Southern California Palm Trees

Southern California is definitely the land of the palm tree, and these are always beautiful to look at. When orange fields were first cultivated here in California, palm trees were planted to help people find their homes in the middle of orange fields. Many cities have also landscaped their streets with palm trees of several different varieties, but only the California Fan Palm (Washingtonia filifera) is the only species that is native to Southern California. I grew up in the San Bernardino Mountains, so I always considered the San Bernardino Valley and the Inland Empire synonymous with palm trees. As I grew up I always enjoyed sketching pictures of palm trees, and I still do this quite often as an adult. I always imagined people making fans out of the palm fronds in years past, and there is just something very romantic and iconic about the palm tree.

Use the map above to plan your next Southern California road trip. It is guaranteed you will see palm trees along most stretches of roads during the drive.

You can find palm trees lining many city streets here in Southern California. If you have ever watched an American movie, you most likely have seen these iconic palm trees.

I love how there are rows of palm trees along Southern California streets. Originally, these palm were planted in rows to help people locate their homes back when Southern California was mostly the land of orange fields. There are still a few orange fields left in the Inland Empire, and around March these produce such a wonderful scent with their blossoms.