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.

County of San Diego • July 2, 2026

County Explores Expanded Winery Opportunities in Rural Residential Areas

Tiered Winery - Rural Residential Expansion

The County of San Diego Planning & Development Services (PDS) is looking at ways to allow smaller winery operations in Rural Residential (RR) zones. Large Wineries are already permitted in RR zones with a Major Use Permit (MUP). The goal is to support the local wine industry while protecting environmental resources and maintaining community character.

Through the Tiered Winery - Rural Residential Expansion project, PDS will look at how different types of wineries could operate in RR zones under clear and consistent criteria. This work may create more opportunities for wineries to open or expand, while also making sure community character and natural resources are respected.

The project will include:

Changes to zoning rules (updating the zoning ordinance)
New operating standards for wineries
A review of potential environmental effects under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

You can also view our Project Sheet.

In early 2026, the Board of Supervisor's (Board) approved an amendment to the Tiered Winery Ordinance relating to amplified music at Boutique Wineries. You can see the Board Hearing video

(External link) and read the Minute Order

(External link) detailing the Boards direction.

As part of that hearing, the Board directed PDS to explore additional amendments to the Tiered Winery Ordinance that will be explored as part of this project. Specifically, the Board directed staff to:

Review of the 30% criteria for designated tasting/retail sales to only include the specific square footage where indoor tasting and retail sales take place and exclude outdoor tasting areas.
Further reductions of the minimum 200-foot setback for live music from all property lines to the lowest possible distance.

Reassess all assumptions and attenuations in the current noise study, including but limited to:
Hard Site vs. Soft Site Attenuations
Factor in direction of sound amplification
Consideration of physical or natural barriers between live music locations and property lines such as structures, walls, trees, or other forms of vegetation
Evaluate feasibility of establishing a waiver process that would allow live music closer than the 200-foot setback if approved by property owners or tenants of impacted properties.

We Want Your Input

Community input will inform topics like:

Zoning criteria for wineries in RR zoned areas, related to: proximity to homes, operating hours, parking, noise
How wineries can coexist with nearby communities
Ways to support local farming, agritourism, and small businesses
Environmental and infrastructure needs to support safe, sustainable operations and growth

We will develop recommendations for an updated Tiered Winery Zoning Ordinance (Section 6910) with your feedback. The Board of Supervisors will consider the recommendations.

How Can You Participate in the Process?

Stay informed by reviewing the information on this site
Share information with others
Participate in the engagement tools on this site (Q&A, News Feed)
Attend and contribute to conversations at meetings
Ask Questions

What Zone Are You In?

Use our interactive GIS map

(External link) to quickly find your zone. Just enter your address (top right search bar) or zoom in to your location, and the map will display your zone information.

Learn More About Borrego Springs

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Bill Wright: Borrego's Champion

By Andrea McKenna • November 3, 2026

Two neighbors, one town, and decades of giving back: how Bill and Jenny Wright helped build the library, the concerts, the scholarships and so much more in Borrego Springs.

Community Spotlight: Father George Keith

By Andrea McKenna • October 30, 2026

Priest, director and longtime friend of Borrego's stage: a look at Father George Keith's years at St. Barnabas and the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center.

Tennis for Health: Borrego’s Own Elite Pro Has Been Teaching the “Sport of a Lifetime” Here for Decades

By Andrea McKenna • October 29, 2026

Photo courtesy of Mike Rogers.

In Memory of Joan Delores Rosen

By Martin, Dirk and Marika Rosen • October 26, 2026

Joan Delores Rosen, 95, Remembered for a Life of Art, Adventure and Conservation

How Do I Love Thee? Reflections on a Life in Borrego Springs

By Shirley Vialpando • October 23, 2026

For Shirley Vilapando, Borrego Springs has always been more than a place to live. It has been a community of friendship, faith, support and belonging.

Tony Cecena to Lead Both Borrego Springs Resorts

By Andrea McKenna • October 13, 2026

The lifelong Borregan will oversee Borrego Springs Resort while continuing as General Manager of La Casa del Zorro. Tony Cecena has been appointed General Manager of Borrego Springs Resort in addition to his current role leading La Casa del Zorro, according to an announcement shared by Chris Adams. The appointment brings together two familiar desert destinations under shared leadership. La Casa del Zorro offers guest rooms and private casitas, dining, pools, tennis and pickleball. Borrego Springs Resort features rooms and suites with mountain or pool views, a heated pool and lighted tennis courts. For Cecena, the expanded role reconnects him with a property where he spent 22 years working across hotel and food operations, technology, accounting and sales. He began his hospitality career at La Casa del Zorro while attending high school. Adams described the arrangement as a partnership rooted in cooperation and collaboration, praising Cecena’s passion for hospitality. With deep ties to both properties, Cecena brings decades of experience and a longstanding commitment to the Borrego Springs community.

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