Distance: About 150 miles from I-15 to I-8. About an additional hour from central San Diego to Pala Road on I-15, another 1.25 hours from Ocotillo Wells exit on I-8 back to San Diego.

Difficulty: Easy on paved roads, plus sandy off-road segments needing four-wheel drive.

Directions

• I-15 to eastbound Pala Road (SR-76).
• Left at SR-79.
• Right at San Felipe Road (S-2).
• Left at Montezuma Valley Road (S-22).
• Left at Palm Canyon Road to Anza Borrego Desert State Park Visitors Center. Check for conditions on dirt roads. If four-wheel drive is recommended and you don't have a four-wheel drive vehicle, I don't advise taking the Font's Point or Palm Spring side-trips.
• Continue on Palm Canyon Road. Follow S-22 through curves onto Peg Leg Road and Borrego-Salton Seaway to Font's Point. If you don't have four-wheel drive, make a right at Borrego Valley Road and proceed to Scissors Crossing.
• Follow sandy/dirt road to Font's Point. Four wheel drive may be needed. Check at Anza Borrego Desert State Park Visitors Center.
• Take S-22 back to Borrego Springs, following road name changes from Borrego Salton Seaway to Peg Leg Road to Palm Canyon Drive.
• Left at Borrego Valley Road. Continue onto Rango Way and Yaqui Pass Road, picking up S-3 at Borrego Springs Road. Continue on to Yaqui Pass Road.
• Right at SR-78.
• Left at S-2, Great Overland Stage Route of 1849 (at Scissors Crossing/San Felipe Road).
• Left at Palm Spring (approximate 26 miles from Scissors Crossing). Sandy road; four-wheel drive may be needed. Check at Anza Borrego Desert State Park Visitors Center.
• Continue on S-2; changes name at Imperial County line to Imperial Highway.
• Right at Ocotillo Wells Drive.
• West on Interstate 8 to San Diego.

For More Information

• Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, (760) 767-3098. Educational facility, bookstore and gift shop run by association volunteers, including knowledgeable docents.

• Visitor Center, 200 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, (760) 767-4205, open daily October through May; weekends, June-September. Wildflower recorded message: (760) 767-4684.

• Wildflower Post Card Notice: Park volunteers will let visitors know when to view wildflowers. Send a stamped-self addressed postcard to: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, 200 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA 92004.

• Park Web Site, Includes link to online campground reservations, Visitor Center, go to web site and search for park name.

• State Park Home Page, Park activities schedule.

• Anza-Borrego Foundation, a nonprofit organization that offers hikes and other events to support preservation of the desert. (760) 767-0446.

County of San Diego Parks

• Agua Caliente County Park, 39555 County Highway S-2. Geothermally heated springs, spectacular vistas and miles of trails, plus camping, hiking and picnicking are available. Go to county parks web site and search for park name.

• Vallecito Regional Park, 37349 County Highway S-2. Offers the preserved Vallecito Stage Station, along the Great Overland Stage Route of 1849 (Highway S-2), camping, picnicking, hiking and other activities. Go to county parks web site and search for park name.

• Chamber of Commerce: Information on attractions, hotels, restaurants and businesses.

Accommodations

Hotels include the Borrego Springs Resort, La Casa Del Zorro resort and Ram’s Hill Resort. Check the Chamber of Commerce site for more accommodations.

Restaurants/Shopping

• Carlee’s Place, 660 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, (760) 767-3262. Busy bar/restaurant has hearty food at reasonable prices, entertainment nightly.

• The Crosswind Restaurant, Borrego Springs Airport, 1816 Palm Springs Drive, (760)-767-4646. Unusual location for a pretty fair restaurant. Look for the upstairs observation deck.

Several restaurants and shops are also available in Borrego Springs and at the nearby resorts, including La Casa Del Zorro and Ram’s Hill.

Outside of Borrego Springs, eating and shopping is extremely limited. Be sure to pack your own supplies, including plenty of water.