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

• Each year between March and April, the dry, rugged landscape of the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is magically transformed by winter rains into a spectacular display of color when the desert spring wildflowers bloom. The terrains of California's largest state park - encompassing over 600,000 acres - display 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.
  The wildflowers bloom is up to Mother Nature and can last two to six weeks, varying in intensity year to year.
  Guests are advised to call the State Park's 24-hour "Wildflower Hotline" at 760-767-4684 or visit the park information page before planning a tour of the desert flora.
• Explore Mission Trails Day, a fun, free family friendly event on May 18, 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 AND GARDEN DELIGHTS

• On March 23-24, 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 4 p.m. at the Julian Town Hall and Blue Heron Garden Shop. Guests can also meet experts from the National Daffodil Society.
• The Water Conservation Garden in El Cajon, along with the Heritage of the Americas Museum, presents a Spring Garden Festival on April 27. Guests can celebrate the season with horticultural experts, workshops and exhibits, a popular plant sale, animal exhibits, live music, dancers, kids' activities, an international food court and more.
• On May 3-5, the 16th 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. Tours of beautiful bird- and butterfly-friendly home gardens filled with botanical wonders are also available; the tour cost is $20 per person.
• On May 8-11, the town of Julian presents the Julian Women's Club Wildflower Show from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the 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. Local crafts are also available for sale.

SWEET MUSIC

• On April 10-14, fiddlers of all ages are invited to the Julian Family Fiddle Camp in Julian 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 4-5, 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 in May and continuing through September, Concerts on the Green transforms downtown El Cajon into a dynamic live concert scene with free rock, country, big band and R&B performances from 6-8 p.m. every Friday night.

WILD WEST

• On April 19-21, cowboys and cowgirls can grab some boots and giddy up to the rural town of Lakeside for the 49th Annual Lakeside Rodeo. The event features bareback bronco rides, calf roping and other traditional rodeo competitions, along with food and crafts.
• On May 17-19, 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 18, during the Pine Valley Run to the Hills Car Show, car enthusiasts can view over 300 classic cars on display along historic Highway 80 in the quaint rural town of Pine Valley.
• Starting in May and continuing through September, 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 13, guests can sip and nosh their way through the charming mountain town of Julian during A Taste of Julian, an annual self-guided culinary tour. 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; cost is $25 per person.

STREET FEST

• On May 25, 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 16, 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 East County. For more information on fall activities and events in East County and the entire San Diego region, visit the San Diego Tourism Authority's website, www.sandiego.org and www.sandiego.org/eastcounty, or call (619) 236-1212.

# # #