It's definitely a must do hike when you're visiting Anza borrego, Borrego springs or even Julian. I…read morewent here early May so it was extremely hot, even though I reached the trailhead around 9am. The drive to the parking lot was a little weird because after you get off the freeway, there is a dirt road for about 1.5-2 miles on which there were a lot of signs that said "no vehicles allowed" and "foot traffic only" so I wasn't sure if I should be driving. Once k got there, there were other cars parked too so my assumption is that those signs are applicable only during some seasons. The parking lot looks flat but you can see to trail once you start walking towards the canyon. The hike was really nice, it was definitely more of a walk rather than any uphills. It can get pretty hot so starting early in the summer can be advantageous.

We decided to visit the Slot Canyon during our Borrego Spring trip. Although it doesn't compare to…read morethe slot canyon views in Arizona or Utah, it was picturesque. The slots were fairly easy to navigate except for a few areas where you had to climb down or squeeze through narrow openings. You can also take the trail above the canyon which gives you panoramic views of the desert. There are 2 bathrooms but no sinks in the parking lot. Most cars can get to the parking lot but it's quite dusty. Come prepared with some water, snack, sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses. It's $10 per day to visit the park. It's an honor system where you fill out the form, drop off the cash in box, and leave the parking pass on your dashboard. The one negative and reason for removing a star is the poor signage on the trail and how to get into the slots. When we went, there were only 2 other families but the signs were not clear which direction to go into the canyon or even back to the parking lot so we ended up taking a much longer and harder route than needed.

One of my favorite hikes in San Diego county- this one has it all!!! Perfect length, challenging…read morebut not TOO hard and the scenery OMG. I've included photos in my review from several trips to Eagle Rock over the years. You start out in a lovely shaded area by a stream, most of the incline is through a chaparral forest with manzanitas and blooming cactus, the last bit is a rolling prairie. The pinnacle of the hike is a huge rock formation that looks exactly like an eagle. I try to do this hike every year in the spring. Tons of flowers and gorgeous rolling grassy hills. This year we had a freakishly hot March and everything bloomed early and then got fried. It was still gorgeous though! We started early when it was still chilly and finished as the heat of the day was coming on. Be sure you keep an eye on the weather. It can get dangerously hot. I recommend a ton of water, hats and sunscreen. On the way home be sure to stop for Julian Pie in San Ysabel!

I had read about this random rock formation shaped like the profile of an eagle when I first…read morestarted doing San Diego County hikes. We tackled this 6.4 mile out-and-back trail in Warner Springs on a recent weekend. It seemed like most of the hikers were completing the journey when we arrived after lunch as they were returning towards the trailhead off Highway 79. You can park along both sides of the road on the shoulder, but don't pull into the fire station lot adjacent to the trailhead. The Eagle Rock Hike is actually a segment of the larger Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCT). The PCT spans over 2,500 miles and runs through California, Oregon, and Washington from the Mexican border to the Canadian border. The first half of the outbound portion was rather flat and ran next to a creek that was still flowing with a good amount of water from the March rainfall. There was plenty of shade from the trees in that area. Once you emerged from that section, the path veered into a valley with a few curves and gentle slopes. The landscape looked nothing like what you would expect in San Diego. It resembled the Great Plains with grasses and weeds along with hills and mountains off in the distance. This continued until you could see a set of rocks appearing what seemed to be the middle of nowhere. The approach was from the south side which was the rear of the formation. The view from the north definitely resembled an eagle about to spread its wings. Only one other group of hikers was present when we reached Eagle Rock. You can climb up the back side to the top where you end up next to the eagle's head. Think of photo opportunities like at Potato Chip Rock but without the wait. According to a hiking app, there was an elevation change of several hundred feet. It wasn't noticeable because of the gradual sloping. The round trip took just under three hours. The only real drawback was the lack of shade in the meadows. It was windy during our visit which dropped the temperature by at least 10 degrees in that portion. At the peak of summer, the heat and dry air can make this five-star inland trek less comfortable. PS: Not only is this trail not crowded, but it's very kid and pet friendly.

Awesome desert offroading area well maintained and run by CA State Parks. Plenty of space to spread…read moreout w/ your RV and/or your camping group - there aren't any local resources (water, waste dump sites, etc.), so everything is pack-in-pack-out. Keep the area clean and don't litter!! The desert mountains are beautiful and spacious - tons of places to offroad with your 4x4, truck, or SUV. There's an AWESOME 4x4 obstacle course built by State Parks that have countless obstacles that are of varying difficulty and vehicle capability. On a busy weekend it's lots of fun to watch everyone run their trucks/4x4 vehicles up the rocks and through the dirt tracks. Everything gets super dusty, so make sure you have a face covering or buff to keep the desert dust/dirt out of your lungs. If you really want to get away and be remote - this is a beautiful place to spend the weekend. The Ranger Station and Discovery Center (great for kids) is along the southern edge of the park and is more developed with more resources. If you're in the area and looking for a desert trip, this is the place to visit.

Great place to dry camp for free. We did get our truck stuck on the Main Street. Lots of loose…read moresand/dirt. Pulling a heavy trailer didn't help. Had to dig her out. Great stargazing. Only bad this it was windy two days.

I took the drive from Palm Springs (where I was staying) to Bombay Beach last week and it was…read moresomething I've wanted to see for a very long time. This desolate and erie town is a skeleton of what it once once and has one of the strongest and strangest smells I've ever experienced pulling into a new place. The marina here is pretty massive and is absolutely full of all kinds of "art" or whatever you would like to call it from mannequins being tortured, recliners with blood, funny signs about cars getting stuck, religious areas, and a million other things that only pictures can really do justice. I was able to get out of my car and walk a little bit around but didn't go too close to the water for various reasons. This place is fascinating for so many different reasons and I truly do hope to come in the future. Overall, this place is completely going to be a different experience for literally everyone. For me? It was kind of eye opening in a strange way, as I still don't actually know what I saw here, but hey, I think I'll have to come back one day and just figure it out again.

This place is totally unexpected. It seems like a city in a movie…read more There are sculptures scattered on the sand by the shore of the Salton Sea. Very unique! The town itself seemed unreal. There are houses and also there are many abandoned houses that were used as art installations. They even have a drive-in (art installation). It was really nice to see something like this in the middle of the desert.

I came here with an open mind, and this place completely exceeded my expectations. I got here…read morearound 7pm in early May, so it was still pretty hot with warm air blowing through, but WOW, the art and the overall atmosphere made me feel all kinds of emotions, so spiritual in a way. There are all these ruins turned into art installations, along with swings, signs, old couches, random decor, and so many little details to look at. The sunset here was honestly 10/10, absolutely beautiful. The place was surprisingly empty too, with maybe only two other groups around, which made it feel even more peaceful. One thing I'd definitely warn people about is to think twice before driving into the sand. I saw a car get stuck and had to be towed out. I really wish I had spent more time here because the whole place had such a calm and unique energy. I'd also recommend wearing shoes since the salt has solidified in some areas and walking barefoot isn't very comfortable. The pier had a few tiny boats and jet skis around, and even the water felt warm because of the weather. I honestly think every Southern Californian should experience this place at least once. It feels like a completely different world.

Can't wait to come back in October......!!!!!!!!!!!!…read more Paradise for a place to groove your strokes play in the sun relax in immaculate facilities

The funkiest tennis oasis there is, an absolute gem of a club with impeccable style. 4 hard…read morecourts, pool, jacuzzi, comfortable locker rooms, all surrounded by glorious mountains, a million stars in the sky, the best experience there is in tennis. This ain't a bigtime resort experience, this is bohemian, organic, and fun as hell. If you are looking to spend a long weekend or so hitting balls, cooking food (fire pits and a bbq) , and looking at stars, The Courts is everything.

These ATV rentals were the highlight of my San Diego trip! Douglas was super friendly when we…read morearrived and took the time to explain how to ride an ATV and walk us through the different routes we could take. The dunes themselves have clearly marked trails, and we were given maps that made them easy to navigate. Some trails were narrow with sand walls on either side of you, while others opened up into wide spaces where you could really pick up speed. I'd recommend this excursion to anyone looking for a fun adventure!

Great folks that run the place. Very friendly. The CanAms were new and in great shape. I've been to…read morea couple of different concessions to rent. It was much better than the other places I've rented from. Also the space was awesome. Well marked trails. Lots to see. Awesome.

COYOTE CANYON is one of the hot-spots during the annual desert bloom, at ANZA BORREGO DESERT STATE…read morePARK. The desert bloom is most active in the months of February and March. The abundance of flowers will vary, from year to year. For example, in March 2019, areas in HELLHOLE CANYON were carpeted by large patches of pink blossoms, large patches of white blossoms, and large patches of blue blossoms, and a huge amount of land near GLORIETTA CANYON was covered almost solid with a carpet of yellow flowers. Also, in March 2019, HENDERSON CANYON was filled with vast quantities of orange-colored flowers, and thousands of butterflies hovering nearby. But the next year, patches and carpets of this type were fewer. Attached are some of my photos of flowers in Coyote Canyon from March 2019, and the most vibrant of these include the ocotillo plants in an area that is so filled with ocotillo, that park brochures call the area an "ocotillo forest." My other vibrant photographs (attached here) include brightly colored flowers growing in the still-moist mud of a dry wash, where the flowers cast dramatic shadows on the still-moist mud. COYOTE CANYON can be found by driving a block or so east of Christmas Circle, then turning north at Di Giorgio Road, then driving north for several minutes until this road becomes a sandy road. This sandy road is easy to drive with an ordinary 2-wheel drive Honda. Dozens of visitors park by this sandy road, and they easily find blooming wildflowers on both sides of this road. What an infatuation these visitors (including me) have for discovering flowers of different colors. Driving north on the sandy road, you pass places that are named, "Desert Gardens," "Coyote Canyon Wildflowers," and Santa Catarina Historic Monument." The sandy road is about 18,000 feet long in all, and it ends at Collins Valley. WHAT YOU DON'T SEE. What you don't see in each of my posted photos from Coyote Canyon, are the three or four other nearby tourists, who are busy pointing their cell phone cameras to the blooming desert flowers. COMMENT ON PHOTOGRAPHY. The photographs you can acquire at COYOTE CANYON are good enough, and of sufficient variety, that you can create a portfolio of photographs and then exhibit them at a local gallery (as I have done several times). The only other place in Anza Borrego Desert State Park that I've seen with such great variety of colored flowers, is by the dirt road that takes you to GLORIETTA CANYON. Both sides of this dirt road, for its entire length, have an impressive variety of photogenic cactus flowers. For hungry photographers, I recommend PABLITO'S MEXICAN BAR & GRILL in downtown Borrego Springs. The view of the beautiful artwork on the walls (paintings, metal sculptures, colorful masks) will be worth price of your meal ! ! !