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The Real
GOLDEN STATE
From nearly a 4000 foot elevation, this is how the Valley Floor of Borrego Springs at 597 foot elevation appears from above. About 30 miles out, the Salton Sea gleams its brilliant aura with the sunset radiating in the faint far-right horizon.
Suddenly, your body’s survival skills kick in and thoughts of foraging food rings at the same time an alarm for water, gathering firewood, and finding whatever shelter to get ready with some thermal sleeping gear becomes paramount. Questions arise how one can just plan ahead and may require a few trips of camping out to figure it all out. At the Borrego Springs, you’ll find a crossroads centered within a single local environment. Camper oriented groceries, thrift stores, and art within it's immediate surroundings, a desert town spreads over a huge level valley along edges rising to high mountainous peaks. Borrego Springs becomes an oasis of activity and features adequate hotel choices, casitas, restaurants and saloons; as well as, plentiful nearby desert parks with Palm Canyon in town to wander around an artful series of dinosaur-sized metal sculptures in their rusty suntanned immensity standing alone in the desert throughout the northern valley. Next, choose a more nomadic life at the primitive camping sites and visit the austere beauty driving towards Ranchitas on Montezuma Road, the road leading up from the valley floor arrives to the high desert outlook at Culp Valley. It's a geological wonder if you like odd looking rocks, with a vault toilet kept up by the county rangers. The super bloom occurs after especially wet winters and brings brightly colored flora, unique desert birds, endangered Borrego sheep, flutterbys insects, snakes, and lizards to discover in the desolation.
Early in spring, an adventure finding the “Super Bloom” display of desert wildflowers should be planned around January to May or even later. The desert is a place requiring extreme patience, perhaps some walking and hiking enduring the heat will lead to alcoves in bloom. Be sure to take plenty of food and water. Stop in Borrego Springs Desert Association or Park Service for guide info to the best destinations.
Highly Recommended!
Yaqui Pass Road below reveals the long canyon rising above Highway 78 near Yaqui Campground's cool desert waters and palms.
Borrego Springs is an artful smaller-sized town presenting something for everyone…
Beginning at Christmas Circle, and the historic hub trodden by De Anza in 1776 that connects all highways radiating from the Center Compass Rose radiating in four directions. When camping, visitors are permitted staying outdoors in most any desolate area, just off main roads. Sleeping under illuminated starry nights with no added tresspassing lamps from town allows a sky stars shining brightly and permits excellent observation. Swift moving breezes blow throughout the valleys and mountains soothing one's senses or will even ravage your campsite if not secured. Daytime softens the coarseness of the desert sands, and at sunset seems allowing the grand accomplishment of visiting such a desolate region as your own backyard. Arriving to Borrego Springs there's the historical association, bookstores, information centers and cool interior to hang out in the central library, and art galleries. It’s a great destination for viewing memorable landscapes and opens up outlying adventures for all.
The highway's an easy drive or bike path through level areas around town, so check the unique sculptures scattered throughout various areas in the desert astounds the visitors…
Robert A. Bellezza,
Publisher, California Tour & Travel
Robert Bellezza’s 35-year career has focused on marketing to California’s statewide and national audiences by publishing full-color glossy travel and tourism magazines on the Golden State. He authored seven innovative California tour books and 60 magazines featuring destinations from the Sierra to the Sea, each highlighting top resorts, attractions, craft food, wine and beer. He currently manages California Tour & Travel Magazine’s on-line portal featuring statewide events, entertainment reviews, and travel related stories.
SUPER BLOOM
Anza Borrego Desert Trail's Aura of Color
We cannot always be in the right place at the right time to see California's magical mind-blowing visual moments. Choosing a locality away from the usual mundane helps foster moments more often in natural settings. Getting back to normal during Spring's cooler weather climes, the high desert of Anza Borrego's desert-scape reveals a surprising wealth of beauty in what seems vast desolate wastelands inhabited only by mere cacti, agaves, yuccas and chaparral plants alone in the hot sands. Above this desert’s plain arises unlimited possibilities for escaping to one of the more colorful places on the planet! There's even more water imaginable Every springtime in the high desert cooler balmy air washes away any distraction lingering in our life - it's the desert's way of narrowing down life's perspectives.
Endangered Borrego Big Horn Sheep RBellezza
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