San Diego is about six hours west of Phoenix, and while most people might think that there’s nothing but desert between the two cities, we’re going to show you that even though the land might be dry, it’s anything but boring! That’s right—there are a number of hidden gems scattered along these desert roads, and from telescopes and cacti to prisons and wolves, the destinations that dot the way from Phoenix to San Diego are about as entertaining as they come.
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
📍 Tucson (AZ)
Multifaceted Attraction with a Zoo, Aquarium, Botanical Gardens, and More!
2021 N. Kinney Road | West of Tucson | www.desertmuseum.org
Tucson is close to two hours southeast of Phoenix, and it’s a city that’s brimming with exciting attractions—some of the most popular of which include the Pima Air & Space Museum, Mission San Xavier del Bac, Reid Park Zoo, the Arizona State Museum, and Old Tucson. But, one of the ultimate spots to visit in Tucson is actually on the western outskirts of the city: the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, a hybrid between a park and a museum that contains gardens, live animals, an aquarium, and more!
Whether you learn more about native desert plant life at the Cactus Garden, investigate the region’s geology at the Earth Sciences Center, or see the wild cats at Cat Canyon, the Desert Museum is an attraction that truly has something for everyone. Other notable exhibits include the Warden Aquarium, the Walk-in Aviary, and the Desert Loop Trail. But, because most of the museum is outside, don’t forget to dress appropriately with light clothing and comfortable shoes—there’s a lot of walking involved! (The museum’s hours and admission prices are seasonal, so make sure you check the website before planning your visit!)
Kitt Peak National Observatory
📍 Tohono O'odham Nation (AZ)
Astronomical Research Facility Southwest of Tucson
Arizona State Route 386 | Schuk Toak District | www.noao.edu
Close to three hours south of Phoenix (and around an hour southwest of Tucson), Kitt Peak National Observatory is another place that’s well worth a detour on your way to San Diego. Part of the National Optical Astronomy Observatory, Kitt Peak National Observatory is a mountaintop observatory that’s located within the Tohono O’odham Nation, the second-largest reservation in Arizona. A state-of-the-art astronomical facility, Kitt Peak has three nighttime telescopes (plus the 22 optical telescopes and two radio telescopes that are owned by its tenant observatories) and shares a site with the neighborhooding National Solar Observatory.
The Kitt Peak Visitor Center is open daily from 9 am to 3:45 pm for members of the public who are interested in daytime tours of the observatory grounds. Nighttime programs are also available for reservation, and while the daytime tours are free, touring and utilizing the observatory at night does cost money (ticket prices vary). But, one thing’s for sure: Whether you visit during the day or at night, this world-class facility is sure to leave you starstruck!
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
📍 Ajo (AZ)
International Biosphere Reserve with Stunning Desert Wilderness
10 Organ Pipe Drive | South of Ajo | www.nps.gov
About two-and-a-half hours southwest of Phoenix, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is a natural paradise in the middle of the Sonoran Desert. Designated an International Biosphere by the United Nations Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organization (UNESCO), this protected stretch of desert land contains several rare species of plants, including desert capers, night-blooming cereus, cottonwood trees, pomegranate trees, and, of course, the monument’s namesake, organ pipe cactuses. Wildlife, too, inhabits Organ Pipe, and some of the animals that can be found in this part of Arizona include mountain lions, desert bighorn sheep, Sonoran pronghorns, kangaroo rats, javelinas, mule deer, coyotes, gila monsters, desert tortoises, jackrabbits, and hummingbirds.
Hiking, camping, biking, and horseback riding can all be enjoyed at Organ Pipe, as can photography, birding, and scenic driving. The most popular time of the year to visit Organ Pipe is during the winter months when the weather is still warm but not overwhelmingly hot. (Temperatures frequently reach 100-plus degrees Farenheit in the summer!) Ranger-led interpretive programs are offered January through March, and some of the programs include informative talks, van tours, and moonlight hikes. Even if you can’t take part in a program, still be sure to stop by the Kris Eggle Visitor Center, which is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm. Recommended attire at Organ Pipe includes a wide-brimmed hat, comfortable clothing, and walking shoes or hiking boots—plus ample sunscreen and plenty of water!
Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park
📍 Yuma (AZ)
Tour the Ruins of Arizona’s First Prison
220 Prison Hill Road | Modesti | www.azstateparks.com
Yuma, Arizona, is around three hours southwest of Phoenix and just a little under three hours east of San Diego, and it’s a charming little city that makes for an ideal halfway stopping point, not to mention a fun place to explore. Some of Yuma’s leading attractions include Castle Domes Mine Museum & Ghost Town, The Camel Farm, the Yuma Proving Ground Heritage Center, and Martha’s Gardens Medjool Date Farm. However, the place that Yuma’s best known for is probably Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park, a former prison that opened in 1876, more than 30 years before Arizona officially became a state. While the prison was only in active use for 33 years, it remains a symbol of the town’s long history and its preservation is a testament to Yuma’s pride in its heritage.
Today, you can see the prison’s original cell blocks, water tower, guard tower, entrance gate, library room, and, perhaps most infamous, the “dark cell,” a solitary confinement cell that measures 10 feet by 10 feet and was used to punish misbehaving prisoners. (Yuma Territorial Prison is rumored to be haunted, and the park offers a ghost tour of the facility every October!) Also on the premises is a museum where you can find artifacts, photographs, and more information about the prison and its history.
Desert View Tower
📍 Jacumba (CA)
70-Foot-Tall Stone Lookout Tower Built in the 1920s
In-Ko-Pah Park Road | Northeast of Jacumba Hot Springs | www.jacumbaresort.com
Desert View Tower is about 80 minutes east of San Diego, and if you’re looking for a mix of history, architecture, and amazing views, then this is the place for you! Built in the 1920s by Bert Vaughn, a local developer and former mayor of San Diego, the stone tower reaches 70 in the air, rewarding visitors with an optimal lookout spot to admire the natural beauty of the surrounding area. Speaking of the surrounding area, another cool place to check out while you’re driving through this part of California is Boulder Park, a secluded park that’s filled with—you guessed it—rocks and boulders.
While they might not be a major destination on your drive from Phoenix to San Diego, Desert View Tower and Boulder Park are perfect for a little offbeat adventuring through a somewhat underappreciated portion of the state. Photography and wandering are the two main things to do here, but the sweeping desert scenery alone makes this a can’t-miss stop on the drive. (And, the artistic designs of W.T. Ratcliffe, who carved many of the boulders in Boulder Park to resemble animals, certainly add some extra layers of enchantment to the area!)
California Wolf Center
📍 Julian (CA)
Wolf Sanctuary with Resident Mexican Gray Wolves
470 K Q Ranch Road | Southeast of Julian | www.californiawolfcenter.org
Julian, California, is slightly over an hour northeast of San Diego, and it’s a lovely mountain town where you’ll find everything from outdoor recreation and U-pick orchards to museums and delicious restaurants. Among Julian’s headlining attractions are Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, Calico Ranch Orchard, the Julian Pioneer Museum, and Apple Alley Bakery. But, if you’re an animal lover, then one place you don’t want to skip in this part of the state is the California Wolf Center, which is around 10 minutes southeast of Downtown Julian.
A participant in Mexican Wolf Species Survival Plan, the California Wolf Center is one of the largest sanctuaries for Mexican gray wolves in the United States. While many of the center’s wolves are kept in private habitats in the hopes of rereleasing them into the wild, the wolves that are unfit to live on their own can be seen by visitors who tour the center. Visits to the center are by reservation only, and a variety of public tours and programs are offered throughout the week at scheduled times. (Admission prices range from $20 per person to $50 per person depending on the tour that you book.)
Queen Califia’s Magical Circle
📍 Escondido (CA)
Sculpture Garden By the Late Niki de Saint Phalle
3333 Bear Valley Parkway | Kit Carson Park | www.escondido.org
Escondido, California, is around 30 minutes northeast of San Diego, and it makes for a delightful last stop on the drive from Phoenix. Some of the top places to go in Escondido are the EcoVivarium, the San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum, Daley Ranch, and Dixon Lake. Another spot in the city that you should try to get to is Kit Carson Park, an eclectic green space with hiking trails, ponds, a playground, and an arboretum. Inside the arboretum (which is officially named the Iris Sankey Arboretum), you’ll find the only American sculpture garden by the famed French-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle: Queen Califia’s Magical Circle, one of the internationally-recognized sculptor’s final major works before her death in 2002.
Named after a mythical warrior queen from a novel written in the early 1500s, Queen Califia’s Magical Circle is an array of colors, creatures, and mosaics. The maze-like work features serpents, totems, and the imperial Califia (also spelled Calafia) herself—all encompassed within a circular wall that’s surrounded by the park well-kept landscaping. (In the name of preserving the work, the sculpture garden is only open to the public during scheduled times, usually Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 am to noon, as well as the second and fourth Saturdays of every month from 9 am to 2 pm.)
Surf’s Up in San Diego!
With a nickname like “American’s Finest City,” it’s no wonder that San Diego has become such a popular travel destination—plus, the sunny skies, beautiful beaches, and action-packed attractions don’t hurt, either! As the second-largest city in California, San Diego has plenty to see and do, and whether you want to take a walk on the beach or tour some museums, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in the “City in Motion.” A few of the most-visited places in San Diego include Balboa Park (home of the world-famous San Diego Zoo!), the USS Midway Museum, the San Diego Museum of Art, and Seaport Village. All in all, in case you can’t already tell, you’re gonna love it here!
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