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.

Sally Walsh • August 15, 2026

Imagining Children’s Visions | Santa Ysabel Gallery

Celebrating Young Artists and the Future of Creative Education

Aug 1st thru Aug 24th, 2026- Featuring Children’s Art From, Romona High School, Ilea Leal Children’s Art, Ramona Art School, San Pascal Academy.

“Creativity is more important than knowledge.”

Albert Einstein

Santa Ysabel Gallery

Gallery Director Stephen Clugston curated this compressive children’s art show. The two weekend openings were extremely well supported.

One of the most inspiring shows of 2026 for me.

An energized, youthful, exuberant, artistically inspiring exhibition.

Congratulations to Steven Clugston and Santa Ysabel Gallery for bringing children’s art and the local art communities together.

Art Education- Technology - A Discussion

Increasingly I have become concerned about the future of fine art being taught in schools.

Creative learning shapes imagination, human understanding and the whole mind, consider treating the arts as fundamental rather than optional. Despite high offering rates, studies have shown a long term decline in the number of Arts courses available in U.S. schools.

The new education model embraces emerging technologies while recognizing that human connection, mentorship, creativity and character development will always remain at the heart of meaningful learning.

With A1 transforming nearly every aspect of education that vision feels more relevant than ever. Technology can personalize learning, expand access and accelerate discovery. But it can’t replace the inspiration that comes from great teachers and caring mentors.

The future of art education is not about choosing between people and technology, it’s about thoughtfully integrating both to create learning experiences that are more personalized, more engaging and deeply human.

In terms of developing artistic creativity there is no realistic replacement for creating art by hand the overall mind body experience, discovery of a personal creative language, has to be experienced not provided by technology which encompasses the data of what has already been created.

As custodians of our children’s artistic future it’s important to safeguard traditional art methods as essential forms of human expression. By supporting education, access, and community around these practices, we ensure that craftsmanship stretching back to thousands of years continues to evolve rather than fade.