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.

May 23, 2026

Jack McGrory Highlights Independent Oversight in Recent San Diego County Commentary

Former San Diego City Manager and Casa del Zorro partner weighs in on county charter reforms that could reach voters this November.

Former San Diego City Manager Jack McGrory recently shared his support for proposed San Diego County Charter reforms in a San Diego Business Journal guest commentary published May 21, 2026.

In the article, McGrory writes that independent oversight does not create unnecessary bureaucracy. Instead, he says well-designed oversight can help government work better by improving decision-making, strengthening accountability, and supporting more effective use of public resources.

The proposed reforms include the creation of an independent Ethics Commission, an Independent Budget Analyst, and an Independent Program Auditor. McGrory describes these roles as ways to fill structural gaps in county government and provide elected officials with clearer, more reliable information before major decisions are made.

A major focus of McGrory’s commentary is budgeting. He notes that county budgets are typically developed by the executive branch before being presented to elected officials. Without independent fiscal analysis, supervisors may be left responding to a completed proposal rather than weighing alternatives earlier in the process.

He also points to program evaluation as another area where independent review can help. An Independent Program Auditor, he argues, would allow county programs to be assessed outside the departments responsible for running them, helping identify what is working, what is not, and where resources may be better directed.

Borrego Springs readers may also recognize McGrory through his longstanding connection to LaCasa del Zorro. Previous reporting by the San Diego Business Journal noted that McGrory was part of the San Diego-based partnership involved in the purchase and redevelopment efforts tied to the historic Borrego Springs resort property.

That local connection gives his recent commentary added interest for Borrego Springs residents following county government, regional leadership, and decisions that may affect unincorporated communities.

McGrory’s full commentary appears in the San Diego Business Journal under the title “Independent Oversight Brings the Accountability San Diego County Needs.”