McLaughlin's Daffodil Hill in Volcano, California

Every spring in Volcano, California, there’s still gold in them thar hills, again.

McLaughlin’s Daffodil Hill is a farm located in the tiny, but picturesque, Gold Rush town of Volcano, California. Each year, thousands of visitors come to the 36-acre farm to view the yellow and white daffodils in bloom. The stunning 4-acre site is devoted to the annual family planting of daffodils. For the McLaughlin family, daffodils are considered the family’s legacy, and the practice of planting flowering bulbs dates back to the California Gold Rush.

In 1887, Arthur and Elizabeth van Vorst-McLaughlin were New York and Ohio pioneers who traveled west by wagon to establish a farm in California’s Gold Rush country. The McLaughlin farm did play an important part in the early days of the Gold Rush. It was located on a toll road for travelers to the Comstock Lode in Nevada. It was also used by teamsters as a stop for hauling timber from the Sierras to the Kennedy and Argonaut Mines in nearby Jackson. During the Gold Rush, teamsters were responsible for the delivery of supplies.

The couple realized that daffodils do well on the farm’s alpine setting. Despite their thriving farm and toll road business, the McLaughlin family managed to plant daffodils in their spare time. For over a century, daffodils have been planted each year, and over 300 named varieties make their home here. In 20 years, up to 6,000 new daffodil bulbs are planted each year. Today, over 300,000 bulbs dot the rural scenery.

Surprisingly enough, McLaughlin’s Daffodil Hill is not a commercial venture, and the family does not advertise the farm as a business. Daffodil Hill has remained a working farm over the years, but it is also known destination for thousands of families who want to enjoy the sight of daffodils in bloom during the spring. The McLaughlin family runs Daffodil Hill on donations and the free labor from volunteers. Those who visit may purchase food, drink and souvenirs, and proceeds benefit the local non-profit community groups. The family does not charge for admission. Free parking is located in a pasture across the road from the farm.

The farm opens when the daffodils are 25% in bloom and closes when only 25% remain. The best time to visit Daffodil Hill is by the end of March and usually during the first 3 weeks of April. The picnic grounds are generous and are located near the entrance of the farm. Pets are not allowed on the grounds.

The brilliant yellow and white backdrop of daffodils makes the perfect photo opportunity for camera buffs and their families. What makes Daffodil Hill so special is its devotion to daffodils and other flowering bulbs, including narcissus, tulips, hyacinths, crocuses, etc. At the end of the season, when the daffodils die out, the McLaughlin family farm returns to a working ranch. While visiting Daffodil Hill, people can view farm animals, including a pride of peafowl. Rustic barns, farm buildings, and ancient farm equipment are also on display, and many farm artifacts double as planters. These are placed around the old McLaughlin farm house to symbolize the family’s role in the community since the early days of the Gold Rush.