Embark on a self-guided driving tour of San Diego’s scenic backroads. Discover hidden attractions, visit the Palomar Observatory, explore Borrego Springs, and indulge in delicious apple pies in Julian.
- Queen Califia’s Magical Circle - Queen Califia’s Magical Circle is an outdoor sculpture garden created by artist Niki de Saint Phalle.
- Lake Wohlford - Enjoy a scenic overlook as you drive by Lake Wohlford.
- Pauma Valley - Take in the spectacular views of Pauma Valley as we make our way to Palomar Mountain.
- Palomar Observatory - Stop and visit the Palomar and Observatory and Museum, home to the famous 200-inch Hale Telescope.
- 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.
- Henshaw Scenic Vista Observation Site - Another viewpoint on Palomar’s East Grade Road provides breathtaking views of Lake Henshaw and the surrounding meadows.
- Santa Ysabel Mission - Stop and visit out one of southern California’s famous mission churches, dating back to 1818.
- Montezuma Valley Road - Enjoy stunning views of the harsh desert landscape and the Salton Sea from the Montezuma Valley Road Scenic Overlook.
- 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!
- 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.
- 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.
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- App & Tour Download
- Flexible Usage (unlimited access within 30-days)
- Downloadable Content (pre-download tour to save data)
- A Smartphone
- Admission to Attractions
- Transportation
Explore some of San Diego’s unique and off-the-beaten-path attractions while driving some of the best backroads in San Diego County. We’ll make our way to the top of Palomar Mountain and visit the Palomar Observatory and Museum. We’ll descend down to the desert town of Borrego Springs with its bighorn sheep and iconic metal sculptures dotting the landscape. Finally, we’ll make our way back through the historic mountain town of Julian, known for its delicious apple pies.
You’ll want to allow a full day for this 152-mile drive. While the drive itself could technically be done in 4 hours, we’ll be pointing out several points of interest and places to stop along the way. We’ll also share some of the rich history of San Diego’s past.
Don’t miss out on this unforgettable San Diego drive!
- 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
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.