L AT I ME S .
CO M
ROAD TRIPS PLACES TO GO
HONEY, APPLE PIE AND THE SALTON SEA
ETHAN GREINER , 3, of Escondido plays in sand amid a sea of blooms at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Other options include hiking trails and wilderness areas.
By Irene Lechowitzky
The route: Los Angeles to the
Salton Sea on Interstate 5, Cali-
fornia 78 and 79, San Diego County
Roads S2 and S22, Borrego Salton
Seaway.
Miles: About 410 miles round trip,
380 if you return by way of Palm
Springs.
Best time: Spring for blooming
wildflowers and temperate
weather; summer for heat-seekers.
Why: The drive through back-
country San Diego County de-
scending into the desert is a de-
light. You’ll climb the hills east of
Escondido, drop into the Ramona
Valley (www.ramonavalleyvine
yards.com) with its farms, ranches
and wineries, then plunge thou-
STEER YOUR STAGECOACH TO SANTA YNEZ
COLD SPRING CANYON Arch Bridge on California 154 north of Santa Barbara is near Stagecoach Road, a worthy detour if you’re OK with making hairpin turns.
By Sharon Boorstin
The route: Los Angeles to the
Santa Ynez Valley by way of U.S.
101 and California 154, the Chu-
mash Highway, over the San Mar-
cos Pass; return along the ocean
on U.S. 101.
Miles: About 275 miles round trip
Best time: Spring for green hills;
the rest of the year for golden.
Why: Take the scenic — and his-
toric — route to Santa Barbara
wine country, climbing from the
ocean and U.S. 101 on California 154
into the Santa Ynez Mountains,
Los
Angeles
10
5 center to get the skinny on hiking
405
15
Temecula
Pacific
Ocean
5 Springs
78
Oceanside
Sources: Mapzen, OpenStreetMap
sands of feet to the desert floor
and Borrego Springs, continuing
on to the Salton Sea (www
.parks.ca.gov?page_id=639).
Highlights: Grab some fresh
produce and honey from farm
and crossing over the scenic 2,000-
foot San Marcos Pass.
Highlights: Before you reach the
Cold Spring Canyon Arch Bridge,
the highest such bridge in Cali-
fornia, take a 3½-mile detour down
historic Stagecoach Road. This
two-laner with hairpin turns fol-
lows the precarious route stage-
coaches took from 1860 to 1901.
Reconnect with 154 and drive back
up the hill to the Rancho Cielo
Vista Point. Colorful signs fill you
in on the breathtaking panorama
that extends across the Santa
Ynez Valley below to the distant
San Rafael Mountains. A rugged
wilderness, the mountains offer a
sanctuary for endangered Cali-
S U N DAY, J U N E 11, 2 017 S7
Francine Orr Los Angeles Times
20 MILES der-filled landscape and desert Memorable meal: The unpreten-
vistas. Stop at the Anza-Borrego tious Red Ocotillo (redocotillo
Desert State Park (www.parks 2.homestead.com) in Borrego
.ca.gov/?page_id=638) visitor Springs serves up a perfect club
10
sandwich and a side of mixed
Palm trails and wilderness areas. Check greens at lunch; burgers are popu-
Springs Indio
out Ricardo Breceda’s whimsical lar, and breakfast is a big draw.
10 metal sculptures (prehistoric
86 mammals and more) scattered Tourist trap or treat: The Julian
around Borrego Springs. See the Pie Co. (www.lat.ms/julianpieco)
Borrego Salton results of millions of years of geo- in Santa Ysabel is definitely a
City logic turmoil on the drive through tourist trap — and definitely a
S22 Salton the Borrego Badlands to the sur- delightful treat. The aroma from
Escondido Sea
79 real Salton Sea, California’s acci- the baking pies is irresistible, so
78 dental ocean in the desert. why resist? Indulge in a slice of
one of the many varieties of apple
L o u S p ir i t o Los Angeles Times Memorable stay: Spend a few pie.
bucks and stay at La Casa del
stands in the Ramona Valley. Shop Zorro (www.lacasadelzorro.com) Plan to spend: L.A. to Escondido
for antiques on Main Street in in Borrego Springs, a sprawling is about two hours; the drive from
Ramona, and get a Guy Fieri- resort with five swimming pools, there to the Salton Sea can be
approved cinnamon roll at the a spa, tennis courts and a fitness done in another two hours — but
Ramona Café (www.theramona center. Bring some pals and don’t rush! Slow down, enjoy the
cafe.com). Pull over along S22 to rent a casita with a private pool scenery, then take a couple of days
shoot photos of the striking boul- or spa. to decompress from city life.
George Rose Getty Images
fornia condors that were reintro- Tourist trap or treat: Definitely
CALIFORNIA
duced to the wild by the Los Ange- treat. One bite of the crusty
Los les Zoo. artisanal breads and buttery
Angeles pastries at Bob's Well Bread
Detailed
101 Memorable stay: The Alamo (www.bobswellbread.com), and
Motel (www.rememberthealamo you’ll end up taking home not
50 MILES Pacific Ocean motel.com) in Los Alamos is bare just wine from the wine country
bones yet funky-chic. The beds but baked goods as well. This
are comfy, and for $135 you can get world-class bakery-café, set in a
Los Alamos 10 MILES a room with a claw-footed bath- former 1920s gas station in Los
101 tub. Alamos, is alone worth the road
Santa trip.
Ynez Memorable meal: Sy Kitchen
Lake Cachuma
Las (www.sykitchen.com) in tonier Plan to spend: About two and a
Cruces 154 Santa Ynez serves terrific Italian half to three hours for the drive.
101 cuisine. Savor homemade pap- Once you’re in Santa Barbara
101 pardelle with fresh local chante- wine country, enjoy a day or two of
Pacific Ocean Santa Barbara
relle mushrooms, Parmesan tasting its superlative Pinot Noirs,
Sources: Mapzen, OpenStreetMap cheese and a kiss of thyme from Syrahs and Rhône blends before
L o u S p i r i t o Los Angeles Times the garden. heading home.