Nancy's Borrego Springs Guidebook
Food scene
Carlee's
660 Palm Canyon DrGreat burgers and pizza
Carmelita's Mexican Grill
575 Palm Canyon DrGreat pours and good Mexican food
Los Jilberto's Taco Shop Borrego Springs
655 Palm Canyon DrYummy tortas
Market
Center Market
590 Palm Canyon DrGreat selection of healthy and vegan food
Borrego Springs Farmers Market is the only public urban farmer's market in the Borrego Springs region, hosted every Friday morning between November and April from 8:00am to 12:00pm at the city's Christmas Circle Park. The market offers a wide variety of locally-grown produce, including rare finds such as Christmas tree broccoli, fuerte avocados, and cherimoyas. Vendors also sell locally-produced bread, flowers, and home and pantry products, including famous homemade fudge vendors. A variety of artists also sell arts and crafts products. Picnic tables, drinking fountains, and public restrooms are offered at the park, which is conveniently located near the businesses of downtown Borrego Springs.
Borrego Springs Farmers' Market
Christmas CircleBorrego Springs Farmers Market is the only public urban farmer's market in the Borrego Springs region, hosted every Friday morning between November and April from 8:00am to 12:00pm at the city's Christmas Circle Park. The market offers a wide variety of locally-grown produce, including rare finds such as Christmas tree broccoli, fuerte avocados, and cherimoyas. Vendors also sell locally-produced bread, flowers, and home and pantry products, including famous homemade fudge vendors. A variety of artists also sell arts and crafts products. Picnic tables, drinking fountains, and public restrooms are offered at the park, which is conveniently located near the businesses of downtown Borrego Springs.
Sightseeing
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is California's largest state park, spanning more than 600,000 acres throughout the Borrego Springs region. The park stretches 25 miles by 50 miles and is framed by the Bucksnort, Santa Rosa, Jacumba, Vallecito, Pinyon, and Borrego mountain ranges and natural features such as the Salton Trough and Carrizo Badlands. A park visitor center showcases exhibits on the area's natural and cultural history, showcasing a full-sized Aiolornis incredibilis model. More than 500 miles of visitor access roads are offered throughout the park, including California Route 78 and County Routes S1, S2, S3, and S22. Biking and 4x4 vehicle routes are also offered, along with hundreds of miles of hiking trails.
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Anza Borrego State Park;
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is California's largest state park, spanning more than 600,000 acres throughout the Borrego Springs region. The park stretches 25 miles by 50 miles and is framed by the Bucksnort, Santa Rosa, Jacumba, Vallecito, Pinyon, and Borrego mountain ranges and natural features such as the Salton Trough and Carrizo Badlands. A park visitor center showcases exhibits on the area's natural and cultural history, showcasing a full-sized Aiolornis incredibilis model. More than 500 miles of visitor access roads are offered throughout the park, including California Route 78 and County Routes S1, S2, S3, and S22. Biking and 4x4 vehicle routes are also offered, along with hundreds of miles of hiking trails.
Galleta Meadows is a roadside attraction along the Southern California S-3 highway, crafted by artist and welder Ricardo Breceda, known as the welder of Perris, California's "Jurassic Park" exhibit. More than 130 metal sculptures are showcased along the highway within the city of Borrego Springs, commissioned by the former owner of the Galleta Meadows Estates. Sculptures include giant elephants, raptors, dinosaurs, mammoths, and saber-toothed tigers, which are positioned at sites along Borrego Springs and Henderson Canyon Roads. Printed maps of the sculpture area are offered at the Borrego Springs Library, the Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association, and the Anza-Borrego Foundation.
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Galleta Meadows, California
1700-1844 Borrego Springs RdGalleta Meadows is a roadside attraction along the Southern California S-3 highway, crafted by artist and welder Ricardo Breceda, known as the welder of Perris, California's "Jurassic Park" exhibit. More than 130 metal sculptures are showcased along the highway within the city of Borrego Springs, commissioned by the former owner of the Galleta Meadows Estates. Sculptures include giant elephants, raptors, dinosaurs, mammoths, and saber-toothed tigers, which are positioned at sites along Borrego Springs and Henderson Canyon Roads. Printed maps of the sculpture area are offered at the Borrego Springs Library, the Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association, and the Anza-Borrego Foundation.
Hiking
Slot Canyon, also nicknamed The Slot, is a 0.8-mile hike within Anza-Borrego Desert State Park that is one of the park's most beloved visitor attractions, offering the opportunity to pass through a narrow siltstone canyon with a gravity-defying passage. The hike commences from a trailhead parking lot, descending less than 100 feet into the ravine below. A variety of beautiful natural wonders are showcased along the hike, including spectacular cliffs and a unique scepter-shaped rock slab that bridges a gap in the canyon. The trailhead is accessible from Christmas Circle and Borrego Springs Road and also provides access to a trail ascending to the summit of West Butte at an elevation of 1,207 feet,
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Slot Canyon Trail
California 78Slot Canyon, also nicknamed The Slot, is a 0.8-mile hike within Anza-Borrego Desert State Park that is one of the park's most beloved visitor attractions, offering the opportunity to pass through a narrow siltstone canyon with a gravity-defying passage. The hike commences from a trailhead parking lot, descending less than 100 feet into the ravine below. A variety of beautiful natural wonders are showcased along the hike, including spectacular cliffs and a unique scepter-shaped rock slab that bridges a gap in the canyon. The trailhead is accessible from Christmas Circle and Borrego Springs Road and also provides access to a trail ascending to the summit of West Butte at an elevation of 1,207 feet,
Hellhole Canyon Trail is a 5.5-mile round-trip hike within Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, offering opportunities to see its striking eponymous canyon and the seasonal 20-foot Maidenhair Falls. The canyon trailhead is located just south of the park's visitor center against the backdrop of the San Ysidro Mountains. Throughout the hike, visitors gain an elevation of more than 1,000 feet, merging with the California Riding and Hiking Trail at the quarter-mile mark. Hikers pass ocotillo and creosote bushes throughout the route, with the trail becoming less defined and more difficult as hikers reach its peak. During the spring months or after rains, the waterfall rushes spectacularly. Visitors may enter the cascade's knee-deep tributary waters with caution for showers from the waterfall.
Hellhole Canyon Trail
Montezuma-Borrego HighwayHellhole Canyon Trail is a 5.5-mile round-trip hike within Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, offering opportunities to see its striking eponymous canyon and the seasonal 20-foot Maidenhair Falls. The canyon trailhead is located just south of the park's visitor center against the backdrop of the San Ysidro Mountains. Throughout the hike, visitors gain an elevation of more than 1,000 feet, merging with the California Riding and Hiking Trail at the quarter-mile mark. Hikers pass ocotillo and creosote bushes throughout the route, with the trail becoming less defined and more difficult as hikers reach its peak. During the spring months or after rains, the waterfall rushes spectacularly. Visitors may enter the cascade's knee-deep tributary waters with caution for showers from the waterfall.
Coyote Canyon is a favorite point within Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, accessible from Christmas Circle and Southern California Route S-22. The 9.6-mile trail is divided into two sections at Upper and Lower Coyote Canyon, which are accessible from a trailhead at the Terwilliger Valley settlement. Riparian areas and peninsular bighorn sheep habitats are showcased along the upper portion of the trail, which is a popular spot for horseback riders, mountain bikers, and hikers. Several sections of the trail have been permanently closed to motor vehicles since the 1980s, including the gap between the Upper and Lower portions of the trail. Spectacular views of the Santa Rosa and San Ysidro Mountains are offered from the deep canyon trail, which reaches peak elevations of 4,200 feet.
Coyote Canyon
Coyote CanyonCoyote Canyon is a favorite point within Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, accessible from Christmas Circle and Southern California Route S-22. The 9.6-mile trail is divided into two sections at Upper and Lower Coyote Canyon, which are accessible from a trailhead at the Terwilliger Valley settlement. Riparian areas and peninsular bighorn sheep habitats are showcased along the upper portion of the trail, which is a popular spot for horseback riders, mountain bikers, and hikers. Several sections of the trail have been permanently closed to motor vehicles since the 1980s, including the gap between the Upper and Lower portions of the trail. Spectacular views of the Santa Rosa and San Ysidro Mountains are offered from the deep canyon trail, which reaches peak elevations of 4,200 feet.
Desert Gardens are a beautiful span of wildflower ridges located within the canyons of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, located near Coyote Canyon. The ridges are watered by runoff from Coyote Creek and are a popular tourist attraction and photo opportunity within the park, showcasing a wide variety of wildflower blossoms during the blooming season, including an annual "superbloom" of ocotillos and cacti in the region. Since 1971, the gardens have been protected by the Anza-Borrego Committee of the Desert Protective Council, who acquired the land from private owners for the purposes of preservation and conservation. Today, the canyon and gardens are easily accessible for visitors from the Alcoholic Pass Trail, which also offers spectacular views from atop the Coyote Mountain ridges.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Desert Gardens are a beautiful span of wildflower ridges located within the canyons of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, located near Coyote Canyon. The ridges are watered by runoff from Coyote Creek and are a popular tourist attraction and photo opportunity within the park, showcasing a wide variety of wildflower blossoms during the blooming season, including an annual "superbloom" of ocotillos and cacti in the region. Since 1971, the gardens have been protected by the Anza-Borrego Committee of the Desert Protective Council, who acquired the land from private owners for the purposes of preservation and conservation. Today, the canyon and gardens are easily accessible for visitors from the Alcoholic Pass Trail, which also offers spectacular views from atop the Coyote Mountain ridges.
Ghost Mountain is a mountain located within Anza-Borrego Desert State Park that is best known as the former homestead site of author and artist Marshal South, who lived in the California wilderness for two decades following the Great Depression. The trailhead is accessible via a marked dirt road off of Southern California Route S-2, able to be traversed on foot throughout its out-and-back route. Visitors should note that the hike is extremely difficult at points and exercise caution for footing on its loose, gravelly route. At the apex of the hike, the ruins of the South estate are visible, including a stone hearth, a cistern, and the remains of door and window frames.
Ghost Mountain
Ghost Mountain is a mountain located within Anza-Borrego Desert State Park that is best known as the former homestead site of author and artist Marshal South, who lived in the California wilderness for two decades following the Great Depression. The trailhead is accessible via a marked dirt road off of Southern California Route S-2, able to be traversed on foot throughout its out-and-back route. Visitors should note that the hike is extremely difficult at points and exercise caution for footing on its loose, gravelly route. At the apex of the hike, the ruins of the South estate are visible, including a stone hearth, a cistern, and the remains of door and window frames.
Ocotillo Flat is a popular hiking route within Anza-Borrego Desert State Park's Coyote Canyon area, accessible via DiGiorgio Road and the Coyote Canyon Jeep Trail. The area is home to large habitats of native wildflowers blooming late in the season, including the region's famed ocotillo plant, which the region takes its name from. It is a popular riding site for riders at the nearby Vern Whitaker Horse Camp, which offers equestrian camping opportunities and day rides led by instructors. The region is also a popular spot for archaeological exploration, home to evidence of indigenous population of the area prior to the arrival of Europeans in North America.
Ocotillo Flat
Ocotillo Flat is a popular hiking route within Anza-Borrego Desert State Park's Coyote Canyon area, accessible via DiGiorgio Road and the Coyote Canyon Jeep Trail. The area is home to large habitats of native wildflowers blooming late in the season, including the region's famed ocotillo plant, which the region takes its name from. It is a popular riding site for riders at the nearby Vern Whitaker Horse Camp, which offers equestrian camping opportunities and day rides led by instructors. The region is also a popular spot for archaeological exploration, home to evidence of indigenous population of the area prior to the arrival of Europeans in North America.
Elephant Trees Trail is a trail within Anza-Borrego Desert State Park that showcases the rare bursera microphylla plant, commonly known as the elephant tree. The tree is named for its swollen trunk and was at one time thought to be the only of its kind in the United States. Today, several stands of elephant trees have been found throughout Baja California and Arizona's Gila Range at sites such as the Santa Rosa Mountains, Bisnaga Alta Wash, and In-Ko-Pah Gorge. An interpretive trail offers views of the iconic trees from a trailhead that embarks from Split Mountain Road and traverses approximately 1.1 miles. 13 interpretive displays are offered along the route, explaining the tree's biological and cultural significance.
Elephant Tree Discovery Trail
Split Mountain RoadElephant Trees Trail is a trail within Anza-Borrego Desert State Park that showcases the rare bursera microphylla plant, commonly known as the elephant tree. The tree is named for its swollen trunk and was at one time thought to be the only of its kind in the United States. Today, several stands of elephant trees have been found throughout Baja California and Arizona's Gila Range at sites such as the Santa Rosa Mountains, Bisnaga Alta Wash, and In-Ko-Pah Gorge. An interpretive trail offers views of the iconic trees from a trailhead that embarks from Split Mountain Road and traverses approximately 1.1 miles. 13 interpretive displays are offered along the route, explaining the tree's biological and cultural significance.
Whale Peak is one of the most highly-visited tourist attractions within Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, reaching a maximum elevation of 5,335 feet. A visitor hike at the mountain is offered from a trailhead at Pinyon Mountain Road, which is best traversed via four-wheel-drive vehicle. The official portion of the trail spans a length of 4.5 miles, though many vehicles may need to park further back along the access road, bringing the entire walk up to as many as nine miles. Hikers ascend a wash to a grassy field area and slope which offers access to several elevation hikes before reaching the peak's summit. Atop the peak, pinyon pines and California juniper are visible, along with seasonal accumulations of some of the region's only snowfall.
Whale Peak
Whale Peak is one of the most highly-visited tourist attractions within Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, reaching a maximum elevation of 5,335 feet. A visitor hike at the mountain is offered from a trailhead at Pinyon Mountain Road, which is best traversed via four-wheel-drive vehicle. The official portion of the trail spans a length of 4.5 miles, though many vehicles may need to park further back along the access road, bringing the entire walk up to as many as nine miles. Hikers ascend a wash to a grassy field area and slope which offers access to several elevation hikes before reaching the peak's summit. Atop the peak, pinyon pines and California juniper are visible, along with seasonal accumulations of some of the region's only snowfall.
Granite Mountain is a popular attraction at the western border of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, located next to the mountainous Cleveland National Forest. The mountain rises to an elevation of 2,600 feet above Blair Valley and is accessible via several popular hiking routes, including a trailhead that embarks from Highway S2. The predominantly Class 1 route reaches Class 2 difficulty at several points along the route due to uncleared portions. Along the hike, visitors can view a wide variety of native flora and fauna, including mountain lions, deer, and rattlesnakes that call the region home
Granite Mountain
Granite Mountain is a popular attraction at the western border of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, located next to the mountainous Cleveland National Forest. The mountain rises to an elevation of 2,600 feet above Blair Valley and is accessible via several popular hiking routes, including a trailhead that embarks from Highway S2. The predominantly Class 1 route reaches Class 2 difficulty at several points along the route due to uncleared portions. Along the hike, visitors can view a wide variety of native flora and fauna, including mountain lions, deer, and rattlesnakes that call the region home
Art
Borrego Art Institute is a contemporary art institute and nonprofit organization that opened to the public in 2005 as a partnership between businessman Dennis Nourse and Borrego Springs artist Nita Wipper. The institute is located within a historic retail building designed in 1949 by Kesling Modern Structures that was reconstructed and renovated for the institute's use in 2005. Rotating art shows are hosted at the institute, featuring the works of top regional artists, including an annual summer show that serves as a mixed media platform for the city's top artists. A variety of adult and child art workshops are also offered by the institute at its pottery studio and ArtFarm Gardens. Visitors may enjoy the institute's Kesling's Kitchen restaurant, a quick-casual restaurant serving Neapolitan-style flatbread pizzas and sandwiches cooked in a Mugnaini wood-fired oven.
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Borrego Art Institute
665 Palm Canyon DrBorrego Art Institute is a contemporary art institute and nonprofit organization that opened to the public in 2005 as a partnership between businessman Dennis Nourse and Borrego Springs artist Nita Wipper. The institute is located within a historic retail building designed in 1949 by Kesling Modern Structures that was reconstructed and renovated for the institute's use in 2005. Rotating art shows are hosted at the institute, featuring the works of top regional artists, including an annual summer show that serves as a mixed media platform for the city's top artists. A variety of adult and child art workshops are also offered by the institute at its pottery studio and ArtFarm Gardens. Visitors may enjoy the institute's Kesling's Kitchen restaurant, a quick-casual restaurant serving Neapolitan-style flatbread pizzas and sandwiches cooked in a Mugnaini wood-fired oven.
Off Roading
Sandstone Canyon is a moderately difficult off-roading route within Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, offering opportunities for intermediate-level four-wheeling along a 300-foot canyon stretch. The overland trail provides off-roading areas for four-by-four vehicles, including several rock slides that may be traversed by vehicle. The first portion of the trail allows for easier visitor stretches with ample turnaround space for visitors unable to complete the entire trail. Spectacular cliff formation views are offered throughout the trail, with dispersed camping permitted at several sites throughout the canyon. Visitors should note that the trail features deep uphill mud sections and steep grades and that fires are not permitted at campsites within the canyon.
Sandstone Canyon
Sandstone Canyon is a moderately difficult off-roading route within Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, offering opportunities for intermediate-level four-wheeling along a 300-foot canyon stretch. The overland trail provides off-roading areas for four-by-four vehicles, including several rock slides that may be traversed by vehicle. The first portion of the trail allows for easier visitor stretches with ample turnaround space for visitors unable to complete the entire trail. Spectacular cliff formation views are offered throughout the trail, with dispersed camping permitted at several sites throughout the canyon. Visitors should note that the trail features deep uphill mud sections and steep grades and that fires are not permitted at campsites within the canyon.