Scenic Sunday Drives: Short on Length, Long on Leisure

Smiling couple sitting in car before road trip

If you’re eager to hit the road again but want to hold off on a long trip that requires lots of advance planning, then Sunday drives are the perfect in-between solution.

Check out these shorter stretches of road that offer all the amazing scenery without any of the commitment.

Just hop in and cruise!

Purple wildflowers at Anza Borrego State Park

Wildflowers at Anza Borrego State Park

Desert Dreamscape: State Route 79

Distance: About 66 miles one way

Route 79 from Palm Springs to Temecula is the perfect way to enjoy a scenic desert drive without straying too far from civilization.

 

The Route:

Head out of Palm Springs up the grade on State Route 79. Turn right on Montezuma Valley Road then right again on San Felipe Road. Take for about 37 miles into Temecula.

 

Along the Way:

Downtown Palm Springs: Fuel up for the journey in one of the many charming brunch spots along Main Street.

Anza Borrego State Park: Learn about the area’s rich history, plants and animals, and hikes, including The Slot, a 0.8-mile trek through a narrow canyon.

Metal Sculptures: Check out more than 100 metal sculptures ranging from wild horses to a 350-foot serpent in Borrego Springs’ most unusual attraction.

Warner-Carrillo Ranch House: This adobe home in Warner Springs served as a Butterfield Stage Stop from 1858 until the start of the Civil War in 1861.

Temecula Valley: Cap off your trip with a toast in one of over 50 vineyards in Southern California wine country.

 

Picnic Spot:

Christmas Circle Park in the heart of Borrego Springs is a tiny oasis in the middle of the desert with grassy areas, restrooms, and picnic tables.

 

After all the fun out on the open road, circle back for a relaxing stay at Indian Palms Vacation Club, next door to a golf course and just minutes from downtown Palm Springs.

 

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