The largest state park in the Southwest, Anza-Borrego covers 600,000 acres of land and is just a short trip (about two hours) from the San Diego area. Temperatures in this desert and coastal mountain state park can rise as high as 120 degrees Fahrenheit, with an average July maximum temperature of 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
So what, you might ask, are the benefits to visiting such a hot and desolate place?
Hidden among the sands and baked rocks of Anza-Borrego are a plethora of desert cacti and wildflowers and spring is primetime for desert flower gazing.
The Beavertail Cactus, its brilliant pink flowers shooting up from gray-green stems, is a sight to behold against tufts of desert grass. Or ponder the Buckhorn Cholla with its bright green and yellow petals. But be careful beneath those petals are spines that can grow up to five-eighths of an inch in length. You might also spy the wavy spires of the Ocotillo, topped by red blossoms growing skyward, or the fat and stout Barrel Cactus producing small yellow blooms close to the desert floor.
The Desert Agave, its needle-pointed leaves giving way to a tall stalk topped with delicate, pale yellow flowers, can be found from elevations just above the desert floor to the peaks of some of the surrounding mountains.
For flowers with no spikes to contend with, look for the bold yellow of the Golden Poppy, the purple stalks of the Arizona lupine or some of the dozens of other varieties that color the desert floor this time of year. According to the state park's website, flowers begin blooming in late February or early March.
While in Anza-Borrego, be sure to explore some of the parks 500 miles of dirt roads or the many hiking trails that crisscross the region. In the northwest section of the park you can hike into Borrego Palm Canyon, an easy walk from the Visitor Center near Borrego Springs, and in the northeast try the Thimble Trail, to name a few of the trails. Be sure to carry plenty of water as you trek through the desert park rangers advise hikers to drink the entire time they are out and turn back after theyve consumed half the water they're carrying.
Visit the parks website at www.parks.ca.gov/ to view the Wildflower Update and see whats in bloom and where in the park is the best viewing.
Park Hours: Dawn til dusk
Visitor Center Hours:
Open 7 days a week
9:00am to 5:00pm
October through May
and on weekends from
June through September
