly variable and often shrubby evergreen oak native to the California Floristic Province. It grows west of the Sierra Nevada from Mendocino County, California, south to northern Baja California in Mexico. It is classified in the red oak section (Quercus sect. Lobatae).From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Coast Live Oak by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 911 | March | Mar–Apr |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Coast Live Oak?
Nationally, March has the most observations, with the main season from March to April.
Where is Coast Live Oak most often seen?
The most observations come from California.