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.

March 3, 2026

Bridge & Wolak Bring “Scandalous Romantics” to Borrego Springs

Presented by Borrego Springs Community Concert Association

Presented by the Borrego Springs Community Concert Association, digital accordion and clarinet and piano phenoms Michael Bridge & Kornel Wolak will perform their hit show “Scandalous Romantics” at the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.

For ticket information, visit borregoconcerts.org. Students are admitted free. Individual tickets may be available in the lobby the night of the show, depending on availability.

“Fresh, exciting and fun”

The duo has earned praise for bringing classical music to life with energy and humor. One review described their performances as: “Fresh, exciting and fun, dispelling any of the old preconceptions about classical music…”

A “tabloid” take on famous music stars

Bridge (accordion) and Wolak (clarinet) are a globe-trotting duo known for concerts filled with virtuosity, beauty, and wit. Their show “Scandalous Romantics” offers a humorous “tabloid” look at the stories behind celebrated music stars across genres, including their dramatic moments and memorable missteps.

The program features recognizable favorites including “Jealousy Tango,” “I Will Always Love You,” and “Marriage of Figaro,” along with more selections that blend classical, jazz, and world music.

About Borrego Springs Community Concert Association

The Borrego Springs Community Concert Association has presented nationally acclaimed artists in the community since 1976. This all-volunteer nonprofit is committed to enriching Borrego Springs through live performances and also presents three student concerts each season for Borrego Springs students. Support from patrons, benefactors, and sponsors helps keep concerts affordable and family-friendly.

Learn More About Borrego Springs

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BSPAC Announces 2026–27 Performing Arts Season

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Is San Diego County Ready for El Niño? Here's Our Storm Plan

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Supervisor Jim Desmond outlines County preparations and steps residents can take now.

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Here's how the community is getting by amid the heat wave.

Before the Ambulance Arrives: What Borrego Springs Residents Should Know

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Simple steps to prepare for an emergency.

Borrego Springs High School Blood Drive

By Borrego Springs High School • August 29, 2026

Wednesday, September 16

Borrego Springs Featured Among California Retirement Towns

By Andrea McKenna • August 29, 2026

Borrego Springs highlighted as a retirement destination.

New tool makes applying for benefits faster and easier

By Cassie N. Saunders, County of San Diego Communications Office • August 28, 2026

A new BenefitsCal feature called Truv now helps CalFresh, CalWORKs, Medi-Cal and County General Relief applicants save time, reduce paperwork and avoid mailing costs. The tool launched July 20, 2026, and verifies income and employment electronically during the e-application process. How Truv Works When applying through BenefitsCal, customers can securely sign in to their employer, payroll provider or financial institution. Truv uses secure, encrypted channels, and no information is shared outside the County of San Diego. If the employer participates in Truv, the system automatically pulls available income and employment information. Applicants can then review and confirm the information before submitting their application. “With Truv, it is easy for customers to opt in while applying through the online application tool BenefitsCal app,” said Alberto Banuelos, Interim Director of County Self Sufficiency Services. “It is a win-win, helping our customers save time and money and staff manage higher workloads.” Why It Matters Using Truv means customers don’t need to search for documents, manually enter income details or pay postage to mail paperwork. It also reduces the chance of manually entered errors. Application processing timelines vary: CalFresh reviews can take up to 30 days. Medi-Cal reviews can take up to 45 days. When income information is verified upfront, processing time can be shortened, helping eligible households get connected to critical resources faster. Self-Sufficiency Services supports more than 1.2 million San Diego County residents by providing access to essential public safety net programs. With customer-focused tools, multilingual help and community partnerships, Self‑Sufficiency Services works to make applying for benefits easier, faster and more accessible. Our mission is simple: to help people stay healthy, safe and on a path toward long‑term self‑sufficiency. Cassie N. Saunders is a communications specialist with the County of San Diego Communications Office. Contact