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 News Service • June 1, 2026

San Diego Humane Society adoption fees waived on California Adopt-a-Pet Day, June 6

East County News Service

June 1, 2026 (San Diego County) — The San Diego Humane Society is clearing a path to make the road to a forever home less bumpy for hundreds of companion animals. The SDHS is waiving all adoption fees Saturday, June 6, as part of the third annual California Adopt-a-Pet Day.

As shelters across the state struggle with overcrowding, this statewide initiative — hosted by California Animal Welfare Association (CalAnimals), the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals — aims to clear kennel space while connecting pets with new families.

The San Diego Humane Society currently has more than 800 pets waiting for adoption across its campuses in El Cajon, San Diego, Escondido and Oceanside.

On Saturday, all campuses will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with no adoption fees. SDHS is encouraging prospective adopters to arrive early, as all adoptions will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

The annual adoption event has seen consistent growth since its inception.

In 2024, the initiative facilitated 3,609 adoptions across California, a figure that climbed to nearly 5,000 in 2025. Last year alone, the SDHS successfully placed 293 pets in a single day, and organizers are setting their sights on exceeding that number this weekend.

“Waiving adoption fees for a day can transform hundreds of lives, both for the animals who find homes and the people who welcome them,” said Dr. Gary Weitzman, president and CEO of SDHS. “We’re proud to join shelters across California to spotlight the incredible pets in our care and help more families discover their perfect companion.”

To ensure each pet gets off to a healthy start, the SDHS includes several services with every adoption. These include spay/neuter surgery, current vaccinations, permanent microchip identification, post-adoption training support and a complimentary veterinary exam at participating clinics.

Prospective adopters can preview local animals currently awaiting homes by visiting sdhumane.org/adopt.