A season for cycling, stargazing, and savoring craft beer
The Earning
When the days grow shorter and a chill descends from Alaska, it signals desert season in Southern California. Many of us revel in this time of year. Stretching from the high Mojave east of the Sierra Nevada to the Colorado Desert near Mexico, this region invites exploration on foot or wheels. Camping under inky skies and twinkling stars makes for a perfect ending to a desert day, a coyote’s yip and the emergence of the Milky Way adding to the wonder.
Many moons ago, I lived in Ridgecrest. While there, I got to know the Trona Pinnacles. I’ve hiked, biked, and camped there, soaking in every moment, from sunrise to the dark winter nights, with views of snow-capped Telescope Peak in the distance. The terrain demands a slow, deliberate pace—perfect for savoring its beauty.
Now in San Diego, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park feels like a winter home to me. Its vast landscapes, from Fish Creek Wash to Pinyon Mountain, offer endless discoveries. If I could recommend one true adventure, it would be to seek out Blue Sun Cave. After years of research and exploration, I found its entrance, marked by ancient Kumeyaay pictographs, including a stunning blue sun. These mystical symbols, no more than 500 years old, are of the La Rumorosa style. Some pictographs in the cave are of the San Luis Rey style. Exactly who painted them is unknown, but they are of the Kumeyaay people’s ancestral lineage.
California’s deserts are places of wonder and magic. They are also spaces for people to get away … to go into the wide open … to slow down.
The Beer
Rouleur Brewing is one of San Diego’s lesser-known success stories, I’d argue. Bikes and beer are their passion, and they support local cycling efforts across all disciplines—road, gravel, and dirt. Their “Beers Earned” program is a clever nod to the cycling community. Strava activities scroll across a screen at the brewery, showing how many beers participants earned for their rides. It’s a fun and fitting way to celebrate the connection between effort and reward.
Start with Domestique Blonde Ale, a multi-award-winning Belgian Blonde that’s perfect for a post-ride toast in the desert. Bonkeur Pale Ale, another multi-award winning standout, offers a light, citrusy refreshment that pairs beautifully with a day spent exploring under wide desert skies. Rouleur Brewing ships their creations nationwide. rouleurbrewing.com
