This group is for anyone who loves exploring the lesser-known parts of California, from dusty desert roads, to hidden Gold Rush towns, remote wilderness areas to secret locales within easy reach of cities. Road trip ideas, state history, natural history, hiking and camping, quirky hotels, classic saloons, it's all fair-game here. Whether you're looking for ghost towns, stalking rare flora and fauna, or simply wanting to find an interesting way from a to B, come on in - all are welcome!
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docbrown I'll start things off with one of my favorite spots, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. In good years you can get grand sweeps of blooming flowers across the desert landscape and it can be truly stunning. Pink sand verbena, yellow Encelias, purple Phacelias, the crimson flowers of ocotillo – it’s hard to beat. Even in bad years there’s plenty of wildflower hunting to be done - keep an eye out for such beauties as the ghost flower (Mohavea confertiflora) and the desert lily (Hesperocallis undulata). This is also one of the few places to see the only native California palm, +Washingtonia filifera+ and the unusual Elephant tree. Because Anza-Borrego blooms early like the rest of the desert, you have to start thinking of getting out there around early March, but it can vary year on year.