Wildflowers in the Desert
Flowers in Bloom in the Desert
Phone Numbers
760-767-4205
2/01/06 – 4/30/06
Depending on rainfall in winter, the natural beauty of the Anza Borrego Desert State Park, is enhanced by the almost magical appearance of desert wildflowers in the spring. One of the nation's largest state parks, the 600,000-acre Anza-Borrego Desert is within a two-hour scenic drive from downtown San Diego and offers visitors endless opportunities to experience the wonders of the desert. In addition to the wildflowers, the park features 500 miles of dirt roads, 110 miles of hiking trails, washes, palm groves, cacti and sweeping vistas. You may also be lucky enough to see roadrunners, kit foxes, mule deer and bighorn sheep,
The Facts
Visitor Center: located at the west end of Palm Canyon Dr., Borrego Springs
Hours: 9am-5pm, October - May
Wildflower hotline: 760-767-4684
Visitor Center
The Visitor Center, located east of Borrego Springs on Palm Canyon Drive, provides brochures, books and other printed information, as well as scientific exhibits and a slideshow about the Park's flora, fauna, geology and human history. Guests may want to ask about Anza-Borrego's self-guided car tours, walking trails, picnic facilities and campgrounds.
Desert Garden
A desert garden just outside the Visitor Center building provides a quick look at some of the vegetation in the park, with the species identified. The garden also includes a pupfish pond.
Camping
There are two developed campgrounds in Anza-Borrego, at Borrego Palm Canyon and Tamarisk Grove. Call 800- 444-7275 for reservations.
Off-road Eco Tours
La Casa del Zorro Desert Resort offers exclusive off-road, four-wheel drive eco-tours of the Anza-Borrego Desert. The tour programs, sanctioned by the park and managed by the park's former staff naturalist, are a great way to visit the heart of the park, the Badlands and its botanical/geological wonders. Cost is $75 per person for a half-day tour and $150 for a full-day tour which includes lunch. Tours start and end at La Casa del Zorro Resort (800-824-1884).
Great Hotel Deals
Best Western Seven Seas - Rates from $89 based on availability
Barona Valley Ranch Resort and Casino - Rates from $105 based on availability
Red Lion Hotel Hanalei Hotel - Rates from $124 based on availability
Holiday Inn San Diego Bayside - USS Midway Getaway - Rates from $161 based on availability
Quality Inn Airport/SeaWorld Area - San Diego Passport Package - Rates from $162 based on availability
Hot Tip
Can't make it to the desert, but still want a quick, natural escape from the urban hustle and bustle? Located only eight miles northeast of downtown San Diego, Mission Trails Regional Park offers over 40 miles of trails to accommodate hikers, mountainbikers and equestrians; boating on Lake Murray; and camping on Kumeyaay Lake. Encompassing nearly 5, 800 acres of both natural and developed recreational acres, the Park also offers numerous informative hikes, campfire talks and special programs. A good place to start your exploration is at the state-of-the-art Visitor & Interpretive Center where you may be greeted by Kwaay Paay (meaning chief in Kumeyaay), the Center's resident feline. For more information, call 619-668-3281 or visit www.mtrp.org.
