Time your visit for carpets of wildflowers.

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park  occupies over a fifth of San Diego County, and in spring the desert's glorious wildflowers are an unforgettable sight. Knowing when the bloom peaks can be a bit tricky, since winter rains can be fickle. While some years the wildflowers begin blooming in mid-January and peak in March, dry winters can stall the floral display. Fortunately, the park offers a wildflower recording, apprising you of current conditions (call 760/767-4684).

While the region's spring bloom often gets top billing at Anzo-Borrego, there is certainly more to see and do here throughout the year. The largest state park in California, with 12 wilderness areas and 500 miles of dirt roads, Anza-Borrego is home to an amazing array of wildlife, including bighorn sheep, mule deer, iguanas, chuckwalla lizards, red diamond rattlesnakes, adorable but elusive kit foxes, and magnificent golden eagles. Named after Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza and the Spanish word for bighorn sheep ("borrego"), this park lets you explore and learn about this important California ecosystem. Join ranger-led programs for an even more intimate understanding of desert life here.