Sand and Serpents: The Metal Giants of Borrego Springs
The serpent of the desert
Borrego Springs is a small desert town situated within the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Positioned between the mountain town of Julian to the west and the Salton Sea to the east, it’s a unique spot for exploration.
Discovering Borrego Springs
Borrego Springs is an International Dark Sky Place, which means you can enjoy some amazing star-gazing while you’re visiting. It was one of the reasons we decided to book a vacation here. We were looking for something quieter than Palm Springs or La Quinta, but different from our usual travels to Joshua Tree. Borrego Springs offered a departure from both.
One thing to note: it gets really hot here—even in what I’d consider typically cooler temperature months. The first time I came here was a day trip down from Julian, and the temperature difference was incredible. Though we were here in March, the temps rose to over 100 degrees by the early afternoon. For that reason, I would not advise taking your dog on any hikes that aren’t early morning or in the evening when things have cooled down. And I’d completely skip summer hiking or other outdoor activities for your day plans with them. We saw human hikers in distress from the increasing heat, so I can only imagine how dangerous it could get for your dog.
For our longer visit in September, we booked a rental with a pool and a fenced-in yard, and that was the perfect way to enjoy the area with our pup. While we were in the pool, he was comfortable napping with air conditioning. And in the evening, he could come explore the yard and the town with us.
Archer in the rental
He enjoyed the air conditioning.
We did find two scorpions during our stay. I have no idea what kind they were, but it’s good to keep an eye out for them in case they make their way indoors. In our case, one was in the pool!
Exploring the Sculptures
A big claim to fame for the area, largely enhanced by social media, has to be Galleta Meadows Estate. The frequently photographed metal sculptures, created by artist Ricardo Breceda, are hard to miss whether scrolling through your feed or driving around town. Though the sculptures are technically on privately owned land, it is open to the public for visiting 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The serpent in profile
Dogs are allowed, though again, I’d caution to make sure you take them during hours when the temperatures aren’t too high and the sand is not too hot. Some of the sculptures are a bit of a walk from the road, and you definitely don’t want to burn your dog’s feet.
The Under the Sun Foundation has some helpful tips and a downloadable PDF map for easier navigation. There are over 100 sculptures to explore, so if you’re staying a few days, you can space them out.
Dining with Dogs in Borrego Springs
You'll notice, as you drive through town, that it isn't very big, and there aren't a ton of dining options, and not all of what's there allows dogs. We ended up eating at Red Ocotillo twice during our visit. They allowed dogs on the shaded patio, which was greatly appreciated, and the food was very good.
Other than that, we mainly cooked our own food from what we could find at the Center Market in the Plaza Shopping Center. They had a decent selection of things, as well as some options for wine. We also got sandwiches to go from their deli.
I know we picked up coffee and takeout elsewhere, but they weren’t terribly memorable, so I’m skipping mentioning those spots. These two worked out well for us during our stay. I’d go back to both without hesitation, but I’m happy to hear new recommendations from others.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Given the town is in the middle of the park, you can’t really mention Borrego Springs without touching on Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. It is the largest state park in all of California and offers fantastic views of the desert and local wildlife. Dogs are not allowed on trails or in wilderness areas, but they are allowed on park roads and in developed campgrounds. They must be on leashes no longer than 6 feet and can’t be left unattended. At night, dogs must be in a tent or vehicle if staying in the park.
Inside the park
March temperatures soared over 100 degrees.
Though most people who love their pets already know this, please do NOT leave your dog in a vehicle during the day. The heat is lethal. Also, there are other dangers for dogs in the park, such as rattlesnakes and coyotes, as well as diseases from ticks and injuries from the cholla cactus. In other words, keep your dog safe by following the rules and staying vigilant. And, again, do make sure you’re keeping their feet safe from burns whenever you take them on sand or pavement. If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for their feet!
Some areas of the park will require 4WD to drive the roads. If you’re unsure where you can view the park from the road (or take a walk with your dog), it’s a good idea to start at the visitor center.
Beyond Borrego Springs
As mentioned, Borrego Springs is near several other destination spots. Julian, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, La Quinta, and Salton Sea are all easy day trips to consider if you want to mix it up.
Full disclosure, the Salton Sea is definitely its own thing. We drove over to see it given how close we were, but we didn’t stay very long. However, the drive there was surprisingly scenic (in its own desolate way) with some points to stop and admire the Borrego Badlands.
The Borrego Badlands
Borrego Springs offers a unique blend of natural beauty, artistic attractions, and some dog-friendly amenities, making it a memorable destination for exploration and inspiration.
