Plan your trip
The drive to Borrego Springs is half the adventure. Hike a narrow slot canyon, stand under giant metal dinosaurs, sip a classic date shake, and climb a folk-art mountain painted with “God Is Love,” all before you pull into your solar-powered motel under one of the darkest skies in California.
1. From San Diego & North County
CA-78 East · ~2 to 2.5 hours with stops
1. From San Diego & North County
CA-78 East · ~2 to 2.5 hours with stops
Start in the city, climb into the mountains, then drop dramatically into the desert.
Open full route in Google Maps →
Grab a slice of famous apple pie or a coffee before the final descent. Quick 20-minute stop.
Underground exhibits, wildflower updates, and trail maps. Pick up a free Galleta Meadows sculpture map here too.
Easy 3-mile round trip to a lush palm oasis, one of the most popular hikes in the park.
130+ massive metal dinosaurs, mammoths, raptors, and a 350-foot serpent scattered across the desert floor. Free, 24/7. Surreal photo stop.
- Borrego Springs Motel
Eight solar-powered rooms in the heart of Anza-Borrego, under one of California's darkest skies.
2. From Los Angeles & the Inland Empire
I-15 South + S22 · ~3 to 3.5 hours with stops
2. From Los Angeles & the Inland Empire
I-15 South + S22 · ~3 to 3.5 hours with stops
Highway driving that quickly turns into pure desert drama.
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Iconic giant T-Rex and Brontosaurus right off I-10. Classic roadside fun. Quick 30-minute photo stop.
Legendary 100+ year old date farm. Order a thick date shake and watch the free "Romance & Sex Life of the Date" film in their theater.
Dramatic winding drop into Borrego Valley with insane views of the badlands and the Salton Sea.
Same epic metal art. You'll start spotting them as you roll into town.
- Borrego Springs Motel
Eight solar-powered rooms in the heart of Anza-Borrego, under one of California's darkest skies.
3. From Palm Springs & the Coachella Valley
S22 West · ~1 to 1.5 hours with stops
3. From Palm Springs & the Coachella Valley
S22 West · ~1 to 1.5 hours with stops
Short but spectacular, and the quickest way in from the desert cities.
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Date shakes and fresh dates to fuel the trip (or stop on the way back).
Leonard Knight's technicolor folk-art mountain near the Salton Sea. Free, otherworldly, unforgettable. "God Is Love." Worth the detour.
Your first big "whoa" moment as you roll into Borrego Springs.
California's Grand Canyon. 4WD or careful AWD recommended for the sandy access road. Sunrise and sunset here are life-changing.
- Borrego Springs Motel
Eight solar-powered rooms in the heart of Anza-Borrego, under one of California's darkest skies.
4. From the East & Salton Sea Area
S22 West via Niland · ~1.5 hours with stops
4. From the East & Salton Sea Area
S22 West via Niland · ~1.5 hours with stops
The most adventurous, quirky route: folk art, date shakes, slot canyons.
Open full route in Google Maps →
Start here. Climb the mountain and explore nearby Slab City if you're feeling extra adventurous.
Another legendary date-shake stop right on the way. Less touristy than Shields, all locals.
Get oriented and grab the sculpture map before heading deeper into the park.
One of the most fun, narrow slot-canyon hikes in the park. Short but thrilling.
- Borrego Springs Motel
Eight solar-powered rooms in the heart of Anza-Borrego, under one of California's darkest skies.
Once you’re here
A loose day-of itinerary for guests who want to make the most of a single full day in Borrego Springs.
- Morning: Borrego Palm Canyon Trail or The Slot. Both are short, both are cool before noon.
- Afternoon: drive the full Galleta Meadows sculpture loop. Map available at the motel front desk or the visitor center.
- Evening: stargazing right from the courtyard. Borrego Springs is an International Dark-Sky Community; the Milky Way does the rest.
- Optional add-on: Arroyo Tapiado Mud Caves or Coyote Canyon (4WD recommended).
Wildflower season runs roughly February to March after wet winters. Star parties and new-moon weekends in winter are when the dark skies show off most.