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.

East County Performing Arts • June 7, 2026

My Fair Lady Comes to Julian This Summer

Julian Performing Arts Company will present My Fair Lady from July 17–26, 2026 as part of its 2025/26 season.

The classic Broadway musical follows Eliza Doolittle, a flower seller whose life changes after she meets Professor Henry Higgins. The show includes well-known songs such as “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly,” “The Rain in Spain,” and “I Could Have Danced All Night.”

The cast includes performers from the region, including Gary Edwards, known locally as President of the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center Board of Directors.

For Borrego Springs residents, the production offers a summer outing in nearby Julian and a chance to enjoy live theater "close" to home.

Performance dates: July 17–26, 2026
Tickets: Available through Julian Performing Arts Company