by Jessica Merten

Created on: April 22, 2009

San Diego is home to great weather, scenic views, and interesting tourist attractions. However, the back country of San Diego can offer homespun allure that's out of the ordinary. While most visitors stay costal and enjoy the ocean views and sandy beaches, which are breathtaking, exploring the versatility of San Diego County is the only way to truly have the full tourist experience.

There are many small towns and unincorporated communities in San Diego's back country. One of the closest is Flinn Springs located about 15 minutes east of San Diego City limits. Flinn Springs is home to a quaint little gift shop and farm called Summers Past Farms. Beautiful gardens, ducks waddling free and homemade soaps are just some of the things Summers Past Farms has to offer its guests. They also boast a nursery, herb garden, and a great wedding location. For San Diego visitors who are into home arts and crafts this is a perfect little place to spend an afternoon.

Continuing east on Interstate 8 is the community of Boulevard. The residence there are known for adorning their cars with hometown bumper stickers containing their motto "where the hells Boulevard." Well, it's off business route 8, and has the cutest candy store, The Wisteria Candy Cottage. The Wisteria Candy Cottage is a favorite for many San Diego natives as they sell all the old-fashioned treats including, chocolate covered honey comb. If a scenic drive is the order of the day then the Wisteria Candy Cottage is a great pit stop for super delicious treats.

There are three casinos off the Interstate 8 within San Diego County. I personally don't recommend them for San Diego visitors, but for those who enjoy a good breakfast any time of day at a well known restaurant will enjoy eating at a back country IHOP. I know why travel to San Diego to go to IHOP? Well this particular IHOP is located in the back of the La Posta Indian Reservation Casino and has stunning views of the local beautiful uninhabited rolling hills.

Almost at the Imperial County line off of the In-Ko-Pah exit from Interstate 8 up a lonely dirt road is one of the most incredible dwellings is Southern California. The Desert Tower is eclectic, historical, and has the most magnificent full spherical windows that overlook the desert floor. The entrance/gift shop is a mixture of interesting books, native souvenirs and a greenhouse. It's set up similar to a home as the owner lives across the dirt field and his dogs are regulars in the shop. To tour the whole tower

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