A festival of wildflowers at Lake San Antonio, May 4 and 5

North of Paso Robles, the knobby hills bordering Lake San Antonio bake to a parched tan under the summer sun, becoming mere backdrops for the main attractions of the lake, boating and water-skiing. But now through mid-May, the hills attain their own brief season of glory, their green flanks awash in lupine, poppy, star bush, and other wildflowers.

In celebration of this floral abundance around the 65-mile-long shore of Lake San Antonio Recreation Area, the Monterey County PArks Department will hold a wildflower festival May 4 and 5, with music, entertainment, displays, a fashion show, photography contest, and sporting events. On May 4 at 10, a professional 110-kilometer triathlon (swim-bicycle-run event) for cash prizes will start. On May 5 at 11, amateurs can join a 25-kilometer triathlon.

Both days you can listen to bluegrass music, watch or join jazz aerobics demonstrations, and attend demonstrations and lectures by the California Native Plant Society. Events begin at 10 A.M. each day. Park admission costs $4 per car.

Some 700 campsites are available at $7 per night or $10 per night with utilities. You can hike some 20 miles of trails and pathways around the lake; weather should be sunny and mild, in the 65[deg.] range.

Lake San Antonio Recreation Area is about 145 miles southweat of San Jose. To reach the south shore, take U.S. 101 south 32 miles from King City, exit southwest at County Road G19, and follow signs.