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When we deliberate our journey to the small desert city of Borrego Springs, California we anticipated to spend most of our time mountain climbing within the Anza Borrego Desert State Park.
And we did some great hikes, however what sticks with us most about our keep was searching down the Borrego Springs sculptures which can be scattered within the desert throughout city.
There are 130 of those large-scale steel sculptures (also referred to as Sky Art) created by artist Ricardo Breceda.
He was impressed by three themes: extinct animals (based mostly on fossils discovered within the space), the historical past and nature of Anza Borrego (together with human sculptures), and whim and fantasy (most famously together with a large serpent and dinosaurs).
They are spectacular creations with intricate, sensible particulars (the hair and feathers are notably nicely achieved) and a ravishing desert location amongst the cacti and ocotillo with the Santa Rosa mountains within the distance.
In this put up, I’ll enable you discover the Galleta Meadows sculptures, share my favourites if you’re brief on time, and advocate the place to remain. At the tip, you’ll discover a map with the areas of all of the sculptures.
Contents
How to Get to Borrego Springs Sculptures
The Anza Borrego sculptures are situated in Borrego Springs in San Diego County, Southern California.
The city is most referred to as the entry level for Anza Borrego Desert State Park. The artwork is surrounded by the state park however not really in it (though the boundaries aren’t very clear on this ungated park).
Local landowner Dennis Avery commissioned Ricardo Breceda to design and assemble the steel artwork on his non-public property Galleta Meadows Estate, which incorporates separate plots within the Sonoran Desert throughout city. The bold undertaking was created between 2008 and 2012.
Borrego Springs is finest reached in your individual car (which you’ll additionally want to go to the spread-out artwork). Here are approximate driving occasions from close by locations:
- San Diego 2 hours
- Salton Sea 45 minutes
- Palm Springs 1.5 hours
- Joshua Tree National Park 2 hours
- Los Angeles 3 hours +
We visited Borrego Springs on a highway journey between San Diego and Palm Springs (and onwards to Death Valley NP)—in each instructions it’s a ravishing drive. It’s additionally preferrred to mix with Joshua Tree National Park.
See our information to the finest actions in Southern California for extra recommendations on the realm in addition to our put up on the finest hikes in Joshua Tree.
Tips for Visiting Galleta Meadows
Galleta Meadows is free, unfenced, and open 24 hours.
As the Anza Borrego steel sculptures are unfold throughout city you’ll want a automobile to achieve them. We noticed a number of individuals biking but it surely’ll be sizzling and also you’ll must journey on sand in components. The northern sculptures are extra accessible by bike.
As the Sky Art is within the desert, most of the works are accessed on sandy unpaved roads. Unless you’ve got a 4WD, attempt to keep away from driving on the sand so that you don’t get caught.
Most of the time you’ll be able to park by the facet of the principle highway and stroll. The exception is the Anza Borrego dinosaurs which may solely be reached off-road—we did handle in a sedan, although (extra on that under).
Be ready for the warmth by bringing water, hats, sun shades, and sunscreen. You would possibly wish to put on closed-toe footwear for strolling within the sand and be careful for snakes (not a difficulty in winter).
We visited in early February (winter) and it was sizzling within the afternoons.
I like to recommend visiting the sculptures within the morning (as much as two hours after dawn) and late afternoon (from two hours earlier than sundown) for cooler temperatures and higher gentle for pictures.
We share an Anza Borrego sculptures map under, however if you’d like a bodily map, head to the Anza Borrego Visitor Centre. Here you will get a free Chamber of Commerce information which features a map.
Or for $9 you should purchase the Quick Guide to Sky Art Metal Sculptures in Borrego Valley by Diana Lindsay. It has the identical map however with pictures and particulars of the principle works. This is beneficial if you wish to know the names as there aren’t any indicators on the sculptures, however with our information under you shouldn’t want it.
Please don’t climb on or contact the art work.
Our Top Picks: Best Anza Borrego Sculptures
If you might be brief on time, these are the steel sculptures in Borrego Springs that I discovered most spectacular.
- Serpent
- Harlan’s Ground Sloth
- Scorpion and Grasshopper
- Gold Miner and Mule
- Willys Jeep
- Aiolornis Incredibilis (Incredible Wind God Bird) in Nest
- Columbian Mammoths
- Fighting Dinosaurs (tougher to achieve)
I’ve divided this Galleta Meadows steel sculptures itinerary into three clusters: heading north of Borrego Springs Christmas Circle (within the centre of city), additional north alongside Borrego Springs Rd, and south of Christmas Circle.
We managed to go to all of them on 4 journeys (30-60 minutes every) over two days. You may go to all of them with a devoted half day.
I’ve included the reference codes which can be used on the Sky Art map from the Under the Sun Foundation which manages the sculptures.
North of Christmas Circle: Camels, Sloths, Scorpion, Serpent
Christmas Circle (a big site visitors circle containing a park) within the centre of city is an effective place to begin. There are two sculptures close to right here exterior the Chamber of Commerce, however they aren’t must-sees.
Further north there are extra attention-grabbing and simply accessible works.
It’s solely a 4-minute/2.4-mile drive from Christmas Circle to the Serpent, however you’ll wish to take detours.
Chamber of Commerce
At the Chamber of Commerce you’ll discover two Velociraptors (WF2), which are sometimes seasonally embellished—right here for Valentine’s Day—and Captain Juan Bautista de Anza (HN8), the Spanish explorer who the park is known as after.
Camel and Sloths
Head out of city north on Borrego Springs Rd. Just after the junction with Big Horn Rd, you’ll discover the primary cluster. We parked by the facet of the highway and walked to those at FT4.
The extinct North American camel, referred to as Camelops, roamed the desert thousands and thousands of years in the past.
Just previous it’s a extra uncommon creature and one in every of our favorite sculptures in Anza Borrego—the Harlan’s Ground Sloth with its child.
This work was impressed by fossils discovered within the space from 2.3 million years in the past when Anza Borrego was a savannah-like surroundings.
It was an enormous, strange-looking creature with pores and skin containing items of embedded bone as protecting armour (very similar to an armadillo as we speak). Breceda has depicted this splendidly along with his intricate steel creation.
There are a number of extra sloths right here too together with one mendacity down.
Peccary, Sabertooth Cat, Tapir
Continuing on the left-hand facet of Big Horn Rd, the FT5 plot accommodates extra extinct animals from the Pleistocene Epoch: Peccaries (a relative of the pig), Gracile Sabertooth Cats, and a household of Merriam’s Tapirs (wanting similar to fashionable tapirs).
Shasta Ground Sloth
Next to those at FT6, the extinct Shasta Ground Sloth is one other uncommon creature. Unlike fashionable tree sloths, the bottom sloths had been big—some as huge as bears.
Their fossils had been discovered within the space from 2 million years in the past. Their closest dwelling family are the anteater and armadillo who additionally crossed from South to North America.
Camel, Gomphothere, Giant Tortoise
On the alternative facet of Big Horn Rd, again on the nook with Borrego Springs Rd, the FT7 plot contains the extinct Camelops, two Gomphothere (an elephant-like animal with 4 tusks from 9 million years in the past), and two Giant Tortoises.
Scorpion and Grasshopper
We drove additional down Big Horn Rd to see the Scorpion and Grasshopper dealing with off (HN6).
Farm Workers
At the tip of Big Horn Rd on the junction with Di Giorgio Rd (marked as Breceda’s Vineyard on Google Maps) is HN7, a set of sculptures impressed by historical past.
Grapes had been as soon as grown within the space and harvested by migrant farm employees till the union boycotted the fruit company. A five-year grape strike from 1965-70 stopped grape manufacturing.
Serpent
The one Sky Art sculpture to not miss is the Serpent (WF1), also referred to as the Borrego Springs dragon.
You’ll discover this spectacular creature additional north on Borrego Springs Rd. The epic 350-foot-long serpent seems to be diving underneath the highway with its head on the left facet and its tail on the best.
This fantastical creation combines the tail of a rattlesnake, the physique of a sea serpent, and the pinnacle of a Chinese dragon. It took Breceda three months to design it and an extra three months to put in it, full with over 1000 scales.
Llamas and Camels
Just previous the serpent down San Ysidro Rd is FT3 with extra camels plus cute fuzzy llamas. Llamas really developed in North America and dispersed to South America the place you’ll be able to nonetheless discover them.
I’d skip this space if you’re brief on time.
Further North on Borrego Springs Road: Elephants, Indian Head, Jeep, Gold Miner
From the Serpent proceed up Borrego Springs Rd then detour down a dust highway on the best—you’ll discover it subsequent to the Galleta Meadows signal on a stone wall (the place Borrego Springs African Elephants Sculpture is marked on Google Maps).
We didn’t have an issue driving this highway in a sedan however watch out.
African Elephants
The first statues down the grime highway are some gigantic African Elephants (FT2). The world’s largest land mammal was really by no means present in North America although.
Big Horn Sheep
Just slightly additional alongside is one other up to date animal—the Big Horn Sheep (HN5). We noticed some real-life huge horns whereas mountain climbing the close by Borrego Palm Canyon path (one in every of our prime issues to do in Southern California because it takes you to a beautiful oasis).
Anza Borrego is without doubt one of the final locations to seek out this endangered sheep and in case you don’t encounter them on the path, you’ll be able to see a complete flock right here together with a pair preventing.
Indian Head and Giant Tortoises
Continue on the grime highway then take a left onto Henderson Canyon Rd. Opposite the Indian Head Ranch entrance is the Indian Head (HN4), which represents the Indians who helped the Anza expeditions to California within the 1770s.
There are a number of Giant Tortoises (FT1) subsequent to Indian Head and underneath a palo verde tree exterior the ranch gates—I really like its inexperienced branches.
1946 Willys Jeep
Head across the nook to Borrego Springs Rd and park on the facet of the highway and stroll to the subsequent three sculptures (automobiles aren’t allowed previous the gate).
Another piece of historical past at HN3, the 1946 Willys Jeep commemorates the primary civilian jeep constructed based mostly on the WW2 navy jeep. It enabled individuals to discover the desert simply for the primary time.
It’s a cute piece exhibiting a pair going for a bumpy journey and feels energetic.
Gold Miner and Mule
Walk slightly additional to HN1, the Gold Miner and Mule.
The authentic 49ers got here by Anza Borrego on their approach to the California gold fields. It’s one other enjoyable sculpture with a loaded mule who seems to be like he’s about to run away.
Spanish Padre
The close by Spanish Padre (HN2), along with his big cross, rosary beads and trusty canine, represents the non secular leaders of the Anza expeditions to California.
There’s additionally speculated to be a Saguaro Cactus sculpture on this space, but it surely was the one one we couldn’t discover.
South of Christmas Circle: Wind God Bird, Horses, Mammoth, Dinosaurs
It’s nicely price heading south of Borrego Springs for extra fascinating Sky Art.
These sculptures are 4 to five miles south of Christmas Circle and take 5 to fifteen minutes to drive to. The dinosaurs are on a tougher sandy highway so take longer to get to.
We spent about an hour visiting this cluster (not together with getting there—we visited after mountain climbing the Slot Canyon path early one morning).
Aiolornis Incredibilis in Nest
The first sculpture you come to, simply accessible from Borrego Springs Rd is Aiolornis Incredibilis (FT9) or Incredible Wind God Bird (marked Desert Eagle Sculpture on Google Maps).
Honestly, I assumed this have to be one in every of Ricardo Breceda’s fantastical creations, however no, this monumental fowl actually did exist with a wingspan of as much as 20 ft!
The oldest discovered fossil is from 3.5 million years in the past and it was the most important fowl in North America that would fly.
This sculpture feels alive with the infants chirping from the nest beneath their big mom.
Gracile Sabertooth Cat
On the opposite facet of the highway and a brief approach down a dust monitor is FT8 that includes a Gracile Sabertooth Cat (smilodon gracilis), a terrifying creature with spectacular tusk-like entrance tooth. It’s marked on Google Maps as Galleta Meadows Saberwolf.
There are numerous extinct horses right here too together with one being pursued by a sabertooth.
Extinct Horses
Just a little additional on Borrego Springs Rd there are extra extinct horses (FT10) together with a pair preventing. Full of power, their spiky manes appear to rustle within the breeze.
Horses originated in North America 57 million years in the past earlier than emigrating to the Old World and changing into extinct in North America 11,000 years in the past.
Mammoths
Next up, reverse the junction with Anzio Drive are a few immense Columbian Mammoths (FT11). Their skeletons had been discovered right here from 1.1 million years in the past.
Aiolornis Incredibilis with Prey
Take a proper down Anzio Dr and drive a brief approach (on a paved part) to see one other Aiolornis (FT12), this time with prey (a peccary).
Again, this big fowl is intimidating and has superb feather particulars.
Dinosaurs
To proceed down Anzio Dr to see the dinosaurs you’ll have to navigate an unpaved, sandy, rocky highway. We managed in a sedan but it surely was a bit nerve-wracking—the next clearance car could be higher.
No dinosaur fossils have been present in Anza Borrego so these come underneath the Fantasy class of Sky Art. They are based mostly on specimens discovered elsewhere on this planet.
The first ones you’ll see are the Spinosaurus (WF3) with scary tooth and sail-like constructions on their backs.
Just a little additional on are the much more epic Carnotaurus and Allosaurus preventing (WF4). In actuality, these two dinosaurs lived at totally different occasions.
Next are the Tyrannosaurus Rex (WF6), giants hunched over with their little arms and razor-sharp tooth.
Across the highway is the Utahraptor, a bird-like dinosaur, together with one with a nest of eggs.
This is the final dinosaur sculpture so head again to the principle highway the way in which you got here.
Borrego Springs Sculptures Map
Use this Galleta Meadows sculptures map to trace down all of the artwork talked about on this information.
Where to Stay in Borrego Springs
Try to remain someplace with a pool so you’ll be able to calm down and funky off after a morning of mountain climbing and sculpture searching.
We wished to self-cater so stayed at this two-bedroom Charming and Secluded Home with Pool on Airbnb. The inside was darker than we anticipated, however the pool space is superb with solar loungers, sizzling tub, BBQ, and mountain views. The water is freezing in winter although!
My choose for a Borrego Springs resort is La Casa del Zorro—the resort is a peaceable desert retreat with a number of swimming pools and trendy rooms. You may even select a casita with a non-public pool. The meals is meant to be scrumptious too. It’s only some minutes from the southern cluster of Sky Art.
Check availability and costs for La Casa del Zorro right here.
Other lodges with swimming pools in Borrego Springs embody Borrego Valley Inn and Borrego Springs Resort & Spa.
Check out extra lodges in Borrego Springs right here. Or browse some superb trip leases on Vrbo.
Are the Galleta Meadows Sculptures Worth Visiting?
Yes, Galleta Meadows is public artwork at its finest! It’s so enjoyable to drive round city and randomly come throughout a large elephant or camel within the desert—from a distance they appear actual!
Borrego Springs is price visiting even with out the sculptures (don’t miss mountain climbing in Anza Borrego), however with them, it makes for an much more distinctive journey.
It’s one in every of our favorite locations to go to in Southern California and we extremely advocate spending a soothing few days right here.
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