Carrizo Plain National Monument

After a very dry summer and a very wet California winter (aka rainy season), these plains bloom with wildflowers to such a degree it can sometimes be seen from space.

A day trip here to enjoy the blooms and a hike is wonderful, but if you can camp or find a fairly remote rental for a night or two, you can also enjoy some incredibly dark skies, and probably a few shooting stars, if you pay enough attention.