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 • April 24, 2025

Tapas Mixer at Yellow Woman Ranch

Peter from Hacienda del Sol shares a warm hello with Wil Mayo of Rams Hill Golf Club—just one example of the friendly exchanges that make Borrego’s creative and business community so connected and supportive.

A Night of Connection and Collaboration at Yellow Woman Ranch

The recent Taste of Spain Tapas Mixer brought together more than two dozen of Borrego’s business owners, professionals, and entrepreneurs. Host Rossy Sanchez, creator of Yellow Woman Ranch (YWR), described the event as the perfect way to celebrate a season of growth, connection, and new beginnings for the women’s retreat and event center.

The Mixer was designed as a platform for this group to come together, share their ideas, projects, and dreams, and explore opportunities for collaboration and support.

The event was a clear success. Guests spent the evening connecting, exchanging ideas, and enjoying the delicious Spanish tapas—all while learning more about each other and the exciting new businesses emerging in the community. Sweetening the evening, desserts were handmade by local home baker Brianna of 1st Bite Baking and the team at Borrego Olive Oil, adding an extra touch of Borrego flavor to the gathering.

Highlights from the Evening

Matt and Melissa Danskine, owners of Dark Sky Printing, introduced their new digital print shop—offering everything from business cards to large-format banners. They’re ready to connect with local businesses and clients to explore how they can help bring your projects to life, with quality that speaks for itself.

We heard from Chad and Melissa, the couple behind Riviera Farms, who shared their inspiring vision for a year-round farmers market featuring wholesome, homegrown products. Their Just Laid eggs—gifted as a sample to Yellow Woman Ranch—offered a small taste of the fresh, local goods we can expect from their farm.

We learned about Yellow Woman Ranch (YWR)—the story behind its name and the mission that guides this women’s retreat and event center.

Rossy Sanchez, founder of Yellow Woman Ranch, shared:

“Yellow Woman Ranch is the manifestation of a long-time dream to create a sanctuary where women can come together to learn, to grow and evolve on a personal level, to get to know themselves, love themselves, and heal from anything that’s come before—and to be there for each other.”

The ranch focuses on health and wellness, especially holistic health, and enjoys hosting social gatherings and art-centered events.

“If I had to describe YWR in just a few words,” Rossy added, “I would say that it is a magical place where you come to feel good: body, mind, and spirit.”

Local Student Gains Experience Through Community Collaboration

As part of GoToBorregoSprings' commitment to supporting local students and promoting community connections, Rossy Sanchez reached out to find a student photographer for the event. Sylvia Maas, a Soroptimist member, recommended senior Melanie Urquidez, a Borrego Springs High School student and member of the S’Interact program (a joint Soroptimist and Rotary effort), as a great fit for the job. Melanie was paid for her time by both GoToBorregoSprings and Yellow Woman Ranch—a meaningful step in giving students real-world experience while supporting local business.

Wellness and Creativity at Yellow Woman Ranch

Yellow Woman Ranch opened its doors officially on October 26, 2024, and since then has been creating and hosting a wide array of events, programs, and activities for both men and women. Here’s a breakdown of what they accomplished this season:

Thanksgiving Potluck – opened to the community
Borrego 360 Wellness Challenge – A 3-month wellness program
One-Day Retreat – part of the Challenge – a full day of wellness: workout, nutrition presentation, grocery shopping excursion, seed-to-feed lunch, and sound bath.
Wellness Faire -A variety of holistic practitioners offered healing modalities including pelvic floor health, yoga, tai chi, reiki, breath work, sound and vibrational healing, and plant wisdom readings—alongside a nutritious, delicious lunch catered by The Arches and Borrego Olive Oil.