community in California
Honey bee forage in Bear Valley, California
Estimated forage here is better than about 82% of sites in California. Against other California sites it stands out most in spring (88th percentile) and lowest in fall (45th). Nearest mapped water: mapped stream or canal (may be dry in late summer), 0.1 mi N.
When is the honey flow in Bear Valley?
- First forage: Jan 16 (roadside weeds (clover, dandelion, sweet clover, mustard))
- Main flow: Mar 1 to May 15, peaking late Mar (roadside weeds (clover, dandelion, sweet clover, mustard), spring-flowering shrubs)
- Fall flow: Jun 1 to Jun 15 (roadside weeds (clover, dandelion, sweet clover, mustard), summer-flowering shrubs)
- Season ends: Aug 15
Forage available to a colony through the year at the center of Bear Valley, from what grows within flight range (about 3.7 miles) and when it blooms here. Dates are the model's estimate for a typical year; the spring index for this spot falls on Mar 19.
What the honey is made of
- Spring honey (March to June): roadside weeds (clover, dandelion, sweet clover, mustard), spring-flowering shrubs, summer-flowering shrubs; extra light amber, likely to set over some months
- Summer honey (July and August): roadside weeds (clover, dandelion, sweet clover, mustard), fall wildflowers (goldenrod, aster); extra light amber, likely to set over some months
- Fall honey (September to November): fall wildflowers (goldenrod, aster); amber
- Whole season (March to November): roadside weeds (clover, dandelion, sweet clover, mustard), spring-flowering shrubs, summer-flowering shrubs, fall wildflowers (goldenrod, aster); extra light amber, likely to set over some months
Nectar-source estimate (plants weighted by how much bees favor them), not a pollen analysis. Full honey estimate.
Bee crops within flight range
No rated bee crops within about 3.7 miles of the town center. The forage here is wild plants, trees and gardens.
The land and water around Bear Valley
Mostly: California Ruderal Grassland and Meadow; Northern and Central California Dry-Mesic Chaparral; California Lower Montane Foothill Pine Woodland and Savanna.
Nearest mapped water: mapped stream or canal (may be dry in late summer) 0.1 mi N; creek, wetland or wet meadow 0.15 mi E.
How Bear Valley ranks
| Against random land in | Overall | Spring | Summer | Fall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continental US | 87th | 98th | 41st | 22nd |
| California | 82nd | 88th | 68th | 45th |
| Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains | 52nd | 64th | 60th | 23rd |
Percentiles among 3,000 random land points in each region, scored the same way: land in general, not beekeepers' apiaries.
About 94% of the land here is scored with national averages for its vegetation type rather than measured plant cover, so the wild-plant part of this estimate is rougher than the crop part.
The national forage map around Bear Valley: darker is more forage. Tap anywhere to check that exact spot.
Nearby
Mt. Bullion 7 mi · Hornitos 8 mi · Coulterville 10 mi · Catheys Valley 10 mi · Mariposa 11 mi · Midpines 11 mi
All towns in California · National map · How the scoring works
An estimate from public maps (USDA crop maps 2021–2025 averaged, LANDFIRE vegetation), not a survey of the ground. Maps can't see garden plantings, understory density, other beekeepers' hives, or this year's weather. The point is the Census Bureau's published center of Bear Valley (37.5747, -120.1361); a yard a mile or two away can differ, so check your own spot. The FEMA flood map was not checked for this page. Benchmark 2026.5, built 2026-10-19. How this works · All sources.