San Diego's East County Celebrates the Joys of Spring
San Diego's East County Celebrates the Joys of Spring
April showers bring May flowers to many parts of the country. However, it is the winter rains that bring vibrant, colorful floral displays each spring throughout San Diego’s East County region. From the charming mountain daffodils and wildflowers of Julian to the surprisingly verdant transformation of the Anza-Borrego Desert, East County offers a host of spectacular horticultural offerings. These flower spectacles are complemented by boot-stomping Wild West rodeos, music festivals, car shows, street fairs and more. THE GREAT OUTDOORS The annual desert spring wildflowers in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park – California’s largest state park, encompassing over 600,000 acres – are one of the most spectacular wildflower displays in the West. The dry, rugged landscape is magically transformed by winter rains into a kaleidoscope of wildflowers, from tiny bursts of color no larger than the head of a pin to towering ocotillos with fiery spines of scarlet blossoms. Butterflies are also drawn to this spectacular floral pageant. When the wildflowers bloom is up to Mother Nature, lasting two to six weeks between March and April, and the display varies in intensity year to year. Guests are advised to call the Park’s 24-hour “Wildflower Hotline” at 760-767-4684 or visit www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=638 before planning a tour of the desert flora.
Beginning in mid-February and continuing through early April, California Overland offers exciting Wildflower Adventure Tours into the heart of the Anza-Borrego Desert aboard open-air vehicles to view wildflowers amongst hidden palm oases, canyons and desolate badlands.
Explore Mission Trails Day, a fun, free family-friendly event on May 19, showcases Mission Trails Regional Park, one of the largest urban parks in the United States. Highlights include guided nature walks, outdoor recreation demonstrations, pony rides, a climbing wall, educational discovery stations, crafts and face painting, bird watching, raptor encounters and a Star Party at night. FLORAL FETES & GARDEN DELIGHTS On March 24-25, spring makes a colorful entrance in East County’s charming historic mountain town of Julian during the annual Julian Daffodil Show. Celebrating one of nature’s most cheerful blossoms, both locals and visitors alike can view daffodils growing along Julian’s streets and in the surrounding hillsides, as well as on display from 12 noon to 5 p.m. both days at the Julian Town Hall and Blue Heron Garden Shop. Guests can also meet experts from the National Daffodil Society.
Saturdays in March and April, the Water Conservation Garden in El Cajon hosts plant talks, followed by specialized plant sales, to help gardeners create water-wise spring gardens. Topics include: “Drought-Tolerant Exotics” on March 10; “Brilliant Bulbs for the Drought-Tolerant Garden” on March 17; “Village Aquaponics Workshops” on March 10 and April 14, and “Secrets of the Best Landscape Designers” with landscape designer Connie Beck on March 20.
The Garden, along with the Heritage of the Americas Museum, presents the Spring Garden Festival on April 28. This year’s theme is “Urban Farming.” Celebrate the season with horticultural experts, workshops and exhibits, the biggest plant sale of the year, animal exhibits, live music, dancers, kids’ activities, an international food court and more.
On May 4-6, the 15th Annual Sage & Songbirds Festival & Garden Tour in Alpine celebrates the town’s recognition by the National Wildlife Federation as “America’s First Community Wildlife Habitat.” Festivities include a free festival at the Viejas Outlet Center that includes a plant and art sale, live butterfly exhibit and daily butterfly releases, plus tours of beautiful bird- and butterfly-friendly home gardens filled with botanical wonders. The tour cost is $15.
On May 10-13, the town of Julian presents the Julian Women's Club Wildflower Show, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Julian Town Hall. This wonderful spring event features beautiful displays of wildflowers from throughout the mountain and high desert area, as well as demonstrations of Native American uses for wildflowers. Crafts and T-shirts are also available for sale. SWEET MUSIC On April 11-15, fiddlers of all ages are invited to the Julian Family Fiddle Camp for a weekend of expert instruction for all skill levels, master classes in mandolin and fiddle, rousing evening concerts and delicious food in a scenic rustic setting.
On May 5-6, during the Ramona Bluegrass & Old West Fest, music fans can enjoy two full days of bluegrass and old fashioned cowboy music, along with jam sessions, fireside storytelling and workshops for children, at the Ramona Rodeo Grounds. Overnight camping is also available.
Kicking off on May 28 and continuing through September 3, Concerts on the Green transforms downtown El Cajon into a dynamic live concert scene 6-8 p.m. every Friday night with free rock, country, big band and R&B performances. WILD WEST On April 20-22, cowboys and cowgirls can grab some boots and giddy up to the rural town of Lakeside for the 48th Annual Lakeside Rodeo. The event features bareback bronco rides, calf roping and other traditional rodeo competitions, along with food and crafts.
On May 18-20, rustic Ramona embraces its Wild West roots during the annual Ramona Rodeo, featuring barrel racing, bull riding, saddle bronco riding, team roping and steer racing. Other activities include a cowgirl fashion show, cowboy and cowgirl mixer and Kid’s Day. WHEEL FUN On May 19, during the Pine Valley Run to the Hills Car Show, gearheads can view over 300 classic cars on display along historic Highway 80 in the quaint rural town of Pine Valley.
Starting on May 28 and continuing through September 3, the Cajon Classic Cruise, Southern California’s largest weekly classic car show, revs up every Wednesday night in downtown El Cajon. The event features classic and specialty cars on display. DINE AROUND On April 14, visitors can sip and nosh their way through the charming mountain town of Julian during A Taste of Julian, an annual self-guided culinary tour. Cost is $20 per person and during the afternoon of the event, participants simply pick up a map of participating restaurants and show their colored wristband to receive tasty samples of local fare. STREET FEST On May 26, the Santee Street Fair, the city of Santee’s largest outdoor event, features hundreds of vendor booths, live entertainment, food stations, arts and crafts and a beer and wine garden. SPORTING GOOD TIME On March 17, visitors can take a backcountry bicycle Tour of Borrego. Cyclists have their choice of 22-, 40-, 62- and 80-mile routes on paved roads through the scenic Borrego Springs valley. This annual bicycling event is extremely popular and fills up fast; riders enjoy Julian pie and ice cream after their ride.
Happiness is calling in San Diego. For more information on San Diego’s offerings, including exciting vacation packages and valuable coupons for attractions, restaurants and more, visit the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau's Web site at www.sandiego.org or call 619-236-1212. In San Diego, visit the International Visitor Information Center, located at 1140 North Harbor Drive in downtown San Diego near the B Street Cruise Ship Terminal; the La Jolla Visitor Center, located at the corner of Herschel Avenue and Prospect Street in La Jolla, or the California Welcome Center, located at the Viejas Outlet Center in Alpine.
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