Solo travels-Day 1: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Disclaimer: No flowers were harmed in the process of capturing images 🙂 & Photos can’t fully capture this beauty.

My journey began in the wee morning hours of Thursday, March 14th. I woke at 3:30 AM and set off on my road trip from Tempe, Arizona by 4:00 AM. I hoped to beat the Phoenix rush hour and arrive at Borrego Springs before the crowds. I did just that.

Traveling for approximately five-hours before reaching my destination, my anticipation was palpable. The drive alone was breathtaking. The California scenery varied from snow-capped mountains to a variety of wildflowers along the freeway. I entered Anza Borrego Desert State Park by 9:30 AM. The drive into the park was hard to resist stopping every five seconds. The smell of the flowers was amazing. Cleary that’s what many people were doing by the end of the day. The small town of Borrego Springs, California was swarming with tourists before lunchtime. I picnicked against the flower covered backdrop before capturing more photos. I explored the vast state park from 9:30 until almost 2:00 PM.

Anza Borrego Desert State Park entry fee: $10 per car paid at the visitor’s center. This was an unmanned visitor’s center. So, if you plan to go, print a park (wildflower) map before heading out. This helped me tremendously. The park is huge and stops are miles apart.

I left Anza-Borrego and headed to my campground at DRIPPING SPRINGS CAMPGROUND (CA).

I chose this particular camping spot due to the proximity to Walker Canyon. Stay tuned for pics of the California Poppies at Walker Canyon which I experienced today, Friday, March 15.

Helpful links for planning a trip to see the California Super Bloom 2019:

Where to see Southern California’s traffic-stopping displays

Recreation.gov