1. La Casa Del Zorro Desert Resort
City: Borrego Springs, CA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (760) 767-5323, (800) 824-1884
Address: 3845 Yaqui Pass Road
Description: This is one of the jewels of East County, the kind of place families return to annually for reunions and special celebrations. The hotel is about two hours from San Diego and features 77 units, including rooms, suites, and two- and three-bedroom casitas; most include fireplaces and individual patios. Some of the casitas have private swimming pools; some have baby grand pianos. Located in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, the resort offers numerous outdoor possibilities, from hiking to sunbathing to tennis. Several pools are scattered about the 42-acre property; some are reserved for adults seeking quiet time. The restaurant is pricey, but the portions of beef, duck, venison, and salmon are large and well prepared. The dining room also has a wine room with tastings of local wine. The hotel is popular throughout the dry, warm winter months and especially in the spring when the desert bursts with flowers. If you’re planning a March or April visit, make reservations ahead of time.
2. Palm Canyon Resort
City: Borrego Springs, CA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (760) 767-5341, (800) 242-0044
Address: 221 Palm Canyon Drive
Description: Spacious grounds with oodles of hiking, biking, walking, and sunset-watching possibilities, this is a perfect choice for a getaway. The hotel has 60 rooms; all have refrigerators and coffeemakers. The adjacent RV park has 132 spaces. Guests at both places have access to the fitness center, pool, and restaurant. The 14-acre complex is situated next to Anza-Borrego State Park, so if you’re planning to come to the desert to see Mother Nature’s spring flower show, make plans early. All hotels fill up quickly between November and May. Note that the restaurant is closed from June through September.
3. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
City: Borrego Springs, CA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (760) 767-4205 (visitor center
Address: 200 Palm Canyon Drive
Description: Every year about 900,000 visitors travel to the park to camp, enjoy desert hikes and walks, and see the spring flowers. (Please see our Annual Events and Parks chapters for more tips.) At the park’s visitor center—the best place to start—you’ll find information and brochures about the area. The center holds naturalist’s talks, fossil programs, garden walks, nature hikes, campfire programs, and activities for “junior” rangers. The visitor center is open daily October through May, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. During the hottest months (June through September) the center is open weekends and holidays only. There’s overnight camping and other options at the park, too.