Most people have heard of Palm Springs but know little about Borrego Springs— another desert town in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park of Southern California.
Offering a completely different vibe than Palm Springs, which is an hour and a half away from Borrego Springs, its surroundings are known for its natural beauty, hiking, and stargazing, especially on warm summer nights.
This not-so-desolate desert, makes for a great weekender road trip destination for Angelenos– about 4 hours south-east of Los Angeles.
Here are eight things to do in Borrego Springs:
- Visit Anza-Borrego Desert State Park: With over 600,000 acres, it is the largest state park in California. There are many places for hiking, camping, wildlife viewing, and stargazing.
- Explore the Borrego Springs Art Institute, featuring works by local and regional artists.
- Take a scenic drive on the Borrego-Salton Seaway to see the unique geological formations and endless open spaces that amaze visitors.
- Visit the Borrego Palm Canyon Trail to see the native California Fan Palms and, during spring, wildflowers galore.
- There’s nothing like experiencing the vastness of the area by air. Take a hot air balloon ride to view the desert landscape below.
- Off-road it with a guided jeep tour to see the desert wildlife, including bighorn sheep, roadrunners, and kit foxes.
- Visit the Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association and grab some information about flora and fauna of the area.
- Take a natural jacuzzi in one of the many natural hot springs nearby while taking in nature’s views.
TIP: Borrego Springs offers some lodging ops to suit different budgets.
The best hotels I suggest considering are La Casa del Zorro, The Palms at Indian Head, and Borrego Valley Inn. There are also vacation rentals— check websites such as VRBO and Airbnb for options. Camping at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park offers several campgrounds for tent camping and RV camping, such as Borrego Palm Canyon and Tamarisk Grove and RV parks are available, too. Also, check out De Anza RV Resort and Roadrunner Club RV Resort.
Did you know?
The town is also home to one of the world’s largest collections of metal sculptures?
These sculptures, created by artist Ricardo Breceda, can be found throughout the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and include giant renderings of prehistoric creatures like mammoths, giant sloths, and saber-toothed cats, as well as more abstract designs. Some of these sculptures are up to 65 feet long and weigh several tons. The metal sculptures are a unique addition to the already otherworldly landscape of the desert and have become a popular attraction for visitors.
A little history:
Borrego Springs is a desert resort town in the Borrego Valley outside of San Diego, California. The area has evidence of human habitation dating back to prehistoric times.
The Kumeyaay people lived in the area for centuries before the arrival of European settlers.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Borrego Springs was a stopover for travelers between Yuma, Arizona, and San Diego.
The town was officially founded in 1933, and the development of the area as a resort destination began in the 1940s and 1950s.
Borrego Springs became a popular place for those seeking a desert retreat. Many artists and writers found inspiration in the area’s stunning natural beauty.
In the 1960s, the state of California designated Borrego Springs as a state park, which helped to preserve the area’s unique landscape and wildlife.
Activities include hiking, bird-watching, and stargazing, as well as several golf courses and hot springs.
Borrego Springs is also home to the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, which covers over 600,000 acres and is the largest state park in California.
