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You are here: Home / Blog / Borrego Springs’ Sculptures: Art the Desert

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Borrego Springs’ Sculptures: Art the Desert

This article highlights Borrego Springs’ Sculptures, a surprising art expression in the middle of the desert.

Waking up in Julian on a Tuesday forced us to consider greener pastures (locals assured most businesses are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays).

In this case, I guess we chose dryer pastures since I set my eyes on Borrego Springs, a village located 30 miles northeast of Julian.  Ohh, did I mentioned Borrego Springs is surrounded by Anza-Borrego Desert State Park?

Therefore, our mini road trip scenery, vegetation, and elevation presented quite striking changes.

We started by descending the mountains through Highway 78.  The sight of pines and oaks growing abundantly on deep valleys took my mind off the sharp, winding curves.

Sooner than later we arrived at a flat area where open spaces, covered in succulents and cacti, continued to appear after every bend.  At one point, I couldn’t resist the desert colors and got out of the car to take pictures.  I saw a group of butterflies, then another and another.  I was surrounded by a cloud of these insects which felt like a scene of a fairytale.

Desert Scenery, Hwy 78 near Borrego Springs, California

Desert Scenery, Hwy 78 near Borrego Springs, California

Desert Scenery, Hwy 78 near Borrego Springs, California

Table of Contents

  • Borrego Springs’ Sculptures
  • Where to Find Borrego Spring’s Sculptures
  • Borrego Springs Location/When to Visit
  • Where to Eat
  • Nearby Attractions
  • More of the Area
    • Related posts:

Borrego Springs’ Sculptures

A sign welcomed us to Anza-Borrego, California’s largest state park. Since the park surrounds our final destination, we had to gain elevation once again driving thru a road called Yaqui Pass.  The features in the valley floor started to appear minuscule which made realize the mountains around here are very high.

In a matter of minutes, we started to descend, one again, and I was able to see Borrego Springs.

Borrego Spring seen from the Anza-Borrego Park, California

This is where I felt like my sight started to fail.  In a sandy lot cover by low bush, a metal elephant sculptures appeared.  Then, I saw horses and an eagle.  What was going on?

Elephant sculpture, Borrego Springs, California

Elephant sculpture, Borrego Springs, California

Horses, Borrego Springs, California

Horses, Borrego Springs, California

Eagle, Borrego Springs, California

I am being dramatic here.  In Julian, I saw flyers promoting the Borrego Springs’ sculptures and, of course, they were one of the reasons that made this village attractive (you know my travel style). Now, I was not expecting to get captivated by the details, expressions, and textures of something created out of metal.

Borrego Springs is small, isolated, and dusty. There are zero stoplights and the houses (and businesses) are scattered all around.  Two ‘malls’ can be found close to the center of town.

Visitor's Center, Borrego Springs, California

Everything comes alive during the high season, the time when the temperatures cool down.  Unfortunately, we arrived a week before the official start of the high season.  That meant the Anza-Borrego Park headquarter, stores, restaurants, and other businesses were closed.  The lady in the visitor’s center wasn’t sure about the hiking conditions in the park because there had been terrible floods in the months before.

Capt. Juan Bautista de Anza sculpture, Borrego Springs, California

But the sculptures, the sculptures are always there.  The mind behind the project (and responsible for giving Borrego new life) was named Dennis Avery.  If that name sounds familiar it is because he was the son of the man who invented the self-stick label (and the one who inherited his fortune).

Dennis was a philanthropist at heart and during his life contributed to many causes in different countries.  Attracted by the small-town feeling, he lived in Borrego Springs from 1990-2001.  His love for the town made him contribute to several community projects.  He even purchased three square miles of non-contiguous land and called his property Galleta Meadows.

Ground Slot, Borrego Springs, California

By chance, in 2007, he met artist Ricardo Breceda, known for his realistic metal creations. Avery, eventually, commissioned 131 sculptures and placed them at different sites on his property.  The sculptures have attracted visitors and boosted the local economy.  Dennis Avery’s legacy will continue to impact generations to come (he passed away in 2012).

Scorpion / Grasshoper, Borrego Springs, California

Where to Find Borrego Spring’s Sculptures

The area where the sculptures are placed is big.  A map to get oriented can be obtained in the visitor’s center.  Also, there is a Don Quijote de La Mancha sculpture in front of the building.

North of Borrego Springs, at the intersection of Borrego Springs Road and Big Horn Road, you are going to find a large cluster of sculptures.  Make sure to turn rights on Big Horn Road (if driving north) to see sculptures on both sides of the road.

Keep driving north on Borrego Springs Road and turn left on San Ysidro Drive to find more sculptures.  There is a second large cluster at the intersection of Borrego Springs and Henderson Canyon.

Camels, Borrego Springs, California

Camels, Borrego Springs, California

South of Borrego Springs, you will find sculptures on Borrego Springs Road between Di Giorgio Road and Anzio Drive.

Try not to miss the mythological dragon, which has become the symbol of Borrego Springs.

Avery was a paleontology enthusiast so expect to see dinosaurs and ice age mammals.

The Dragon, Borrego Springs, California

The Dragon, Borrego Springs, California

The Dragon, Borrego Springs, California

Borrego Springs Location/When to Visit

Borrego Springs is located about 90 miles from Downtown San Diego (2 hours drive).  If you are starting your drive from the coast, keep in mind you will need to cross the mountains to reach Borrego Springs.  These are good news since you will get a glimpse of the coast, mountains, and desert in a single drive. Don’t you love California?

I recommend stopping for apple pie, cinnamon ice cream, and other sweet treats in Santa Ysabel or Julian before going down to the desert.

Dinosaur fight,  Borrego Springs, California

T-rex, Borrego Springs, California

You can also visit Borrego Springs from Palms Springs or other cities located in the Coachella Valley.  The distance is about 90 miles and you can make it in 1.5 hours.

Since the sculptures are located in the open desert, it would be ideal to avoid a visit during the summer months.

Where to Eat

If you need to grab a bite while in town,  check out the following suggestions:

Red Ocotillo – This local favorite serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Breakfast includes huge portions of pancakes, French toast, and huevos rancheros.  You can try their sandwiches, burgers, salads, pasta dishes, and classics for the rest of the day.

Carlee’s – This eatery offers guests soups, salads, appetizers, pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, wraps, and drinks.  The selection is wonderful (including plenty of vegetarian and vegan options).

El Borrego Restaurant – This is the place to get your fix of tacos, burritos, quesadillas, chimichangas, and fajitas.  Thet serves burgers, sandwiches, and soups too.

Ground Slot, Borrego Springs, California

Nearby Attractions

Aguanga (48 miles) – This the place where Ricardo Breceda, the creator of Borrego Springs’s Sculptures, has his art gallery.  Stop by if you are interested in seeing more of his works.

Anza Borrego State Park (4 miles)  – Most people visiting Borrego Springs en route to this big park featuring badlands, canyons, palm oases, and rock formations.

Tapir, Borrego Springs, California

Salton Sea (60 miles to the recreation area, about 30 miles to the shores) – This human-created body of water (it was an error) offers quirky museums, preserves, and wildlife sightseeing opportunities.

Read More: Things to Do in the Salton Sea

Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreational Area (20 miles) – This recreational area is a paradise for those who enjoy driving off-road (and have the proper vehicles).

Ground Slot, Borrego Springs, California

My visit to Borrego Springs was short but sweet.  Hopefully, I can stop by town once again (during high season).  If things do not go as planned, at least I know the sculptures are going to be there waiting for me.

More of the Area

Things to Do in Julian

Things to Do in Palm Springs

San Diego Bucket List

One Day in San Diego Itinerary

Have you visited Borrego Springs’ Sculptures?

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Tim and I once went to 3 cultural events in a single weekend – and we weren't even trying hard. On Friday night we went to a chamber music concert at the big Downtown Library. On Saturday night we were in Hollywood to see Amadou and Mariam, a blind couple from Mali who rocked the Afro-pop scene at the El Rey Theater. And on Sunday we were in Chinatown for a big cultural celebration. There is no single recipe for doing a cultural tour of Los Angeles. There are just too many options. But here are some places to look so you can put together your own multicultural tour of Los Angeles. There are neighborhoods throughout the city like Little Tokyo, Olvera Street, Little Ethiopia, Little Bangladesh and Chinatown, just to name a few. Some of them are a bit touristy, but still fun and there are also many unnamed enclaves where various cultures flourish. They often hold festivals as well. And Long Beach seems to have a festival for something every other week. Keep an eye on local calendars. There are also exhibits and performances exploring different cultures all over town. The Craft and Folk Art Museum on Wilshire almost always has something culturally unique going on, as does the Fowler Museum on the UCLA Campus. You can also check out the USC Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena. Again, to name just a few. Then there are the performances, like Amadou and Mariam we mentioned above, or Prince Diabate whom we saw in some tiny club in Santa Monica. One of the best places to look for these more eclectic events is the LA Weekly. LA's multiculturalism is one of its most awesome features and it's something not to be missed if you're visiting the city. It's easy to stack events that are near you or that suit the dates of your visit. It's LA. There's always something going on! Hike in Joshua Tree National Park By Julie from Family Travel Lifestyle While California is famous for National Parks like Yosemite and the Redwoods, one of our lesser-known parks, Joshua Tree, offers fantastic hiking in a unique desert environment. Located in southern California – just east of Palm Springs, and less than a 3-hour drive from San Diego – Joshua Tree offers numerous trails at every level of hiking. What I love about Joshua Tree is that it isn’t as crowded as many other parks and it’s smaller which means you can do a one-day visit and still get in some great hikes and really feel as though you saw the park. Also, this park offers a lot of loop trails, which I tend to prefer to the ‘out and back’ trails. One of the most popular and can’t-miss trails in Joshua Tree is the Skull Rock loop. It’s pretty easy, good for all levels including children, and you get to see the famous and giant Skull-shaped boulder. There’s a great kids’ nature walk called the Discovery Trail that’s less than a mile if you have really little ones. The bigger hikes offer a great variety of sights. There are several hikes up to different peaks, with outstanding views of the mountains and desert. You can hike out to a palm tree oasis or walk through the boulders and include a little scrambling on your hike. The one thing to watch out for is the heat – it’s no joke at Joshua Tree, so come prepared and enjoy! VIsit the Sunny Jim Sea Caves By April from SoCalFunFamily La Jolla is known for the locals who hang around the beach. And no, I am not talking about the hodads, you know, non-surfers, but the friendly seals lounging right there on the sand. It’s also known as an incredibly fun family area, for its good food, and having the coolest sea caves. However, there is only one cave you can explore without a kayak. And that cave is only accessible through Sunny Jim’s Cave Store. From the exterior it looks just like any other beach themed gift shop, but upon further review you might see the long dark tunnel leading what looks like directly into the ground. This is the access to Sunny Jim’s Sea Cave, which was dug out in 1902. To reach the bottom you will pay $5 for adults, and $3 for children, walk down 145 dark, narrow stairs and come out on a damp wooden platform to take in the waves and views from below. This hidden gem is a unique experience if you are in the area. But, make sure to mingle with the locals on the shore below and check out the free, smaller caves right there as well. Read More: One Day in San Diego Pedal Boat At Lake Murray By Martina from Stack Your Dollars One of the best and most relaxing things to do in sunny San Diego is to take a ride on the water at Lake Murray. On a hot day, getting on a pedal boat is a great way to get a nice breeze and cool off. You’ll also be putting those leg muscles to work and getting in some fun exercise! Lake Murray is a 171 acre reservoir with a 3.2 mile shoreline; it can be found on the border of San Diego, La Mesa, and Santee. To rent the pedal boat, you have to go into the concession stand by the parking lot. It costs about $15 to rent per hour, with an additional $15 for a deposit. The boat fits about 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children. This low-cost activity is a great way to get out and have fun. It allowed my family to stick to our very frugal budget. If you would prefer, there are also kayaks, canoes, row boats, and motor boats. However, the pedal boat is my favorite because it also has a canopy to block the sun! Whale Watch in Newport Beach By Rebecca from KwaFare One of the most thrilling outdoor experiences you can have in California is to get up close and personal with some of the largest animals on earth. Whale watching in Southern California can put you right in the migratory path of humpback, minke, fin and gray whales. Even orcas are spotted from time to time, as well as sperm whales and blue whales, the largest animal to have ever lived. An excellent spot for whale watching is Newport Beach, which is only about an hour from LAX airport or downtown Los Angeles. Newport Beach is a cozy community where you’ll find Balboa Pier and Island and some great beaches. My go to whale watching company here is Davey’s Locker. And for good reason. First, they regularly have sales for their whale watching tours on Groupon. So, for about the price of a movie ticket you can take a front row seat to these magnificent creatures for over a couple of hours. But what I really enjoy is hearing the excitement of the crew every time we get to see a whale out at sea. This testifies to just how electrifying it is to witness these deep sea giants in their natural habitat. Despite how many times they get to see them, every time it’s a thrill. And the thrill is definitely contagious. You just never know what you are going to see when you get out on the boat. However, if you want to up your chances of sighting whales go out during their migration times. In general, winter and spring are great times to see gray whales, humpback and minke whales. And summer and fall are ideal for blue whales, finbacks, orcas and sperm whales. So whether you find yourself in the middle of a pod of hundreds of dolphins or next to an enormous blue whale, this is one of those things to do in California that is not to be missed! Visit the Center of the World By Theresa from The Local Tourist Just inside the border in the southeast corner of the state, you can put your toes on the officially designated Center of the World. Felicity, California, is home to the Museum of History in Granite and the Center of the World and is a destination worth a visit that's a whole lot less kitschy than it sounds. In 1985, Jacques-André wrote a children’s book titled “Coe: The Good Dragon at the Center of the World.” Somehow, this Frenchman and Father of American Parachuting convinced the Imperial County Board of Supervisors and Institut Géographique National, the French Mapping Agency, that property he owned in Imperial County should be declared the Center of the World. You can visit this town, population two, and not only make a wish inside a pyramid but also browse granite tablets etched with history. They're designed to last 4,000 years and the goal is that they'll preserve the entirety of humanity for millennia to come. It's a quirky destination with a noble promise, and should definitely be on any southern California itinerary. ATV in the Imperial Sand Dunes By Kay from The Awkard Traveler It isn't general knowledge, but California has sand dunes. Some of the best California sand dunes are found in Southern California. Specifically, the Imperial Sand Dunes State Park right near the border of Mexico. Winter is arguable a better season to visit, especially when summer temperatures can easily reach over 110F. But that also means winter is the most busy time to visit. So, pick your poison. From San Diego, the drive is about 2.5hours, 2 hours from Palm Springs, and 3 hours from Los Angeles, making the Imperial Sand Dunes an easy day trip if you do not want to stay nearby. However, there are camping and RV options at the state park! To enter the park, permits are required from October 1 through April 15 each year. Permits are $35 per week in advance and $50 per week if purchased onsite. Season permits are $150. America the Beautiful National Park pass also counts for this park. Once you are all settled into the park, you're ready to ride! But before you get into your off-highway vehicle (whether it is ATV or a bike, or other), make sure to remember the basics. Wear a protective helmet, pay attention to "closed to vehicle signs," and tall visible red flags are REQUIRED on your vehicle for visibility and safety! There you have it! Tons and tons of ideas on things to do in California. Hope you find this article useful when planning your next getaway! More of California Los Angeles Ultimate Bucket List Weekend Getaways from Los Angeles Ultimate San Diego Bucket List 150+ Places to Go in Orange County Places to Visit in Santa Barbara What are your favorite things to do in California? Let me know in the comments section below. Pin “Things to Do in California” for later!, Pigeon Point LighthouseThings to Do in California: Golden State Best Fall Leave, How to spend fall in San DiegoHow to Spend Fall in San Diego: Things to do and Eat


4 Comments

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Comments

  1. Lauren Meshkin says

    October 22, 2013 at 7:03 pm

    Those sculptures are SO cool!!

    Happy travels 🙂

    Reply
    • Ruth says

      October 23, 2013 at 1:14 pm

      Glad to see you like them You have to check them out one day!

      Reply
  2. Cathy Sweeney says

    October 23, 2013 at 7:32 am

    No, I haven’t visited the Borrego Springs sculptures, but I love the desert and enjoy art, so it would be fun. I don’t know if this kind of sculpture is really my style, but I appreciate the creativity and skill.

    Reply
    • Ruth says

      October 23, 2013 at 1:14 pm

      I can’t wait to visit more of this area. I understand these artistic style does not appeal to everybody but I was surprised by the level of detail that can be attained.

      Reply

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