Places to visit in Borrego Springs

Top Things to Do in Borrego Springs, CA

Places to Visit in Borrego Springs

Top Attractions in Borrego Springs

These rankings are informed by traveller reviews—we consider the quality, quantity, recency, consistency of reviews, and the number of page views over time.
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

What travellers are saying

  • Gene M
    Port Saint Lucie, FL46 contributions
    Out of the way is the only draw back to this park unless you like the road a little less traveled. Which we do.
    Park staff were very knowledgeable, and typically California friendly. Bird life was abundant, no crowding and clean everything.

    Our compliments,
    Gene and Sally
    Kamuela, Hawaii
    Written 14 October 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • cmhomoelle
    Sacramento, CA15 contributions
    Don't miss the Sand Serpent. And watch the YouTube video before you go! We missed so many sculptures we did not know were nearby.
    Written 18 May 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Rebecca Z
    Mukwonago, WI139 contributions
    It was horribly hot when we hiked this, but it was a once in a lifetime experience for me. Glad we did it.
    Written 26 June 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Vickers55
    Cambridge, UK701 contributions
    Great trail although a bit haphazard in its path at times wonderful flowed and cacti and views. Very windy on our day. Water crossings a bit unstable. Good walk
    Written 4 April 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Diego G
    1 contribution
    We enjoyed the desert landscape and super bloom this year. We were lucky to walk the Borrego Palm Canyon trail when there was lots of water coming down the streams. We even got the treat of seeing Bighorn Sheep coming for a sip of water.
    What a beautiful area to enjoy! (Wear sunscreen, bring water!)
    Written 30 April 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Mcation
    San Diego, CA5 contributions
    It’s 4-5 miles off road on a fairly easy sandy trail. The view above the badlands down to the Salton Sink is mindboggling. Created by the wild meandering of the Colorado River from Ice Age rampaging flood waters. You realize the Salton Sea has been a creation of nature many times over. Flooding and drying. Each flood eroded the badlands further. The silted river channel would bust and the lake would drain into the Gulf of California again. Fonts Point allows you to take it all in, and see this amazing badlands area sculpted not by gradual wind and rains like thought in the past, but catastrophic floods that silted the river channel diverted waters into the Coachella and Borrego Valleys until the river broke through and drained the lake again and again. You can see the Salton Sea to the East and on clear winter mornings the Gulf of California to the south. My favorite landscape in Southern California.
    Written 7 April 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Lizbeth Persons P
    San Diego, CA2 contributions
    We loved the exhibition of desert paintings by master regional artists. The Institute is not large. We were able to see/read everything in about 40 min including visiting the nice gift shop. I bought some earrings. I will stop in again when I’m back in Borrego Springs.
    Written 15 April 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • PamRoad
    Texas1,051 contributions
    We came through the mountains from San Diego and were amazed at the beautiful scenery. At one point, everything was green and then after one turn we were on the desert side of the mountain. The difference was starkly beautiful. Definitely a great choice for a scenic drive.
    Written 12 March 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • lisa S
    2 contributions
    Fabulous and inspiring new building. A light filled wonder of a library. Also a happy surprise to see a wide selection of books for sale. Interesting decor, welcoming spaces, views of the landscape from almost every corner of the interior. What a lucky community to have such a fine library.
    Written 6 February 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • tinaNtravel
    San Jose, CA1,883 contributions
    To park, you must pay the $10 (exact change) parking fee. If you don’t have $10, then stop at the Visitor Center first to pay for parking with a credit card, for example. The first part of the hike is a lot of the same. The scenery doesn’t change much and the hike is quite simple with only a slight incline – with no shade. The second half gets more interesting. You need to climb over rocks and slide down some larger boulders in some cases. In one spot, you need to crawl under an archway on your hands and knees. The trail is not marked and it is difficult to find where the trail is located. You may want to use the All Trails app to make sure you stay on the trail. You eventually make it to a palm grove and a bit further some deciduous trees (for example, maple trees). The waterfall was dry when we were there and had maybe an inch of muddy water in a small puddle underneath. I would recommend you wear long pants on this hike because as you scramble over and under rocks, you may get your legs scraped by the twigs/cactus sticking out in parts (as I did). All in all, it was an interesting hike and I am sure it would be even nicer in the spring with the waterfall and flowers.
    Written 7 November 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Stefanie C
    Los Angeles, CA41 contributions
    We stopped by and visited this visitor's bureau at the start of our trip. Definitely worthwhile. There is good information there and the gentleman behind the desk was friendly and informative. Recommended especially for people who are not so familiar with things to do in the area. There is a lot of worthwhile information available.
    Written 19 June 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Cary L
    San Diego, CA707 contributions
    Most people visit this part of Anza-Borrego to tear around the desert in their ORVs, but it has attractions for the rest of us too. The web of dirt roads radiating out from the ranger station, just off SR 78, takes you to lot of interesting desert features, both geological and historical. The ironically named Shell Reef Expressway is a well-graded dirt road leading to a unique hillside of prehistoric seashells encased in stone. It also connects to roads leading into the San Felipe Wash and Borrego Sink, as well looping back around to the highway. Some of the side roads require 4-wheel drive, some don't. The rangers at the visitor center can advise you about that.
    Written 3 January 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Susie1028
    San Diego, CA2,006 contributions
    To get to the trailhead for this hike, there is a long drive in a dirt road (passable for most passenger cars). The hike to the homestead is on a maintained trail. Compared to most hikes in Anza Borrego, it is pretty easy. It goes without saying, bring water and hike during the cooler parts of the day. At the end of the trail, you can explore the remains of the Marshall South homestead—of man who moved his family to a very remote and hostile part of the county without the conveniences of electricity, phones, water, or food supply. If you are so inclined, you can head cross country to the peak of Ghost Mountain (no trail).
    Written 29 September 2017
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • NorthStar814354
    16 contributions
    A garden, really? There is a picnic bench. But the garden looks like the rest of the desert. Same rocks and cacti. Nothing looks like it was planted, pruned or arranged for anything special. Just something you can check off the list of things to find in the desert.
    Written 19 January 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Mary12191
    Nevada City, CA107 contributions
    Sandstone Canyon should be at the top of everyone’s list of desert canyons in this area...twisty & narrow in spots, tall canyon walls, varied colors. We love to go Jeeping in this area & always include Sandstone as part of our run!
    Written 11 December 2018
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Borrego Springs




Borrego Springs Attractions Information

Attractions

53

Attraction Reviews

2,871

Attraction Photos

3,126

Local Time

Friday, 9:58 pm