DeAnza Springs Resort is in eastern San Diego county. At an elevation of 2,600 feet it’s considered high desert with warm days and cool nights. DeAnza is on 500 acres adjacent to the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park offering endless miles of remote hiking trails. It was a perfect getaway from the COVID-19 madness.
DeAnza Springs-Jacumba, California
DeAnza Springs Resort is very isolated, but has all the amenities we needed. From Ajo, Arizona it was about a 5 hour drive. We stayed in Jacumba about 1.5 years ago. A wonderful layover before the city craziness of San Diego.
Most activities were still closed because of the Coronavirus, the stay was all about hiking.
Its always a treat to have just enough comforts and not be surrounded by highway, trains, planes, or be packed in like sardines.
We will always take a bit of rustic for peace and quiet.
This dilapidated building may have once been used for a movie set. The locals fixed it up and turned it into an impromptu place for happy hours and food.
A few wildflowers were still in bloom.
The yucca were just starting their flowery show.
The same prickly pear and hedgehog cactus we saw in Tucson, were also blooming here.
It was an indulgence to see so many barrel cactus in bloom too.
Each night there was a sunset worth taking a short hike to witness amongst the strewn boulders.
The Goat Canyon Trestle Bridge can be hiked or mountain biked. It’s a 16 mile round trip trail with stunning views. The tracks are privately owned and there are numerous signs noting it. The tracks are occasionally patrolled. Those in violation are issued trespassing tickets. All the graffiti and damage to the old train cars doesn’t help either. Maybe, one day, San Diego County will purchase the land and convert it into public use.
The photography opportunities are endless.
We love seeing all the wildlife. The occasional jack rabbit were skittish and hard to photograph.
It was snake season. In 3 weeks, we saw 4 rattlesnakes. Some could seem too care less while we walked around them.
Others, no matter how far away, are ready to strike. These are Red Diamond Rattlesnakes. They are only found in extreme southern California into Baja. They can grow to 5 feet in length. These two were only about 3 feet. The big ones will dine on rabbit. I got into the habit of not listening to music while hiking, wearing leather hiking boots and thick blue jeans. I also scan the the ground while hiking, only to take in the scenery when standing still. Their strike distance is about half their body length.
