Items | Apple Pies & Desert Skies: A Self-Guided Driving Tour
Apple Pies & Desert Skies: A Self-Guided Driving Tour
(14) Reviews
Felicita
About
Explore San Diego’s mountains, desert, and backcountry on a self-guided scenic driving tour from Escondido to Julian via Palomar Mountain and Borrego Springs. This 152-mile route takes you along some of the best backroads in Southern California, with GPS-triggered audio guiding you to overlooks, historic sites, and hidden stops along the way.
Climb to the summit of Palomar Mountain to visit the famous Palomar Observatory, then descend into the desert landscapes of Anza-Borrego. Along the way, you’ll spot Borrego Springs’ iconic metal sculptures, sweeping valley views, and roadside viewpoints worth stopping for. The route finishes in the historic town of Julian—perfect for a slice of its fam...
Highlights
From 4 hours to 6 hours
Offered in English & Spanish
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
From 4 hours to 6 hours
Offered in English & Spanish
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
What's Included
App & Tour Download
Flexible Usage (unlimited access within 30-days)
Downloadable Content (pre-download tour to save data)
A Smartphone
Admission to Attractions
Transportation
Meeting Points
Departure
Plaza Del Lago Center
Use your favorite navigation app to make your way to the parking lot at the Plaza Del Lago shopping center, located at 3440 Del Lago Blvd, Escondido, CA 92029. Once you're there, open the Drives & Detours app and tap "Start Tour".
Return
12450 Highland Valley Rd
The tour ends one exit south of where it begins, just off Pomerado Rd.
Important Information
•
Service animals allowed
•
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
•
Palomar Observatory Closes at 3PM
•
Anza Borrego Visitor Center Closes at 5PM
•
Mom's Pies in Julian Closes at 5PM
•
Eagle Mine in Julian Closes at 4PM
•
Queen Califia's Has Extremely Limited Hours
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
•
For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
•
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
•
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
•
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
•
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
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Apple Pies & Desert Skies: A Self-Guided Driving Tour
(14) Reviews
Felicita
Select Date & Travelers
From
$15.00
Price varies by group size
About
Explore San Diego’s mountains, desert, and backcountry on a self-guided scenic driving tour from Escondido to Julian via Palomar Mountain and Borrego Springs. This 152-mile route takes you along some of the best backroads in Southern California, with GPS-triggered audio guiding you to overlooks, historic sites, and hidden stops along the way.
Climb to the summit of Palomar Mountain to visit the famous Palomar Observatory, then descend into the desert landscapes of Anza-Borrego. Along the way, you’ll spot Borrego Springs’ iconic metal sculptures, sweeping valley views, and roadside viewpoints worth stopping for. The route finishes in the historic town of Julian—perfect for a slice of its fam...
Highlights
From 4 hours to 6 hours
Offered in English & Spanish
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
From 4 hours to 6 hours
Offered in English & Spanish
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
What's Included
App & Tour Download
Flexible Usage (unlimited access within 30-days)
Downloadable Content (pre-download tour to save data)
A Smartphone
Admission to Attractions
Transportation
Meeting Points
Departure
Plaza Del Lago Center
Use your favorite navigation app to make your way to the parking lot at the Plaza Del Lago shopping center, located at 3440 Del Lago Blvd, Escondido, CA 92029. Once you're there, open the Drives & Detours app and tap "Start Tour".
Return
12450 Highland Valley Rd
The tour ends one exit south of where it begins, just off Pomerado Rd.
Itinerary
1
Queen Califia's Magical Circle
Queen Califia's Magical Circle is an outdoor sculpture garden created by artist Niki de Saint Phalle.
15 minutes
2
Lake Wohlford
Enjoy a scenic overlook as you drive by Lake Wohlford.
3
Pauma Valley
Take in the spectacular views of Pauma Valley as we make our way to Palomar Mountain.
4
Palomar Observatory
Stop and visit the Palomar and Observatory and Museum, home to the famous 200-inch Hale Telescope.
30 minutes
5
East Grade Road
Enjoy spectacular views of San Diego County from Kica Mik Overlook. Downtown San Diego and the Pacific Ocean are visible on clear days.
15 minutes
6
Henshaw Scenic Vista Observation Site
Another viewpoint on Palomar's East Grade Road provides breathtaking views of Lake Henshaw and the surrounding meadows.
5 minutes
7
Santa Ysabel Mission
Stop and visit out one of southern California's famous mission churches, dating back to 1818.
15 minutes
8
Montezuma Valley Road
Enjoy stunning views of the harsh desert landscape and the Salton Sea from the Montezuma Valley Road Scenic Overlook.
5 minutes
9
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Visitor Center
Stop at the Anza Borrego State Park Visitors Center before deciding if you'll take a short hike into Borrego Palm Canyon to see the fan palm oasis and seasonal creek. Be sure to keep an eye out for bighorn sheep, they blend in surprisingly well with the rocks!
15 minutes
10
Borrego Springs Serpent Sculpture
We'll take you to the some of the most iconic metal sculptures in Borrego Springs. With more than 100 scattered across the desert, you could spend a whole day visiting them.
10 minutes
11
Julian
Explore the historic mining town of Julian, known today for its apple pies! We'll tell you the best place to go for pie, plus we'll point out several other local attractions worth visiting.
