What do you do when you feel like you’re overstaying your welcome at a friend’s house in San Diego (and you have a husband antsy to return to nature and could use a little break from memoir work yourself)? You pack up, jump in your camper van, and head into the California desert for a couple of days. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is huge. You opt for the Borrego Springs area as an initiation to this region since you don’t have much time.
Zesty on desert roads
You boondock in solitude and under a million stars.
You go for hikes in the desert…
… in a slot canyon …
… and to an oasis deep into the valley.
As a bonus, you watch amazing art in nature: the metal statues of artist Ricardo Breceda. In my opinion, not much can beat the sheer size, creative execution, and gorgeous setting of the animals created by Ricardo. Here are just a few examples…
Have you ever visited these statues in Borrego Springs, CA? Any favorite artwork in nature that you currently appreciated?
The serpent starts on one side of the road and continues across = very impressive!
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January 13, 2019 at 13:32
Absolutely love the Anza Borrego area, especially those sculptures. Love your photo titled The Kiss.
January 14, 2019 at 08:56
We didn’t expect anything from our weekend trip to Anza-Borrego, Leslie and were pleasantly surprised at the vastness, beauty, and solitude of the area. We did have to get on dirt roads to find it all, though. 🙂
January 13, 2019 at 13:34
Great place for a quick “get away”…beautiful metal statues. Looks like you had the place to yourselves?
January 14, 2019 at 08:57
Sunday was a tad busy at the Slot Canyon, but on Monday we barely saw a soul, Gilda. Plus, the desert is huge, so there is always some solitude to be found. Anza-Borrego State Park is the biggest US state park outside of Alaska, so that tells you something. 🙂
January 13, 2019 at 13:52
I love your getaways — especially this one. I haven’t been there before….but it is now on my list! 🙂
January 14, 2019 at 08:58
I hope you get to visit one day, Donna, but I think your next adventure might be somewhere entirely different… 🙂
January 13, 2019 at 14:05
Looks like a very nice getaway in the desert, Liesbet. Hiking and art work in nature, what’s not to love? I see more selfies coming 🙂
January 14, 2019 at 09:00
Yeah… the whole selfie-stick debate… Mark bought it for me for my birthday, but it only works with Smart phones and I don’t have a phone (and don’t want one). I like my camera to take photos, thank you very much. So now, we have to use his phone each time we want to take a photo of ourselves. Oh well… His phone is also easier to use for Instagram. Yep. Still, I do NOT want my own phone, selfie stick or not, social media or not. 🙂
January 13, 2019 at 14:54
Aw…it looks toasty warm, Liesbet! Those statues are incredible. I particularly like the shot of you on the ground…LOL! Thanks for sharing with us.
January 14, 2019 at 09:02
You are welcome, Jill, and thanks for visiting and commenting! Not quite toasty warm (especially at night), but I take it over the current New England temperatures! 🙂
January 13, 2019 at 15:07
I love Anza Borrego. The last time we were there was for last spring’s wildflowers (and we are getting some good rain this year so we may have quite a show this spring). I love those sculptures too… they really are magnificent.
January 14, 2019 at 09:06
I envy you for living quite close to this fascinating and vast area, Janis! Such a beautiful place to get away from it all for a few days. Or longer. Maybe we will go back? Mark read about the wildflower display as well. Worth checking out, I’m sure. During which month did you venture into the desert last spring? As for the rain, we see today will be a deluge… We hope Zesty will be OK and not leak (too much). San Diego is supposed to be sunny at all times. 🙂
January 14, 2019 at 16:33
We want to AB in March or April. It can be hard to time the wildflowers. They put on an amazing display but then they are quickly consumed by a caterpillar. I know that San Diego isn’t “supposed” to rain but we are enjoying it… and our plants are doing a little happy dance in the soil.
January 21, 2019 at 12:59
Yep, rain in California is good! Except when your camper leaks, or there is a yard being reinstated that is supposed to be finished before you show up at a house sit. ????
January 13, 2019 at 15:52
Thanks for the photos Liesbet…the desert is so much different than what we are used to with the green of New England and Florida and the blue of the water.
Someday.
January 14, 2019 at 09:11
The desert is an interesting place, Nancy. After many months of house sitting, traveling, and living in it last winter and spring, we couldn’t wait to get out. Then, after a few months in the Pacific Northwest (and now in icy New England for two weeks), we couldn’t and can’t wait to get back. But, I’d take azure blue seas in the tropics above everything else right now. 🙂
January 14, 2019 at 05:41
Wow, are those statues just out in the middle of the desert? Impressive.
January 14, 2019 at 09:13
Yes they are, Alex. Pretty impressive, right? The statues are located on private property and people are allowed to drive up to them on the dirt desert roads.
January 14, 2019 at 10:45
I can’t believe i’ve never heard of this place – it looks amazing! I love the sculptures, especially the serpent.
January 14, 2019 at 11:43
We had no idea about this desert state park or the statues, until we started looking into somewhere in nature, not too far from San Diego to spend a few days. And that’s after having lived in California on several occasions and months at a time. 🙂
January 14, 2019 at 12:48
I love eastern California and I love Borrego Springs. We have been there twice now and I would love to go again and find that slot cavern.
I absolutely love the sculptures and was stunned the first time I saw them – not realizing that they were going to be there. I bet the wildflowers will be amazing this year – that’s why went originally, to see the wildflowers.
Glad you had a nice getaway from feeling like you were overstaying. After a few days I always feel like I am overstaying our welcome.
January 21, 2019 at 12:57
Hi Duwan! Mark had mentioned something about statues to me before we arrived, but since I was (and am) in work mode, I didn’t pay much attention. So, to say that I was pleasantly surprised upon seeing them is an understatement. 🙂 I’m glad we did this little trip and I’d like to go back, but I also need my book project finished. Catch 22. That being said, I do hope we get to see the wildflowers in the desert this spring, either in California, Baja, or Arizona.
January 15, 2019 at 13:41
That looks like a fun trip. I can’t think of anything I’ve seen that compares to it.
January 21, 2019 at 13:00
I”m glad you liked this art display in nature, JH. There were many more statues scattered about, but I didn’t post all of them and we didn’t even visit all of them. 🙂
January 16, 2019 at 10:02
Wow! Those statues looked amazing. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
January 21, 2019 at 13:01
Very cool indeed, Anna. I’m usually not a fan of rusty stuff, but this was an exception. 🙂
January 16, 2019 at 12:56
Oh my gosh, Liesbet! I’ve told you before, I know, but I LOVE the photos you include on your blog posts. The desert is not devoid of beauty or life, as you’ve found. That’s what makes travelling so exciting: seeing the differences in nature and landscape. You so have the life everyone–okay, maybe just me!–wants. All best to you in 2019!
January 21, 2019 at 13:03
Thanks for the wishes, Victoria. “Life is all about choices,” I always say. I’m quite happy with the way we are living right now, but if I’m totally honest and would be able to do what I really wanted, 100%, it would be slightly different. 🙂 Maybe later this year. Going back to the desert would be nice, but every decisions is a trade-off.
January 17, 2019 at 04:37
What a lovely surprise to find those metal statues in the desert, Liesbet. Just imagine bumping into them in the middle of the night not knowing they are there.
And I have to add that I love the thought of ‘You boondock in solitude and under a million stars.’ The night sky must be very impressive under desert skies. What are the daytime temps like at this of the year?
January 21, 2019 at 13:07
Hi Hugh! I have noticed that (when it’s not raining) when you wander around the desert at night, the sky is usually very bright. Once your eyes are used to the starlight, it is possible to make out features like statues and cacti. Daytime temps in January are about 60-65 degrees Fahrenheit (16 to 20C), this time a year, and at night it cools off substantially to about 40F (5C) and sometimes even close to freezing. Still better than what I’m currently experiencing in Boston, which is 6F or -15C during the day today!! I’m ready to head back to California! 🙂
January 17, 2019 at 15:54
This looks like such a great place!
http://www.ficklemillennial.blogspot.com
January 21, 2019 at 13:08
Thanks, Gina!
January 18, 2019 at 02:59
Love the photos of the canyon and the sculptures are amazing. The first ones of the camel and the elephant look so real. Looks like a great place to get some quiet time in nature. Lovely post.
Peta
January 21, 2019 at 13:09
Thanks, Peta! You’d love it in the California desert. Although it does get chilly! The solitude and peace is most welcome, at all times. I can’t wait to go back. Unfortunately, boondocking and working doesn’t go well together.
January 18, 2019 at 08:14
You are writing about the desert with its stark beauty, but I see you are in Massachusetts now. Wow, clear across the country.
My favorite line: “You boondock in solitude and under a million stars.” Lovely, wherever you roam!
January 21, 2019 at 13:12
You are correct on both accounts, Marian. Solitude and peace IS lovely, especially when it’s not too cold out. 🙂 And, yes, we are in Boston, MA for two weeks at the moment. No solitude, peace, or warmth here right now… On the contrary today, when there are “record” lows at 6F as a high. But, we know we will be back in California soon, so that helps.
January 18, 2019 at 14:38
Your experience in the California desert sure beat ours in Arizona, Liesbet! I love your photos and can’t wait to share my slot canyon photos on my blog next week (although not in Antelope Canyon)! This looked like a wonderful break for you guys with plenty of sunshine. Love those sculptures, amazing!
January 21, 2019 at 13:13
Hi Terri! I hope to read and check out your road trip blogs soon. We are planning to go to the Arizona desert in February or March, so we will be on your trail. 🙂 Looking forward to seeing the slot canyons in your posts and in person. And hopefully, I’ll manage to meet Ingrid as well. 🙂
January 21, 2019 at 15:34
You are hopefully picking a better time to go. Of course the weather cleared up nicely there after we left. The whole west got hit by the storm…it was very cold in San Diego too. I’m sure Ingrid and Al would be thrilled to meet up with you!
January 22, 2019 at 10:17
If I can finish this “darn” memoir, we can get to Arizona and enjoy some of the camping and sights. 🙂 Sorry again about your bad luck with the weather!
January 20, 2019 at 11:19
Hi Liesbet
Fantastic!!. Especially the artwork. I’ve not seen anything quite like it.
Happy New Year and Safe Travels
Laura
January 21, 2019 at 13:19
Hi Laura! Have you ever been to the Anza-Borrego State Park or the California desert? It is indeed very different than coastal California and has a beauty of its own. Alternating between seascapes and desert views sounds pretty good to me. But, we will see what happens next. 🙂
January 22, 2019 at 14:28
Hi Liesbet
Sorry to say while I do love the desert, I have not spent a lot of time in the California Desert. I also love the Southwest. Again, I’ve not spent a lot of time there in recent years. (45 years ago to be more exact)
A place you might enjoy visiting (after the government reopens) is Pinnacles National Park. The east entry has camping facilities. There are lots of hiking trails there. If you head that way maybe we could meet up
Travel safely
Laura
January 24, 2019 at 13:13
Wow Laura, I can’t believe you haven’t been back to the Southwest in 45 years! You must be quite happy in Monterey and Northern California! I’ve heard nice things about Pinnacles NP before (from the home owners we sat for in Sebastopol), but we didn’t have time to visit on the way south, as I had a massive work project to take care of. It looks and sounds amazing, but we are too far away from it now to head back. We’re trying to stay warm and south. 🙂
January 22, 2019 at 13:03
Those sculptures look wonderful. What a great trip. Thanks for sharing.
January 24, 2019 at 13:08
You’re welcome, Janet. We might head back to this area in a week. Not for the sculptures, but to be warm and in the desert, and close to a library to work.
February 9, 2019 at 10:33
Anza Borrego is a fascinating park with so much to offer. If the rains ever leave us, we hope to get out there and enjoy the wildflowers.
February 9, 2019 at 15:13
No wildflowers yet, LuAnn. The rains have stopped (for now) in the park, but the wind picked up again today and will be blowing immensely. We had one nice day yesterday, which we used to do a hike and a bike ride. Luckily, as today was predicted to be nice as well. I don’t think it will get any better soon, so we will probably leave and try and find drier and warmer places. I hope you will be able to visit and see the wildflowers in a few weeks or so.
February 11, 2019 at 11:33
I have spent very little time in desert areas, so I am enjoying your experiences vicariously. Our coastal rainforest is kind of the opposite to a desert.
Jude
February 12, 2019 at 12:40
That is certainly true, Jude! When I think about the foliage on Vancouver Island and the wonderfully lush rain forests, these deserts are a far cry from it. Although, this winter there is quite a lot of green due to all the rain. Some areas look surreal because of it. We look forward to wildflower season soon. And, warmer temps. 🙂