Desert Adventures

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Location: Borrego Springs (93 Miles/ 2 Hours East of San Diego Coastal Areas)

Time: Most Events Take Place Between October and May

Cost: Starts at $55 per Event.

Features: Desert Jeep Tours; Group Tours on Military Transport Vehicles; Astronomy Nights; Ghosts & Legends; Wine Tasting; Customized Tours

Desert Adventure VehicleHighlights for Adventures in the Desert: California Overland Desert Excursions is a concessionaire for Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. It is the one company that can satisfy a visitor’s need for desert adventure. Most visitors to the desert come for the solitude and explore the vast landscape on their own through the use of guidebooks or help from the Visitors Center at the State Park. Others, however, want to explore the desert with a guided adventure. This is where California Desert Excursions comes into play.

Jeep and Group Transport Tours – Jeeps and Military Transport vehicles were built for the rugged landscape. The Anza-Borrego Desert is the most diverse desert landscape in the world. What better way then to explore the desert landscape on a rugged 4WD vehicle. Anza-Borrego State Park is larger than all of the other California State Parks combined. It takes a trained eye to know where to look. You will make the best use of your time with the help of a guided tour.

Hiking Tours – Spend a couple hours or an entire day crossing the desert on 4WD to get access to the best hiking trails. California Overland Desert Excursions offers tours for all levels of ability from Easy to Double Black Diamond.

Special Events – Spend an evening learning astronomy from Dennis Mammana or visit an original Butterfield Stage Coach Station on a Ghosts and Legends of the Desert Tour. Wine tours starting in the nearby historic mountain town of Julian are also available.

Information on Taking an Adventure Tour

All of the tour details and information on creating customized outings can be found on the California Overland Desert Excursions web site.

Directions from Google Maps to 1233 Palm Canyon Drive in Borrego Springs, CA 92004 (This gets you to the company location, which is near the center of Borrego Springs. Not all tours start in this location.)

Traffic – If you are heading towards Borrego Springs from the Northern Part of the San Diego County, you may have some heavy traffic if you head eastbound on SR-78 until it reaches I-15. You will also have heavy traffic if you head southbound on highway I-15 during morning the rush hour and northbound on the I-15 during the evening rush hour. Once you are east of highway I-15, you will have very little traffic as you work your way through the mountains and into the desert. However, do keep an eye out for motorcyclists around Palomar Mountain, which is a favorite destination for motorcycle enthusiasts because of the large curves in the road. (Learn more about traffic in San Diego.)

If you are heading towards Borrego Springs from the Southern Part of San Diego County, you will have heavy traffic when heading eastbound on highway I-8 between downtown San Diego and El Cajon during the evening rush hour. Also, listen for Strong Santa Ana Winds in the weather forecast. On occasion (usually limited to the fall and winter months), the winds may be strong enough that the I-8 is shut down to any high profile vehicles, such as RVs and Campers from the Sunrise Highway eastward to the Desert. Once you are past El Cajon or exit highway I-8, there will be moderate traffic when you head through the mountains. Slower vehicles should look for occasional pullouts to allow faster traffic to pass. There is very little traffic once you reach the desert. (Learn more about traffic in San Diego.)

Transit – There are no transit options that provide regular service into the desert.

Weather – Learn more about weather in the San Diego Desert or check the current Desert Weather Forecast.

Related Attractions – Desert Adventure enthusiasts may also want to check out bike ride events in the San Diego Mountains and Desert.

Find More Attractions with Similar Themes or Location: *San Diego Tours & Sightseeing*, Astronomy & Outer Space, Borrego Springs / Northern Desert, Desert Adventure, Hiking, Julian, Scenic Views, Wineries |

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