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.

Andrea McKenna • July 23, 2026

Ram Media Foundation Founder Gabriel Wisdom to Speak at San Diego Comic-Con

San Diego broadcaster and local Ram Media Foundation founder returns to the convention where his Comic-Con journey began.

Gabriel B. Wisdom, founder of Ram Media Foundation and creator of KRAM 90.5 FM Borrego Springs, will speak at San Diego Comic-Con on Friday, July 24.

Founded in 1970, San Diego Comic-Con has grown into one of the world’s largest pop culture conventions, drawing more than 130,000 attendees for panels, exhibits and appearances by creators, artists, filmmakers and celebrities from around the globe.

Wisdom will join Radio Hall of Fame inductee (Shotgun) Tom Kelly for "A Conversation with San Diego Celebrities Gabriel Wisdom and (Shotgun) Tom Kelly," from noon to 1 p.m. at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina.

Beginning at KPRI-FM San Diego in the late 1960s, Wisdom went on to work at KGB-FM San Diego and KMET-FM Los Angeles during the formative years of FM rock radio in the 1970s. Today, he leads Ram Media Foundation and, among other roles, serves as a portfolio manager with American Money Management, LLC (AMM),

Gabriel Wisdom (left), dressed as Thor at the 1976 San Diego Comic-Con Masquerade.

A Comic-Con Connection

Before Comic-Con became the international event it is today, Wisdom hosted the 1976 Comic-Con Masquerade dressed as Thor. The convention drew about 3,000 attendees and featured creative icons including Stan Lee, Gene Roddenberry, Ray Bradbury and Timothy Leary.

The following story, Stan Lee, Gene Roddenberry, and Me, is Wisdom's firsthand account of that memorable evening and a glimpse into Comic-Con's early years.

Stan Lee, Gene Rodenberry, and Me

By Gabriel Wisdom

Read Article

Discover Salton Sea Tales: A Potentially True Adventure

Wisdom is also the author of Salton Sea Tales: A Potentially True Adventure, an eco-thriller and speculative fiction novel set in California's Salton Sea region. Available in print and as an Audible audiobook, the story blends science, mystery and adventure against the backdrop of one of the state's most unique landscapes. Get the book here!

Learn More About Borrego Springs

The Two Mile Radio Telescope on Clark's Dry Lake | Historic Borrego Sun

By Andrea McKenna • September 6, 2026

A portion of the two-mile antenna array on Clark Dry Lake used to study radio emissions from outer space. Weights kept the long copper wires taut on their frames. Borrego Sun, July 15, 1961.

County Launches Online System for Property Assessment Appeals

By County of San Diego Communications Office • September 6, 2026

By County Communications , County of San Diego Communications Office The County has launched a new online system that lets property owners file property tax assessment appeals quickly and securely. Residents can now submit, review and track their appeals online, anytime, from any device. An assessment appeal allows property owners to request a review of the taxable value assigned to their property by the County Assessor. When Residents Can File an Appeal The regular filing season is from July 2 through Nov. 30. During that period, the Office of the Clerk of the Board accepts Assessment Appeals Applications from property owners. To apply, property owners need: Parcel or tax bill number Property address Their opinion of the property’s market value How Online Filing Helps Residents The new system streamlines the appeals process, reduces delays and offers more convenience than traditional paper applications. With the new system, property owners can: Submit an appeal form any device, including smartphones and tablets. Track their appeal status anytime. Sign up for updates without calling or emailing the office. Keep their information secure through the online portal. This upgrade supports the County’s ongoing effort to modernize public services and make them easier, faster and more accessible for all. A New, Easier-to-Use Website A redesigned Assessment Appeals website has launched alongside the new system. It features: A simple, clean layout Step-by-step instructions to reduce filing errors Tutorial videos and helpful resources for first-time filers A more streamlined filing experience through the new portal What Happens After You File Once your appeal is submitted: The Clerk of the Board reviews the application and contacts the property owner if anything is missing. When the application is complete, it is sent to the Assessor’s Office. An appraiser reviews the case and may request additional information. An independent appeals board hears and decides the case. By law, the board has up to two years from your filing date to issue a decision. Have questions? Contact the Clerk of Board of Supervisors’ office at AssessmentAppeals@sdcounty.ca.gov.