Planning a Road Trip From Los Angeles
Continue north by taking SR79 and drive through Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, a beautiful area of meadows and mountain peaks.About 8 miles from the park at 4,220 feet, is the charming old village of Julian, surrounded by apple orchards and horse ranches. A very pretty place in Southern California . From Julian, travel northeast on SR78 out of the mountains. You'll be entering Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, a sandy desert landscape of cactus, and if you are there in late winter after a heavy rainfall, you will see a profusion of California wildflowers. Watch out for County Road S3, and take that north to Borrego Springs. If you are interested in the flora, fauna, and geology of the desert, stop by the visitors center for an introduction. It's located on Palm Canyon Drive, just west of County Road S22. Stay on County Road S22, and go east. Now you will be driving through badlands of rugged canyons and gullies that have been sculpted by erosion over centuries. Less than an hour after leaving Borrego Springs, you will reach SR86. Turn north and drive up the west side of Salton Sea. Salton Sea os one of the world's largest inland saltwater bodies. The surface is 228 feet below sea level.
Palm Springs Golf Course
Continue your road trip plan on SR86 and go north to SR111. Follow the signs to enter the fabulous desert resort city of Palm Springs.
It's know for being a weekend getaway for celebrities since the 1920's, and it's also a golfer's paradise, as some of the best golf courses in Southern California are located here. This is a great place to stop for some relaxation and shopping, before continuing on your Southern California road trip. So when planning a road trip allow for some extra time here. To leave Palm Springs, return to SR111 and go northwest to 1-10. From this road junction go 22 miles to Calimesa on the northside of the highway. Head east on County Line Road to Bryant Street, and turn north to SR38. Turn right, and in less than 3 miles, you will be in San Bernardino National Forest. At Angelus Oaks the elevation is 5,800 feet.
Lake Arrowhead Village
About a mile west of Skyforest, turn north on SR173 to Lake Arrowhead, a charming lakeside village with alpine style shops and restaurants.We love taking the cruise around the lake. You can watch some very beautiful lake side homes, some are owned by celebrities. The boating on the lake is restricted to home owners, so these homes provide the privacy these celebs want.To return to SR18, go west on SR189. This will take you into Blue Jay, before taking you back to the highway.Continue west, and within 8 miles, SR18 turns south to San Bernardino. Watch for the sign to SR259, then 1-125. They lead south to 1-10, and back to Los Angeles.