How big is Anza-Borrego Desert State Park?

More than 600,000 acres, or roughly 1,000 square miles. It is the largest state park in California and the third largest in the United States, spanning parts of San Diego, Riverside and Imperial counties.

How much does it cost to enter Anza-Borrego?

Day use is $10 per vehicle, collected at the Visitor Center, developed campgrounds and several popular trailheads including The Slot and Hellhole Canyon. The park has no entrance gates and much of it can be accessed without a fee.

When is wildflower season at Anza-Borrego?

Annual wildflowers can appear from January through mid-April, with peak bloom most often between late February and early April. Timing varies year to year based on rainfall and temperature.

Is Anza-Borrego a Dark Sky Park?

Yes. The park was designated an International Dark Sky Park in 2018 at Silver tier. Borrego Springs, the town at its center, has been an International Dark Sky Community since 2009, the first in California.

Do I need four-wheel drive at Anza-Borrego?

Not for the paved roads, the Visitor Center or the main campgrounds. The vast majority of the park's roughly 500 miles of dirt roads do require a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle.

Is Anza-Borrego Desert State Park open at night?

Yes, the park is open 24 hours a day, year-round. The Visitor Center is open daily 9am to 5pm October through May, and weekends and holidays only June through September.

Shandel Sutherland • October 30, 2024

Borrego Olive Oil Co.

Visit Official Website

To order or inquire contact:

Ingrid Tuxhorn

ituxhorn@gmail.com
(760) 315-3363

PO Box #913

Borrego Springs, Ca. 92004

Experience Local Flavor with Borrego Olive Oil Co.

Borrego Olive Oil Co. is a locally rooted brand bringing premium Extra Virgin Olive Oils and balsamic vinegars to Borrego Springs and beyond. With ingredients sourced from California and the Mediterranean, every bottle reflects a commitment to quality, freshness, and regional character.

As part of the Borrego Springs community, the brand actively supports local tastings, educational classes, culinary events, and collaborative opportunities that celebrate food, connection, and creativity.

Delight in Natural Flavor Infusions

The EVOOs at Borrego Olive Oil Co. feature natural infusions such as jalapeño, chili, lime, lemon, and orange. These flavors add a unique twist to any culinary creation, perfect for dressing salads or marinating meats.

Fresh salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, and greens on a white plate

Savor Authentic Balsamic Vinegars

Their balsamic vinegars are crafted in Modena, Italy, known for their thick consistency and excellent flavor. Available varieties include pomegranate, fig, raspberry, and more, offering a taste of Italian tradition combined with robust, natural flavors.

Explore Exotic Spices and Blends

In addition to oils and vinegars, Borrego Olive Oil Co. offers a wide range of handcrafted spices and herb blends. From international mixes like baharat and dukkah to freshly roasted and ground spices from A to Z, they provide everything needed to enhance any dish.

New Addition: Olive Leaf Tea

The latest product from Borrego Olive Oil Co. is olive leaf tea, known for its antioxidant properties and a delightful chamomile-like flavor—a perfect choice for a healthful, relaxing beverage.

Close-up of dark liquid pouring from a bottle spout into a stream

Visit at the Borrego Springs Certified Farmers Market

Experience the flavors of Borrego Olive Oil Co. by visiting their booth every Friday at the Borrego Springs Certified Farmers Market. This is a wonderful opportunity to sample and purchase from their extensive product range.

Bowl of mixed fruit on a table, with glasses and warm candlelight in the background

Hand holding green olives on a tree branch among narrow leaves

Hands holding freshly picked green olives over a pile of olives in a basket

Close-up of black olives hanging from a green olive tree branch

Green olive branches with small unripe olives hanging against a blurred golden background

Learn More About Borrego Springs

A Yacht Club in the Borrego Desert

By Andrea McKenna • September 28, 2026

Borrego Springs Yacht Club Brings Model Sailboat Racing to Rams Hill Borrego Springs is home to an unusual desert pastime: model yacht racing. The Borrego Springs Yacht Club was founded in 2010 by Steve Luckman and Dennis Daoust. The club has grown to about 40 members and operates at a pond on the former nine-hole golf course at Rams Hill. Members race V32 sailboats, 32-inch non-motorized model boats controlled remotely through their sails and rudders. The boats were manufactured in California for decades but are no longer in production. Races typically draw 16 to 20 boats, with courses marked by duck decoys used as buoys. The racing season runs from November through May, although members can practice throughout the year. Six club events are held during the season, including Opening Day in November, the Pacific Cap in January, the Invitational in February, the Misplace Race in March, the Powder Puff in April and the Tequila Bowl in May. Winners receive trophies that are held until the next event. The club also maintains a palapa-style clubhouse and hillside seating overlooking the pond, providing space for members and spectators during race days. Membership was listed at $250 per year. The Borrego Springs Yacht Club offers a distinctive local version of sailing, combining competition, model boat craftsmanship and community activity in the desert. If you have any interest, contact Dennis Daoust at captain-havoc@earthlink.net .

The History of The Mall in Borrego Springs

By Andrea McKenna • September 22, 2026

Mid-century design and a community vision that began in 1965.

Pegleg Pointers: A 1998 Look at the Pegleg Smith Liars Contest | Historic Borrego Sun

By Phil Brigandi • September 13, 2026

This column first ran ahead of the 50th annual Pegleg Smith Liars Contest in April 1998. Phil Brigandi, a longtime desert historian and four-time contest winner, died in 2019.

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