Free Admission: California Poppy Day

Enjoy free admission at CalNAM for California Poppy Day 2026, held annually in celebration of our state flower and other California native plants. Purchase native plants for your home garden, meet adoptable bunnies & guinea pigs from BUNS, create your own papercraft flower crown, marvel at CA Poppy vintage items & collectibles, and grab your free 2026 collectible sticker while supplies last! This year’s partners include BUNS (Bunnies Urgently Needing Shelter), California Native Plant Society (Channel Islands Chapter), Manzanita Nursery, Santa Barbara County Parks, Santa Barbara Hives, Santa Ynez Chumash Environmental Office (SYCEO), Ranch & Poppies, and Collector Leslie Franklin.

California poppies (Eschscholzia Californica) are native to Santa Barbara County, typically flower from February – September, and range in color from rich yellow to bright orange. The California poppy has been our state flower for over a century now, and can be enjoyed in a variety of natural spaces such as UCSB’s North Campus Open Space, the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, or even your own backyard!

California Poppy Day admission is free, no reservations required.

For more information, contact Assistant Director Rachel Metz at rachel@calnatureartmuseum.org.