California Road Trips - 2020 - 7

DISTANCE: 110 MILES * STARTS: SAN DIEGO

San Diego to
Anza-Borrego
Head east from the sunny beaches
to reach surreal desert landscapes
nza-Borrego Desert
State Park bares its
desert soul at The
Slot. The twisting canyon's siltstone walls reveal the landscape
dissected, the earth's crust
sliced open by time and water. A
stroll through this buff-colored
canyon will inspire you to explore much more of San Diego
County and Anza-Borrego.
To get there, meander
through San Diego's eastern
outback. Twenty minutes from
downtown, stop at Mission
Trails Regional Park, where
an architecturally striking
visitor center offers exhibits on
Kumeyaay Indian life, and the
Cowles Mountain Trail delivers
a 360-degree city view. Farther
east on Interstate 8, go see El
Cajon's off-the-radar gems. Relive the 19th-century Old West at
the Olaf Wieghorst Museum, its
walls lined with horse and cowboy paintings. Savor an hour at
Summers Past Farms-sip tea
among the spring-blooming
sweet peas, relax on the patio,
or shop for herbal soaps and
garden art.
Push east to Alpine for an
unforgettable raptor experience.
At Sky Falconry, a magnificent
Harris's hawk will land softly on
your gloved hand. Afterward,
satisfy your hunger with a halfpound burger underneath the
antler chandeliers at Janet's
Montana Cafe, then interact
with the animals at Lions Tigers
& Bears, a big cat and exotic
animal rescue facility.
Wind north on scenic Highway 79 to Cuyamaca Rancho
State Park, where 130 miles

LISSY L'AMOREAUX/@AWANDERFUL.LIFE

A

The Slot

BORREGO SPRINGS

of trails wait to be explored.
Bag the summit of 5,730-foot
Stonewall Peak for a sweeping
view that takes in Mount San
Gorgonio, Mount San Jacinto,
and the Salton Sea.
End your day in the applerich mining town of Julian.
Sample the famous butterycrust pies at Mom's Pie House,
Julian Pie Company, or Apple
Alley. Tuck in at the old-world
Julian Gold Rush Hotel, then join
Eagle Mining Co. for a morning
tour of the Eagle and High Peak
Mine to learn about Julian's
1870s Gold Rush.
Afterward, make a dramatic
descent from the mountains on
Banner Grade's tight curlicues,
losing 4,000 feet in elevation.
Once you've reached Anza-Borrego Desert State Park near
Borrego Springs, head straight
to The Slot. Squeeze through
its narrow walls, walk under its
gravity-defying arch, and shoot
endless photos in this surreal
desert canyon.

The
Slot
Julian

Summers
Past
Farms

Mission
Trails

SAN
DIEGO

Olaf
Wieghorst
Museum

Sky
Falconry

Stonewall Peak
Trailhead

Lions Tigers
& Bears

Janet's
Montana
Cafe

Pacific
Ocean

WORTH A DETOUR
Snack stop: In Santa Ysabel, try the
specialty breads-like date nut raisin and
jalapeño cheese-at Dudley's Bakery.
Spiny flora: Drive Old Kane Spring Road
off Hwy. 78 to see Anza-Borrego's Cactus
Garden with nine different species.
AREA OF DETAIL

San
Francisco
Los
Angeles

San
Diego

Desert wow: Go offroading in luxury with
California Overland
Desert Excursions
Jeep tours in AnzaBorrego.

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California Road Trips - 2020

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