17 Palms Oasis View
This pic shows the beautiful desert view looking north from the 17 Palms Oasis in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
Links: previous related post
Off-Highway Exploring
McCain Valley Cave
This pic looks out from a small cave on the side of the road leading to the Sacatone Overlook in the McCain Valley Resource Conservation Area, which is off I8 just north of Boulevard, CA.
Hawk Canyon
A beautiful place for primitive camping is Hawk Canyon in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The sandstone cliffs are salmon colored and an unusual shade of green, and were once part of a ancient marine environment. Not far to the west is The Slot, an interesting slot canyon, and subject of an earlier post.
Font’s Point
Font’s Point was named for Father Pedro Font, official chaplain and diarist on Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza’s expeditions of 1775-76, who described the scene as “the sweepings of the earth”. This viewpoint of the Borrego Badlands is located east of Borrego Springs, about 4 miles south of the S22.
Links: DesertUSA
Sandstone Canyon
The Slot
One of my favorite spots in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is “The Slot”, a small slot canyon that is about 2 miles north of the 78. The turnoff is just a little ways east of its intersection with Borrego Springs Road and should be marked as Buttes Pass Road. Keep left at the intersection that you come to after about a mile. If the road looks too challenging, hike in from the 78.
Links: ABDSP Wheelingit
Kelso Dunes
The Kelso Dunes are situated in the southwestern corner of the Mojave National Preserve, covering an area of 45 sq. miles, with the tallest part of the dunes reaching 650 feet in height. They are accessed down a 3 mile graded dirt road that takes off of Kelbaker Road, not far from the Kelso Depot/Park Visitor’s Center. Hiking is allowed.
Links: NPS previous related post
Oceano Dunes SVRA
Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA) is located in Oceano/Pismo Beach and provides 1,500 acres of beautiful sand dunes and beach area for roaming about in your OHV, dirt bike, dune buggy, 4×4, etc. Camping is allowed on the beach south of Post 2 and in the open dune area.
Links: Oceano SVRA previous related post
Red Rock Canyon State Park
Red Rock Canyon State Park is located where the southernmost end of the Sierra Nevada meet the El Paso Mountains, about an hour north of Lancaster. The campsites in Ricardo Campground back up against dramatic desert cliffs. Off highway exploring opportunities abound in the nearby Dove Springs and Jawbone Canyon OHV areas.
Pismo State Beach
Pismo State Beach is the only place in Central and Southern California where you can legally drive on the beach. The main entrance is at the Oceano Beach Access on Pier Avenue in Oceano, but there is also another entrance at Grover Beach. Heading south on the beach takes you to Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA) where you can camp on the beach and explore in your 4×4, dune buggy, ATV, dirt bike, etc.
Links: CA Parks List of driving beaches in CA
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