Borrego Springs is home to the largest desert state park in America. It’s an impressive 630,000-acre Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, which is nearly the same size at the state of Rhode Island. This spectacular desert park has majestic mountains, beautiful canyons, hiking trails, camping, wildflowers, and miles of scenic beauty. At night the sky is filled with millions of glittering stars. The magnificent sunrises and sunsets are equally spectacular. It’s also home to excellent hotels and home rentals for a memorable weekend getaway.
Most of Borrego Spring’s 250,000 visitors come in the spring when the wildflowers are in full bloom during the months of March through May. So be sure to bring your camera or smartphone. To avoid the traffic do come during the week or stay in a hotel (see where to stay) for a few days longer. So you can take in all of the sights.
A must-see attraction is the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Visitor’s Center (2) (760-767-4205). Here you will be introduced to the natural beauty of the desert with over 1,000 specials of plants, 297 varieties of birds and 116 different species of butterflies. The center also has fascinating displays and special multi-projector slide shows about the desert.
The visitor’s center is open daily 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Oct. 1–May 31. Then during the hot season, June 1–Sept. 30, the Visitor’s Center is open 9 a.m.–5 p.m. on weekends and holidays. It’s closed on weekends.
Also popular for campers and RV enthusiasts is to stay overnight in the state park. Depending on the season and accommodations requested, overnight fees at the Anza-Borrego State Park (7) (760-767-4205) or go online.
Shoppers will also want to wanter through The Mall on Palm Canyon Dr. where you’ll find lots of nick nacks and a wonderful souvenir. Here too is Kendall’s Cafe serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Also, popular items to take home are the life-sized statues of prehistoric animals, which can be seen along many of the highways and by-ways in Borrego. Most were created by artist Ricardo Breceda. you’ll see sculptures of wild horses, sabertooth tigers, and desert tortoises, which seem to be crawling through the brush. The artist, Ricardo Breceda, brings life to his sculptures by capturing these creatures in motion. They are so still, yet all you see is movement.
Read more: https://www.desertusa.com/borrego/bs-art.html#ixzz5fkp71V3j
Public Golf Courses
Borrego Springs Resort & Country Club (9), 1112 Tilting T Dr. (760-767-5700). Featured here is a challenging par 72 course, a 27 hole championship golf course with lakes and sand traps, a restaurant, cocktail lounge, and overnight accommodations. Green fees are ($40) weekdays and ($45) weekends from June 1–Sept.. 30; and ($70) weekends and ($80) weekends from Oct 1–May 31. Credit cards: DISC, MC, VISA.
The Roadrunner Golf Club/RV Park (8), 1010 Palm Canyon Dr. (760-767-5kl373). Featured here is a par 3 18-hole course. Green fees are ($25) for residents; ($30) for non residents. Credit cards: DISC, MC, VISA.
Private Courses
Half the fun of living in Borrego Springs is to belong to one of the private clubs. The oldest with its beautiful homes around the finely manicured 18-hole course is the de Anza Golf Course located at 509 Caterina Dr. The other is the newer Rams Hill Course, touted as one of the top 3 courses in California. Rams Hill is located on Yaqui Road in the Southend of the Valley and de Anza Golf Course is located in the northern end just like two bookends.
Borrego Springs Has Twice the Population of Julian
Borrego Springs boasts of having NO traffic signals. This down-to-earth desert resort community has a population of 3,500 leisure-minded seasonal and year-round residents. One of their favorite pastimes is playing golf on Borrego’s six beautiful golf courses. Thus, your estate home will only be minutes from golfing, dining, and shopping, yet as private as you want it to be.
Where to Eat in Borrego Springs
Expect to enjoy excellent dining at these locations also at the hotels with restaurants. See where to stay.
Carlee’s Place (5), 660 Palm Canyon Dr. (760-767-3262). Open daily for lunch and dinner, 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Bar open till 11 p.m. Nightly specials 5 [.m.–9 p.m. Great-tasting burgers, steaks, and pasta are served in an informal setting with a big-screen TV and a pool table. Credit cards: AE, MC, VISA.
Kendall’s Cafe, (4), at The Mall on Palm Canyon Dr. (760-767-3491). Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner from 6 a.m.–8 -.m. The restaurant and coffee shop is the local favorite. Credit cards: MC, VISA.
The Red Ocotillo, 721 Ave. Surete (760-767-4700). Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 a.m.–8:30 p.m. offers a wide variety of healthy American cuisine including burgers, salads, pasta entrees. Dog-friendly with a loyal following. Credit cards: MC, VISA.
Where to Stay
Borrego Valley Inn (3) 405 Palm Canyon Dr. (800-333-5810). This southwestern-style adobe inn features 15 darling rooms with private patios, kitchenettes, two pools, and two spas. Credit Cards: AE, DISC, MC, VISA.
La Casa del Zorro Desert Resort (10) at 3845 Yaqui Pass Rd., Borrego Sprints (800-824-1884). Double occupancy rooms, casitas for two to six persons. This is a world-class resort, 4-star resort complete wit4h tennis courts, an archery range, swimming pools, jacuzzi, and fitness center, spa, and salon. Plus, fine dining, and excellent service. Plus a cocktail lounge. Credit cards: AE, DICS, MC, VISA
The Palms at India Head (1), 2220 Hoberg Rd., P.O. Box 525, Borrego Springs, CA 92004 (800-519-2624). This historic inn features 12 cozy rooms with beautiful desert views, an Olympic-sized swimming pool and jacuzzi. Plus expect to enjoy delicious cuisine in a romantic setting. Credit cards: DISC, MC, VISA.
Borrego Springs is surrounded by America’s Big Desert
Borrego Springs is surrounded by the magnificent 600,000 acres Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Based on size alone, it’s the largest State Park in the United States. Thus, it’s nearly the same size as the entire state of Rhode Island. Think BIG and BEAUTIFUL.
Borrego Springs is just 45 minutes east of Julian. This desert resort is home to majestic mountains, beautiful canyons, spring wildflowers, over 1,000 species of plants, 56 species of reptiles and amphibians, 297 varieties of birds and 116 different species of butterflies.
Nearby is Rams Hill Country Club with its magnificent golf course, which was rated at one of the top three golf courses in California. Plus, they have beautiful homes and an excellent restaurant. So there are six challenging golf courses to play on year-round.
Getting to Borrego Springs
By car (see map) Borrego is a mere 90 minutes away depending on where you live in San Diego. It’s even closer if you reside in any of the cities or suburbs of El Cajon, La Mesa, Ramona or Escondido. The main thoroughfares are Highway 8 for the east county and Highway 67 and 79 in the North County. Plus, Highway 8 is the highway to take from the east including Arizona. If you have an airplane, as many out-of-towners do, Borrego Springs has an excellent airport, which is managed by the San Diego Airport Authority. Plus, they also have a restaurant at the airport. So getting to and from Borrego Springs is one of its strong points as the scenery and views are tranquil.
Borrego Annual Weather
The highest temperatures of the year are May (93.29), June (102), July 106.8), August 105.7) and September (100.3). The rest of the year the temperatures range between a comfortable (69 degrees and 89.2 degrees). With extra good air conditioning and changing your outdoor habits to doing things before dawn and after dusk, the warmer months are not uncomfortable.
Escape to paradise
For additional information call or visit the Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce (6) (800-559-5524) at 786-Palm Canyon Dr. or visit their website at (www.borregosprings.org).
