Anza Borrego Flowers / Borrego Springs CA

East San Diego County, Borrego Springs CA

San Diego Backcountry
600,000 acres of SoCal desert

BLOOM: March thru May
Anza Park elevations range from low to high. Lowest near eastern border of park (next to the Salton Sea) to the upper reaches of the western slopes @ 4000′ of the Laguna mountains. Lower elevations sprout up first; Higher elevations bloom later (along County Rd S-2) Drive from Warner Springs to Salton Sea = Back Road Highway # S22 is a great route to take thru the park – for the full gamut in vegetation & altitude.

anza wildflowers include – Arizona Lupine, Barrel cacti, Brittlebush, California Primrose, Cheesebush, Creosote, Desert Chicory, Desert Apricot, Desert Hibiscus, Desert Lavender, Desert Pincushion, Fiesta Flower, Fishhook Cactus, Gold-Poppy, Ghost Flowers, Ground Cherry, Fagonia, Prickly Pear, Monkey Flower, Ocotillo, Rigid Fiddleneck, Rock Daisy, Sahara Mustard, Sand Verbena, Short-Wing Deerweed, Spanish Needles, Spectacle Pod, Trailing Windmills, Turpentine Broom, Whispering Bells, Wishbone Bush

Anza Borrego Camping: Palm Canyon and RV Resorts

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2012 CaliforniaWildflower Reports

(check back here, around early March)

local links:

Anza Borrego Desert
Anza Borrego Desert State Park
Anza-Borrego National History Association
Borrego Campfire Restrictions
Desert USA Reports
Hellhole Canyon Hike
Palm Canyon Hike
Pictograph Trail
Total Escape Adventures Campouts

nearby towns:

• BOMBAY BEACH
• BORREGO SPRINGS, CA
• JULIAN, CA
• MT LAGUNA
• PALOMAR MTN
• RAMONA, CA
• SALTON SEA
• WARNER SPRINGS

These mountain regions below are the rivers & mountains of the infamous California Gold Rush of the mid-1800’s. Many mountain dirt roads will lead to your secluded, private camp site, near a creek or river. Or plan on camping in a developed Campground near a recreation lake lined with amenities, pine trees & oaks. River rafting & kayaking can be found throughout this area, as well as backpacking, mountain biking and hiking trails.

Waterfalls, back roads, granite features, historic mining camps, big fishing rivers all abound. Wilderness backpacking in the High Sierra can be accessed by Hwy 108 (Sonora Pass) Hwy 4 (Ebbetts Pass) Hwy 88 (Carson Pass), CA Route Hwy 50 & Interstate 80. Numerous small towns populate Hwy 49 for every tourists need of meals, lodging & shopping.

Gold Country California forest & parks -

Stanislaus National Forest
Columbia State Park

• Stanislaus National Forest Map
• Carson Iceberg Wilderness Map
• Emigrant Wilderness Map
• Emigrant Trail Map

Arnold, Columbia, Dardanelle, Jamestown, Long Barn, Mi-Wuk, Pinecrest, Sonora, Strawberry, Twain Harte

El Dorado National Forest

• El Dorado National Forest Map

Amador City, Bear Valley, Georgetown, Jackson, Kirkwood, Meyers, Placerville

Tahoe National Forest

• Tahoe National Forest Map

Alta, Colfax, Foresthill, Grass Valley, Norden, Sierraville, Soda Springs, Tahoe City, Tahoma, Truckee

Malakoff Diggins State Park

• South Yuba River Map

Downieville, Nevada City

East San Diego County, Borrego Springs CA

San Diego Backcountry
600,000 acres of SoCal desert

BLOOM: mid-March thru May
Anza Park elevations range from low to high. Lowest near eastern border (next to the Salton Sea) to the upper reaches of the western slopes @ 4000′. Wide, deep, sandy, long desert washes, native petroglphs, wind caves, slot canyons and split mountain. This uncrowded state park has the most acreages than all of the parks.

OPEN CAMPING

Camp in a developed campground, a small back country site or camp primitive on nearly any dirt road. Car camping to 4×4, this park has lots to offer folks wishing to really escape. No ground fires allowed, so bring your metal campfire bucket and large trash bag to carry out your ashes. The last thing you want is to scar these pristine white desert washes.

DESERT WILDFLOWERS

Steep rocky canyons on the Laguna mountain foothills can be challenging terrain, so bring good, sturdy hiking boots. Wildflowers can be abundant on certain years. Lower elevations sprout up first; Higher elevations along County Rd S-2 & S-22 bloom later in Spring. By June 1st most of the color is gone in and around Borrego Springs, so this is a real Winter and Spring vacation kinda spot. California desert wildflowers include primrose, barrel cactus, prickly pear, monkey flower, ocotillo & many more.

ANZA BORREGO WILDFLOWERS

see also BORREGO SPRINGS

find you way easily with the Anza Borrego Desert Map

This is the largest State Park in California and “open car camping” is allowed on the back roads. (also referred to as primitive camping, free camping or 4×4 camping) One of the few places in Southern California that you can camp outside of a developed Campground and still have a campfire. You gotta bring a large metal bucket to have your campfire in – as ashes scar white sandy washes and ground fires are not allowed.

California has so much land and sheer beauty, it’s hard to wrap your mind around the vastness, much less the amazing and awe inspiring scenery. Snow skiing, kayaking, horseback, snowmobile, sleigh rides, dinner cruises, beer trains, wine tasting and so much more.  Drive California top to bottom (from Shasta to Baja) and you could be looking at months of prime vacation time. If you have that kinda luxury. If not, you might be looking for a local weekend of adventure, cave history or sightseeing. Total Escape has been featuring California tours for decades. We have something perfect just for you!

see camping & guided tours by Total Escape Adventures

Tour California

• Backpacking Tours
• Bike Tours in California
• Bus Tours in California
• Caves / Cavern Tours
• Day Tours / Dinner Cruises
• Glider Plane Rides
• Gondolas
• Horse Pack Trips
• Hot Air Balloon Rides
• California Kayaking Tours
• Llama Hiking Tours
• Limo Tours / Wine Tours
• Off Road Tours California
• REI Adventures
• Rock Climbing California
• Sightseeing Tours
• Snowmobile Tour
• Train rides in California
• Tramway Tours
• Wine Country Tours

Self Guided Tours of California:

• California A to Z
• California Back Roads
• On a Road to Nowhere
• Spring Road Trip CA
• Summer Road Trip CA
• Autumn Road Trip CA
• Winter Road Trip CA

Your Custom Trip Pak, custom planned trip w/ maps

looking for the CYCLING EVENT ‘Tour of California‘

Beach sand dunes on the Central California coastline, located in between Point Sal and Pismo Beach. Three different wildlife preserves (and one oil refinery) make up this sandy beach strand W of Guadalupe, CA

From the north

• Oceano Dunes SVRA - also known as Pismo Dunes this is where all the yahoos can get their thrills riding quads and driving on the beach dunes. One of the few spots in ca, where you can drive your vehicle on the beach, right at the tideline.
• OSO FLACO LAKE – estuary with boardwalk on the California Central Coast, surrounded by sand dunes and farm lands. Birdwatch right from the middle of the lagoon. Bring a picnic too!
• Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge – the refuge is situated between Oso Flaco Lake & Ranch Guadalupe Dunes. The main office is located along Highway 1, at 1045 Guadalupe Street, Guadalupe, CA
• Rancho Guadalupe Dunes County Park – just north of Point Sal is this public access beach. Well known for miles of pristine sand dunes. This is a place to truly enjoy nature and solitude. Near to Pismo Dunes, Rancho Guadalupe is a county park in the Santa Barbara County Parks system. This protected wildlife area is north of Lompoc & south of Pismo Beach CA.  The refuge was established to protect breeding habitat for the endangered species.

All this located west of Santa Maria & Nipomo CA. The Santa Maria River meet the Pacific ocean here at this estuary and sand dune area. From Coast Hwy 101, exit Main Street in Santa Maria; follow Hwy 166 west, past the small town of Guadalupe, CA & past the farmlands – straight to the coast.

6999 W Main St
Guadalupe, CA 93434
805-343-2354

View Larger Map

Horses & dogs are not allowed in the preserve. Off-road vehicle play area is to the north of Oso Flaco Lake. The fence line is visible from the beach hike and engine noises can be heard from Oso Flaco. Enter the Ocean Dunes SVRA (State Vehicular Recreation Area), further up Hwy 1 at Oceano CA

more info
dunescenter.org
Some photos