There’s magic on hand in the deserts of San Diego’s hinterland, and the Sofia Hotel provides the perfect accommodations for witnessing it firsthand!

Only two hours from the city lies one of the crown jewels of California, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. And this time of year, the basins and foothills catch fire with the ephemeral blooms of stunning wildflowers. It’s a sight you’ll never forget!

Blooms in the Desert

Anza-Borrego protects some 600,000 acres of Colorado Desert wilderness. It’s one of America’s biggest state parks, and, due to the preciousness of its ecosystems and its wilderness, it’s classified as both a National Natural Landmark (by the National Park Service) and a World Biosphere Reserve.

Between late February and April, a plethora of different desert wildflowers bloom in spectacular fashion in the park. One of the exciting elements to glimpsing this bit of Colorado Desert phenology (its ecological calendar) is the temporal: The height of the flower display usually only lasts about two weeks. It takes the proper amount of rain (not too much, not too little) as well as warm (but not hot) temperatures and benevolent winds to facilitate the flowering.

The timing of those precise factors may seem daunting, but there are resources to help you schedule your visit. The park maintains a 24-hour “Wildflower Hotline” so you can receive the most up-to-date information on the wildflower situation. Just call 760-767-4684 to find out when you should beeline for Anza-Borrego!

The Sofia Hotel: Your Wildflower Headquarters

Take advantage of the exquisite guestrooms at the Sofia Hotel while you’re taking in the world-class show at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. It’s basically a straight shot (and beautiful drive) between the two: From the Sofia, you head out of the city, over the mountains, and into the otherworldly paradise of Southern California’s rugged deserts.

Don’t miss one of the San Diego region’s most sublime yearly phenomena: the wildflower explosion at Anza-Borrego!