Borrego Springs, CA

Surrounded by Anza Borrego Desert State Park

Wildflower Reports

The first record of a European in Borrego Valley was when Lieutenant Pedro Fages of the San Diego Presidio came in search of deserters in 1772. His pursuit led him northwest through the present town of Borrego Springs and up Coyote Canyon.

This event was related by Kumeyaay Indians to members of the first Anza expedition, who camped at their village in March, 1774. The Spaniards called this village (and spring) just east of the Borrego Sink, San Gregorio. It is the location of the original Borrego Spring.

Juan Bautiste De Anza was seeking an overland route from Sonora, Mexico to Monterey, California. Proceeding west from San Gregorio, he and his party of 25 followed Coyote Creek and ascended Coyote Canyon. They camped the following night at the Cahuilla village of Lower Willows,

It was another hundred years before cattlemen began homesteading the Borrego Valley, in about 1875. The first successful well was dug in 1926, which quickly led to irrigation farming. By then, the town contained a post office, a small general store, and a gas station.

The presence of both the Army and the Navy during World War II brought the first paved roads and electricity to Borrego Springs. After the war, developers subdivided the area, attempting to create a resort community by capitalizing on the tourism generated by the state park.

The town Borrego Springs was never incorporated and, therefore, has no mayor or other form of municipal government.

Anza Metal Sculpture

History is unfolding in a town already filled with its own unique historical milestones. Borrego Springs has a new exhibit: 130 free standing art sculptures in the Galleta Meadows. For more pictures, a video, and a map showing where they are located.

Free standing art structures, the gomphotherium is back.

Lodging

There are resorts, hotels and motels in Borrego Springs, with something for every taste and price range. Click here for more information on reservations in Borrego Springs - featuring a complete list. (Rates, availability and reservations online.)

Camping & RV Parks

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park has camping opportunities throughout its 600,000 acres. The busy season is Nov – March and most weekends get full pretty fast. For reservations, call 800-444-7275. Camping is site-specific, so it’s a good idea to have a particular campsite in mind when you call for a reservation. For more information call the park at 760-767-5311.

Activities

Guide to the Art sculptures
Wildflower reports
Auto Tours
Walking & Hiking
Mountain Biking
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park offers a wide variety of informative programs on topics such as astronomy, paleontology, geology, botany, zoology, history, wildflower reports and more.
Golf - The Springs at Borrego RV Resort and Golf Course, Borrego Springs Resort, Roadrunner Golf and Country club and the 9-hole, par-3 Club Circle Golf Course.

Annual Events

Annual Archaeology Weekend event, , at ABDSP Visitor’s Center
Borrego Springs Days Desert Festival: October
This celebration marks the official kickoff of the tourism season with events including a parade, the Miss Borrego Pageant, dances, carnivals, live music, arts and crafts.
Borrego Springs Circle of Art - March
Pegleg Liars Contest - First Saturday in March - 7pm The Anniversary of the Peg Leg Smith Liar’s Contest is now held at the American Legion Post #853. This location will afford the benefits of dinner prior to the contest if desired, and restroom facilities. Briefly, here are the rules.......there are none! It’s a liar’s contest!
Borrego Springs Cinco de Mayo - May

Highways

County Highways S-3 and S-22 meet in downtown Borrego Springs. The Salton Sea is 30 miles to the east following S-22.
Link to Map

Airport

Borrego Valley Airport is located approximately 3 miles east of Borrego Springs. It has a pilot-activated, lighted, 5000-foot runway, fueling and space for overnight and longer stays. It is student pilot-friendly and has late-model rental cars available, a restaurant and information on numerous other activities. It also offers the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Sky Trail that gives pilots and their passengers a chance to enjoy natural and historic features of the park, many of which can only be viewed from the air. The Borrego Valley Airport has 99% clear skies.

History is unfolding in a town already filled with its own unique historical milestones. Borrego Springs has a new exhibit: Free standing art structures. Click here for more pictures, a video, and a map showing where they are located.

Learn about the story behind the art.

Vital Statistics

Elevation

780 feet above sea level

Location

Borrego Springs is located 78 miles northeast of San Diego in the Borrego Valley of southeastern California
It is situated in the extreme western Sonoran Desert and is completely surrounded by the 600,000-acre Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Population

2,789 permanent
App. 10,000 in the winter season

Annual Temperatures and Precipitation

Borrego Springs is often listed as the hottest place in the U.S. on certain summer days.
All-time high monthly precipitation was 5.07 inches in September 1983 due to Hurricane Kathleen.
6.86 inches (1962-1994 average).
The highest temperature recorded at Borrego Springs was 121 degrees in June, 1996.
Average Temperatures

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park - Monthly climate normals
	Year	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	87	69	73	77	84	93	102	107	105	100	90	78	69
Low	58	43	46	49	53	60	68	75	74	69	60	50	43

Avg	73	56	60	63	68	76	85	91	90	84	75	64	56
Rain	6.51	1.0	1.0	.81	.23	.09	.02	.35	.67	.44	.31	.69	.86

Note: All weather statistics listed for the town of Borrego Springs are recorded by rangers at the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Headquarters, 1.5 miles northwest of downtown. The elevation of the park visitor center is 780 feet above sea level, but the town itself is actually about 100 feet lower. The town is, therefore, less windy and tends to have greater extreme temperatures than those recorded in the park.

Resources & Nearby Attractions

Resources

DesertUSA Trading Post
Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 420 ~ Borrego Springs, CA 92004
Toll Free 1-800-559-5524
Tel. (760) 767-5555
Fax: (760) 767-5976
info@borregospringschamber.com

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