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.

East County Performing Arts • July 29, 2026

Virtuoso Cellist Ruslan Biryukov to Open East County Performing Arts' 2026–27 Season in Julian

Cellissimo Alone concert poster, golden-yellow background with cello illustration and Sept 12, 2020 date

Award-Winning Cellist Ruslan Biryukov Performs Two Concerts in Julian

The East County Performing Arts Association will open its 2026–27 season with an afternoon and evening of exceptional live music featuring internationally acclaimed cellist Ruslan Biryukov on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Julian Town Hall.

Presented as "Cellissimo Alone," the performance showcases the expressive range of the solo cello through a program spanning centuries of classical music. Audiences will have two opportunities to attend, with performances at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Biryukov, known for his technical mastery and emotional performances, will present works by Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel, Franghiz Ali-Zadeh, Gaspar Cassadó, and Mark Summer, taking listeners on a musical journey from Baroque masterpieces to contemporary compositions.

The program includes Bach's Suite No. 2, Handel's Passacaglia, Ali-Zadeh's Oyan!, Cassadó's Sonata, and Mark Summer's energetic Julie-O, a modern work that blends classical technique with jazz-inspired rhythms.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students and may be purchased at eastcountyarts.org/tickets. The concert will be held at Julian Town Hall.

The performance launches another season of concerts presented by the East County Performing Arts Association, bringing professional musicians and performing artists to Julian and surrounding communities.

For tickets, season subscriptions, and additional information, visit eastcountyarts.org.

2026–2027 Season Schedule

September 12, 2026
Cellissimo Alone
A special performance featuring a virtuoso cellist.

October 16–25, 2026
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
A spooky comedy inspired by Washington Irving's classic tale.

December 11–19, 2026
A Christmas Carol
The timeless Charles Dickens holiday classic returns to the Julian stage.

February 12–21, 2027
The Savannah Sipping Society
A heartwarming comedy about friendship, laughter, and second chances.

May 7–16, 2027
Greater Tuna
A hilarious satire celebrating the colorful characters of small-town Texas.

July 16–25, 2027
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Stephen Sondheim's award-winning Broadway musical closes the season.

Season subscriptions, individual tickets, and audition information are available at eastcountyarts.org.

The East County Performing Arts Association continues its mission of bringing high-quality live theater and performing arts to Julian and the surrounding East County communities, offering a full season of entertainment for residents and visitors alike.

Learn More About Borrego Springs

Pegleg Pointers: A 1998 Look at the Pegleg Smith Liars Contest | Historic Borrego Sun

By Phil Brigandi • September 13, 2026

This column first ran ahead of the 50th annual Pegleg Smith Liars Contest in April 1998. Phil Brigandi, a longtime desert historian and four-time contest winner, died in 2019.

Borrego Springs and the Famous San Diego Chicken!

By Gabriel Wisdom, Ram Media Foundation • September 12, 2026

Borrego’s Bill Lawrence joined a sold-out San Diego History Center event celebrating Ted Giannoulas, The Famous San Diego Chicken, and the mascot’s remarkable 50-year legacy.

Christian Center to Host Harvest Festival Oct. 31

By Andrea McKenna • September 12, 2026

Family event will feature games, a puppet show, hayride, food, go-kart races and an evening Youth Zone The Christian Center will host its annual Harvest Festival on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 4 to 6 p.m., offering an afternoon of family-friendly activities for children and families in Borrego Springs. The festival will feature Bible-based games, a Gospel Castle, puppet show, hayride and go-kart races, along with free candy. Food and drinks will also be available for purchase, including hot dogs, chili dogs, nachos, Gatorade, soda and water. After the main festival activities conclude, the Christian Center’s Youth Zone will remain open from 6 to 8 p.m. for students in grades 6 through 12, with additional activities including go-kart races. The Christian Center is located at 675 Weather Vane Drive, Borrego Springs. For additional information, call 760-767-7447. Event Details: Saturday, Oct. 31, 4–6 p.m.; Youth Zone for grades 6–12 from 6–8 p.m.; Christian Center, 675 Weather Vane Drive, Borrego Springs. >> LEARN MORE

Borrego Village Campus: Up to 60 Affordable Homes Proposed on Donated Land

By Andrea McKenna • September 11, 2026

Wellsprings Community Foundation would put housing for seniors and workers, a fire station, and a clinic on 22 donated acres in the center of town

Bargain Barn storefront sign on a white building with star decorations against a dark blue sky.

The Borrego Springs Bargain Barn: Season Update

By American Legion Post 853 Communications • September 10, 2026

Borrego Springs Thrifting for a Cause: Support Veterans at Bargain Barn.

Borrego Springs Sees Lowest Groundwater Pumping Since 2021

By Andrea McKenna • September 10, 2026

Borrego Springs sees its lowest groundwater pumping since 2021, highlighting conservation efforts. Stay updated on local water management.

Rotary Sets Feb. 6 for Annual Fundraiser: A Roaring Twenties Speakeasy

By Andrea McKenna • September 10, 2026

Borrego Springs Rotary will bring the Roaring Twenties to La Casa del Zorro for its annual community fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2027. Each February, the greater Rotary family gathers for one of its most important fundraisers of the year, raising funds to support programs and projects that benefit the Borrego Springs community. Last year’s Mardi Gras celebration drew 110 supporters for an evening of food, fun, raffles and auctions. Their generosity helped Rotary fund 30 student scholarships, send local students to leadership development programs, provide a Christmas toy for every child in Borrego Springs, and award 18 community grants. This season, Rotary is trading Mardi Gras for the glamour of the Roaring Twenties. The 2027 Rotary Annual Fundraiser Dinner will be held Saturday, Feb. 6, at La Casa del Zorro, with a Roaring Twenties Speakeasy theme, complete with Prohibition-era cocktails and period-inspired cuisine. Guests are encouraged to “throw on your glad rags” and join Rotary for what organizers promise will be a festive evening — all in support of programs that directly benefit the community. Save the date: Saturday, Feb. 6, 2027. Additional details, including ticket information, will be announced as the event approaches.