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 22, 2026

In Memory of Robert (Bob) James Potratz

Robert “Bob” James Potratz

May 8th, 1954 – July 12th, 2026

Borrego Springs, CA

Bob was the third oldest child, out of thirteen, he had six brothers and six sisters. He was born and raised in Chula Vista, California. Bob was quiet, dry and witty. When you got him going, he was a remarkable storyteller. If you got to know Bob, you knew he had a loving heart; he was compassionate and appreciative.

After high school Bob grew a beard and kept his beard to the day he passed away. Bob was an electrician and worked many years with Knox Electric. He learned the electrical trade from his father who was an electrical contractor. In the early 1980s Bob worked construction at the Casa Del Zoro. Bob loved the desert and Borrego Springs. He enjoyed the outdoors and personal space. In 1989 he bought property in Borrego Springs and later started Peg Leg Mini Storage.

Bob especially enjoyed flat track, dirt motorcycle racing. He enjoyed racing. He owned race cars and had his own private dirt track in Ocotillo Wells.

Bob had a passion for trigonometric identities and derivatives, quadratic equations and algebra, calculus and arc length derivation.

Bob loved his indoor/outdoor eighteen years old cat Wolfie. He wouldn’t leave Borrego to visit his brothers in Oregon and sister in La Jolla until Wolfie passed. Wolfie is now in good care at Bob’s nephew Jess Willhite.

He loved family gatherings with activities like camping, hiking and floating rivers.

Bob is survived by his sisters Joyce, Ginny, Mary, Laura and Gretchen and brothers David, Allan, Will, Mark, Roger and Ben, and former wife Minerva. He was preceded in death by his parents Leo and Donna Potratz and sister Diane.

Bob, we are grateful and feel blessed to have shared this life together, you will be missed by many.

The family will have a celebration of life for Bob next winter in Borrego Springs. If you are interested, please reach out to Bob Potratz’s family at P.O. Box 208, Borrego Springs, CA 92004.

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.