Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (, AN-zə bə-RAY-goh) is a California State Park located within the Colorado Desert of Southern California, United States. This is one of the sights of Borrego Springs. It dates from 1933.
A state park inside Borrego Springs
Summers are hot
July and August highs run 104–105°, and about 177 days a year reach 90°. When to go ↓
You can stay in Borrego Springs
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is inside Borrego Springs, which has 17 places to stay, so you won’t need a base farther out. Where to stay ↓
A day trip from San Diego
San Diego is about 51 miles southwest (straight-line). Where to stay ↓
Best months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov and Dec
January, February, March, November and December are the mild months, with highs of 69–79°. When to go ↓
Established in 1933
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park dates from 1933. About ↓
Written from NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Overture places to stay, Census town figures, Wikidata and Wikipedia.
Weather, month by month
Pick a month for Anza-Borrego Desert from the weather below.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (, AN-zə bə-RAY-goh) is a California State Park located within the Colorado Desert of Southern California, United States. Created in 1932, the park takes its name from 18th century Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza and borrego, a Spanish word for sheep. With 650,000 acres (260,000 ha) that includes one-fifth of San Diego County, it is the largest state park in California and the third largest state park nationally.
The park occupies eastern San Diego County and reaches into Imperial and Riverside counties, enveloping two communities: Borrego Springs, which is home to the park's headquarters, and Shelter Valley.
- Type
- State park
- Established
- 1933
- Listed
- National Natural Landmark · International Dark Sky Park (2018)
- Wikipedia readers
- 27K a year
Overnight near Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Rooms are nearest in Borrego Springs (17) and Julian (26), and Palm Springs has the most rooms in the area (198).
Palm Springs
The most places to stay in the area, and a base for a longer trip.
45,315 people · 27% vacation homes
39 mi north of Anza-Borrego Desert
Compare 9 towns
| Town | From Anza-Borrego Desert | Drive | Places to stay | People | Typical home | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Borrego Springs 36% vacation homes | in town | — | 17 10 hotels · 2 motels · 2 inns & B&Bs · 1 campground · 2 RV parks | 2,700 | $403K | — |
| Julian 25% vacation homes | 17 mi southwest | 25 min | 26 5 hotels · 7 inns & B&Bs · 6 lodges & cabins · 6 campgrounds · 2 RV parks | 1,751 | $603K | — |
| La Quinta 28% vacation homes | 27 mi north | 40 min | 18 17 hotels · 1 inn or B&B | 39,440 | $662K | C |
| Mount Laguna 29% vacation homes | 27 mi south | 40 min | 6 1 lodge or cabins · 5 campgrounds | 93 | — | — |
| Oasis | 24 mi northeast | 35 min | 3 2 campgrounds · 1 RV park | 4,051 | $35K | — |
| Vista Santa Rosa | 27 mi northeast | 40 min | 4 1 hotel · 1 lodge or cabins · 1 campground · 1 RV park | 2,333 | $428K | — |
| Salton City | 26 mi east | 40 min | 3 1 hotel · 1 motel · 1 RV park | 5,988 | $201K | — |
| San Diego Country Estates | 28 mi southwest | 40 min | 3 3 hotels | 10,223 | $810K | — |
| Palm Springs 27% vacation homes | 39 mi north | 1 hr | 198 178 hotels · 6 motels · 6 inns & B&Bs · 6 lodges & cabins · 2 RV parks | 45,315 | $604K | D |
Day trip from
Straight-line miles.
Getting there
Nearest airports with airline service
Pair Anza-Borrego Desert with these
More places people know lie within 66 miles.
Big draw33 mi LakeSalton Sea
Big draw48 mi National ParkJoshua Tree National Park2.9M visitors a year
Big draw65 mi LandmarkMexico–United States border wall
Big draw53 mi Stadium & arenaSnapdragon Stadium
58 mi Stadium & arenaPetco Park
57 mi Zoo & aquariumSan Diego Zoo4.0M visitors a year
36 mi Stadium & arenaAcrisure Arena
57 mi Park & preserveBalboa ParkPhoto credits
Salton Sea: NASA, Public domain · Joshua Tree National Park: Sergiy Galyonkin, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mexico–United States border wall: Földhegy, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Snapdragon Stadium: Terrible Tim, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Petco Park: Mds08011, CC BY 4.0 · San Diego Zoo: en:User:Cburnett, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Acrisure Arena: TheAHL, CC BY 2.0 · Balboa Park: Antoine Taveneaux, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Visiting Anza-Borrego Desert: the answers
Is Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in Borrego Springs?
Yes. It’s inside Borrego Springs, CA.
When is the best time to visit Anza-Borrego Desert State Park?
January, February, March, November and December, with highs of 69–79°.
How far is Anza-Borrego Desert State Park from San Diego and Riverside?
About 51 miles southwest of San Diego and about 74 miles northwest of Riverside, as the crow flies.
What is the closest airport to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park?
Palm Springs (PSP), about 40 miles away.
Where should I stay near Anza-Borrego Desert State Park?
Borrego Springs (in town, 17 places to stay), Julian (17 mi, 26 places to stay) and Palm Springs (39 mi, 198 places to stay).
Word from Borrego Springs
People in Borrego Springs have not posted tips yet; their Town Square is open.
Sources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · NOAA climate normals · U.S. Census.