Journey with us on a 3-day celestial adventure to the historic La Casa del Zorro in Borrego Springs, a designated Dark Sky Community perfect for stargazing
Book NowDesert Skies & Celestial Wonders
Discover the magic of Californias spellbinding desert on this unforgettable 3-day getaway to Borrego Springs, an International Dark Sky Community renowned for spectacular stargazing. Enjoy a two-night stay at La Casa del Zorro Desert Resort & Spa, an elegant desert oasis with a history dating back to 1937. Its luxurious accommodations and tranquil setting provide an inviting retreat between adventures. Begin with a welcome lunch at Carlees before exploring the Anza-Borrego Desert Visitor Center with your Tour Manager, including an optional nature walk. Then settle into the resort and gather for a welcome dinner. Over the two evenings, each half of our group will enjoy a private stargazing session 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. Part of the day will be free to unwind, savor La Casa del Zorros relaxed atmosphere, and perhaps pamper yourself with a spa treatment.
On your final day, take a scenic motor coach tour past Ricardo Brecedas giant metal sculptures scattered throughout the desert landscape, with stops for photos and selfies beside these imaginative creations. Later, travel to Julian for lunch and browsing before concluding your adventure at the unique Oasis Camel Dairy, where you'll tour the facility, feed the camels and browse their store.
With four included meals, an elegant resort stay, and extraordinary desert experiences, this celestial escape blends relaxation, discovery, and starry nights.
Tour Fare:
$1295 per person double occupancy
$1485 per person single occupancy
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 Dudley's Bakery in Santa Ysabel, where you can purchase freshly baked specialty breads and explore the quaint gift shop. Next, take in the dramatic scenery along the Montezuma Grade Highway, pausing for photos at a viewpoint overlooking the vast Anza-Borrego Desert, with distant views of the Salton Sea. Upon arriving in Borrego Springs, enjoy an included lunch at Carlee's before visiting the Anza-Borrego Desert Visitor Center, where exhibits introduce the region's fascinating natural history. Join your Tour Manager for an optional nature walk before continuing to La Casa del Zorro Desert Resort & Spa for a relaxing two-night stay. Dating back to 1937, this elegant desert oasis welcomes you with luxurious accommodations and a tranquil atmosphere. Settle in before gathering with your fellow travelers for an included welcome dinner. As night falls, half of our group will join a professional astronomer for a private stargazing experience beneath Borrego Springs' famously dark skies. Powerful telescopes offer a closer look at celestial wonders, while expert narration brings the desert night sky to life. The other half will enjoy their stargazing session the following evening.
For a more personalized experience, the group will be divided into two, with stargazing and Borrego Badlands excursions scheduled at different times. Your Tour Manager will explain your group's schedule.
DAY 2
Start your day with a delicious breakfast at the resort, then enjoy some time relaxing and soaking in the resort's amenities. Lounge by the sparkling pool, perfect your tennis or pickleball game on pristine 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
Your day begins with breakfast at the resort before departing for San Diego, with more discoveries along the way. Enjoy a scenic motor coach tour through the Borrego Valley to admire Ricardo Breceda's captivating metal sculptures scattered across the desert landscape at Galleta Meadows. These larger-than-life creations range from prehistoric mammoths and saber-toothed tigers to a spectacular 350-foot-long serpent seemingly weaving through the sand. We'll stop along the way so you can step off the coach for photos and selfies beside these imaginative masterpieces. Next, travel into the mountains to the historic gold mining town of Julian, where you'll have time to browse charming boutiques, stroll the quaint streets, and enjoy lunch on your own. Perhaps treat yourself to a slice of the apple pie that has made this mountain town famous. Our final stop is the Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona for a guided walking tour and an up-close encounter with camels and other farm animals. Learn about these fascinating creatures and the dairy's camel milk products, with an opportunity to shop for soaps, lotions, and other unique gifts. Return to San Diego in the early evening with new friendships and wonderful memories of your Borrego Badlands & Stargazing adventure.
BB=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
Tour Manager:*
Bobbi Lona
*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, sandy and inclined surfaces at several stops throughout the tour. High steps may be 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 La Casa del Zorro 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
Visitor Center at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Server gratuities for included meals
Gratuities for celestial guide and off-road adventure guide
2 meals including 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 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!
Spa treatments may be available by calling the spa directly 760-767-8034 and should be scheduled for day 2 of your visit.
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 Without Cancellation Protection
If you purchased the Cancellation Protection Plan (CPP) before the cancellation deadline, your tour is fully refundable up until two hours 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Escondido | Escondido Transit Center 700 W. Valley Parkway 92025. Wait near Dock #4 | View |
| 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; In-N-Out Burger San Diego, CA 92108; Street parking only | View |
| University City | 6245 Kantor Street, San Diego, CA 92122 Street parking only. Do not enter parking lot. | View |
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