The festivals begin. Art and music at Day Under the Oaks at the Santa Rosa Junor College. The Luther Burbank Rose Parade, Sepabsatapol's Apple Blossom festival, Petaluma's Butter and Egg Days, the Fisherman's Festival at Bodega Bay. Look for local asparagus, artichokes and fresh-picked strawberries. And prepare to sneeze.
Spring is allergy season, staring with the flowering of the feather yellow acacia tree.
Suddenly every blooming thing is waving wildly to be chosen the best and the brightest. Daffodil plantings on country roads and freeway off-ramps. At Armstrong Redwoods, the forest floor is decorated with sorrel, fairy bells and redwood orchids. On the coast, spring is announced by the amethyst Douglas iris. The Sonoma Coast is amazingly clear.