Lake Cuycamaca

DESTINATIONS: Borrego and beyond -- a beautiful backcountry day

By Karen Pearlman, with photos by Karen Pearlman and Miriam Raftery
 
Feb. 22, 2026 (San Diego County) -- With an early wildflower bloom in Borrego, now is a perfect time for a day trip through San Diego County’s beautiful backcountry, including mountain and desert destinations.
 
Making the pilgrimage to the destination that is the Anza-Borrego Desert area can also include stops along the way there, and back, especially if you take a different way to your starting point.
 
When you arrive, the park has two visitor centers where you can get wildflower maps and information on current wildflower blooms, trails and more. The the main visitor center is at the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park’s headquarters at 200 Palm Canyon Drive but there’s also one inside a shop on Christmas Circle in Borrego Springs at 587 Palm Canyon Drive.

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