EXPLORE

 

Our members are active. They often gather in groups to experience all that the Borrego valley has to offer. Our mild winter climate allows our members to enjoy traditional warmer weather activities during the Borrego winter. 
 

Hiking Biking Pickleball Tennis Aquatic Off Roading 4x4

Star gazing Photography Painting Volunteering Community Theater

ABOUT BORREGO SPRINGS

The first record of a European in Borrego Valley was when Lieutenant Pedro Fages of the San Diego Presidio came in search of deserters in 1772. His pursuit led him northwest through the present town of Borrego Springs and up Coyote Canyon.

This event was related by Kumeyaay Indians to members of the first Anza expedition, who camped at their village in March, 1774. The Spaniards called this village (and spring) just east of the Borrego Sink, San Gregorio. It is the location of the original Borrego Spring.

Juan Bautiste De Anza was seeking an overland route from Sonora, Mexico to Monterey, California. Proceeding west from San Gregorio, Juan and his party of 25 followed Coyote Creek and ascended Coyote Canyon. They camped the following night at the Cahuilla village of Lower Willows,

It was another hundred years before cattlemen began homesteading the Borrego Valley, in about 1875. The first successful well was dug in 1926, which quickly led to irrigation farming. By then, the town contained a post office, a small general store, and a gas station.

The presence of both the Army and the Navy during World War II brought the first paved roads and electricity to Borrego Springs. After the war, developers subdivided the area, attempting to create a resort community by capitalizing on the tourism generated by the state park.

The town Borrego Springs was never incorporated and, therefore, has no mayor or other form of municipal government.


Borrego Springs is in an international dark sky community.

From “darksky.org”: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in southern California, U.S., has long been considered a premier site for stargazing, and today it cements that reputation with the announcement that IDA has designated it as an International Dark Sky Park. Anza-Borrego completely encloses the village of Borrego Springs, California, which achieved International Dark Sky Community status in 2009. Together, the park and village work in tandem to protect dark night skies over the southern California desert.


What is an international Dark Sky Community?

An IDA International Dark Sky Community is a town, city, municipality or other legally organized community that has shown exceptional dedication to the preservation of the night sky through the implementation and enforcement of a quality outdoor lighting ordinance, dark sky education and citizen support of dark skies.


 

THINGS TO DO

Borrego Springs is a destination unlike any other in the United States. With its tranquil beauty, relaxed atmosphere and surrounded by the grandeur of the 600,000 Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Springs is only 90 minutes from Palm Springs and San Diego, California.

Highlights of Borrego Springs include countless forms of geologic wonders, striking vistas, pictographs, desert wildflowers, and birds. Rated by USA Today as one of the top ten stargazing locations in the nation, Borrego Springs has been awarded the first international “Dark Sky Community.

Take an Art Tour and see the talents of local Borrego Springs’ artists and craftsmen, and the Borrego Art Institute. Sample the cuisine of Borrego Springs’ restaurants and cafes including authentic Mexican Cuisine. Tour the Galleta Meadows Sky Sculpture, very unusual life-size metal replicas of million-year old Pleistocene animals who inhabited this area. From mammoths and dinosaurs to historical characters, the 132 sculptures are amazing! Horseback ride, take jeep tours or bike ride through California’s largest State Park. Stroll through the Farmer’s Market. Arrange for nature and wildlife tours. Simply relax and be pampered by professional spa services and a relaxing experience. And, enjoy the brilliant sunshine of a unique desert community!

To learn more about Borrego Springs and the history of this very special and quaint desert town visit the Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Website.

In addition to the natural outdoor beauty provided by the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Springs has a thriving art, natural history and boutique atmosphere certain to tantalize every visitor. The following resources are just a few suggestions to make your stay in Borrego Springs a memorable one. 
 

Anza Borrego Desert Natural History Association – Borrego Desert Nature Center
652 Palm Canyon Drive | 760-767-3098 | www.abdnha.org
Open Daily 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

The Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association (ABDNHA) offers desert hikes, lectures on history, geology, astronomy, 4WD trips, tours, birding field trips, programs for school children, all totaling approximately 150 educational programs each year.

 
Anza Borrego Desert State Park Visitor Center
200 Palm Canyon Drive | 760-767-4205 | www.anzaborregodesertstatepark.org
Open Daily 9:00 am - 5:00 pm 

The Visitor Center is state-of-the-art and uniquely situated under a desert garden at the west end of Palm Canyon Drive. Stop by to pick up information on wildflowers, visit the award wining museum, see a free slide show or video program, or peruse the wide selection of publications on the park's natural and cultural resources at the bookstore.


Anza Borrego Tennis Center
286 Palm Canyon Drive | 760-767-0577 | www.anzaborregotennis.com


Borrego Art Institute
665 Palm Canyon Drive | 760-767-5152 | www.borregoartinstitute.org
Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am - 5pm

The Borrego Art Institute (BAI) aims to inspire and enrich the community of Borrego Springs by offering a venue for the public to experience, create, and enjoy all forms of art.

Borrego Night Sky Tours
760-767-3656 | www.BorregoNightSkyTours.com

Treat yourself or your family to a truly inspiring and personalized tour of the cosmos above Borrego Springs - California's first International Dark Sky Community - with the power of a large telescope and one of America's favorite celestial tour guides. This is one journey you won't soon forget. 

 
Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center
786 Palm Canyon Dr | 760.767.5555 | http://www.borregospringschamber.com/index.html

Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center
A historic venue, presents an exciting lineup of concerts and performances this season
590 Palm Canyon Dr | 760-767-4275 | www.bspac.org
 
California Overland Desert Excursions
1233 Palm Canyon Dr, Borrego Springs, CA 92004 | 760-767-1232 | www.californiaoverland.com

Various Day and Private Jeep Tours and Seasonal Wildflower Tours
 
Galleta Meadows
The Sculptures of Ricardo Breceda and the Vision of Dennis Avery – Metal sculptures scattered throughout the Borrego Valley. Benefactor Dennis Avery commissioned metal artist Ricardo Breceda to create sculptures ranging from the prehistoric to the mythical to explorers to early settlers and farmers…all fun, fanciful and engaging.
 
The Spa at La Casa Del Zorro
3845 Yaqui Pass Road | 760-767-2660 | www.LaCasaDelZorro.com
Open Sunday-Thursday, 10am-5 pm, Friday and Saturday 10 am-7pm

Facial Treatments, Facial Enhancements, Body Scrub & Body Wraps, Massages, Body Care Enhancements, Special Massages and Waxing

Spa Serenity at Borrego Springs Resort
1112 Tilting T Drive | 760-767-5700 | www.borregospringsresort.com

Massages, Body Treatments, Facials and Hand and Foot Treatments.
 
Sunrise Art Galleria
The Mall, 587 Palm Canyon Drive Suite 108 | 619-234-8797 

Painting Classes using alcohol inks on ceramic glazed tiles and on Yupo paper. Transfer your creation to a frame, a table or a tray! Call for class and walk-in times.

To learn more about Borrego Springs and the history of this very special and quaint desert town visit the Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Website.
 

GALLETA MEADOWS ESTATE

Galleta Meadows Estate is privately owned desert estate land that consists of many separate plots in Borrego Springs, California and that features over 130 large metal art sculptures. The sculptures were created by Southern California artist Ricardo Breceda via commission from Dennis Avery, the owner of Galleta Meadows. Now deceased and an heir to the Avery label fortune, Mr. Avery located the sculptures on land he purchased for conservation.
   
Galleta Meadows is unfenced and open to the public for visitation, including hiking, horseback riding, picnicking, photography, and bicycling every day of the year. Borrego Springs is a village completely surrounded by the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, the largest state park in California. 



The Galleta Meadows metal sculptures have different themes. The largest theme appears to be of prehistoric animals, including dinosaurs. Other themes have a connection to the desert environment in which they are located, such as desert animals, including scorpions and bighorn sheep. There is also at least one religious sculpture of a priest carrying a cross through the desert. There is also an approximately 350-foot-long dragon that gives the illusion of it snaking into and over top the desert sand.
 

SUPER BLOOM

Each Spring, millions of flowers bloom carpeting the desert floor in all kinds of colors, from white and yellow to purple and blue. Maps are available for download form the Anza Borrego Desert Natural History Association