We're planning a 7-8 day trip to San Diego in January. After a few days in San Diego, where else shall we go? We like to hike and get outdoors. Would the 3-hour drive to Joshua Tree Nat'l Park be worthwhile in January?

4-5 days is a good time in SD if you're planning to going to the zoo and Wild Animal Park etc. It'll take 2-3 to see most interesting parts of the city itself. Joshua tree is worth the trip. You can also drive up to Laguna and Newport beaches in Orange County. Or you can do a couple days in LA.

There is so much to do that I think that you will be still be busy after a week..almost everything in SD is outdoors..have you done much research?

Hike Torrey Pines State Beach..

torreypine.org

Actually, we found Anza Borrego as equally interesting as Joshua Tree Ntl. Mon., since the Joshua Trees do not bloom in January. For hiking in the desert, Anza Borrego would be perfect in January.

We stayed at Borrego Springs Resort which we enjoyed very much (at affordable rates. Here my review:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...alifornia.html

traveller..you are so right about Anza-Borrego.
Gorgeous and always see the Borrego Springs hotel but always end up staying at Casa del Zorro but the place looks great and for what Casa charges, I could probably spend 3 days at the Borrego Springs..
Love to hike and look for Big Horn Sheep and we used to go to a natural hot springs carved in the mountain with palm trees and it really is an oasis.
Less than 2 hours from downtown.
Thanks for the info!

Anza Borrego is closer to San Diego, and also should be warmer.

The website desertusa.com has wildflower updates, you can check beginning in January.

http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/ca.html

The site has a good description of each park. The scenery is different, Joshua Tree has the boulders and Anza Borrego has eroded clay hills and washes that you can drive through (with the right vehicle). They are both worthwhile.

TahityTams:

We rented a 4-wheel-drive and enjoyed both driving through Joshua Tree Ntl. Mon. and Anza Borrego State Park. Anza Borrego is even better for 4-wheel-driving. But even with a normal car, you have access to wonderful hiking trails.

Yes, we were tempted to book Casa del Zorro, but finally thought we better spend the money for some top-notch restaurants in La Jolla. Borrego Springs Resorts has decent, spacious rooms, a great pool, a nice down-to-earth restaurant (where the Sheriff eats) - it matched with Anza Borrego perfectly.

What a great time of the year for your travels to San Diego! Joshua Tree is beautiful... But you need to go down to La Jolla for the day and walk around. You'll love the little village there, and the beach is really pretty and something to see. Of course there is the zoo, and sea world, if you want to see that? And don't forget to see Hotel Del Coronado, have lunch there.
http://sandiego.traveler.bz . You can also do a day tour to Ensenada?
http://sandiego.traveler.bz . I do agree with the others here, Take a trip to the OC' (Newport Beach or Huntington Beach) there is Fashion Island in Newport Beach, or just have lunch down at the pier. Newportbeach.com . And a trip to LA would be fun, you could take the train from SD, and spend the day in LA.

Have fun!

I wouldn't take the train to LA if you do decide to go. It's often late and it drops you off in Downtown LA. At most, you'll only see Downtown and Hollywood. Assuming you'll have a car in SD anyways since you need one there as well, you should drive to LA so you can pick and choose what to see depending on your interests since LA is so spread out.

Actually the Surfliner is almost always on time. I'm assuming smartcookie has never used it and is just posting general and often inaccurate info again. She must be bored.

Don't miss the Wild Animal Park. Do the photo caravan tour and feed rhino's and girraffe. Zoo is awesome, but Animal Park is even better.

Thanks for all the information. I never would have looked at Anza-Borrego Park without this input. It sounds like the perfect addition to a San Diego trip.

Anza Borrego had a very major fire last year. Also, the fires this fall burned on both sides of the park.

Maggie, the drive from San Diego to Anza Borrego is also very nice. There is a cozy little town called Julian in the middle of the way. It has farms and little shops and some old-west charme.

I find the other way even more spectacular. You drive from the desert into the green hills.

RB..the fire was named the Anza Borrego fire but it touched mostly on the outskirts of Julian..
there really isn't anything to burn in the desert.
Love Julian..big apple town with the best apple pie! cherry too..

Thanks to all for the advice. Your suggestion to see Anza-Borego State Park was perfect. I never would have found this amazing place without the advice. Hiked to Palm Canyon and the Slot, enjoyed the clear evening sky and stayed at the Borego Valley Inn which I highly recommend. San Diego in January was cool, sunny and fabulous.