Exploring Anza-Borrego: Central

Photo of the West Butte of Borrego Mountain looking across the Ocotillo-studded Borrego Valley from Old Kane Springs Road
West Butte of Borrego Mountain from Old Kane Springs Road

Central Anza-Borrego, as defined here, extends from the mountains west of Borrego Springs south past the Vallecito Mountains and east across the Borrego Valley and Borrego Badlands, and on to the Salton Sea. This is the area from south of County Road S-22 to the south side of the Vallecito Mountains. The area includes Split Mountain Gorge and Fish Creek Wash which most visitors approach from the north, although geologists connect Fish Creek with the Carrizo Badlands to the south.

Anza-Borrego's central section is where you will find Borrego Springs (Anza-Borrego's largest town), views from the western mountains, and some of the region's most notable geology, including Borrego Badlands, Split Mountain Gorge, Fish Creek Wash, and Borrego Mountain. In late winter and spring, visitors flock to Borrego Springs to see the wildflowers.

Central Anza-Borrego has historic trails such as that followed by Juan Bautista de Anza in his exploration and colonizing expeditions to Northern California and several old stagecoach trails. There are roads taken by early settlers and tourists to the area, including the Truckhaven Trail and the Old Borrego Springs Road. There are plenty of hiking and driving trails.

For birding, Yaqui Well, Sentenac Cienega, the San Felipe Valley, Pinyon Mountain Valley, Hawk Canyon, and the San Sebastian Marsh Area of Critical Environmental Concern are places worth knowing about.