Category Archives: CALIFORNIA

CALIFORNIA, COVID-19 TRAVEL, FAMILY VACATIONS, ROAD TRIP - SEQUOIA AND YOSEMITE, ROAD TRIPS

SEQUOIA TO YOSEMITE – ROAD TRIP

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During the summer of 2020, we took an incredible road trip from Sequoia to Yosemite National Park. We started at home, in San Diego and headed through Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and then Yosemite. National Park road trips are my absolute favorite and I love looking forward to them each summer. Here are some key considerations for your overall planning before we get into all of the details for an amazing road trip through Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite National Parks.

PLANNING TIPS

BOOK LODGING AS FAR IN ADVANCE AS POSSIBLE

If you want to stay in the National Park, which I recommend you do if you are able, you need to plan ahead. Lodges in Yosemite Valley book out a year in advance, as do the cabins in Kings Canyon’s Grants Grove. You can always catch last-minute cancellations, but holding some reservations during summer or school breaks a year in advance is ideal. You can always cancel if plans change.

HOW TO BOOK IN-PARK LODGING

If you are reading this to plan a last-minute national parks road trip, and want to stay in the park, do not panic. I have had great success with last-minute cancellations, but you must be diligent. I will bookmark the lodging reservation page and check it every day- even multiple times per day. The reservations are released in real-time, so you may be able to grab one in the weeks leading up to your visit.

I always hold a free cancellation reservation outside the park through Expedia for a plan B. Just keep the cancellation deadline on your calendar to ensure you are not charged.

OTHER BOOKING OPTIONS FOR IN-PARK LODGING

Also, be aware of the policies of the website NationalParkReservations.com. This site comes up immediately when searching and almost appears it is part of the National Park Service. However, they have a 10% non-refundable cancellation fee that is only mentioned in the fine print of your confirmation. This can be very expensive for those booking multiple nights in multiple lodges.

They can sometimes get you a room when the park is sold out, but it will cost you more. Our experience in Bryce Canyon was wonderful, but I have seen others that have lost hundreds due to cancellations. If you need a last-minute option, try them, but if you are booking in advance, definitely book direct!

CHECK CURRENT CLOSURES

COVID-19 had closed all National Parks and things were just starting to reopen leading up to our trip. We were super lucky to have both parks and our in-park lodging reservations open up right before our scheduled trip. Although things have opened back up, use the links I include below to the National Park Service official website and lodging options to check current conditions and closures for your visit.

The COVID situation is so fluid and things are always changing. In addition, weather and, unfortunately, California fires in the sequoias have affected openings in the Sierra this year. You want to be aware of what is open so your trip will run smoothly!

GET THE KIDS EXCITED

Build your kid’s schema by checking books out at the local library about the National Parks! I love getting ready for a trip by reading about the different animals and sights we are going to see. I love these inexpensive rookie readers as souvenirs for the kids too. However, my son has grown out of them so we have moved on to this National Park book at this Yosemite book.

DRIVING ITINERARY

In summary, we took five nights for the trip. This is the driving itinerary we planned. The best decision we made was to give ourselves a night before each National Park just outside the entrance. This strategy was key for several reasons. Not only did it save money, but it also maximized time in the parks.

OUR ROUTE ON A MAP

This map was made with Wanderlog, for making itineraries on iOS and Android

PLANNING WHERE TO STAY EACH NIGHT

As I mentioned above, I love staying in park when vising national parks. However, the hotels outside of Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks are much cheaper than the in-park lodging options. When planning your trip, it is important to consider your timing.

When you are waking up in the park and want to maximize your day exploring, you don’t want to stress about the drive into the next park. If you cram your day to explore and drive from Sequoia to Yosemite, you will either sacrifice enjoying Sequoia and Kings Canyon or your first beautiful evening in Yosemite. I highly suggest a night in between. Oakhurst or Fresno are great options between Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks.

Nothing makes a road trip more stressful than jam-packed plans. Staying outside of the park saved us money and gave us a full day to explore the park and then drive to our next destination. Another bonus is the outside of the park lodging options usually include breakfast so we were able to hit the road first thing! They also tend to have laundry rooms which come in handy for long road trips.

KID-FRIENDLY PLANNING

Our guides to Sequoia National Park and Yosemite National Park below include all of the details to make the trip family-friendly. However, when going on road trips, I like to bring a few extras along to entertain the kids. Read more about our road trip favorites here.

When going to National Parks, I love to take advantage of Junior Ranger programs and pack some other things to enrich their trip. You can read more about our favorite things to pack for kids in National Parks here. I love requesting visitor guides for the parks before traveling as well. My son has fun looking through them in the car and it helps me plan our adventures!

REQUEST FREE VISITOR GUIDES

These guides are free from the county tourism bureaus that surround Sequoia and Yosemite National Park. You can download the e-versions or request a guide to be mailed to you!

Sequoia National Park

Visit Visalia – Visalia County

Discover the Sequoias – Sequoia Tourism Council

Yosemite National Park

Visit Yosemite – Madera County

Yosemite Vacation Planner – Mariposa County

YOSEMITE & SEQUOIA TRIP PLANNING RESOURCES

Check out my other Sequoia & Yosemite trip-planning resources here! Here you can find itinerary details, what to see with kids, and all of our lodging and dining recommendations!

CALIFORNIA, COVID-19 TRAVEL, DAYTIME ADVENTURES, HIKING, SOUTHERN CA, WEEKEND GETAWAY

HIKING THE SLOT IN ANZA-BORREGO STATE PARK

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Hiking the Slot Canyon just outside of San Diego in Anza Borrego State Park is an unforgettable experience! This California hike requires a little preparation for a successful trip. In this portion of our guide to Anza-Borrego State Park with kids, we give you our tips for a successful trip hiking Slot Canyon. Keep reading for what to expect, how to get there, what you want to bring, and the correct trails to take!

WHAT SHOULD WE DO IN ANZA-BORREGO STATE PARK?

Hiking the Slot Canyon in Anza-Borrego State Park is one of our family’s all-time favorite hikes. We have experienced slot canyons in southern California and Arizona (Antelope Canyon is stunning). If you are local and interested in exploring slot canyons, check out my post about Annie’s Canyon in North County San Diego. We never knew we had another one so close to home.

WHAT IS THE ANZA BORREGO SLOT CANYON?

Just 20 minutes outside of Borrego Springs, the Anza Borrego slot canyon hike is sure to make a memorable adventure for your whole family. At less than a mile long, weaving through this siltstone canyon almost takes you back in time. Millions of years of flash floods and flowing water eroding rock create these mesmerizing slot canyons that turn into incredible hiking opportunities. The trail may be short, but the experience is one you will never forget!

HOW TO GET TO THE ANZA-BORREGO SLOT CANYON

Hiking the Slot in Anza-Borrego requires a little preparation, so you know where to go. The Slot is located in the Anza-Borrego desert of California, down a dirt road known as Buttes Pass that drivers can easily miss.

Anza-Borrego State Park is a little over an hour and a half east of San Diego and a great place to check out for the day or weekend. Plan to explore the town of Borrego Springs before or after your hike. Check out this post for all of our favorite things to do in Borrego Springs.

START AT THE VISITOR’S CENTER

I highly recommend starting your visit at the Anza-Borrego State Park Visitor’s Center to check-in and gather information about current park conditions on the day of your visit. Check out a large map of the park here. There is so much to see and do in the Anza-Borrego desert, so make sure to explore more after your hike.

Map created with Wanderlog, for making itineraries on iOS and Android

ANZA-BORREGO SLOT CANYON MAP

The Anza-Borrego Desert State Park rangers gave us the following directions and map. Please note cellular service is spotty in the park, so SAVE THIS PHOTO to your camera roll to access it on your phone without service. Also, Google maps probably won’t be able to work as you head out towards the slot canyon trail.

Directions to THE SLOT – Save this to your camera roll!

SLOT CANYON PARKING INFORMATION

Our stop at the visitor center allowed us to pay the $ 10 day-use and parking fee by credit card versus cash only at the slot canyon parking area. If you have an annual pass for CA State Parks (including the beach parking pass), you are covered anywhere in the park! I recommend having $10 cash with you if heading straight to Buttes Pass Road and the Anza Borrego slot canyon parking area.

Hiking the slot trail in Anza-Borrego can get crowded. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Rangers monitor the crowds and parking situation by only allowing 30 cars in at a time. We were able to head right into the parking area on a holiday around 1 pm. I assume weekends are a busier time.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS FROM BORREGO SPRINGS TO THE SLOT CANYON TRAIL

You will drive about 20-25 minutes to the slot canyon parking area from the Visitor’s Center. Then, take Borrego Springs Road towards the 78. Shortly after turning left on Highway 78 (1.4 miles – watch your odometer so you don’t miss it), you will see a tiny dirt road and a small sign for Buttes Pass Road.

Look for small brown sign just before the dirt road. Head down the dirt road, and a park ranger will greet you in less than 2 miles. The ranger will let you know when to enter and collect your $10 fee (or check your receipt from the Visitor Center). Congrats! You have arrived and your hiking adventure is about to begin!

WHAT TO BRING WHEN HIKING THE SLOT CANYON TRAIL

Although the slot canyon hike is about a mile, pack plenty of water (at least a liter) as the desert sun can dehydrate you quickly. The parking area has restrooms available. As always, a sun hat and sunblock are great ideas for California desert hiking.

We loved having our baby girl in the Ergo for this hike instead of our larger Osprey hiking pack. If you are not carrying a child, a small backpack is ideal so you can maneuver through the tight squeezes of the canyon walls on the trail. I also loved having my hiking boots for stability during some areas of the hike, as the canyon floor can be rocky.

ANZA-BORREGO’S SLOT CANYON HIKE

Once you park, you will see signs for the slot hiking trail heading up a small hill. On the opposite end of the parking lot, you will see a wide 4WD road to Borrego-Mountain Wash – do not hike this way. This is a jeep road that takes you into the Anza Borrego Desert and around the top of the slot canyon.

Instead, head up the small hill, and after a short hike, you will head back down towards the left down into the canyon.

I was grateful for hiking boots during this downhill portion as the gravel can make it slippery, and I had the baby in the Ergo. Once you get to the bottom of the canyon, the canyon starts and the trail begins to narrow as into the tight spots known as the slot. The trail starts a little spread apart but quickly begins to narrow. As you begin weaving through the canyon, it is incredible how narrow parts of this easy hike can get.

After a short distance, you will enter the narrow slot canyon on the hiking trail. The canyon walls can get very tight at times. However, our son loves this portion of the hike. I was grateful I had the baby in the Ergo so I could tuck her head in as we maneuvered through the canyon. A bigger hiking pack, like our Osprey, would not have worked well on this hike.

INSIDE THE SLOT CANYON

Although the canyon is pretty flat, some small areas have more significant drops to step up and down on the hike. It is incredible how much the temperature can drop in the shade of the slot. On a hot day, this shade and cool environment would feel especially wonderful.

At the end of the slot canyon, you will see a tall rock leaning over the top of the canyon and bridging the narrow gap. Cautiously proceed under the rock, although it has been like this for years. This natural rock bridge marks the end of the narrow slot canyon. As you turn the corner, the canyon widens, and you will start walking out towards a sandy jeep road.

RETURN HIKING OPTIONS TO THE SLOT CANYON PARKING LOT

At this point, you have two options for your return hike. You can treat the trail as an out-and-back hike or continue to loop back to the parking lot. If you are hiking the slot canyon in Anza-Borrego with kids, I highly recommend taking option one. Unfortunately, we found the trail markers were not very clear, and we ended up hiking further out into the middle of the desert than we wanted to do.

OPTION ONE – OUT-AND-BACK – MY RECOMMENDATION

Once the canyon expands, you can turn around and hike back to your car through the slot (the way you came). This is an excellent option for hiking the slot canyon with kids, as they will enjoy maneuvering through the rocks from a different view. This also allows you to enjoy the cooler desert temperatures in the slot. Please learn from our mistakes! We get lost, so you don’t have to! Or, for a real Anza-Borrego desert adventure, there is another option.

OPTION TWO – KEEP HIKING FOR A FULL LOOP

We opted for the full loop back to the parking lot in a quest for new sights and adventure. As we exited the canyon, we kept hiking down the sandy road. We were waiting to see tire tracks on the 4WD road like the directions from the Visitor Center said we would. The road was very sandy but did offer some great views.

After a bit, we came to a clear divider on the path. Rocks were blocking the road, and signs said vehicles were not allowed (down the road we had just come from). Tire tracks were evident in this jeep road area, so we took this as the last part of the directions from the Visitor Center. We proceeded to walk “less than one mile,” looking for the “steep road to the west (left)” to complete our full loop of the slot canyon hike.

SLOT CANYON TRAIL MISTAKES WE MADE (SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO)

This was a mistake. We should have headed up the VERY STEEP, VERY SANDY hill to the left at this point. The road was recently closed, and the directions have not been updated. However, there were no signs on the trail to head up the wash. We had just started to see tire tracks, so we kept on hiking, looking for a steep hill to the left in about one mile.

After walking for about 15 minutes, we became nervous that we were beginning to head aimlessly into the California desert. We had left our lunches in the car and did not want to commit to a more extensive hike. It was also getting later in the afternoon. The last thing we wanted was to be deep in the desert without enough daylight to get back.

At that point, my husband ran ahead on the trail to check what was lying ahead in the desert. Around the next bend, there was a small trail heading up to the left. We were thrilled to find it! This was an actual trail, but the hike led us to nothing, although the sand was covered in footprints. I think it may be from people like us searching for a way to loop around.

We followed the trail until it suddenly disappeared, and we were in the middle of the desert. Although we knew we could walk back the entire way we had come, we still wanted to find the loop. So my husband hiked up a massive dirt hill to get our bearings. We were clearly in an area that experienced flash floods as we were in the middle of one of the many washes in California’s largest state park.

BACK ON TRACK FOR THE FULL LOOP

From the hill, he could see where we wanted to be. We hiked up a massive dirt hill until we merged into the sandy wash. The elevation gain was difficult, and the trail was very sandy. We should have headed up this path when we saw the rocks and signs. Instead, due to the slope we had just climbed, we were already halfway up the wash. However, the deep sand made each uphill step even harder. We were tired and hungry but happy to be back on the trail.

Once we reached the top, we could see the parking lot for the slot. Although it was pretty far away (1 mile), we were happy to be up and hiking on a road leading to the parking area. We had climbed up the Borrego Mountain Wash and were now walking back to the parking lot on Borrego Mountain Wash Road, a 4WD road.

This last stretch was at the top of the Anza Borrego slot canyon loop. Although we were excited to see a tarantula crossing the road, we all agreed the out-and-back hike through the slot would have been a more exciting (and faster) option. Once we reached the parking lot, we had a picnic in the back of the truck, used the restrooms, and headed out. Rangers were beginning to shut down the trail as the sun was starting to set.


BUSTER’S VIEW OF THE SLOT CANYON HIKE

My son is starting to document some of our adventures for his YouTube channel. His interest in design and editing seems to be growing as well, so I let him play around with his footage from our hike. I thought it would be cute to include his videos about specific hikes in my posts. If you have children and want to get them excited about hiking The Slot in Anza-Borrego, have them check out my son’s perspective of the slot hike!

My son loves his hydration pack and Merrell hiking boots when hiking! You can find more of his favorites here.

EXPLORE THE REST OF OUR GUIDE TO THE ANZA-BORREGO DESERT

Make the most of your visit to the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in California. Check out our posts on what to do when visiting this incredible desert area!

Have you hiked through a slot canyon in California? Which one is your favorite?

CALIFORNIA, DAYTIME ADVENTURES, HIKING, SOUTHERN CA, WEEKEND GETAWAY

BORREGO SPRINGS HIKING – PALM CANYON

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As one of Anza-Borrego State Park’s most popular hikes, The Borrego Palm Canyon Trail is one of the best options for hiking in Borrego Springs. The trail leads to a lush oasis in the desert. At a 3-miles round trip, this hike is family-friendly and a great option any time of the year. Due to the water in the area, this hike is a top pick when exploring Anza Borrego wildflowers. Stop by the State Park Visitor Center to pick up the trail guide before you head out.

WHAT SHOULD WE DO IN ANZA-BORREGO STATE PARK?

HOW TO FIND THE BORREGO PALM CANYON TRAIL

The Borrego Palm Canyon trail begins just north of the State Park Visitor Center, at the end of the paved road in Borrego Palm Campground. There is ample parking at the end of the campground for this trailhead. However, parking in this area does require a $10/day-use fee payable by machine in the area.

The trail from the parking lot leads you into Borrego Palm Canyon. The canyon can get very hot depending on when you are visiting. Make sure you have more water than you think you need. I also recommend packing a picnic from a favorite spot in Borrego Springs to enjoy when you reach the top of the canyon.

HIKING BORREGO PALM CANYON

We hiked this trail during the super bloom of 2017, so the wildflowers are abundant. You can read more about our strategy for enjoying wildflowers and avoiding crowds during super bloom years here. Our son was three at the time, so we opted for our Osprey pack, and it was an excellent choice for this trail. It gave us a great mix on the hike. Our son had ample opportunity to wander himself but also time to rest with sun protection as the heat picked up later in the morning.

The trail is well-marked, with rocks lining the way to the canyon. There is a reason this hike is so popular, especially in spring, which is pretty clear in my photos! The water in the area makes this a hub of animal and plant activity. If you are hiking early, make sure to look for bighorn sheep and other animals in the area. Borrego Springs hiking offers an abundance of desert plants, but Borrego Palm Canyon pops with color in spring!

You will cross over the creek bed a few times during the hike. Spring brings water that can make the trek even more adventurous for little kids. Water in the desert is always a fun sight to see. The scenery is beautiful.

The area surrounding the palm oasis makes for a great picnic stop. Although the palm oasis is currently closed (Spring 2021) due to fire restoration, the area surrounding it is worth the hike! This hike allows you to enjoy California’s only native palm in its natural habitat.

After enjoying the oasis for a bit, we could tell the trail was getting more crowded. Finally, the sun started blazing the temperatures began to rise, so we headed back out of the canyon. We were thrilled our son could cool down with water and rest in the shade of our Osprey Poco. The hike out of the canyon was beautiful, and we felt so fortunate to enjoy it during a super bloom.

TURN YOUR HIKE INTO A BORREGO SPRINGS DAY TRIP

Borrego Springs hiking is rewarding scenery any time of year, but wildflower season takes it to another level. I highly recommend you enjoy this 3-mile out and back trail with your family! Give yourself at least 2 hours to enjoy and a bit more if you plan to picnic. If you enjoy the trail in the morning, plan a trip into Borrego Springs for lunch. Then, you can take the triangle driving tour out of town in the afternoon!

LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT TO DO IN ANZA-BORREGO

Click the images below to read more of our favorite things to do in Anza-Borrego State Park and Borrego Springs.

CALIFORNIA, DAYTIME ADVENTURES, HIKING, SOUTHERN CA, WEEKEND GETAWAY

ANZA-BORREGO WIND CAVES

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We only had our Subaru for two weeks before I planned our adventure to explore some off-road adventures in the Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Adventure awaits with over 500 miles of 4WD sandy roads and washes in the Anza-Borrego desert. I had read about the wind caves and knew our son would love exploring the nooks and crannies that await. In this portion of our guide to Anza-Borrego with kids, we cover all the details you need to take your crew on this memorable trip to explore the wind caves!

WHAT SHOULD WE DO IN ANZA-BORREGO STATE PARK?

PLAN YOUR ADVENTURE TO THE ANZA-BORREGO WIND CAVES

The Anza-Borrego Wind Caves make for an incredible adventure with kids. It reminded me of driving through Radiator Springs to the planet of Batuu, also known as Disney’s Cars and Star Wars Lands. We had a great time, but I do want to stress you NEED TO BE PREPARED for this adventure. 4WD or AWD is a must, as is a high-clearance vehicle due to the rocks scattered on the sandy road. ALWAYS check in on the road and weather conditions at the State Park Visitor Center before heading out on an off-road adventure.

DRIVING TO THE ANZA-BORREGO WIND CAVES

As I mentioned above, you should always check in with the State Park Visitor Center about road conditions and weather before heading out. Volunteers at the Visitor Center will have the most updated information and give you a map of the park.

Follow directions for the Triangle Tour down Borrego Springs Road towards the Texas Dip. At Highway 78, head east towards Slot Canyon. Continue driving east on Highway 78 until you reach the town of Ocotillo Wells. There is only one paved road in Ocotillo Wells off Highway 78, Split Mountain. Head south on Split Mountain Road, about 8 miles, until the paved road turns to dirt. You will see Fish Creek Wash on your right- this is your road! The trail is 4-miles down the sandy wash.

OFF-ROAD SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

The Anza-Borrego Wind Caves made for a great family adventure. We took less than 3 hours for the off-road and hiking adventure, starting at Fish Creek Wash. It takes about an hour from the Anza-Borrego Visitor Center to get to the wash. To relax and not be worried about time, I would plan five hours if you are coming from and returning to Borrego Springs.

Our son had a great time, and we did too. As I mentioned, it was nerve-wracking getting out there because it was our first off-roading adventure in Anza-Borrego. However, this was an excellent pick for our first off-road adventure as there were many people out on the wash to offer assistance if we had a problem.


However, I cannot stress the importance of the following enough:

  • Check with the State Park Visitor Center about CURRENT road and weather conditions
  • Pack plenty of water
  • Have snacks with you
  • Remember you will have no cell service
  • Make sure someone knows you are heading out there
  • Screenshot directions, this post, etc. for your reference
  • If planning a less traveled wash, have a shovel, flares, tools and blankets with you.
  • If you are stuck or broken down, pop your hood and wait. Others will notice you by your vehicle more than if you wander into the desert alone.
  • Know sunset times before you head out to plan accordingly.

FISH CREEK WASH

At first, I was hesitant to begin driving down the wash. However, several cars were coming in and out, so I knew we were in the right place. We started reasonably slow as it was our first off-roading adventure in our new car. After a short distance, about 1.4 miles, we reached the Fish Creek primitive campground. This area has vault toilets that you can use if needed.

After the campground, the canyon begins to narrow. Jeeps and trucks exiting the narrow canyon area were tearing out of the wash super fast! It was a little overwhelming at first. There was some aggressive 4WD action at this point of the drive wash. We noticed campers creating a stack of rocks in the center of the wash to slow drivers through the narrowing canyon. The mountain walls begin to rise above you. You feel like you are driving through Radiator Springs. It was exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time. I don’t have many pictures of this portion of the drive. I focused on watching my husband drive and hoping we did not get stuck in the sand or hit a massive rock!

PARK & HIKE THE WIND CAVES TRAIL

The Wind Caves trail comes up on the left side when the canyon walls of the wash open up. There is ample parking on the right side of this open area. The second picture below looks back on the parking area and gives you an idea of how open the road gets. There are some rocky areas of the drive leading up to this area, so take your time and go slow. We saw a Jeep get stuck on a boulder in front of the parking area.

The Wind Caves trail is labeled with a sign as you start to hike up the hill. The trail out is 1-mile and heads up four steep, rocky hills. Make sure you bring water! At some points, a few trails branch off of the main trail, but they all lead to the same place.

EXPLORE THE ANZA-BORREGO WIND CAVES

When you come over the final peak, you can see the massive sandstone formation of the Wind Caves down in front of you. Our son was so excited to begin exploring. It looks like you are in the middle of a Star Wars movie. The view of the Carrizo Badlands is spectacular. We took some time to relax in the shade of some of the caves to drink some water and feed the baby. Then we set out to explore.

Our son had a great time climbing around and through the Wind Caves. The views are jaw-dropping, and the shade around the caves makes it a great adventure for kids of all ages. Our son’s imagination began running wild as he explored all around the beauty of the Anza-Borrego desert and Wind Caves.

I wanted to catch the sunset in Galleta Meadows, so as the afternoon sun started moving, we knew it was time to get going. So we headed down the 1-mile trail back to the car. The hike back seemed much faster as it was all downhill this time! We were grateful to be in hiking boots that helped steady us on the rocky downhill terrain. However, we did pass a group of 15 or so in flip-flops drinking beers heading up, so I guess anything goes! You can see in my pictures that the trail is quite rocky.

LEAVING THE WIND CAVES

Once we were back to the car, we started the 4-mile drive back to the paved Split Mountain Road. I was much more relaxed for this portion of the drive and was able to snap a few more pictures to give you an idea of what it is like driving between the canyon walls in the sandy wash.

When we reached the end of the off-roading portion of our drive from the Anza-Borrego Wind Caves, my husband had some fun driving a little faster through the final sandy areas. Now we understood why some people were tearing out of the canyon. It is kind of fun to know you have made it through the rocky adventures and only have a short way back to the paved road. Our son loved waving his arms out of the window as we finished our drive out of the wash. On the left, the paved road of Split Mountain Road takes you back to regular driving as you exit the wash.

LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT TO DO IN ANZA-BORREGO

Click the images below to read more of our favorite things to do in Anza-Borrego State Park and Borrego Springs.

CALIFORNIA, DAYTIME ADVENTURES, HIKING, SOUTHERN CA, WEEKEND GETAWAY

THE TRIANGLE – AN ANZA-BORREGO SCENIC DRIVE

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Are you looking for an Anza-Borrego driving tour as a comfortable and accessible option to see the beauty of the desert? The Triangle Tour is a great way to see a lot without taking a massive hike or long 4WD trip into the desert landscape. This scenic drive is an incredible way to take the kids out to see the geology and changing landscape of Anza-Borrego State Park. In this portion of our guide to Anza-Borrego with kids, we’ll cover all you need to know to enjoy this scenic driving tour!

WHAT SHOULD WE DO IN ANZA-BORREGO STATE PARK?

WHAT IS THE TRIANGLE TOUR SCENIC DRIVE?

I love the Triangle Tour scenic drive because it gives you ample opportunity to get out and stretch your legs. The drive has options for several short hikes, overlooks, a campground picnic area, and a short road for off-roading if you desire. The accompanying trail guides will give your kids historical information and geology facts they will connect with come third and fourth grade. Grab a picnic in town to enjoy during your drive. If you want to leave town through Julian, this Anza-Borrego driving tour is the perfect scenic route out of town. We took about three hours for the drive, stops, short hikes, and a relaxing picnic.

STOP 1 – ANZA-BORREGO STATE PARK VISITOR CENTER

The Anza-Borrego State Park Visitor Center put together the information on this drive. Before heading out, you can pick up the map, information, and the corresponding trail guides at the Anza-Borrego State Park Visitor Center. Make sure to enjoy the area surrounding the Visitor Center when you stop in. You can read this post for more about enjoying the Anza-Borrego State Park Visitor Center. Once you are ready to go, head south down Borrego Springs Road.

STOP 2 – TEXAS DIP

This first highlight is not a stop but the 1.1-mile long piece of the road you are driving on. The road “dips” to cross through the biggest wash in the park – the San Felipe Wash. This is not a place I would want to be during desert rains and flash floods. Apparently, this wash drains to the Salton Sea, over 25 miles away! Our son has loved this portion of Borrego Springs Road for years because of, “Mom! The dips!” It is a mini roller coaster for him. Shortly after the Texas Dip, turn right on Highway 78. Take the highway 4 miles and watch for the small Narrows Earth Trail sign on your left.

STOP 3 – NARROWS EARTH TRAIL

The Narrows Earth Trail is an easy stop on this Anza-Borrego driving tour. This simple .5 mile loop is very flat and BOB stroller-friendly. It does not take long to explore. We parked on the side of the road by the trail sign and were able to see our car the entire time. Although the loop stayed close to the highway, we still felt like we were venturing out into the desert landscape. We used the self-guided trail brochure from the visitor center to learn more about the area’s geology.

This short trail is a geological gem. If you have a fourth-grader studying the changes in geologic formations, this is a great place to check out. There are many cactus varieties on the trail as well. This is also a place you may be able to see bighorn sheep. We drove by the trail at first and had to spin around on the highway. You can see in pictures how small the sign is.

STOP 4 – MINE WASH ROAD

This short 4WD road is only 1.6-miles from an ancient Kumeyaay Native American village. According to the park directions, you drive 1.8-miles from the Narrows Earth Trail and turn down the dirt road on your left. Sadly, we missed the 4WD road and decided to continue. However, if your child is in third grade and studying the local Kuymeyaay, this ancient village is worth a stop. I will update you here when we return.

STOP 5 – TAMARISK CAMPGROUND & THE CACTUS LOOP TRAIL

This campground makes for a great stop during your Anza-Borrego driving tour. The campground facilities are available, making this an excellent bathroom stop. There is a $10 day-use fee to park inside the campground. However, there is usually ample parking on the street. The campground also has picnic areas if you want to take a break and picnic with facilities.

THE CACTUS LOOP TRAIL

Directly across from the campground is the trailhead for the Cactus Loop Trail. This is a beautiful trail to explore as it is a short 1-mile loop and gives you an unclose view of a variety of cactus plants. If your children are young and like to run ahead or wander off-trail, this would be a trail to skip as there are cacti all around. However, our son loved it and enjoyed climbing around and staring up at the tall Ocotillo plants.

This trail is another area to look up for bighorn sheep. They tend to be spotted on the mountain ridge above. We picked up the Cactus Loop Trail Guide from the State Park Visitor Center and enjoyed reading about each numbered area along the loop.

STOP 6 – WILLIAM KENYON OVERLOOK

As you leave the Tamarisk Grove Campground, you leave the valley and climb up Yaqui Pass Road. The scenery begins to change dramatically. There is a pullout on the right-hand side to enjoy the view of the valley floor, but I HIGHLY recommend driving a bit more to the William Kenyon Overlook trail.

The trailhead is on the right-hand side of the road along a pullout area. It is hard to see, but know that you passed it if you end up at the Yaqui Pass Primitive Campground. You can park and hike from the campground, but it adds a mile to your hike out. So we flipped around and parked at the pullout to keep a one-mile round trip hike to the William Kenyon Overlook. Although you need to hike up the hill to get to the William Kenyon Overlook, it is only 1/2 a mile and well worth the effort!

The William Kenyon Overlook Trail is an excellent place for kids to explore. The trail is wide, so the worries about the cactus being close are not a big concern. If you journey early in the morning, chances are you will catch bighorn sheep doing on the mountain. We enjoyed our picnic from this overlook. Our son had fun trying to find some bighorn sheep, but we were unsuccessful. Next time!

At this point, you have finished the Triangle Tour but do have two options to complete your Anza-Borrego scenic drive. If you are staying in Anza-Borrego longer, you can continue enjoying the scenery and continue driving up Yaqui Pass Road back to Borrego Springs and the State Park Visitor Center.

Or, you can head back down to the 78 and leave the park from here. We love this drive as a scenic way out to town, so from here, we head back down Yaqui Pass Road to the 78 and head into Julian.

LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT TO DO IN ANZA-BORREGO

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CALIFORNIA, DAYTIME ADVENTURES, HIKING, SOUTHERN CA, WEEKEND GETAWAY

ANZA-BORREGO WILDFLOWERS

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Blooming Anza-Borrego wildflowers will enrich any desert visit. California wildflowers are beautiful to see all across the state, but the Anza-Borrego Desert is known for showing off in Spring. The typical sandy landscape is transformed into a carpet of vibrant colors during historical “super bloom” seasons. In this portion of our guide to Anza-Borrego with kids, we cover all you need to know about enjoying the Anza-Borrego wildflowers.

WHAT SHOULD WE DO IN ANZA-BORREGO STATE PARK?

WHEN SHOULD I VISIT TO SEE WILDFLOWERS?

I highly recommend planning a visit during wildflower Spring blooms. Wildflower blooms begin in February and peak in mid-March through April. I also like to check the Anza Borrego Desert Natural History Association’s current wildflower update to know what is going on in the park before we head out.

Depending on the level of rain during the previous winter, in combination with colder temperatures (that hold the moisture in the ground), a potential “super bloom” can cover the valley floor. We had a great visit during the 2017 super bloom. More on that visit and strategy for super bloom weekends below.

WHERE CAN I SEE THE WILDFLOWERS?

Anza-Borrego wildflowers bloom throughout the park in Spring, but some areas are known to pop with extra color. These are our favorite places to view the blooms.

ANZA-BORREGO STATE PARK VISITOR CENTER WILDFLOWERS

I always recommend checking in with the Visitor Center before visiting Anza-Borrego to ask about current conditions. However, this is an especially convenient strategy as the Visitor Center landscape is one of the best places to see the Anza-Borrego wildflowers!

BORREGO PALM CANYON TRAIL WILDFLOWERS

As one of Anza-Borrego State Park’s most popular hikes, The Borrego Palm Canyon Trail leads to a lush oasis in the desert. At a 3-miles round trip, this hike is family-friendly and a great option any time of the year. In addition, due to the water in the area, this hike is a top pick when exploring Anza Borrego wildflowers. You can read this post for more about the Borrego Palm Canyon Trail.

DESERT MEADOW ALONG HENDERSON CANYON ROAD

The open desert landscape becomes a beautiful meadow during wildflower season. The surrounding mountains and flowers that seem to go on forever make this a fun place to explore. In addition, when other areas like the Visitor Center and Borrego Palm Canyon Trailhead have no parking available, these meadows are accessible by just pulling over on the side of the road.

DESERT MEADOW ALONG DIGIORGIO ROAD

This is another meadow we love that is easily accessible by pulling off the side of the road. These meadows are especially great with kids, as they can hop out of the car and roam. They also make for some beautiful pictures with your kids.

HOW CAN I ENJOY A VISIT DURING SUPERBLOOM?

DO NOT SPEND HOURS WAITING IN TRAFFIC, FOR PARKING, FOR MEALS, ETC.

Super bloom years, like 2017 and 2019, draw hundreds of thousands of visitors to Borrego Springs searching for the colorful blooms blanketing the desert floor. In 2017, visitors to Anza-Borrego were at an all-time high, and traffic was horrendous. What usually takes about 10 minutes coming down the hill was backed up over two hours. Parking for one of the best places to see blooms, the Borrego Palm Canyon Trail, was packed full by 8 am. Here is our strategy for a successful family trip to see the Anza-Borrego super bloom.

SUNRISE ARRIVAL

We are NOT morning people, but after reading about how impacted Borrego Springs was by all of the visitors, I knew we needed to take a more drastic approach to our visit. So we left North County San Diego around 4:30 am, with the goal of parking shortly after sunrise. It was very early, but we had just moved our son in pajamas, and he continued sleeping in the car. We packed had a picnic packed to avoid the hours of waiting we had read about in town.

Although the majority of the drive was in the dark, as we came over the hill, the sun began to rise. The drive into the desert is something I always love, but this time was even more spectacular. Our excitement was building, knowing we would soon be some of the first to explore.

HIKE BORREGO PALM CANYON TRAIL

Our early morning strategy did not disappoint. We pulled into the Borrego Palm Canyon Trailhead with ease as the sun began shining over the valley. Although shortly after 6:30 am, cars were already filling in behind us. We headed out into one of the best places to view Anza-Borrego wildflowers, the Borrego Palm Canyon Trail. You can read more about this trail here.

Due to our early arrival, we were leaving the trail shortly after 9 am. This also allowed us to beat the desert heat that was starting to pick up. The backup to get down the hill and into the parking area for the Visitor Center and Borrego Palm Canyon Trail was VERY long and looked incredibly frustrating. We knew immediately that our early arrival was key.

EXPLORE AND PICNIC IN THE DIGIORGIO ROAD AND HENDERSON CANYON ROAD

After our hike, we headed out to the meadows on DiGiorgio Road and Henderson Canyon. The rangers at the Visitor Center told us that these were some of the best spots to see the wildflowers. In addition, they make an easy stop with kids because you can pull off on the side of the road. We were able to have our late morning picnic lunch here as well. I HIGHLY recommend packing a picnic as the lines in town during super blooms are VERY frustrating.

LEAVE TOWN BEFORE THE AFTERNOON CROWDS AND HEAT PICK UP

At this point, you will have been up almost 8 hours and hiked over 3 miles. As the afternoon heat and crowds pick up, you will probably find that trying to do more will flip the mood of your trip. We recommend leaving town on the 78 towards Julian and stopping in for a beverage when you get there. Also, don’t forget to enjoy the daffodils blooming near the Julian Library and Wynola Pizza.

LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT TO DO IN ANZA-BORREGO

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CALIFORNIA, DAYTIME ADVENTURES, SOUTHERN CA, WEEKEND GETAWAY

GALLETA MEADOWS

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In this portion of our guide to Anza-Borrego State Park, we will cover the marvel known as the Galleta Meadows Estate. You may recognize these iconic sculptures from photos you have seen of the Anza-Borrego Desert and Borrego Springs. The Galleta Meadows Estate is a stop you do not want to miss when visiting Anza-Borrego State Park!

WHAT SHOULD WE DO IN ANZA-BORREGO STATE PARK?

WHAT IS THE GALLETA MEADOWS ESTATE?

Galleta Meadows is the unique creation of Ricardo Breceda that can be seen throughout Borrego Springs. Locals refer to the sculptures as “Sky Art.” The free-standing sculptures attract visitors of all ages to Borrego Springs. The sculptures were commissioned by Dennis Avery (yes, Avery, like your printer labels). He loved the town of Borrego Springs and purchased over 3,000 acres in the 1990s to keep it protected from development. He wanted his land to become an outdoor gallery for all to enjoy. As a result, Galleta Meadows now has over 130 statues scattered across the estate.

The giant free-standing statues can weigh up to 1000 pounds. The sculptures are a tribute to the prehistoric animals that once roamed the desert land. The designs have cultural and historical significance to the area. Fossils similar to many of the prehistoric designs have been found nearby. You will see giant birds, sabertooth cats, mammoths, dinosaurs, prehistoric animals, and the famous Borrego serpent.

HOW TO TOUR GALLETA MEADOWS

Touring the statues is fun for kids of all ages. As you head into the dirt roads of Galleta Meadows, the paths around the statues curve around cactus and other native plants. There is no one correct way to drive in or out. There are multiple areas to explore around Borrego Springs. Although we have visited several times, we still have not seen all 130 statues! Several creatures are located behind the Borrego Chamber of Commerce, making it an excellent stop for pictures and information!

WHERE ARE THE GALLETA MEADOW STATUES?

If you want to see all the statues, you can pick up a hard copy of this map at the Anza-Borrego State Park Visitor Center. In addition, you can purchase a similar map at the Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association Desert Store or Anza-Borrego Foundation Store. Both stores are located one block west of Christmas Circle.

SUNSET IN GALLETA MEADOWS

In my opinion, there is no better way to end a day in the desert with kids than to watch the cotton candy skies appear in Borrego Springs in Galleta Meadows. We love to pick a new statue from the map, park our car, and set up our camping chairs or picnic blankets to watch the sun go down. Then, as the pink fades away, the stars come out, and you are left in awe of the incredible sight.

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WHAT TO DO IN BORREGO SPRINGS

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When you are planning a visit to Anza-Borrego, you will want to take some time to explore Borrego Springs. The desert town is surrounded by Anza-Borrego State Park and makes for a great stop with kids. With over 2,000 residents, the town offers a unique view of desert living. Although small and seemingly quiet, Borrego Springs has a variety of restaurants, hotels, and shops that line the downtown area. So, if you are looking for a hotel, restaurant, or market in the Anza-Borrego Desert, Borrego Springs is where you will need to be.

In this portion of our guide to Anza-Borrego with kids, we cover what to do in Borrego Springs. You are in the right place if you are looking for more information on what to see, where to eat, and where to stay when visiting Anza-Borrego State Park.

WHAT SHOULD WE DO IN ANZA-BORREGO STATE PARK?

EXPLORE THE TOWN OF BORREGO SPRINGS

The town of Borrego Springs is the most popular and central place to stay (with the exception of camping) and dine when visiting Anza-Borrego State Park. There are no stoplights in town, and all roads lead to different parts of Anza-Borrego State Park. Scattered around town, you will see the massive animal sculptures of Galleta Meadows. Most shops and restaurants are a walking distance from the town center, Christmas Card Circle (a park inside a roundabout). At night, the skies above Borrego Springs transform from cotton candy pink to a star-studded panorama.

STARGAZING IN BORREGO SPRINGS

Borrego Springs is the only town in California designated as an International Dark Sky Community, making it an incredible place for stargazing. In addition, the city works to preserve the night sky for generations to come by using responsible outdoor lighting and educating citizens about light pollution. Between these conservation efforts and the wide-open landscape, stargazing is a must when visiting Borrego Springs.

SELEY RANCH RED GRAPEFRUIT

When I first heard about grapefruit in Borrego Springs, I was skeptical. It did not fit the typical desert landscape I thought of when I pictured our visits to Anza-Borrego. However, I will never visit Borrego Springs without taking home a bag of these delicious, oh-so-sweet Seley Red organic grapefruits.

There are several farm stands in town. We opted to check out the farm stand by the ranch entrance at 901 Borrego Valley Road. The fruit stands operate on the honor system, so cash is necessary. At the farm stand by the ranch, we grabbed a bag of 13 giant grapefruits for $4. Unfortunately, the farm was closed on the day of our visit, but you can always reach out to Seley Ranch to see if you can stop by to say hello. The citrus orchard has been a family-run business in Borrego since 1957.

Just along Christmas Circle, you will see the blue Kiwanis building pictured below in the heart of town. Here, you can grab a bag for $5 as you explore the city of Borrego. Either way, you will be thrilled to have these to enjoy once you are home.

WHERE TO EAT IN BORREGO SPRINGS

CARLEE’S PLACE

When we first drove through Borrego Springs, the large neon sign had me thinking Carlee’s Place was a liquor store or biker bar. I wanted to know more about it, and I am glad I looked into it! It has become one of our favorite places to eat in Borrego Springs. Carlee’s Place is a staple in the community and has been a part of town for many years. Carlee’s Place serves classic American fare and is open for lunch and dinner.

We visited during COVID, so we could not enjoy the pool table or live music that is a staple on weekends at Carlee’s Place. However, we enjoyed our time on their outdoor patio. We had Carlee’s burger because I had heard so much about it, and it was delicious! Everything is made from scratch, and the burger was cooked to perfection. Carlee’s Place is a family-friendly place with a wait staff that makes you feel welcome and comfortable. In addition, they have a full bar and craft beer list to please any beer lover!

RED OCOTILLO

Red Ocotillo serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner just off Christmas Circle in Borrego Springs. They have delicious farm-to-table cuisine. The menu includes fresh garden salads, burgers, steaks, pasta, soups, and desserts. Red Ocotillo has a full bar with signature cocktails, mimosas, beer, and wine. The patio has been expanded due to COVID restrictions on dining, and the patio is pet-friendly. The twinkle lights wrapped all around the surrounding have me dreaming of a steak and glass of wine under the twinkling stars of Borrego’s fantastic night sky. Next visit!

We loved our breakfast here. The breakfast burrito ingredients were all chopped finely and not overwhelming. The variety of signature benedicts all sounded delicious, and we opted for the crab cake benedict, which did not disappoint. The garlic and rosemary potatoes as our breakfast side dish were perfectly crispy on the outside and smooth inside. Our OJ was freshly squeezed, and they even surprised us with slices of coffee cake while waiting for our meal.

KESLING’S KITCHEN

I have wanted to try Kesling’s Kitchen for a long time. The menu changes daily, and the focus of the restaurant is the wood-fired stove in the kitchen. Next door to the Borrego Art Institute, the food and desserts are forms of art themselves. The menu plays on all cuisines, and the food is unique. Unfortunately, there are no options for kids, so if your child is not open to various new flavors, be prepared to get creative while paying full entree prices. Check their Facebook page for the updated menu to know if it will work for your family that day!

During our COVID-era visit, the restaurant had packed many dishes to-go, and the patio had plenty of options for outdoor dining. We ordered at the counter, and our son was incredibly excited about the cookie and dessert options. In addition, they have a large cooler with a great beverage selection. This is ideal on a hot desert day! I was thrilled to see kombucha options and LOVED this lavender lemonade option!

We stopped for lunch, and my husband and I shared the fish tacos and Asian pork tacos. We loved all of the flavors and sauces. Our son had the fried chicken sandwich plain as it was the best option for him. We loved adding everything back on the second half to share! Our table neighbors got the Asian BBQ ribs box for two, and it looked great. They said it was delicious as well! It is a fun idea to take for a sunset picnic out by the sculptures in Galleta Meadows.

ONE FINAL THOUGHT

I need to say that although the food was tasty, the woman working was pretty rude and left us feeling like the visit did not live up to what I had hoped. I like to think of us as pretty easygoing, and we both understand what it is like to work in restaurants. The guy working the cash register was super nice, but the woman running food was just… not. We were pretty surprised.

I know COVID has drained everyone, and restaurants in CA have suffered immensely. I will not judge the whole restaurant on this part of the experience, but I do see it in other reviews. We want to try Kesling’s Kitchen again and will update you after our next visit. I feel like I have to be honest with my people! And please let me know if you have a different experience.

BIG HORN BURGERS & SHAKES

Big Horn Burgers & Shakes is the counter order restaurant in the Palm Canyon Hotel and RV Resort. This is an excellent hotel for families, and the burgers and shakes are great here. The menu is super easy to customize, and the restaurant has plenty of outdoor and indoor seating. The menu is simple but will appeal to most visitors of any age.

We had a 1/4 beef burger with caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, ketchup & mustard. It was delicious! We let our son have a taste test between the vanilla and Oreo shake! He voted Oreo, and we all agreed they were both excellent. They also had an “adult” shakes menu that would be fun to sip by the patio heaters under the starry sky. Big Horn Burgers and Shakes makes grabbing dinner with your family easy after a busy day exploring Anza-Borrego State Park.

CENTER MARKET

Center Market is central in town and a go-to place for whatever you need to pick up last minute. Water bottles, band-aids, sunscreen, souvenirs- you can find it all at the Center Market. NEVER head out to explore in the desert without food and water. I was excited about the deli and the idea of picking up deli sandwiches, pasta salads, and drinks on our way out for some desert adventures. However, we quickly realized the deli is not always staffed. Premade sandwiches and sides like pasta salad, potato salad, and broccoli salad were available in the deli coolers.

We tried the deli at Center Market on a Saturday, and nobody was available to make sandwiches. We tried again on a Sunday by texting in our order as it says online and received a text saying they were “unable to confirm our request.” So not too sure the texting option works. On Sunday, we ended up grabbing roast beef sandwiches to-go, but by Sunday, the side salad options were gone. This visit was during peak season, but also COVID, so hard to know if this is the norm.

WHERE TO STAY IN BORREGO SPRINGS

LA CASA DEL ZORRO

La Casa Del Zorro is a luxury resort outside of town. Although we have not stayed here, I know we will soon enough and love it. We have friends that love coming here each year, and it is the place to go in town for a desert resort-style stay. The property is filled with historic adobe buildings, several pools, fountains, lush gardens, and beautiful rooms. Just outside of town, the resort offers food and beverage options along with family-friendly casitas and pools. Prices start around $280-400/night. We always book with Expedia to ensure a competitive rate.

PALM CANYON HOTEL & RV RESORT

The Palm Canyon Hotel & RV Resort is an excellent option for families. The entire hotel is built with a wild west theme that our son LOVED. In addition to your room needs, there are RV sites and vintage Airstreams available as well. There is a pool to cool off in, and Big Horn Burgers and Shakes will take care of all of your food and beverage needs. In addition, we received chocolate chip cookies and two saloon drink coupons at check-in. Something for the whole family!

More of a motel style, the rooms have everything you need for a comfortable stay. We had two queen beds, a refrigerator, and a microwave. Although our room did not have a balcony (some do), we had a great view from our front door. Another highlight was stargazing from right outside our room once our kids fell asleep. I highly recommend this hotel for families planning to be out and about in Anza-Borrego State Park during the day. Palm Canyon Resort runs $120-$180/room on Expedia, depending on the season. Your rate includes free parking, free Wifi, and fresh cookies upon arrival!

GLAMP at the DESERT SANDS VINTAGE RV RESORT

Next door to the Palm Canyon Hotel and RV Resort is the Desert Sands Vintage RV Resort. Although we have not stayed here, the vintage trailers look like a fun way to enjoy the desert. Most trailers require a two-night minimum, but they offer a fun way to feel like you are camping with everything set up for you! I will update here once we can check them out!

CAMPING IN ANZA-BORREGO STATE PARK

Anza-Borrego State Park is unique because they allow dispersed camping in the park. Unlike so many state parks, you do not need to plan months in advance to score a campsite. This is especially helpful in our new COVID-era. Even more remote, 4WD can take you deep into the desert camping under the stars with NOBODY around you. Camping rules require you to not park your car more than one car length off the road and at least 100 yards away from water. Please keep in mind that no campground also means no amenities, so make plans for responsible fires, bathroom use, and pack out what you pack in! Always check the weather before setting up camp yourself. Desert rains can quickly turn into flash floods.

In addition to dispersed camping, Anza-Borrego State Park offers several primitive campsites with vault toilets. You can read more about primitive campsites here. If you are interested in campgrounds, Borrego Palm Canyon Campground and Tamarisk Grove Campground are great options. Both can be reserved on ReserveCalifornia.com. Anza-Borrego is filled with camping options for every camper.

MAP OF BORREGO SPRINGS

Map created with Wanderlog, a road trip planner app on iOS and Android

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ANZA-BORREGO STATE PARK

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Less than two hours away from San Diego, Anza-Borrego State Park is the largest State Park in California. The desert is an exciting and beautiful place to escape as a family and explore for the day. Some may wonder what to do in the Anza-Borrego desert. The goal of our guide is to show you that time in the desert is time well spent! With over 100 miles of paved road and five times that in 4WD roads to explore, Anza-Borrego State Park is sure to quench your thirst for adventure.

Our family-friendly guide will help you decide what to do in Anza-Borrego. Check out all of the adventures to help you plan a perfect experience for your family. You can spend the day exploring the art scene in Borrego Springs, off-roading to some incredible landforms (4WD required), hiking a variety of unique trails, or taking scenic drives along the highway with short stops along the way. Watching the sun go down under the cotton candy skies of Borrego Springs is a must-do for all. Not to mention the stars that come out at night! Wildflowers are abundant in spring and should not be missed. So, let’s get started planning your next adventure!

WHAT SHOULD WE DO IN ANZA-BORREGO STATE PARK?

HOW TO GET TO ANZA-BORREGO DESERT STATE PARK

Anza-Borrego State Park is about an hour and 45 minutes from San Diego. Although a bit of a longer stretch, you can do it in a few different ways. No matter the route you choose, coming down the hill into the desert is spectacular.

FROM SAN DIEGO

The highlighted route that heads through Ramona is how most GPS will take you to Anza-Borrego State Park from San Diego. This route almost takes you into Julian, but you turn off Highway 78 in Santa Isabel. We have gone this way several times, and it is a pretty direct and scenic route.

If you live in East County San Diego, you can also head through Cuyamaca Rancho State Park into Julian. You will then head east on Highway 78 to enter Anza-Borrego State Park. This route provides exciting scenery, including Lake Cuyamaca, but the roads are very windy and not ideal for anyone prone to carsick.

I love to leave Anza-Borrego through Julian. The town of Julian is a favorite of ours. We enjoy stopping in for a beverage after a hike in the desert. This also gives you a bit of a loop home, which is always an excellent option to change up the scenery.

FROM NORTH COUNTY SAN DIEGO

Coming from North County San Diego, our favorite way to the desert is to take the highlighted route below. This drive takes you through Cleveland National Forest by Mount Palomar and Lake Henshaw. The scenery is lovely, and we enjoy being in the mountains and pines and then coming down into the desert. There are several vista points on this route to step out and stretch your legs as well.

ANZA-BORREGO STATE PARK VISITOR CENTER

If you follow my blog, you know we love a good old stop at the Visitor Center on the way into a park. I love collecting park maps, information and checking in with park rangers on suggestions for hikes, exploring, and current conditions. Our son loves picking up his Junior Ranger booklet to complete as we explore the park. I highly recommend you do the same. Stop at the State Park Visitor Center to ensure you are headed in the right direction. Rangers are a great resource to help you decide what to explore during your visit on that particular day.

The Anza-Borrego State Park Visitor Center is a unique stop because the actual building is built into the desert landscape. It has several desert exhibits and shows five different 15-minute films about the surrounding Anza-Borrego desert. In addition, park rangers and volunteers are available with information, maps, and hiking guides. The Anza-Borrego State Park visitor center is always our first stop coming into town. Please note cellular service is not reliable in Anza-Borrego. Hence, it is great to have hard copies of photos of the information you hope to reference during your visit.

EXPLORE THE VISITOR CENTER GROUNDS TOO!

The Visitor Center is surrounded by a desert garden that gives a glimpse into flora and fauna of the surrounding park. The garden also includes a pupfish pond, which kids will enjoy seeing. These fish date back to the ice ages and have continued to adapt for survival. They can survive in fresh and salty water, desert heat, and near-freezing temperatures. In addition, the garden offers picnic tables and walking trails for exploring.

Both designated trails are flat and paved, making them accessible for visitors of all ages and abilities. In addition, a short, 15-minute all-access Nature Trail leaves from the Visitor Center entrance and includes interpretive panels about the surrounding area. There is also a 1.4-mile trail to the campground and back that teaches visitors about the area’s plants and animals. Dogs are allowed on this campground trail.

WHEN SHOULD YOU VISIT ANZA-BORREGO STATE PARK?

Although the park is open year-round, the desert heat can peak June through September. Visits from October through May offer more comfortable temperatures for exploring and hiking. Wildflowers are abundant in spring. There is a $10 parking and day-use fee when using the Visitor Center area to explore. An annual pass for CA State Parks, including the beach parking pass, will cover your day-use fee anywhere in the park! Machines like the pay & display below are available for credit card payments.

CHECK CURRENT ROAD CONDITIONS

If you are interested in exploring some of the 4WD roads, the volunteers at the Visitor Center will have the most updated information about specific road conditions. The desert road conditions frequently change due to flooding and heat, so I HIGHLY recommend checking in before heading out on a 4WD adventure. I also recommend taking a picture of the updated info, so you can access it while exploring the park.

We have a Subaru with AWD, so we were disappointed to find out during a recent visit that the road to Font’s Point was not a great option for us in its current heavy, thick sand state. The volunteers at the Visitor Center informed us that even Jeeps have been getting stuck in the sand. Between no cell service and the closest tow coming from Ramona, being stuck in the sand with hungry and hot kids is not a way to kick off a family-friendly adventure. Therefore, checking in on CURRENT road conditions is essential for a successful experience.

Now that you have the CURRENT information you need for an incredible trip, you are ready to get out and enjoy all that Anza-Borrego State Park has to offer!

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CALIFORNIA, DAYTIME ADVENTURES, HIKING, SOUTHERN CA

FELICITA COUNTY PARK – A MORNING ADVENTURE WITH KIDS

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Felicita Park is an excellent place for a morning or afternoon adventure with kids. Located just north of San Diego in Escondido, California, the park is filled with trails to explore. The park was once a Kumeyaay Indian Village and is surrounded by climbing rocks, oak trees, a creek, and a waterfall. In addition, San Diego County has enriched the park with playgrounds and picnic areas to enhance your visit.

FELICITA COUNTY PARK INFORMATION

Felicita County Park is located in Escondido, California. The park is open 9:30 am – sunset. There is a $3 charge to park. Although there is a credit card option, it is not always reliable. I recommend bringing $3 cash for the parking machine. If you bring a $5 bill, your change comes in Andrew Jackson or Susan B. Anthony $1 coins which our son enjoyed! He thought he had found gold!

FELICITA PARK FACILITIES

In addition to the 2.5 miles of trails to explore, Felicita County Park has two large playgrounds for children to enjoy. Seven large picnic sites can be reserved in advance for up to 100-300 people depending on the site. This is a beautiful location for a family event or company picnic. Check this link for more information on the individual picnic sites. There is also a wedding and reception venue. Alcoholic beverages under 20% alcohol are allowed on site. In addition to the large reservable picnic areas, many individual picnic tables and areas are scattered throughout the park.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY PARKS KIDS IN PARKS PROGRAM

Not only is Felicita County Park a great place for hiking with kids in San Diego County, but they also participate in the Kids in Parks program. If you follow my blog, then you know I love anything Junior Ranger for the kids! This excellent program provides nature-based scavenger hunts during hikes, bicycle rides, and frisbee golf games for kids.

Before your visit, sign your child up to track your Felicita County Park adventure online. Then, when you arrive at the park, look for the display sign and brochures near picnic area 7. Grab a pamphlet, and let your child lead the way. The brochures keep your child engaged through the hike. Our son loved the “Felicita Scavenger Hunt” and “The Need for Trees.”

After your adventure, have your child “track” their adventure online. As your child submits hikes and experiences, Kids in Parks will mail them prizes for their progress! Our son was thrilled to receive a large package that was filled with prizes from recent hiking adventures! Check out this post for more details on the Kids in Parks program, available in six other San Diego county parks.

FELICITA COUNTY PARK TRAILS

Felicita County Park offers easy trails that loop through the park and along Felicita Creek. We enjoyed looping up by the playground and wedding venue before heading down along the creek towards the waterfall. Our son loved climbing on boulders, exploring around the creek, checking out the large oak trees, and using his Kids in Parks TRACK trail guide to tell us about Felicita County Park.

As we followed the creek towards the waterfall, my son and husband opted for a more adventurous way to cross the road.

The dirt path is wide and reasonably flat. Although we carried the baby in the Ergo, a stroller (like our BOB Stroller) would do great on this path. As we approached the waterfall, we found a place to have a small picnic and kombucha before looping back on the other side of the creek.

After our picnic, we crossed the creek and headed back up the creek towards the picnic areas and parking. There is a small museum about the cultural history of the area and the Kumeyaay Native Americans that once lived on the land. The park brochure explains this history in more detail. Our son loved seeing the metates, or rocks that the Kumeyaay used to grind acorns. He remembered seeing this same style of Native American “kitchen” in Sequoia National Park!

Felicita County Park is a great place to explore with kids. You can pack a picnic (or happy hour) to extend your visit or enjoy a morning hike and lunch nearby. My pick would be lunch or dinner in the gardens at nearby Stone World Bistro & Gardens – another excellent place for kids to explore AND a delicious adult beverage selection for you! Cheers!