Enjoy the beautiful spring wildflowers and hiking in Anza Borrego State Park, a desert in Southern California.
Last update December 9 2011 for Anza Borrego State Park
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is the largest state park in California, located east of San Diego in Southern California. It is famous for its springtime wildflowers, wilderness areas, dirt roads and hiking trails for a California Desert adventure. While the temperatures in the summer can be too hot for most people, the rest of the year it can be an interesting day excursion from San Diego and other southern California areas.
When visiting, a popular hiking trail is the Palm Canyon Trail, an easy three mile round trip walk to a native palm oasis. If you are lucky you will see some peninsular bighorn sheep that roam the desert canyons in Anza Borrego. Directions to trailhead: The trail begins at Borrego Palm Canyon Campground, located one mile north of the park headquarters, west of the town of Borrego Springs, CA. Trailhead parking is available at the west end of the campground near the campfire circle.
Also stop in and see the Anza Borrego Visitors Center, an underground 7000 square foot center with interesting exhibits.
We enjoy visiting Anza Borrego in the spring to see the wildflowers, and in winter to relax in a spa during the warmth of the desert winter.
Anza Borrego State Park Spring 2012 Wildflowers
Every year we visit Anza Borrego for nature's wildflower show, and 2012 should be another good year for Southern California wildflowers in Anza Borrego. The 2011 peak bloom was in March in the valley and April in the canyons, with some flowers still blooming in May, especially at the higher elevations in the park. Regardless, you will see different species bloom at different times, so come out and enjoy. The hiking is also nice until the hot summer weather hits, so don't wait to come see this lovely park.
For some recent photos of Anza Borrego Wildflowers, see Anza Borrego wildflowers. For maps and additional information, see Anza Borrego Desert State Park. They have a flower update and map if you scroll to the bottom of their page.
Anza Borrego General Information
Anza Borrego State Park is the largest state park in California, located east of San Diego in Southern California. The Visitors Center offers maps, information, photos, exhibits and more, so its a great place to start.
Address Anza Borrego Visitor Center: 200 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA 92004
Phone Number: 760-767-5311
Visitor Center Operating Hours: Open daily from 9 AM - 5 PM in the spring, weekends during summer. May be closed some days due to California budget cuts, so call to confirm the visitor center will be open.
Things to Do: Hike one of the many trails, camp in the desert, bike ride, explore the visitor center, ride off road vehicles, see the spring wildflowers, enjoy a spa.
Directions to Anza Borrego State Park, Cal.:See below | Google Map
Parking: Free at visitors center. $8.00 day use fee for Palm Canyon hiking trail per car during season.
Ticket Prices: free admission to the Visitors Center.
Food: Some restaurants in nearby Borrego Springs, or bring a picnic lunch.
Other Southern California Spring Wildflower Locations
If you are looking for spring wildflowers in Southern California in near San Diego, here are some other places to try:
Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve - visitor center is off Clinton Keith Road, west of Interstate 15. For more informaiton call 951-677-6951.
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve - Try this scenic natural park just north of La Jolla, which also offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Torrey Pines State Preserve
Black Mountain Park - off Carmel Valley Road in Rancho Penasquitos.
Harford Springs Park - in the Gavilan Hills, east of Interstate 15 along Gavilan Road.
Mission Trails Regional Park - in San Diego off Mission Gorge Road.
Antelope Valley California Poppy State Natural Reserve - west of Lancaster. Head north on Interstate 5, east on Highway 138, right on 170th Street,left on Lancaster Road, and continue another ~2 miles.
Anza Borrego Driving Directions: From San Diego area on Interstate 15, go east on highway 78, left on highway 79, right on San Felipe Rd, left on Montezuma Valley Road. After you descend over the mountains into Anza Borego, go left on Palm Canyon Road.
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