Aug 05 2008
Anza Borrego Desert State Park Wildflowers
Wildflowers at Anza Borrego, Spring 2008
Anza Borrego Desert State Park is the largest state park in California and rich in natural history. It is located in the eastern side of San Diego County, approximately two hours drive from San Diego.
Anza Borrego Desert Valley Floor and Mountain, Spring 2008
There are more than 500 miles of dirt road in the park, miles of hiking trails and 12 wilderness areas. Perfect for those who seek desert solitude. During spring, the park is well known for spectacular wildflower bloom, and this year 2008, we came to experience how the barren desert is transformed into a paradise of colors.
Sand Verbena, Anza Borrego, Spring 2008
Coming from a tropical country, my impression of desert is all brown, and all sand. It was hard for me to believe that among the many places on earth, it is probably in the desert that I saw the widest variety of colors swaying with the wind, carrying with it a dream like scent. Amazed, at how nature works wonderfully, and yes, surprisingly. It just seems odd to me that the desert, more famous for its barren landscape, has been transformed into a paradise of wildflowers, albeit ephemerally.
Wildflower Display at Anza Borrego Desert, Spring 2008
Barren it may be at most time of the year, yet it explodes into a field of colors with the right conditions. This amazing display of wildflower leaves as soon as it comes 
. Desert wildflowers are as rare as they are pretty. Rare, because they do not come too often, not every year. Some year would show only patches of wildflowers, not carpeting wilflowers. Some year, like in 2005 (which I missed), would show unbelievable display, almost like heaven on earth. Rare, because they also do not last, their display last only about a month. But since Anza Borrego is a desert of different elevation, the lower elevation usually bloom first, followed by the higher elevation, making the time to view wildflower longer.
Evening Dune Primrose, Anza Borrego Desert State Park
But Anza Borrego Desert State Park is not all about wildflower, it actually hosts a very fragile ecosystem. The desert bighorn sheep may just surprise you when you hike in its miles of trails. If you hike the Borrego Palm Canyon, you may just be surprised with the palms that wavers with the wind. Its exposed colored layers of the earth and its sculpted formations are some of the most interesting sights on Earth you’ll see.
Borrego Badlands, Anza Borrego Desert State Park
Not too common, looking surreal, not for everyone to appreciate and admire, but for me, the stark desert landscape is hauntingly beautiful in its own way.
Rugged Desert Landscape, Anza Borrego
If you get a chance to visit San Diego, and have some interest in geology and natural wonders in a desert landscape, do visit Anza Borrego, and experience the unique plant and animal habitat that co-exist with the rocky geography and twisted mazes of badlands. Experience the contrast between life,
and non-life,
of the temporary, and of the permanent,
here at Anza Borrego Desert State Park.
Visitor Center Trail, Anza Borrego Desert State Park
Here is a link to some of the hiking trails in Anza Borrego (though I hope to post more of the trails with pictures in this site ) : http://www.desertusa.com/Thingstodo/du_absp_hike.html
Fo wilflower update, visit this site by February- March of the year: http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/ca.html
For places to stay: http://desertusa.travelhero.com/index.cfm/country/US/state/CA/city/BORREGO_SPRINGS/aid/247/index.html
Best Time to Visit: During the cooler months, between November – May. For wildflowers, between February- March, but do check the wildlfower update first ( http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/ca.html ).
Thanks for reading! And wow! I had NO IDEA there were SO many beautiful places in my backyard (being new to the area), thanks for sharing these beautiful photos. I’m planning some trips in my head already!
Thanks a lot, Amy and Soy. You can find some more of my pictures at
http://betchaitluc.multiply.com/photos
Soy, you are also right about the desert with occasional grass here and there, the wildflower bloom does not really last. after they wane, the desert goes back to being brown, with occasional grasses here and there. at other times of the year, we just marvel at the geology instead.
Amy, let me know if you need some planning. By the way, Anacapa Island is closer to LA than in San Diego. But right now, I do not think there would still be a lot of birds in the island, since after they hatch they fly away to the mainland. Best time to visit there for wildflower and wildlife and birdwatching is spring, I believe. Hope you would still be around LA by that time.
Anza-Borrego was one of my favorite spot during the 17 years I lived in San Diego. But then, so was Mount Laguna. I still love the desert and the mountains, the stars and the clear nights. We have the Mountains, the stars, the clear nights, but no deserts here in Montana.
Doug in Missoula
Hi Doug and Caryn, thanks for dropping by and for the comments.
Caryn, yes, the foliage here during spring is something that makes me excited hitting the trails.
Doug, I love Anza too, I am glad you like it since I think not too many people appreciates the stark desert landscape. I love Mount Laguna too, especially the part where it looks out to the desert
. Montana is in my wish list to see soon, hopefully next year, we’ll hit it. i want to experience Yellowstone.