Checking out the wildflowers at Anza-Borrego State Park...

 According to its Visitor Information Guide, Anza Borrego State Park is the largest State Park in California.  

The park covers over 1,000 square miles!

Since our time was limited on this Sunday afternoon, picking one area to explore was the most logical course of action.

But which area?  

Of course, there's the Wildflower Hotline (760-767-4684), but we felt that the best bet would be to just ask someone at the Park's Visitor Center.

When we arrived at the Visitor Center on Palm Canyon Drive, we found a park staff-member sitting at a table outside the building (a storefront in a shopping center, actually). Of special interest to us are Ocotillo plants, which we thought we would be blooming.

The staff member suggested that we try Coyote Canyon, which is accessed via a dirt road which begins north of town.  Several times, the woman asked us if we had four-wheel drive. I told her that we have an all-wheel drive small SUV.  She stated that that should be ok.

Once we were back in the car, I told my wife that we would go as far as we could, before turning back due to treacherous terrain.  

Our Subaru Forester is capable of light off-road use - which I take advantage of, frequently.  But, I have to be very careful.

As it turned out, I needn't have worried, as the trail was basically a hard-packed dirt road, with many visitors traversing it in their cars.

Desert Dandelion, surrounded by Sand Verbena.

How do I know what kinds of wildflowers these are?  The answer is simple!  I purchased a copy of "Wildflowers of Anza-Borrego State Park" at the Visitor Center!

Desert Lily.

Brown-Eyed Evening Primrose- White Variety.

I think.  

I'm not sure what variety of wildflowers these are.

As can be seen in this image, the Ocotillo are just starting to bloom.

     Coyote Canyon in the fading light.

                            The sand shown along the trail in this image is the deepest that we encountered in Coyote Canyon.  It was easily driven in our vehicle, which is shown in the photo.

However, trail conditions do change, so it's always wise to check conditions beforehand, be prepared to turn back, and to know the capabilities and limitations of your vehicle.  And its driver.

The drive to Anza-Borrego took two and a half hours from our home in Fontana.  Although the area was not exactly blanketed in wildflowers, we didn't explore other areas of the park, and the season is just beginning.  

The drive itself was beautiful-as we passed  many vineyards and rolling hills along the way.  Much of the drive along Rte. 79 heading into the park involves steep downhill grades, with curves and sheer-drop-offs along the sides of the road.  

All-in-all it was a wonderful day, and we are looking forward to coming back later in the season.