Apple Pies & Desert Skies: A Self-Guided Driving Tour
+10 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 4–6 hours
- Price from
- $15 / person
- Location
- San Diego, United States
- Rating
- 4.1 / 5 · 17 reviews
- Languages
- EN, EN, ES, ES
- Group
- Private
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Drives & Detours
- Meeting point
- Use your favorite navigation app to make your way to the parking lot at the Plaza Del Lago shopping center, located at 3440 Del Lago Blvd, Escondido, CA 92029. Once you're there, open the Drives & Detours app and tap "Start Tour".
Description
Explore San Diego’s mountains, desert, and backcountry on a self-guided scenic driving tour from Escondido to Julian via Palomar Mountain and Borrego Springs. This 152-mile route takes you along some of the best backroads in Southern California, with GPS-triggered audio guiding you to overlooks, historic sites, and hidden stops along the way. Climb to the summit of Palomar Mountain to visit the famous Palomar Observatory, then descend into the desert landscapes of Anza-Borrego. Along the way, you’ll spot Borrego Springs’ iconic metal sculptures, sweeping valley views, and roadside viewpoints worth stopping for. The route finishes in the historic town of Julian—perfect for a slice of its famous apple pie. This flexible, self-paced tour lets you explore on your own schedule. Allow a full day to take in viewpoints, small towns, and optional short hikes like Borrego Palm Canyon. Bring water, snacks, and sun protection if you plan to stop and explore.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Next available
- Wed, Oct 28
- Group price
- $15 per vehicle, up to 7 people
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 27.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Queen Califia's Magical Circle
Queen Califia's Magical Circle is an outdoor sculpture garden created by artist Niki de Saint Phalle.
Enjoy a scenic overlook as you drive by Lake Wohlford.
Pauma Valley
Take in the spectacular views of Pauma Valley as we make our way to Palomar Mountain.
Palomar Observatory
Stop and visit the Palomar and Observatory and Museum, home to the famous 200-inch Hale Telescope.
Enjoy spectacular views of San Diego County from Kica Mik Overlook. Downtown San Diego and the Pacific Ocean are visible on clear days.
Another viewpoint on Palomar's East Grade Road provides breathtaking views of Lake Henshaw and the surrounding meadows.
Santa Ysabel Indian Mission
Stop and visit out one of southern California's famous mission churches, dating back to 1818.
Enjoy stunning views of the harsh desert landscape and the Salton Sea from the Montezuma Valley Road Scenic Overlook.
Stop at the Anza Borrego State Park Visitors Center before deciding if you'll take a short hike into Borrego Palm Canyon to see the fan palm oasis and seasonal creek. Be sure to keep an eye out for bighorn sheep, they blend in surprisingly well with the rocks!
We'll take you to the some of the most iconic metal sculptures in Borrego Springs. With more than 100 scattered across the desert, you could spend a whole day visiting them.
Julian
Explore the historic mining town of Julian, known today for its apple pies! We'll tell you the best place to go for pie, plus we'll point out several other local attractions worth visiting.
What's included
Included
App & Tour Download
Flexible Usage (unlimited access within 30-days)
Downloadable Content (pre-download tour to save data)
Not included
A Smartphone
Admission to Attractions
Transportation
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.1
17 reviews
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Palomar Observatory Closes at 3PM
- Anza Borrego Visitor Center Closes at 5PM
- Mom's Pies in Julian Closes at 5PM
- Eagle Mine in Julian Closes at 4PM
- Queen Califia's Has Extremely Limited Hours
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Apple Pies & Desert Skies: A Self-Guided Driving Tour take?
Apple Pies & Desert Skies: A Self-Guided Driving Tour lasts about 4–6 hours. The itinerary has 11 stops.
How much does Apple Pies & Desert Skies: A Self-Guided Driving Tour cost?
Prices start at $15 per person for this San Diego experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Apple Pies & Desert Skies: A Self-Guided Driving Tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day.
Can I cancel Apple Pies & Desert Skies: A Self-Guided Driving Tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Use your favorite navigation app to make your way to the parking lot at the Plaza Del Lago shopping center, located at 3440 Del Lago Blvd, Escondido, CA 92029. Once you're there, open the Drives & Detours app and tap "Start Tour". Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Apple Pies & Desert Skies: A Self-Guided Driving Tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN, EN, ES, ES.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 15 travellers can book together.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Apple Pies & Desert Skies: A Self-Guided Driving Tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.1 out of 5 across 17 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Drives & Detours.
Reviews(17)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
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from$15
4.1(17) Free cancellation