Journey with us on a 3-day celestial voyage to the Borrego Badlands, a designated Dark Sky Community perfect for stargazing.
Book NowDesert Skies & Celestial Wonders
Discover the magic of California's desert on this unforgettable 3-day getaway to Borrego Springs, an International Dark Sky Community renowned for its spectacular stargazing. Enjoy a two-night stay at the Borrego Springs Resort & Spa, complete with a welcome lunch and dinner at the resort. Explore the Anza-Borrego Desert Visitor Center with a guided naturalist tour and optional nature walk before experiencing an incredible evening of private stargazing led by a professional astronomer.
After a hearty breakfast, journey into the breathtaking Borrego Badlands on a comfortable, narrated backcountry adventure through colorful canyons, fascinating geology, and dramatic desert landscapes, with the afternoon free to relax at the resort.
On your final day, admire the Ricardo Breceda's whimsical metal sculptures, browse the charming shops in Julian, savor a delicious lunch in Wynola, and conclude your adventure at the unique Oasis Camel Dairy. With five included meals and several extraordinary desert experiences, this celestial escape is unlike any other.
Tour Fare:
$1250 per person double occupancy
$1430 per person single occupancy
Early Booking Savings:
First 20 guests to book save $100 per person
Guests 2130 to book save $75 per person
Guests 3140 to book save $50 per person
Deposit and Final Payment:
A deposit of $150 per person (plus optional CPP) is due at the time of booking.
Final balance due 45 days prior to departure date.
Cancellation Protection Plan (CPP):
Make your booking fully refundable with our add-on CPP, which allows you to cancel at any time for any reason and receive a full refund!
$125 per person, double or triple occupancy
$150 per person, single occupancy
DAY 1
Your adventure begins with an early morning departure from San Diego, heading east through the breathtaking Cuyamaca Mountains. Our first stop is the renowned Dudley's Bakery in Santa Ysabel, where you can treat yourself to their freshly baked specialty breads and explore the quaint gift shop. Next, take in the dramatic scenery along the Montezuma Grade Highway, pausing for a photo op at a stunning viewpoint offering panoramic views of the Anza-Borrego Desert, the shimmering Salton Sea, and even glimpses of Mexico in the distance. Upon arriving in Borrego Springs, a mouthwatering buffet lunch at the Borrego Springs Resort & Spa awaits you. After lunch, a local naturalist will guide us on a discovery of the fascinating beauty and serenity of the desert landscape. Visit the Borrego Springs Visitor Center and Museum, and take a leisurely nature walk to Hell's Canyon. Later, check in for a relaxing two-night stay at the Borrego Springs Resort & Spa, where a delicious welcome dinner with your fellow adventurers sets the stage for the days ahead. Then, as night falls, prepare for an unforgettable stargazing experience with renowned astronomer Alex Martin. In this designated Dark Sky Community, you'll be mesmerized by the waxing crescent moon and the dazzling desert night sky. Witness bright stars, distant galaxies, star-forming nebulae, and even Earth-orbiting satellites as you gaze into the cosmos through powerful telescopes. (Note: For a more personalized experience, the group will be divided into two, with alternating stargazing and Badlands tours on different days and times.)
L, DDAY 2
Start your day with a delicious breakfast buffet, then enjoy some time relaxing and soaking in the resort's amenities. Lounge by the sparkling pool, perfect your tennis game on the courts, or indulge in some pampering at the spa. Later, gear up for an exhilarating yet gentle off-road adventure through the stunning Borrego Badlands. This 2.5-hour tour will take you on a spectacular journey through breathtaking landscapes shaped by wind and water over millions of years. Marvel at the vibrant, otherworldly rock formations that rise from the desert like natural sculptures. Take a break under the cool shade of a palo verde tree, and explore the mysterious mud caves-whether you prefer to admire them from a distance or get up close and personal with these fascinating geological wonders. This gentle exploration of the Badlands offers a thrilling way to connect with nature, leaving you refreshed and inspired. Lunch and dinner are on your own this evening at the hotel restaurant, or you can take our optional free shuttle to other nearby dining establishments.
BDAY 3
Start your day with breakfast at the hotel before we embark on our journey home, filled with exciting explorations along the way. Our first highlight is in the surrounding Borrego Valley, where we'll pause for photos at Ricardo Breceda's captivating sculptures. These metal masterpieces, part of the extraordinary outdoor installation known as "Galleta Meadows," are scattered across the desert floor and feature an array of subjects, from prehistoric creatures like mammoths and saber-toothed tigers to a 350-foot-long sea serpent seemingly gliding through the sand. Next, we head to the historic gold mining town of Julian, famous for its delectable Julian Apple Pie and charming boutiques. You'll have time to explore the town's quaint streets and enjoy the refreshing pine forests. Afterward, we'll savor a delicious lunch in the charming town of Wynola before continuing our adventure to the Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona. Here, you'll enjoy a guided walking tour and an up-close encounter with camels and other farm animals. Known as America's first camel dairy, the tour offers an educational and entertaining experience, including demonstrations on camel milk harvesting and its various uses in cosmetics and other products. You'll also have the chance to purchase camel milk soaps, lotions, and more. We return to San Diego early evening, bringing new friendships and wonderful memories from your Borrego Badlands & Stargazing adventure.
B, LB=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
Tour Manager:*
TBA
*Tour Manager is subject to change without notice.
Activity Level: High
The activity level of this tour is considered high. It involves walking on uneven, unpaved, and inclined surfaces at several stops throughout the tour. High steps are required to board the off-road vehicles, and guests will be disembarking the coach many times throughout the course of the tour.
Highest Elevation
The highest elevation encountered on this tour is approximately 5,000 feet for a few hours.
Round-trip luxury motor coach transportation from pickup locations throughout San Diego County
Professional driver
Professional tour manager onboard throughout the tour
Complimentary bottled water and snacks on the coach
Two-night stay at Borrego Springs Resort & Spa
Borrego Badlands off-road tour
Visit Dudley's Bakery and Historic Julian
Tour Ricardo Breceda's sculptures throughout the desert landscape
Stargazing experience led by one of America's favorite celestial tour guides
Visit the Oasis Camel Dairy Farm
Guided tour at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Server gratuities for included meals
Gratuities for celestial guide and off-road adventure guide
5 meals including 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 1 dinner
Meals not listed in the itinerary
Travel insurance
Room incidentals and personal items
Alcoholic beverages not listed in the itinerary
Gratuities for the tour manager and driver
Dress in layersdays are typically warm, while desert evenings can become quite cool during stargazing.
Wear comfortable walking shoes with good traction for sightseeing and optional walks.
Bring a light jacket, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a refillable water bottle.
The Badlands tour is a comfortable, narrated backcountry experience; roads may be uneven at times.
Don't forget your camera to capture the stunning desert scenery, night skies, sculptures, and camel encounters!
Booking your reservation is easy. Simply click the Book Now button above to select your date and confirm your space online, 24/7. You can also speak to a live agent through the DayTripper reservations department during regular business hours Monday thru Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at (619) 334-3394
A deposit of $150 per person is required to secure your booking, with the final balance due 45 days prior to departure.
Although not necessary to fully enjoy your trip, a personal smartphone can greatly enhance your tour experience. Take high-quality photos, share your experience on social media in real time, search for nearby restaurants and topics of interest, set reminders, and more.
45-Day Cancellation Deadline
If you purchased the Cancellation Protection Plan (CPP) before the cancellation deadline, your tour is fully refundable up until one hour prior to the tour departure time (see below). If you did not purchase the CPP you may cancel your booking forty-five (45) or more days prior to the departure date to receive a refund less a $100 per person cancellation fee. Alternatively, when you cancel your booking forty-five (45) or more days prior to the departure date, we can waive the cancellation fee and transfer the full amount to another tour or a non-refundable voucher, which can be applied to any future excursion booked within one year of the original tour date. Cancellations within 45 days of departure are nonrefundable and nontransferable for any reason if you did not purchase the CPP.
Passenger name changes, deviations, or other changes made by the passenger after the final payment deadline has passed will be assessed a $50 per person change fee plus any fees incurred by the service providers. No refunds, transfers or credits can be issued for any reason on bookings canceled after the cancellation deadline.
DayTripper Tours offers an optional Cancellation Protection Plan (CPP) for this tour. The CPP allows you to cancel your reservation for any reason at least one hour prior to your scheduled departure time for a full refund (less the cost of the CPP). The CPP may be purchased prior to the tours stated cancellation deadline. To cancel your reservation, please call (619) 334-3394 during business hours to notify a reservations agent, or leave a time-stamped voice message after hours at least one hour prior to your scheduled departure time, and your refund will be processed. CPP does not cover the single supplement of the remaining traveler when a traveling companion cancels from a double occupancy reservation. The CPP is not insurance, but rather an agreed-upon cancellation fee paid in advance for the right to cancel a reservation according to the terms stated in this clause. Protect yourself even further with Travel Insurance (see below). CPP is not offered on tours that include air, rail, or cruise line transportation.
At DayTripper Tours, we recommend you purchase insurance to help protect against unforeseen events such as flight delays, baggage loss, or even sudden sickness or injury, all of which could impact your excursion. In todays ever-changing travel environment, you can relax and enjoy your trip with the security of knowing those unexpected circumstances are covered by a travel protection plan. You can purchase travel insurance from any company you choose; however, for your convenience, we offer travel protection through Travelex Insurance Services (CA Agency License #0D10209). For more information and to receive a quote, click here. Please note: Your policy must be purchased on or before the date you submit your final payment for the tour in order to be eligible for the pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver.
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
| Name | Address | Times |
|---|---|---|
| La Mesa | Park & Ride #22 lot - 8703 Murray Dr, 91942 Narrow Park & Ride Across from Wells Fargo Bank | View |
| Mission Valley | 2005 Camino Del Este San Diego, CA 92108; Street parking only | View |
| Rancho Bernardo | Rancho Bernardo Transit Center 16785 West Bernardo Dr. 92127 white passenger curb | View |
| University City | 6245 Kantor Street, San Diego, CA 92122 Street parking only. Do not enter parking lot. | View |
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June 2026 Schedule of Upcoming Tours