What to Pack for a Weekend in Borrego Springs

1. Layers. Daytime highs and nighttime lows can swing 40°F in winter. A puffy that packs down small is non-negotiable.

2. A wide-brim hat. Even in November, the sun is intense. A baseball cap will not be enough.

3. Polarized sunglasses. The desert glare is real.

4. A refillable water bottle (plus a backup). Aim for one gallon per person per day if you're hiking.

5. A red-light headlamp for stargazing — keeps your night vision intact.

6. Closed-toe trail shoes. Cholla cactus bits go through canvas.

7. Lip balm, hand cream, and a small bottle of saline nasal spray. The humidity here can drop into single digits.

8. A camera with a wide lens (14-24mm) if you want to shoot the Milky Way.

9. Cash for the produce stand on Borrego Springs Road.

10. A real paper map. Cell coverage drops to zero a few miles outside town.

11. Reef-safe sunscreen.

12. Time. The desert rewards people who slow down.