Anza Borrego

Anza Borrego is a part of the Colorado desert in Southern California. Located between San Diego and Los Angeles. The park’s name is from a combination of the name from 18th century Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza and borrego, the Spanish word for sheep. The state park consists of 585,930 acres (237,120 ha) that encompasses about one-fifth of San Diego County’ total area. Anza Borrego is the largest state park in California and is a frequented by botanists, photographers, astronomers, and biologists for it’s unique location and diverse ecology and geology.

Anza Borrego is host to an amazing display of wild flowers each year, depending upon rainfall and condition. The unique combination of sun, soil, wind, water, temperature and elevation allows for the possibility of amazing springtime blooms and displays of color. From late February through March, it is common can find blossoms carpeting almost the desert floor.

The state park is also a popular location for star gazes and astrophotographers. The remote location, some two hours east from San Diego, and dry desert air allows for some amazing night time displays most notably during the yearly Perseid and Leonids meteor showers. If you are a star gazer, plan early as the campgrounds will fill up early, so plan your trip early.

The state park surrounds the town of Borrego Springs and offers access to the Salton Sea to the East. The location is a popular spot for 4×4’s as it boasts hundreds of miles of back roads and trails for exploration. The park also boasts a large variety of wild life, and for a lucky few, the opportunity to spot a few of the shy desert Big Horn Sheep on your adventures.

Anza Borrego Map

Anza Borrego Campgrounds

References

• Wikipedia
• Parks.ca.gov