'It's like you're in essential oil heaven': California lilacs paint local park purple

SAN MARCOS, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) -- "It's a nice little place tucked away, not often visited compared to the popular Double Peak nearby," said local photographer Vishwas Lokesh, who's always using his artist's eye to capture the essence of nature in San Diego County.

He was referring to South Lake Park in San Marcos, which is about 37 miles from downtown. The roughly 10-acre park surrounds a reservoir that was built in 1959 and once supplied the area with drinking water until 1984.

Now, South Lake is one of the newest additions to the City of San Marcos’ thriving parks system. There's a parking facility, a mile-long hiking trail, and those with a valid California fishing license are allowed to cast into the water -- though the city strongly recommends the conservation strategy of "catch and release."

Aside from the park being an ideal recreation spot, the city explained that South Lake is also a "functioning natural habitat" that boasts a variety of flora. From a mix of coastal sage scrub to chaparral plants and wetland vegetation, there's a certain plant species that is turning the park purple this spring.

Commonly know as California lilacs, the shrub species called Ceanothus, which is native to the Golden State, is stunning parkgoers with its fragrant and bright blooms. South Lake is surrounded with the flowering foliage, which drew Lokesh to North County.

The local photographer explored South Lake Park on Tuesday and Wednesay. As soon as he entered the parking lot, Lokesh said the fragrance of California lilacs filled the air.

"It's like you're in essential oil heaven!" he told FOX 5.

The flowery smell, he explained, was even more outstanding out on the hiking trail.

"Once you're on the trail, you blend in and forget that you're in a city. It's a short two-mile loop, but it took forever to complete because I kept stopping to take in the gorgeous views," he continued.

When asked if he could offer up any tips to San Diegans who wish to check out the blooming California lilacs, Lokesh suggested visiting South Lake Park roughly 30 minutes before sunset or directly after sunrise "for that perfect purple color."

"Direct sunlight dilutes the color, so being there at the right time matters," explained the local photographer.

Another pro tip, if the parking lot is full -- which he says is likely -- there are limited street parking spots on Sunstone Drive and Santa Barbara Drive.

The California lilacs can also be seen at nearby Discovery Lake, another San Marcos park. Lokesh captured the image below from this area.

Check out more local footage of leopard sharks, the mesmerizing bioluminescence and more by visiting this San Diego photographer’s Instagram page (@shotbyvish).