One way to get into the Anza Borrego Desert State Park is to drive east on highway 8 for about 80 miles. Turn north at Ocotillo and keep northbound on S2. The first camp site is Bow Willow, after that, there are two more "primitive" campsites. The S2 eventually meets up with highway 78.

From highway 78, you enter the park headquarters which has the Visitor Center, the main campground, and the nearby community of Borrego Springs. Alternatively, you can use highway 78 to drive back to San Diego via Julian (highway 79).

Be aware that the southern tip of Anza Borrego is very close to the Mexican border. At times, the Border Patrol may be present and request that you show identification. If you are a visitor from outside of the USA, be sure to have your visa, passport or other documentation to indicate your legal presence in the country.

Another noteworthy feature of this route is that near Campo, you will see huge turbines lining the side of highway 8. These high tech windmills are operated by the Kumeyaay Wind farm and can capture enough wind energy to power 30,000 homes.

The central section of Anza Borrego is most popular. Here you will find the Park Headquarters, the Visitor Center, the Palm Canyon Trail, and the village of Borrego Springs. To get here, enter the park from the west:

• take highway 15 north;
• highway 67 east through Poway;
• highway 78 to Saint Ysabel,
• then choose a route:
  • continue east on highway 78, then north on Yaqui Pass Rd.
        or
  • go north on highway 79, east on San Felipe Rd, then east on Montezuma Valley Rd.
    

• General Info
• Anza Borrego Directions
• Visitor Center
• Camping & Camp Sites
• Hiking Trails:
    - Palm Canyon Trail
    - Mt Palm springs Trails
    - Butte Pass   and   Slot Trail
    - more hiking trails
• Gallenta Meadows in Borrego Springs
• Desert Flowers
• More Photos
• Anza Borrego Books
• find another attraction in San Diego
• go to Site Map