California's Highway S3 in the Anza Borrego Desert

There are a number of highways that cross the Anza Borrego desert in California and travel through Anza Borrego State Park. The S3 is one of them.
The S3 is classified is a short highway, only measuring about 12 miles in length, going from State Route 78 in the south to Borrego Springs in the north. That doesn't mean that there is no reason to stop a long the drive though. We explore an ancient water source that supported life in the desert for centuries, find some epic views, see incredible art, and visit a surprisingly green park in the desert.
Join as we drive the S3 in San Diego County, stopping at Yaqui Well, the William L. Kenyon Overlook, the Galleta Meadows statues, and Christmas Circle in Borrego Springs.
Unfortunately, no bighorn sheep appear in this video.
Our video on the S1: • A Day Trip on Californ...
Our video on the S2: • A Trip On California's...
Our video on Ricardo Breceda's gallery: • The Amazing Art of Ric...
Oddity Odysseys' video on the Borrego Springs sculptures: • Exploring the Galleta ...
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[@larryaldrich4351]

I'm too old and can't afford to visit these kinds of places anymore so I get much pleasure from this channel.

[@williambliss6087]

Camped at Tamarisk Grove in 1963 and still remember the sound of the wind in the needles. Folk music was big then and a guy had a guitar and we all sang around a campfire. Left California in 1971 to live in lots of other places throughout the world, but still have fond memories. As to the trolley tracks, I'd love to see them. My grandmother lived in Hillcrest and our house was in "East San Diego". She took me on the trolley in 1948 or 1949 home from her house. I still remember it.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

We posted a picture of some of the unearthed tracks on our Instagram a few weeks ago.

[@deandupont5503]

Hey, did you ever eat at the Chicken Pie Shop in Hillcrest? Loads of good memories from my childhood about that place; we'd drive down from University City for lunch on Saturdays.

[@williambliss6087]

@@deandupont5503 It rings a distant bell, but since I've always HATED chicken pot pies, it's unlikely. We did eat at the Pekin Cafe in North Park, though. It closed a couple years ago.

[@Howoldareweanywayyipes]

I can't believe the grasp of history you have Steve. i'm 74 and could not come close to knowing history like you.

[@yetigonecrazy]

This is great! With the right excitement, even 12 miles of random highway in the California desert can be very interesting.

[@ErikJenks]

Anza Borrego and Borrego Springs are a favorite of ours to visit for hiking, exploring, and camping. On our last trip out, a small herd of big horns came up to our vehicle in the parking lot at Palm Canyon. Such an abundance of wildlife, scenery, sculptures, and things to see! Just remember - for the peak summer months, temps are sweltering. Trails are not advisable in July/Aug, and many shops and hotels are closed for the "off season." Thank you, great video!

[@crazydave951]

Miss that whole area, I haven't been out there since the late 90s, I dont live in California anymore this brings back a lot of desert trip memories.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Glad we could bring back memories for you.

[@jerrysullivan8424]

Thank you for taking me on another road trip, that I would like to go on myself, I live in Kansas but love Calif. but cannot afford to live there. So the nest to the best thing of driving there myself😇 is to watch your channel.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you for watching. Glad we can help.

[@Max-ye9xg]

Sawyer post I live in California Huntington Beach this is one of the coolest areas around Anza awesome also Tehachapi California

[@skipstein744]

Always a good adventure. A ugssetion is SR 38. It runs between Mentone to Big Bear. SR 18 also a good adventure. Onward!

[@ScratchGlass9]

Thank you ! Take us to The Palomar Observatory ! Great views all the way to the Carlsbad coast, on the Observatory Trail.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I've been waiting till they reopen to the public to head up there. Hopefully soon.

[@DaveCarpenter-pd1pp]

Tamarisk Grove is one of my favorite campgrounds. I camped there around 1990-1991, in a small pickup that I had added a cab over camper to. As I recall, we were the only occupants of the campground. Very quiet and peaceful.

[@pcatful]

S3 seems like a good short cut. We use it all the time when in the Park. Been at the Park often and will go again, but your descriptions cover a lot for things I never saw or stopped for. Very enjoyable to visit one of my favorite areas, while still at home!

[@Golfnut_2099]

Love the shout out to Bethany and Drew from Oddity Odyssey!!!!!

[@leonajameson8902]

Best time to see the rams is very early in the morning. They love to come down to Ram’s Hill golf course and graze

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Someday I'll see them!

[@mikel5582]

A few years ago I was making lunch at my campsite in the back loop of Borrego Palm Canyon C.G. and about a dozen sheep walked right through my campsite and scurried up the slope my son had climbed earlier that morning. By the time I grabbed my camera they were pretty high up, choosing the same route my son had taken.

[@jeffarcher400]

S2 was always just a connection between the town of Borrego Springs and the moto areas of Ocotillo Wells and Arroyo Salida to me. Something to fly past. That's why I like your show. You take the time to poke down every trail and know the story behind every rock! Good job! If you can show me something new in a place I zoom through it makes me want to slow down and take it all in. You're better than therapy, seriously 😂. I learned to ride camping at Pegleg and have memories of riding through a big barn where you could grab a bag of pink grapefruit and put a dollar in the honor box. Then we'd sit in the hot dry desert and feast on grapefruit so sweet and juicy no sugar was needed. Maybe you can do a show on the Pegleg story? Other cool stuff in the area is the Agua Caliente hot springs campground, Coyote creek,Wind caves, Sandstone wash,Banner to Oriflamme canyon and many palm canyons. Well of the eight echoes. Never been there but it sounds pretty cool. High clearance and four wheel drive highly recommended. Shout out to the Blu Inn and Iron Door if they're still around.

[@tattooyu]

I've been binging your videos and really appreciate all the history of SoCal and Arizona you have shared with us!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you, I appreciate it. Have some more SoCal stuff coming this week.

[@discostew115]

Another great video! Sorry I'm late to watching this time, but it still made my day to see it.

[@Corgis175]

Love the sculptures, especially the horses.

[@ebenvitalic4428]

My family would celebrate eater in Borrego springs in the 80s I remember that elevation change as a kid it was so high scary drop off.

[@CactusAtlas]

Felt lucky to see some Bighorn Sheep when hiking out there last year on the Borrego Palm Canyon Trail. REALLY need to get back out there and explore some more though!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

For some reason they avoid us. Had seen some in Colorado though, so its just the local sheep that hide from us.

[@TheAsif5182]

even its a smile trip but every small part of USA is worth to visit .

[@mikego18753]

Rock on. Thanks

[@jerroldkazynski5480]

That's a great little jaunt! I've only been thru the area a few times. This link is short enough to incorporate into another visit. You don't know until you know, then you know! Keep up the videos!

[@roadtripboy]

That was neat! I always enjoy your videos. Great job.

[@michaelsimonds2632]

Nice!! I don't remember ever being on the trail you hiked, but now I am excited to go! Thanks for a very interesting addition to your series.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Have fun! Its pretty short but the guide you get at the trailhead has a decent amount of information.

[@ME-qr2kq]

I've done this drive before, as stated not much out there but a traffic free cruise, listening to some classic tunes and admiring God's landscaping. When we do our desert cruises we throw on some Glen Campbell or the Eagles and it seems to fit the mood.

[@williambliss6087]

I was in North Park in October 2021, wandering around. Wish I'd known about the tracks.

[@j.b.a.124]

Awesome video as always. Warm regards from Florida.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you very much!

[@BC-hr2of]

can’t get from Julian to borrego springs without using the S3 … also a variety of residential properties and a ‘mission type’ church tucked into the hills to the west of S3

[@brentnearhood8874]

Thanks!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you for watching.

[@robertfritz9916]

Nice. When we go from our winter home somewhere off S-2 this is the route we take. You might have added a side trip to Ram's Hill which (I think) allows visitors to the restaurant. But our favorite restaurant is Red Ocotillo just off Christmas Circle. At 74 my taste buds are fading, but I think Red Ocotillo does the best hamburgers in San Diego County.

[@1956model1]

I watch your videos all the time. I just realized that I wasn't even subscribed to your channel. I corrected that error now. Keep reminding everyone to LIKE, COMMENT, AND SUBSCRIBE! Because I know that there are probably lots more people like me that have overlooked it. LOL

[@thesarge4457]

I guess you gotta take your chances on some of the roads, gotta something about those statues "Nice'" Thanks Steve. THE SARGE

[@CaliforniaFly]

I moved to California in 2001 from Memphis TN. I bought two motorcycles along with me, both street bikes. I was living in Santee and started venturing out on weekends towards the east toward the Salton Sea. Highway 78, S2, S22 were favorites. I never did try S3. I became friends with some people in Desert Shores and went out to the area about twice a month. Much of the Salton Sea area has just decayed to junk these days. So sad.

[@HazMat1012]

Across the street from Tamrisk Campground is Yaqui Well Primitive Campground. It's 1 of like 8 designated (mostly free) "primitive" campgrounds in Anza Borrego which has vault toilets. If you stop at the visitor center, they have a visitors guide that has all the campgrounds in Anza Borrego (not including the county campgrounds). I know a couple of the primitive have a fee and I think they're trying to make a couple more have fees.

[@SpencerHikes]

Well since you're on a roll, I'd love to see S22 next! S22 is a really great drive from the S2 into the west side of Borrego Springs and on to Salton City.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I think the S22 has one of the best desert views of any drive.

[@mercedithcompala8148]

Great job

[@deandupont5503]

As an aside, Hellhole Canyon and Coyote Canyon have great streams in season... At least they did 40 years ago; I'm reflecting on my Boy Scout days. Perfect places for hiking and primitive camping back then.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I know there's a waterfall at Hellhole Canyon, but not sure if it's seasonal. Hopefully I'll be in that area again in the next few weeks. Might need to do a hike.

[@Visaliaipa]

At about the 4:32 mark, just around the first curve from Tamarisk Grove was the site of the Borrego Springs Bank Robbery shootout in November 2000.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Wow, I wasn't aware of that!

[@Visaliaipa]

@@SidetrackAdventures I really enjoy seeing Borrego. I lived there from 2000 to 2005 and have many fond memories. I highly recommend Jilbertos and Kendall’s Cafe.

[@Ford360CID]

thank you for your adventures i,m a big dessert fan and i have a question...the 1943 movie Sahara starring Humphrey Bogart was made near there but the video that was made over 10 years ago in not on the utube channel..it may have been taken down, i would really like to know where it was exactly made, remnants of the movie still remain mostly empty blank cartridges from both the German and Humphrey Bogarts machine guns. have you heard of where the exact location would be?

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I'm not sure of the exact location of the filming but I believe it is on the eastern side of the park closer to the Salton Sea. I have a video on the S22 and it goes through the area that I think it might be near.

[@pamelabaker3029]

I always see them

[@JP-su8bp]

Your summary more-or-less covered how I felt about the trip-- bit below par, though no fault of yours. Thanks for sharing.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Was hoping to find a hidden gem out there, but I guess there is a reason the S3 isn't as well known as some of the other highways in the area.

[@JP-su8bp]

@@SidetrackAdventures At least your honesty will help others make a better-informed decision how to spend their leisure time. Thank you.

[@lilys4960]

fun video

[@pamelabaker3029]

Borehole is great at night

[@bodysuitguy]

You didn't notice the incongruous Red Double Decker London bus, in someones garden, right off the road just before the roundabout???!

[@susanellis3606]

Just would like to know about the palm trees? like the tamaris trees must of been brought in?

[@praiserdusty]

Not as interesting as the other videos but still a nice introduction to this short highway.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you. We were hoping we'd find something really interesting out there, but just not enough highway.

[@wolfgang757]

Strikes me as better on a bicycle.Maybe though a bit long to pedal both ways.

[@scottsmith5774]

What do you use to find out about these places?

[@gobbleguk]

have you seen the 1940s Trolley Tracks in North Park?

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Yes, we took a picture a couple weeks ago and posted it on our Instagram. Pretty crazy that they just paved right over them.

[@gobbleguk]

@@SidetrackAdventures yea, I've talked to a person who says these spots are easy to see while going around these parts of town because of the crappy pavement mixed with spray paint marks that delineate where the rails are; unfortunately, the rails to the west were removed back in 2017-18 when they lowered the elevation of University Avenue under Georgia Street

[@stevenckaroly]

The S2 is part of the county road system in California. It’s not a state highway. The ‘S’ routes are the southern most in the state. Routes begin with CR A1 in Lassen County and work there way south to CR S80 in Imperial County. Some counties have multiple routes, while others have one (like E16 in my county).

[@popswerks7915]

Well I can barely move

[@Jbennyho]

Sounds like you might not be a big fan of boba.

[@shaynestephens]

Steve, these "S" highways are not California's. They are county routes.