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Apple Pies & Desert Skies: A Self-Guided Driving Tour

4 (7)

Escondido, US

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Embark on an unforgettable self-guided driving tour through the picturesque landscapes of San Diego County. "Apple Pies & Desert Skies" takes you on a 152-mile adventure, exploring hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path attractions. Make your way to the top of Palomar Mountain and visit the renowned Palomar Observatory and Museum, where the famous 200-inch Hale Telescope resides. As you descend to the desert town of Borrego Springs, be enchanted by the bighorn sheep and iconic metal sculptures that decorate the landscape. The journey back takes you through the historic mountain town of Julian, known for its mouth-watering apple pies. Along the way, you'll discover countless points of interest, mesmerizing viewpoints, and the fascinating history of San Diego. Don't miss out on this extraordinary driving experience that will leave you with unforgettable memories of the stunning desert skies and delectable apple pies of San Diego.

About this experience

Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
3 hours - 6 hours
Suitable for 1-5 Participants
Private Tour
& Audio GuidedSelf Guided Experience

Highlights

Unique and off-the-beaten-path attractions
Spectacular views of Pauma Valley
Visiting the Palomar Observatory and Museum
Stunning views of the desert landscape and Salton Sea
Exploring the historic mining town of Julian

Included

App & tour download
Flexible usage (unlimited access within 30-days)
Downloadable content (pre-download tour to save data)

Not included

A smartphone
Admission to attractions
Transportation

Popular Hotels Closeby

More about this experience

Introduction

Apple Pies & Desert Skies: A Self-Guided Driving Tour is the ultimate adventure for those seeking to explore the unique and hidden gems of San Diego County. This captivating tour takes you off the beaten path, guiding you through picturesque backroads and showcasing the region's breathtaking sights. Your journey will lead you from the heights of Palomar Mountain to the desert town of Borrego Springs, ending with a visit to the historic mountain town of Julian, renowned for its mouthwatering apple pies.

What to expect?

Prepare to embark on a 152-mile driving experience that promises awe-inspiring landscapes and fascinating attractions along the way. Although the drive itself can be completed in around 3 1/2 hours, the tour encourages you to take your time and fully indulge in the wonder of this adventure. Be prepared to encounter numerous points of interest, making this journey an unforgettable exploration of San Diego's past.

Who is this for?

This tour is perfect for passionate travelers who crave a genuine and extraordinary experience. Whether you are an adventurous solo explorer, a couple seeking a romantic getaway, or a family looking for a fun-filled day trip, this tour suits everyone. From nature enthusiasts to history buffs, this driving tour caters to a wide range of interests and allows you to marvel at the diverse beauty of San Diego County.

Why book this?

The Apple Pies & Desert Skies tour offers a unique blend of adventure, history, and mouthwatering culinary delights. As you navigate the captivating backroads, you'll uncover hidden treasures and witness the magic of Queen Califia's Magical Circle, relish panoramic views of Pauma Valley, and explore the iconic Palomar Observatory. This self-guided tour provides an immersive experience, allowing you to set the pace and embrace the freedom of the open road.

Good to know

To begin your journey, simply navigate to the Plaza Del Lago shopping center in Escondido and open the Drives & Detours app. With detailed instructions and insightful commentary, the app will be your trusty guide throughout the tour. Along the route, make sure to stop and savor the incredible viewpoints, visit historical sites such as the Borrego Palm Canyon, and don't forget to tantalize your taste buds with a delicious apple pie in Julian.

Reviews

Previous explorers who have embarked on the Apple Pies & Desert Skies tour have raved about their experiences. They were captivated by the scenic beauty of San Diego County and exhilarated by the wealth of knowledge shared during the tour. Travelers were especially impressed by the variety of attractions and the freedom to explore at their own leisure. Their shared enthusiasm is a testament to the unforgettable memories and unmatched experiences that await you on this tour. Don't miss out on the chance to create your own incredible journey through the stunning landscapes and hidden marvels of San Diego County.

About this product

How long before the event do I need to book?

You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

Mobile

Is an adult required for the booking?

At least one adult or senior required per booking

Meeting point

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".

Plaza Del Lago Center, 3440 Del Lago Blvd, Escondido, CA 92029, US

End point

The tour ends one exit south of where it begins, just off Pomerado Rd.

12450 Highland Valley Rd, 12450 Highland Valley Rd, Escondido, CA 92025, US

Your Itinerary

Queen Califia's Magical Circle

Queen Califia's Magical Circle is an outdoor sculpture garden created by artist Niki de Saint Phalle.

Lake Wohlford

(Pass by)

Enjoy a scenic overlook as you drive by Lake Wohlford.

Pauma Valley

(Pass by)

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.

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.

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.

Additional information

Reviews

(7)

4 (7)

Rebecca_O

After grabbing some coffee my husband and I started the tour with our children. We really enjoyed this tour because it was at our own pace and we got to do it in the comfort of our own car. I loved the areas this tour covered because the views were so beautiful. We would have never chose to go out of our way to do this otherwise. And the fact that we were learning about the history and finding other gems to travel back to, like the observatory. I highly recommend this tour to adults and families alike. You will be so glad you treated yourself. The set up is super easy and the GPS function follows you and updates automatically while you are on the road.

pmojo685

My wife and I had rented a convertible which turned out to be ideal for this drive. It's a long drive (especially if you attempt the whole thing) so we opted to skip the Palomar section and head straight for Borrego Springs. We had to re-launch the app after a long lunch break but otherwise it operated smoothly. The audio was timed well and the narrative was great - we learned quite a bit even though we used to live in San Diego. If you like taking the "scenic route" I would recommend it, we enjoyed it.

nataliekorda

I do not recommend this self-driving tour. It doesn't even start you in the right direction from the starting point. *You can't turn left out of the shopping plaza.) So many times the app glitched during the drive and kicked me out. Then, you have to scroll through to get to where you were. Many times there were no directions (spoken or written), so you had to figure out the way to go. These issues happened so much just halfway through the trip. I got stuck in Borrego Springs. No directions. Then my phone wouldn't bring up a map to go home. I spent 5 hours on the portion I did and wanted to finish, but this was an absolutely frustrating experience.

Travelforfun1946

The auto app did not work, we were issued a full credit. The trip is long, which is mentioned in the description. We went ahead and did the trip following a review i had with us. The iron sculptures were ok. Julian was the highlight of the trip. I'm sure it would had been more interesting if we had the app.

Rlund611

We had a very busy day of sightseeing in North County San Diego. Started out at Queen Califia's Magic Circle (what a beautiful Mosaic Sculpture Garden) in Escondido, followed by lunch at 'That Mexican Place' for delicious breakfast burritos! Then, off to the Palomar Observatory to see one of the oldest 200 inch telescopes still in use! Incredible!!.. Next off to Borrego Springs to see the Galleta Meadows crafted metal animal sculptures... WOW! this is fantastic! Then, a beautiful drive through the Anza Borrego Desert to the beautiful town of Julian for some delicious pie and ice cream!! what a great day of sightseeing!!!

Pete_M

It’s a cool product. You can see other tours. It took a bit to figure out but it was interesting to hear the history of the area and do it at my pace.

Guide774743

Really great for those who like to ride and discover. Our best outing of the week. Different attractions and landscapes. We made more stops than those suggested, in 8 hours, and did not complete the route due to lack of clarity. The optional trip to the observatory is worth the detour, the second less so. The apple pie is delicious and its village, Julian, is very pretty. No access fees in the visited portion. No need to purchase the adventure for more than one person. A full day! Do not miss.

Collected by Evendo & our supplier partners

2024-06-23 20:06