Apple Pies & Desert Skies: A Self-Guided Driving Tour
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.1/5
Based on 17 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Apple Pies & Desert Skies: A Self-Guided Driving Tour worth booking?
Apple Pies & Desert Skies: A Self-Guided Driving Tour is a 4-hour experience in San Diego, United States, from $15 per person. It scores 59 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.1/5 rating across 17 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 59 / 100
- Rating
- 4.1/5 (17)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $15 per person
Explore San Diego’s mountains, desert, and backcountry on a self-guided scenic driving tour from Escondido to Julian via Palomar Mountain and Borrego Springs. This 152-mile route takes you along some of the best backroad
What you get
About this experience
Explore San Diego’s mountains, desert, and backcountry on a self-guided scenic driving tour from Escondido to Julian via Palomar Mountain and Borrego Springs. This 152-mile route takes you along some of the best backroads in Southern California, with GPS-triggered audio guiding you to overlooks, historic sites, and hidden stops along the way. Climb to the summit of Palomar Mountain to visit the famous Palomar Observatory, then descend into the desert landscapes of Anza-Borrego. Along the way, you’ll spot Borrego Springs’ iconic metal sculptures, sweeping valley views, and roadside viewpoints worth stopping for. The route finishes in the historic town of Julian—perfect for a slice of its famous apple pie. This flexible, self-paced tour lets you explore on your own schedule. Allow a full day to take in viewpoints, small towns, and optional short hikes like Borrego Palm Canyon. Bring water, snacks, and sun protection if you plan to stop and explore.
What's included
Included
- App & Tour Download
- Flexible Usage (unlimited access within 30-days)
- Downloadable Content (pre-download tour to save data)
Not included
- A Smartphone
- Admission to Attractions
- Transportation
What you'll see and do
Queen Califia's Magical Circle
Queen Califia's Magical Circle is an outdoor sculpture garden created by artist Niki de Saint Phalle.
15 minutes here
Enjoy a scenic overlook as you drive by Lake Wohlford.
Pass by without stopping
Pauma Valley
Take in the spectacular views of Pauma Valley as we make our way to Palomar Mountain.
Pass by without stopping
Palomar Observatory
Stop and visit the Palomar and Observatory and Museum, home to the famous 200-inch Hale Telescope.
30 minutes here
Enjoy spectacular views of San Diego County from Kica Mik Overlook. Downtown San Diego and the Pacific Ocean are visible on clear days.
15 minutes here
Another viewpoint on Palomar's East Grade Road provides breathtaking views of Lake Henshaw and the surrounding meadows.
5 minutes here
Santa Ysabel Indian Mission
Stop and visit out one of southern California's famous mission churches, dating back to 1818.
15 minutes here
Enjoy stunning views of the harsh desert landscape and the Salton Sea from the Montezuma Valley Road Scenic Overlook.
5 minutes here
Stop at the Anza Borrego State Park Visitors Center before deciding if you'll take a short hike into Borrego Palm Canyon to see the fan palm oasis and seasonal creek. Be sure to keep an eye out for bighorn sheep, they blend in surprisingly well with the rocks!
15 minutes here
We'll take you to the some of the most iconic metal sculptures in Borrego Springs. With more than 100 scattered across the desert, you could spend a whole day visiting them.
10 minutes here
Julian
Explore the historic mining town of Julian, known today for its apple pies! We'll tell you the best place to go for pie, plus we'll point out several other local attractions worth visiting.
60 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
San Diego
Use your favorite navigation app to make your way to the parking lot at the Plaza Del Lago shopping center, located at 3440 Del Lago Blvd, Escondido, CA 92029. Once you're there, open the Drives & Detours app and tap "Start Tour".
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The tour ends one exit south of where it begins, just off Pomerado Rd.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Drives & Detours
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Palomar Observatory Closes at 3PM
- Anza Borrego Visitor Center Closes at 5PM
- Mom's Pies in Julian Closes at 5PM
- Eagle Mine in Julian Closes at 4PM
- Queen Califia's Has Extremely Limited Hours
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 17 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
17 verified traveler reviews for Apple Pies & Desert Skies: A Self-Guided Driving Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
A bit more adventure than planned
My sister and I went exploring the "behind the well-known sights" and scenery around Escondido and beyond. We discovered restful lakes, winding switchbacks, small general stores, and great vista viewing points. We loved the Hale Observatory, the apple pie in Julian, The old Catholic mission, and the beauty of the day. We were less than pleased that some destinations were not available ( the sculpture parkin Escondido), or that directions were a bit unclear so we ended up backtracking or getting gracious help from locals...although that discovery about people's willingness to help was also a pleasant surprise. We abandoned after 6 hours of driving....and we skipped the desert since even in the Polamar Mountains temps were 90°! Even with the price of gas, it was a good experience, but one that could have been a bit clearer about addresses, or included more landmarks to guide the way.
Response from the operator: Thanks for the thoughtful review! It sounds like you and your sister had quite an adventure, and I’m glad you enjoyed so many of the stops along the way. The tour is packed with optional stops and detours, and trying to fit every one of them into a single day is definitely a challenge! We also really appreciate the helpful feedback and will use it to make the route easier to follow for future travelers. Thanks again for taking the time to share!
via Tripadvisor
Great Adventure!
Overall it was a good app. There were a couple of minor glitches, sometimes the directions were a little unclear especially when we got near the sculptures. We got totally turned around. So we had to stop at the local visitor center and get help. Turns out there are 2 sections where the sculptures are. The app never made that clear. I think it would help if they made it 2 stops instead of one. Each stop was a good point of interest. My family liked the Observatory and the Sculptures the best and is course we had to stop for pie at the end.
Response from the operator: Glad your family enjoyed the driving tour! We really appreciate the heads-up about the sculpture section, we will take a look at making that part clearer or separating it into two stops as you suggested. Thanks for taking the time to share such helpful feedback!
via Tripadvisor
Nice Tour but Few Facts
The “host” of the trip did not explain that there would be long periods of silence during which he said nothing so we got confused at the beginning especially since there were multiple parking lots at the first stop and his instructions were confusing. Once we got back on the road after the first stop we thought we were going the wrong way because he wasn’t saying anything and we kept turning around and trying to get him to talk again to make sure we were going the right way. Anyway once we realized we could go miles and miles with no comments we realized the app was working but it just didn’t have a lot of details. Our experience with other audio tours is that there are not long gaps in the narrative but rather there is history, facts or jokes or interesting stories used so that the silent periods do not last too long. And when there is a long period of silence, it is explained that there will be silence. That way we know we are still on track and making the right turns. But it was fine and we enjoyed most of the stops selected for the tour. We just think it would’ve been more interesting with more narrative.
Response from the operator: Glad you enjoyed the tour, and thank you for the thoughtful feedback. Those are fair points! This is a long scenic driving route, so we intentionally leave some quieter stretches to enjoy the views and the drive itself, but you’re absolutely right that we should do a better job setting expectations when there may be a longer gap between audio segments. We’ll take your advice and add some reminders before those sections so it’s clearer that the app is still working and you’re still on track. Thanks again for taking the time to share such helpful feedback!
via Tripadvisor
Love the tour but the...
Love the tour but the narrator was not good. There is so much history he could have talked about, but 1/2 the time he didn’t talk. So we weren’t sure if the app was working.
Response from the operator: Glad you enjoyed the tour (overall) and thanks for taking the time to share your feedback! There are a few sections that are either technical or where we assume you'll want to just enjoy the views, but we'll review the route and see what and where we can add more content. Also, if you have any specific suggestions or ideas we would absolutely LOVE your input, so please feel free to reach out to us at feedback@drivesanddetours.com
via Viator
A Genius App!
The whole idea of this app is genius! We hope to find more in other places we visit. We appreciated the historical information in the narration of the sites visited.
Response from the operator: Thanks, we're glad you enjoyed it! Be sure to check the app over the coming weeks because we'll be launching tours in several more cities!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 6
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 59
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Apple Pies & Desert Skies: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for San Diego.
How much does Apple Pies & Desert Skies: A Self-Guided Driving Tour cost?
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Prices start at $15 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in San Diego usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Apple Pies & Desert Skies: A Self-Guided Driving Tour take?
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Plan for about 4 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in San Diego is not rushed.
Is Apple Pies & Desert Skies: A Self-Guided Driving Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 59 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.1/5 across 17 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in San Diego, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Apple Pies & Desert Skies: A Self-Guided Driving Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Apple Pies & Desert Skies: A Self-Guided Driving Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Apple Pies & Desert Skies: A Self-Guided Driving Tour?
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Around 6 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in San Diego can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in San Diego and add a light layer if any part of the 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Apple Pies & Desert Skies: A Self-Guided Driving Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central San Diego within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in San Diego?
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San Diego is an outdoor-first city: whale watching from December through April, La Jolla kayak and snorkel runs year round, harbour cruises and the USS Midway, plus Balboa Park museums when the marine layer sits low. We rank water operators on group ratios and gear quality, which is where the cheap La Jolla trips fall down. On Outty we rank every San Diego experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include USS Midway Museum Admission: Valid Any Date, Taste of Little Italy in San Diego, San Diego Whale Watching Cruise. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit San Diego?
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March to May and September to November, either side of the June overcast. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in San Diego?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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