Anza Borrego Wildflowers (Bombay Beach: safe, population, photos)

[moved]

Originally Posted by Opt_10

That's good news. I am glad I can find parking there. It's a very big lot though. I have to take pictures to remember where I parked so that I am not frustrated trying to find my car.

Just take the bus, it's easier. The MTS Bus #7 goes right past Balboa Park, and you just choose your stop.

[motifone]

Never been to the park and thinking of going out that way around the 14th/15th of April. Still a decent amount to see around that time? Going with a four year old but she enjoys the outdoors... obviously no heavy duty hiking though. So even if the flowers are on the wane, I imagine there is still al lot of natural beauty to see... small hikes/road trip. Just want to be sure there's enough to warrant a couple nights stay out there for a get away. (coming down from north orange county). Stay in Borrego Springs perhaps.

[futbol]

Originally Posted by motifone

Never been to the park and thinking of going out that way around the 14th/15th of April. Still a decent amount to see around that time? Going with a four year old but she enjoys the outdoors... obviously no heavy duty hiking though. So even if the flowers are on the wane, I imagine there is still al lot of natural beauty to see... small hikes/road trip. Just want to be sure there's enough to warrant a couple nights stay out there for a get away. (coming down from north orange county). Stay in Borrego Springs perhaps.

There are lots of sights to see and trails to hike. You just have to plan your stay.

Anza Borrego is big. With the exception maybe of Hellhole Palms and one or two other places, it is all desert and mountains.

Several of the fun trails are not well marked off the main roads. You may want to make notes, print out a map, or buy one at the visitor center. You will find lots of great info online, too.

Places I've enjoyed are Mud Caves, Hawk Canyon, Blair Valley, Whale Peak, Box Canyon, Wind Caves, Slot Canyon, Goat Canyon Trestle, and 'nearby' Salton Sea -- something at least worth seeing from a distance.

After a full day of hiking you will have a full night of starlit sky. Some people travel out to the desert just for this.

[bloom]

Originally Posted by futbol

T

Places I've enjoyed are Mud Caves, Hawk Canyon, Blair Valley, Whale Peak, Box Canyon, Wind Caves, Slot Canyon, Goat Canyon Trestle, and 'nearby' Salton Sea -- something at least worth seeing from a distance.

.

Traveling back from Phoenix to SD, we did go to Salton Sea for a couple hours and it was worth the visit.

[RosieSD]

Great post, futbol!

I'd add that, with kids, you may want to look into the Junior Ranger Programs in Anza Borrego (Junior Rangers | Anza-Borrego Foundation (ABF)). When you get to Borrego Springs, make the Park Visitor's Center your first stop -- they have some good exhibits that will put the park and the desert into perspective, and the rangers there can usually give you some ideas on what to see and do.

Another add on to see out Anza Borrego way, east of the Salton Sea:

The Algodones Dunes, near El Centro, southeast California

It's possible to arrange tours of the dunes, which can be a lot of fun for kids (and adults). See: http://glamisatvrentals.com/atv-tours/

It's heating up in the desert right now -- temps could be in the low 90s when you go, so pack lots of water and don't forget hats and sunscreen.

If you want to get out of the heat, you can head up the mountains to Julian (Anza Borrego Park actually goes all the way UP into the mountains). Julian can be fun with kids and wildflowers will just be starting to bloom at the higher elevations. http://www.visitjulian.com/

[Jenkay]

Originally Posted by bloom

Traveling back from Phoenix to SD, we did go to Salton Sea for a couple hours and it was worth the visit.

The rangers do free kayak tours on the weekends- Last time I was cruising through there on my way back from Joshua Tree I just happened into the visitor center ten minutes before one was about to begin. It was great!

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Originally Posted by Jenkay

The rangers do free kayak tours on the weekends- Last time I was cruising through there on my way back from Joshua Tree I just happened into the visitor center ten minutes before one was about to begin. It was great!

What part? Were there any fish die offs?

[Jenkay]

Originally Posted by 1AngryTaxPayer

What part? Were there any fish die offs?

East side, near the visitor center. No fish die-offs, those usually happen during an algae bloom once it gets hot(ter) out there

[bloom]

Originally Posted by 1AngryTaxPayer

What part? Were there any fish die offs?

I don't know, but the Salton Sea area has some spectacular scenery, a lot of large birds (so there must be some fish), a geothermal facility, ghost towns. It did not seem smelly. They say there will be problems if the sea evaporates as then all the toxic fertilizer run off on its bottom will dust up to become airborne, but don't have faith as current regime is decimating the administrative state to deal with such.

[Jenkay]

Originally Posted by bloom

I don't know, but the Salton Sea area has some spectacular scenery, a lot of large birds (so there must be some fish), a geothermal facility, ghost towns. It did not seem smelly. They say there will be problems if the sea evaporates as then all the toxic fertilizer run off on its bottom will dust up to become airborne, but don't have faith as current regime is decimating the administrative state to deal with such.

There *are* fish, but only tilapia. They're the only fish that can survive in the high-salinity water! The fish die-offs happen when there are algae blooms- which usually happen when it's hotter out there. It usually doesn't smell in the winter/springtime, but once it gets hot out there and some of the tilapia die off it can get kinda gnarly.