The journey:
I drove 2.5 hours to Borrego Springs. I arrived at 5pm and left at 11pm.
About the town:
Borrego Springs is a flat desert town surrounded by mountains and the largest California State Park, Anza Borrego. Palm Canyon Drive is the main street that takes you into the center, where you meet a roundabout called Christmas Circle. During the winter, snow birds flock here for the sunny climate. North of the Christmas Circle is where retirees live comfortably in modern pueblo style home, while families reside in unkept mobile homes south of the circle. There are a few golf courses and modest resorts, as well as a handful of less than appealing restaurants.
Why I came here:
To see the metal sculptures and shoot night photography in the warm evening. Plus a humble retreat away from the city is always needed.
About the sculptures:
Other Reasons to visit Borrego Springs:
Distance:
91 East. Hell on earth as the toll lanes begin to form. But once the those troll lanes terminate, the drive becomes tolerable.
I-15 South.38 miles of desert smooth sailing, unless there's an accident.
CA-79 South/ Temecula. 41 miles. Finally off the freeways and into Temecula's cookie cutter landscape. CA-79 is a big street also called Temecula Parkway. This would be the last stop for gas, coffee, and other last minute civilian necessities.
The street becomes a rustic two-lane curvy road, where you pass Lake Veil Resort and Stage Coach Inn. This will be the longest stretch to Borrego Springs.
San Felipe Road. 5 miles. Here's another paved 2-lane road that's takes you into pastures of roaming cows and horses. It's short and sweet.
Montezuma Valley Rd. 17 miles. This is where it gets really windy as you wrap around the mountains toward a steep downgrade. Nevertheless, the path is relatively easy to navigate. But do slow down. Turn out at the extremely gusty lookout point to admire the Salton Sea.
Palm Canyon Road. Congratulations! You made it. Now is time to Lurk.
This is what I did and advise you do the same...
I drove 2.5 hours to Borrego Springs. I arrived at 5pm and left at 11pm.
About the town:
Borrego Springs is a flat desert town surrounded by mountains and the largest California State Park, Anza Borrego. Palm Canyon Drive is the main street that takes you into the center, where you meet a roundabout called Christmas Circle. During the winter, snow birds flock here for the sunny climate. North of the Christmas Circle is where retirees live comfortably in modern pueblo style home, while families reside in unkept mobile homes south of the circle. There are a few golf courses and modest resorts, as well as a handful of less than appealing restaurants. Why I came here:
To see the metal sculptures and shoot night photography in the warm evening. Plus a humble retreat away from the city is always needed.
About the sculptures:
Scattered on undeveloped property known as the Galleta Meadows Estate, these unique and quirky sculptures were created by "accidental artist" Ricardo Breceda and commissioned by Dennis Avery, heir to the label fortune. These metal pieces have been the secondary subject of night photography that have captured meteor showers and whimsical constellations. The collection includes life-size willy mammoths, saber tooth tigers, wild horses, sloths, raptures, and camels.
Other Reasons to visit Borrego Springs:
- Anza Borrego State Park. Habituated bighorn sheep, oasis hiking trails, amazing rock formations, and spring desert blossoms give this park its character. Camping is a must for the serious stargazer.
- Star gazing. Clean desert sky, lack of streetlights, and a small populations have made Borrego Springs a premiere destination for night photography. is one of the four International Dark Sky Communities. To earn this designation, a town, city, municipality, or other legally organized community must demonstrate exceptional dedication to the preservation of the night sky through enforcement of quality lighting codes, dark sky education, and citizen support of dark skies. In other words, these areas aim to make stargazing a priority. The lack of street contribute to the visual accessibility of the stars.
- It's a pleasant retreat away from the city's rat race!
Distance:
150 miles southwest of Downtown Los Angeles
125 miles southwest of Orange County
80 miles east of Oceanside
87 miles north east of Downtown San Diego
The Drive from OC/LA:
***All roads that lead to Borrego Springs are paved.***
I-15 South.38 miles of desert smooth sailing, unless there's an accident.
CA-79 South/ Temecula. 41 miles. Finally off the freeways and into Temecula's cookie cutter landscape. CA-79 is a big street also called Temecula Parkway. This would be the last stop for gas, coffee, and other last minute civilian necessities.
The street becomes a rustic two-lane curvy road, where you pass Lake Veil Resort and Stage Coach Inn. This will be the longest stretch to Borrego Springs.
San Felipe Road. 5 miles. Here's another paved 2-lane road that's takes you into pastures of roaming cows and horses. It's short and sweet.
Montezuma Valley Rd. 17 miles. This is where it gets really windy as you wrap around the mountains toward a steep downgrade. Nevertheless, the path is relatively easy to navigate. But do slow down. Turn out at the extremely gusty lookout point to admire the Salton Sea.
Palm Canyon Road. Congratulations! You made it. Now is time to Lurk.
This is what I did and advise you do the same...
- I stopped by Los Gilbertos for some typical Cali Mexican food. There's nothing special about this place. It's the cheapest dining option on the strip. After I finished my burrito, I strolled up and down the block to look at community postings and took some photos of the Christmas Circle and Art Institute.
- I got back in the car and went south (or right if you are coming Los Gilbertos) on Borrego Springs Rd for 4-5 miles until I saw the horses, saber tooth tigers and the big eagle.
- I drove back toward Christmas Circle to check out the sculptures on the northern end of Palm Canyon Rd. There's a greater variation of pieces that includes sloths, willy mammoths, dinosaurs, tortoises and a dragon.
- As the night sky set, I parked my tripod and camera by the cricket and scorpion.
Nice pic! You know what you should do? Retake the night photo with the scorpion with you in same frame (fake sword in hand.. of course)! Kind of like Orion hunting Taurus :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the suggestion! I might do it because I know I'll be heading back
ReplyDelete