EAST COUNTY
San Diego’s East County offers truly diverse attractions within an hour or so of downtown. Interstate 8 passes casinos and the vintage trains at Campo, with a turnoff to Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. Scenic backroad State Route 78 hits the gold-rush mountain village of Julian. Both roads take in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
East County Map
NEED TO KNOW
Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce: 786 Palm Canyon Dr; Borrego Springs; 760 767 5555; www.borregospringschamber.com
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Visitor Center: 200 Palm Canyon Dr, Borrego Springs; 760 767 5311; open 9am–5pm daily (park open throughout the year); adm (Borrego Palm Canyon Campground) $8 per vehicle Oct–early May, $6 rest of the year; reservations can be made up to 7 months in advance (800 444 7275)
- If crossing the border into Mexico, assure your personal safety and that of your property. Heed US State Department warnings (www.state.gov/travel).
- The Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce is a good source for reputable tour operators for off-road excursions and stargazing expeditions.
1. Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
Just 5 miles (8 km) north of I-8, Cuyamaca has more than 100 miles (160 km) of hiking, biking, and horse trails, with desert and coast views along the way. A creek meanders through Green Valley.
The sunlit expanse of Cuyamaca
2. Native American Casinos
Native American communities have more than a dozen 24-hour casinos in the county. Only those over 21 and with valid identification are allowed in gaming areas.
3. Julian
After the gold rush of the 1870s, some stayed on in this charming community surrounded by forests in the Cuyamaca Mountains. Filled with B&Bs, this Historical District is a popular weekend getaway and known for its apple orchards.
Shops in Julian
4. Desert Blooms
On first glimpse, this desert may look like a gigantic expanse of nothingness, but it is rife with life, notably wildflowers and bird species. Between February and April, weather permitting, it erupts into a vibrant palette of colorful blooms.
Wildflowers blooming in the desert
5. Driving Tours
Venturing into the desert by car, other than on the main roads, is not advisable for the inexperienced. Roads can be impassable and unpredictable. A variety of tour operators can safely escort you on everything from a short day tour to an off-road overnight adventure.
6. Pacific Southwest Railway
Operated by the Railway Museum of San Diego, the Golden State Limited departs twice daily on weekends from the historic Campo train depot for a 12-mile (20-km) round trip to Miller Creek.
7. Mount Laguna
After a good storm, this 5,738-ft- (1,750-m-) high hamlet at the eastern edge of the Cleveland National Forest becomes a winter playground for San Diegans, who come here to sled, cross-country ski, and generally marvel at the chillier climes.
8. Borrego Springs
San Diego County’s desert community has lodging, restaurants, tours, and the Park Headquarters, where you can view exhibits, an informative film, and a desert garden.
Visitor at Borrego Springs
9. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
California’s largest state park at 938 sq miles (2,430 sq km), it offers cacti and posies, rough trails, historic roads, mountainous dunes, extreme temperatures, other-worldly skies – plus peace and quiet.
10. Tecate (Mexico)
This Mexican border town is about 20 minutes west via State Route 94. Check with the Border Patrol for any up-to-the-minute safety issues, as well as any needed re-entry visa. If possible, simply park your car in the little lot by the border (someone will come out to take a few dollars) and walk across.
METAL DINOSAURS
Mexico native and California resident, sculptor Ricardo Breceda made the metal “dinosaurs” that pop out of the desert-scape. Breceda created more than 130 full-sized replicas of creatures that once roamed these lands, including desert tortoises, saber-toothed cats, wild horses, and a 350-ft (106-m) serpent.
