10 great cities to view cherry blossoms

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Drifting like candy-colored snow in the warming breeze, cherry blossoms are one of the lovelier reminders of spring's arrival.

With cherry-tree blossoming usually occurring March to April, now's the prime time to observe this petaled phenomenon. But where to go? Travel-content company Matador has compiled 10 suggestions for the U.S., ranging from the East Coast (Washington, D.C.) to the West (Seattle and Portland).

One California city makes the list, and no – despite the pretty blossoms in Golden Gate Park's Japanese Tea Garden – it's not San Francisco; it's San Diego. Matador says: "In 1977, 100 cherry trees were gifted from Japan to Balboa Park, marking the beginning of what would become today's Japanese Friendship Garden. The garden now features more than 150 cherry trees, including the ‘Pink Cloud' variety, which typically bloom from late February through early March, depending on weather conditions."

Matador's best places to celebrate cherry blossom season in the U.S.

1 Washington, D.C.

2 Macon, Ga.

3 Denver

4 Newark, N.J.

5 Seattle

6 Traverse City, Mich.

7 New York City

8 Portland, Ore.

9 Nashville, Tenn.

10 San Diego

Source: matadornetwork.com/read/us-cherry-blossom/

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This story was originally published March 25, 2026 at 9:26 AM.