Excellent sculptures throughout the dessert. Can drive into area be respectful of property..owner gives permission... stay on paths already made & use car or walk around

Super beautiful road to this place. Viewing the sculptures takes from 1 hour to 1.30. There are paths between the sculptures. A great place to spend a weekend.

Fantastic and free. Recommend all wheel drive in places so you don't get stuck in the sand. Some deep ruts, high clearance recommended also otherwise just park on the side of the road and walk in.

Sculpture in the Meadows run through Borrego Springs both North and South of the roundabout in town. You can drive up to many to get a close view and see the beautiful and detailed works of the artists. This is a must do in the area and worthwhile time spent viewing.

Nice metal sculptures in Borrego Springs, by the side of the road, and free to visit.

Spectacular metal sculptures all over the place. We only visited 53 while more than 100 should be out there. Some Google Maps coordinates of certain sculptures are not correct. But that is not a real problem, because you will see most of them from a distance!

This huge outdoor art exhibit is fun to visit. In the meadow, there are no fence, no paved roads and no set trails. You can just roam around in your car and stopped anywhere to see these large metal creatures. You see scorpion vs a grasshopper at one end, T-Rex at the other, then a Chinese dragon spanning 350 feet across both sides of the Borrego Springs road. You can easily spend a day here if you want to see everything.

This is always a must-stop on my visit to Borrego Springs. Located right on Christmas Circle. The exhibits are outstanding. They showcase artists while one has the opportunity to see our beautiful desert landscape through their eyes. Be sure to pursue the gift shop. Again, everything reflects the talents of our artists.

Nice place! Wonderful artwork and pottery, definitely a recommended place for artists and alike. Everyone was super friendly and supportive, can't wait to come back again!

Borrego Springs sure has changed in the last 10 years and this was a pleasant supprise. Excellent Pizza a bit pricey but was worth it.

Was short on time so did a quick walk through. Would like to spend more time there to experience the local art. Dog friendly and the fountain out front was busy with birds drinking and bathing.

I love this art gallery. Well, worth a fun little road trip. Incredibly talented artista with shows that change throughout the year. They also have a wonderful, unique gift shop. Plus it's in a great historic mid century building!

Didn't have any displays as getting ready for a Plein Air session this weekend. Was some nice art for sale.

to see an art institute in the middle of the desert is quite an inspiration. Local philanthropists pulled together about 10 years ago and made this happen for the local community. Hours may be seasonal for both the Art Institute as well as the attached restaurant, Kesling's Kitchen, but these, along with the other great shops and restaurants in Borrego are worth the visit. Most impressive, just like the unique sculptures scattered all over the desert in Borrego Springs, no tax dollars, government agencies, or outside developers have been involved in these local improvements.

Great place! We stopped here first to get info on the various hikes in the area. Great visitor center and staff to answer all of the questions. The center also has great samples of the various cacti out front. $10 entrance fee to the park/carload. Very clean restrooms with soap and paper towels! Picnic area both in the sun and in the shade around the center. Ample parking on dirt

Amazing visitor center with plenty of interesting exhibits and park film. Amazing rangers to help you out too! Park stamps of the park and the Anza Trail are offered here as well as a junior ranger program (no age-limit, so anyone can do!). If you can, hit a star party for some astonishing night skies.

Wonderful Park, was lucky enough to see a Coyote right at the entrance. The visitor centre itself had wonderfully helpful members of staff and a small exhibition to show how the park came to form, there was even a short movie to watch. Various trails were pointed out by rangers and maps were provided free of charge(donations were welcomed). Short drives to each route, reason for 4 stars is because the actual routes were not brilliantly signposted, this was likely to keep the natural aesthetic.

Largest state park in CA ... 600,000 acres. Limitless hiking. Visitor center great helpful people. Take water on hike & eye glasses/prote ction. Winds are STRONG debrie flies. Pay park pass at ciocsk. CC or exact cash

The state park, because they are firmly under the spell of the radical environmentalist and the Democrats, have basically cut off access to most of the northern part of the park to all but the most hardy of hikers of which I am one so I thought I would post some photos of what others who aren't quite so fit used to be able to enjoy because they could drive their Jeeps back up into these areas but now can't. Seems like kind of a shame to me that only a very select few can enjoy these areas anymore, due to who knows what or why, but then again being under the control of radical environmentalists and the California Democrats means you don't have to answer the questions of what or why.

Don’t be fooled by the apparent lack of a building from the map! The visitor center is build as a cave! It’s very nice with plenty of great information, Anza Borrego merch and super friendly and helpful staff that pointed us to some great hiking trails

We enjoyed our time at the Park. Even it was hot we had fun. We saw a cute bunny ☺️.

Awesome 3.0 mile (roundtrip) hike through the canyon to the Palm tree/Creek/Waterfall Oasis. This hike is in the wide open, so not much shade and you WILL NEED water, decent shoes, sunscreen and a snack - we saw way too many people not bringing the necessities! You are gaining elevation on this hike along with many rock steps and slight bouldering in sections. Be prepared! Awesome sites for a desert environment.

The waterfall isn't running, but don't let that distract you from the fact that despite this being a very easy hike, people were turning around halfway up. Bring water and a camera. You may see bighorn sheep, scenic vistas, and other interesting wildlife.

Cool little walk, easy to do at 66 years young. Not even really a hike. Take water even in March, it can be warm. Enjoy the walk. Took me 1 3/4 hours out and back with plenty of time for pictures.

My wife and I saw bighorn sheep on the return trip on the main trail. We also saw quail, lots of lizards, and hummingbirds. We went in early April at about 8:45 am and it was already 90° F degrees. By the time we left it was 103° F. Obviously bringing plenty of water is important. There is little in the way of shade. Despite the heat, I enjoyed the hike overall. My only complaint is that certain sections of the alternate trail are not clearly marked. Pay close attention to rocks lined up in unnatural ways on the ground to guide the way. The main trail is a bit more clearly marked.

This trail surprised me. I meandered for a while, finding the trail and then hearing water. Followed the water up. Lots of bouldering and looking down where you step with all the rocks. Many alternate paths, I went up a completely different path than I came down. It's about 1.4 miles to get to the Palm Oasis, took almost two hours roundtrip. In April after a wet winter, there was plenty of water coming down, very pretty. You could still cross the river though which was nice. $10 day pass to park.

I recently hiked the Palm Canyon dessert trail and had a wonderful experience. The trail is an in-and-out route, culminating in a stunning palm oasis that, while not accessible due to habitat preservation, offers a serene spot to rest and enjoy the surroundings. The best time to hike is in the morning when there are fewer people, allowing for a more peaceful experience. The trail is also very kid-friendly, with easy terrain that even young hikers can manage. Overall, it's a fantastic hike for nature lovers of all ages.

An awesome hike for families! Borrego Palm Canyon was beautiful this weekend. It can get really hot so time your adventure in the winter, spring or early in the morning. A sign said it was lambing season (February), but we only spied adult sheep. Bring water and snacks. Our trek was about 3 miles round trip, with some sections of the canyon still closed- due to a fire a few years back. With littles, anticipate about 30 minutes a mile. I was shocked at how much water was flowing down. A true desert oasis! Please note, dogs are not allowed on this trail.

There's a reason why so many people go there. Peace and quiet. Been going there for years with my binoculars to see the mountain sheep and never seen any, went golfing one day and there they were, grazing on the fairway. What a sight. Made my terrible golf game worth it.

Beautiful views and a little taste of the rugged wilderness. When there are rains and everything is green, I suggest getting there before there sun rises to start your hike as many other people will have the same idea and parking will be nightmarish if you don't come early. Pack lots of water and trail mix but keep your trash with you! Be mindful of the trail and the wild animals that call this place home.

Good place to see big horn sheep. Much less crowded and enjoyable on week days.

Even on a hot day it’s worth the hike!

Tranquil, serene vastness of the desert.

Nice

Our group of 11 motorcyclists arrived at Red Ocotillo after a three-hour ride, looking forward to a relaxing meal—and we were not disappointed! The restaurant provided a peaceful ambiance, which was exactly what we needed after our journey. The food was delicious, with a variety of flavorful dishes that satisfied everyone in our group. The staff was friendly, attentive, and made us feel right at home, adding to the overall positive experience. The combination of great service, tasty food, and a serene environment makes Red Ocotillo a spot we’d highly recommend to anyone passing through Borrego Springs. A wonderful place to take a break and enjoy good company!

Let me say that the food made everything else acceptable. Very young front of house staff that was very reluctant to tell people walking in that the wait was over 50 for food . I believe if they had more servers then this would have been a 5 star review. Walked in and. Told to seat ourselves, No menus offered or even pointed to. Staff was not rude at all, just overwhelmed. Overall a beautiful place with delicious food . I had the breakfast crab cake with Benedict sauce and the rosemary potatoes and it tasted like a home cooked delicious meal. I can tell the cook put heart into it. My husband had Peg Leg breakfast -French toast and bacon (cooked perfectly crispy) and the portion was smallest out of all of our order, but very very yummy.

Had a wonderful dinner here today! Our waitress Brianna was great and very helpful with our difficult allergy. Big shout out to the cooks as well who were willing to accommodate to us!

Very good food and reasonable prices. The service is excellent. The waitress included a few spanish words to make me feel welcomed.

We first came to this restaurant and were blown away — not just by the amazing food (seriously, the clam chowder on Fridays is a must), but by our incredible server, Sherry. The moment we walked in, she had us seated with menus, drinks, great food recommendations, and a fun, upbeat attitude that made the whole experience special. We enjoyed it so much, we came back the very next day! Fast forward a month — we couldn’t wait to return. Unfortunately, we found out Sherry was no longer there, and the difference in service was noticeable. The server we had barely checked on us, seemed to spend most of the time in the kitchen, and only really came out when it was time for us to pay. I was even looking forward to trying the cherry cobbler she told us about, but never got the chance to order it. That said — the food is still fantastic, especially the clam chowder on Fridays. I just hope the level of service returns to what it once was, because with the right staff, this place is truly top-tier.

Probably the best breakfast spot in Borrego Springs, but pricey. Our breakfast for 2 was $58.53 with tip: crab cake benedict and pancake with egg and sausage. Nice vibe.

Came for lunch after a hike. Sat out on the huge covered patio and enjoyed the views of the flowers and mountains. Food took a bit to be served, but not horrible. Had fish tacos (a little bland and the fish is breaded) and a Reuben sandwich (awesome with huge chunks of corned beef). Prices were not outrageous. Staff very nice.

We just came across Kesling's Kitchen just looking for a quick bite. The staff were friendly and welcoming and the food was delicious! We had the Fish & Chips, a Fried Chicken Sandwich and a Greek Salad. I would recommend all of them.

We were visiting the area [March 7-10, 2019], and had the experience of hoping Borrego Springs would impress us with its culinary wonders!? This is my third review of our experiences; the other two being Kendall's Cafe and the Red Ocotillo, please see/read them. Out of the three, this place/experience was the best in food quality, service, and aesthetics. On that note; the first insights are that the weekends can be busy compared to regular weekdays. As we hoped for our second lunch on a Saturday afternoon, we noted a line emanating from the front door. Not so on trip one, Friday afternoon. This sight created a dilemma; so rather than wait being pressed for time and feeling hungry we decided on the Red Ocotillo 😒. Upon entering the door at Kesling's you order at the front so perhaps looking at their menu on line would be in order to make the process a bit more efficient? The restaurant was not busy so we had our pick of many tables. The order consisted of mine, the Safron Tom and the Go Go Greek sandwiches, and one of their beers on tap [which they were out of?] Made a second choice which they had. The food was well prepared, fresh ingredients, well presented, and tasted very good on the palate. A small side of their slaw was surprisingly fresh, hearty, tasty, and not too saucey. The beer was one of their (brown) offerings,; very good. I noted the business was not busy, so the quick and efficient service stands to reason. Enjoyed the modern and clean looking aesthetics, see my pics and others. A very nice touch was the the children's art work on the way to the restrooms. The restrooms by the way is often a factor of the whole experience. It was clean looking and well stocked including paper towels for drying hands...Overall the rating is in the range of 4.2-4.4 🌟's Enjoy! .

For it's limited menu options and a casual food court kind of feel, this place surprised me with its good food! We went here for lunch. No waiting time, but there is definitely a continuous crowd coming in, eating and moving on. We chose the house special cactus and green chilli soup, pork bahn mi and chicken on flat sandwiches. The portions were decent, the sandwiches come with a side of salad. Everything is fresh and definitely tasty! The cactus soup was delicious!! Will recommend this place to friends if they head out to Borrego springs. Didn't try their beers and wines on tap, but that is on my list for a next visit.

The green chili pepper and cactus soup was absolutely phenomenal, never had cactus soup before but now I will search for it. And the Kesling sub sandwich also was very good and so filling. The grilled romaine salad was good but could have been grilled a bit more. Sitting outside is a great view of the mountains in the passing RVs. I also enjoyed the beer selection on draft.

Such a great experience with excellent food, friendly service, spacious indoor and beautiful outdoor patio dining—we went back for dinner after eating lunch earlier in the day. Seasonal super fresh and tasty food “made with love” that you can taste. A gem in this little town!

Really great space located in the Borrego Art Institute building. Very modern. The first step in the door you smell the wood burning pizza oven. You order at the counter and pick a seat. Excellent pizzas and specials. The day we were there they did a roasted green Chile's and cactus (Nopales) soup the was absolutely delicious and a little spicy. YUM. They also make their desserts like salted caramel cheesecake that was light and tasty.

Look, I am moving out to Borrego Springs from New York City so my experience with pizza is pretty darn extensive. So with that in mind, I decided to try the margherita pizza here. Why not? I wasn't let down, for sure, but I wasn't blown away impressed, either. Again, I've had some pretty awesome slices in my day and I really didn't have high expectations for pizza out in the desert. It surpassed my expectations! Honestly, I should have tried something else from the menu because it all sounded good but for some reason the thought of desert pizza grabbed my attention. I would definitely recommend stopping here if you're trying to get some pizza or a cold brew. This place won't let you down. Promise. Don't go writing all your friends in New York City about the pizza out here, though. They might give you an earfull. A+ for overall atmosphere, vibe, service, and quality. Great visit

Unfortunately, this place was quite a disappointment. We have visited the establishment twice. Our first experience was better than the second; but whether considered separately or collectively were both underwhelming. On the first visit, the food was good; but not as “exceptional” as advertised. We decided to give it another try believing that our first experience was perhaps an anomaly based on the hype; however the second visit was just plain disappointing. The ribeye, which was satisfactory the first time, was not cooked as ordered and sadly was a not so good quality steak with which to start, which is unfortunate. The Pork Shank Osso Bucco, which was actually quite good the first time, was dry and lacked the advertised tenderness that we experienced the first time. The vegetable choices were green beans both times as the “seasonable vegetables”despite visiting during 2 separate seasons, so we chose to substitute on one entree. I opted for the broccoli, which was actually quite good, as were the mashed potatoes. The sides should not be better than your entree, however. The drinks were flat and overly sweet, yet another problem when combined with sub-par service and a server who appeared to be unfamiliar with the menu, the bar drinks, or how to properly serve a table. When you spend $250.00 for dinner for two with a restaurant that advertises itself as being the best upscale steakhouse in the area, you need consistently high quality food, great drinks, and you actually need to provide a fine dining experience to match your advertising.

This place is amazing, we stopped for dinner while staying in Anzaborrego. My wife had the prime rib, it was cooked to perfection, easy on the spices, they let the meat do the talking. I had the ribeye, the best meat I ever had, the waiters are friendly, and the drinks are cold. If you are in town, stop by. You will not regret it.

Prix fixed menu was excellent. One of those special types of restaurants.

Dropped in Monday Aug 11th. Had the Bison stake and a coyote house beer. My wife had the Cajun Caesar salad. The owner of the establishment was our order taker. Everything was super great, highly recommend the place. Mark and Denise from Drayton Valley

Everything was delicious! Our waiter was awesome, very friendly and made sure our experience was beyond most places. The New Zealand Lamb was cooked perfect! Be sure to try this place if you're in the area or for a special night out!!

Incredible service!!! Incredible food!! Prix fix menu of 3 entrees for $27. So worth it! Manuel, the chef made the most delightful steak. Juicy, tender, flavorful and a crispy top coat in the mushroom poutine. The servers, Tony and Ramon were so patient and helpful. The heater was broken and they tried on multiple attempts with many team members. Superb experience. I will be back! Worth the 4 hour drive!

Went here last night for Christmas Eve dinner. Ambience was beautiful and festive for Christmas, our server was very sweet and attentive, and lots of options on their menu. We arrived 15 min early and the hostess was very warm and welcoming and sat us early for our 7pm reservation. We were welcomed with complimentary champagne and a bread basket which was appreciated. It was quite busy as it was the height of dinner service and a holiday evening nonetheless so we practiced grace over the fact that it took quite a while for our order to arrive to the table. Food server was apologetic and kept the warm bread coming which we thought was nice. We received our meal near closing time and overall it was just okay. Not the best, but not bad enough to send back to the kitchen near closing time. They were understandably not offering prix fixe this evening and our bill was $150+tip for two entrees and an appetizer which I think most people would agree is pricey. I will say we felt like we got our money’s worth with the service and ambience but the food really was just middle of the road. Ribeye was absolutely huge but a bit chewy and under-seasoned, baby carrots were just okay (just steamed I think?), lobster Louie was just okay (I know I know…my fault for ordering seafood in the desert lol), Mac and cheese was a little watery but tasty, and the chicken noodle soup that came with the entree was piping hot and well seasoned. I will say the onion rings were fried to perfection so kudos to my husband for ordering those at a fine dining establishment😂. Despite the food teetering on mediocre, the meal overall was satisfying. Bottom line is that for the area, this is probably one of the better choices as far as fine dining. If you’re a big foodie though, you may need to set the bar a tad lower as far as food expectations. We would probably give another restaurant a try next time we come back to Borrego just to see what else this town offers, but I wouldn’t be opposed to giving this place another try (at a less busy time) if my companions requested it.

Food is ok. Service is less than average. Cash only payment option. Atmosphere is 2.5 out of 5. Because of the absence of competition cafe is busy otherwise it would be empty.

Nice Mexican restaurant with genuine food. Ate there multiple times as it is the best restaurant in town. The opening homemade nachos and salsa are to die for and I could eat this all night. Service is great every time. One of the local watering holes.

Food was great, staff is friendly. Service is a tad bit slow to our liking but we didn't mind it a lot as we got our food super hot and tasty. Ambience is appropriate to the desert climate. Definitely try the margaritas.

Convenient location but food is average. Nothing special or extra tasty. Parking is plenty! I agree with other reviews where customer service is bad. They brought us water when we first arrived but when we were ready to order, I could not catch any of the waiters’ eyes/attention! Even when it came to paying the bill, we walked up to the register and STILL had to wait for our specific waitress to come. Ridiculous! We ordered the meatball soup and only the meatball was good. Everything else was super average. The taquitos were perfectly crispy but flavor didn’t jump out to me. The drink was ok too.

Carmelita's Mexican Grill in Borrego Springs has one of the best Mexican food I have tasted. Whether you would like traditional or other foods Carmelita's has your taste. We didn't need to wait for long and the food was amazing! If you're planning to eat Mexican food then heads up because Carmelita's has it all! Highly recommended.

Just arrived in Borrego Spring and hungry. Not too many choices in town but we decided to drive to Carmelita’s. They are doing takeout only at this time. We ordered food to go. Friendly staff and great food! Refried bean and rice were delicious! Chicken tortilla soup was tasty and not salty; the tortilla strips were still crunchy. Yum!

Great food and excellent service. The flavor was perfect and the spice was just right - not too hot. But beware, the plates are hot when they serve you...keeps your meal toasty as you enjoy it. the grill also has a bar with multiple big screens for the game. Best Mexican food in the area and the prices are fair. Yes, I recommend this to my friends.

This place is a vibe. A true hidden gem, tucked right off the Main Street roundabout. After a long, hot day hiking in the state park, my boyfriend and I were exhausted, starving, and in desperate need of a cool spot to recharge. This place was exactly what we needed. As we walked in, a few musicians were setting up for live music, but the real show had already started- - locals at the bar were singing, laughing, and having the time of their lives over dinner. The energy was contagious. Our server was incredibly kind and attentive, making sure we had everything we needed. My boyfriend went for the steak special with a Pepsi, and I got the Baja burger with fries and a Diet Dr. Pepper. The steak was cooked perfectly, and my burger was packed with flavor - every bite hit the spot. After a day of hiking, this meal brought us back to life. It's clear this place is a local favorite, and I can see why. Something about it reminded me of a classic Midwest diner - - warm, welcoming, and effortlessly fun. If I'm ever back in the area, I'd come here again in a heartbeat.

Been coming to Borrego Springs a few years now, and have been dying to try Carlee,s. It is basically the centerpiece of the whole town, with definitely the best location. Being a senior, I am a huge Back to the Future Nostalgia kind of guy, so obviously I am going to completely love this place. Absolutely love the decor, the booth, and the whole setup is awesome. Everything was very clean, including the bathrooms. I sat at the bar, and ordered a beer. Yes, the number one complaint of slow service is definitely true, but I can understand that in this day and age, it is very hard to try and cut a profit. The menu with surprisingly huge, with definitely something for everyone. I wanted to order a pizza, as I saw many people picking them up for takeout. I asked a few locals and they told me the pizza was awesome. I really wanted to order one to go back to our room, but I could tell that it would probably not be a good idea since the restaurant was already pretty well full, and I did not really feel like waiting that long and was afraid it might ruin my beautiful visit here. Definitely a Local's favorite, and I'm sure a tourist enjoy it as well. I will Probably go back tomorrow an order a pizza just to see if it is as good as the locals claim, which I'm sure it is.

The sign is always eye catching when driving by, especially in the evening. Though it usually looks quiet and even closed from the outside, it was lively on the inside on a Sunday night. Music is not loud and obnoxious, and bar seating was spacious and plentiful. The bar tender acknowledged me And made my drink and took my order. I didn't see cocktail prices on the menu so I imagined I would get charged some exotic "desert" prices but I really only got charged like $7! I had an old fashioned and it was strong and well made. The pizza was not flavourful but it was a good size. I added pineapple and mushrooms on mine. You can tell in the picture that my topping just sat on top so it's like eating pizza and having the topping flavors on the side. Overall, I enjoyed my stay. The bar tender does not bother you and everyone else looks to be enjoying their time too. It's a good place to stop by for some drinks!

Lively and friendly restaurant with lots of bar seating plus banquette seating. Plenty of burgers, sandwiches, fish tacos. It’s a busy spot so the food wasn’t served quickly but within a reasonable time. Well prepared and seasoned, generous helpings. Would definitely return.

We came up to Barrego on a Thursday, and some local suggested coming to Carly‘s for lunch. We’re a little skeptical when we walked in the door, but after being in there for a few minutes, we quite enjoyed ourselves. We had lunch there, the food was pretty good, and the beer was cold. Although it looks a little bit like a dive bar, the place was full, and there’s plenty of parking on the street and around the back. If you’re looking for some good quick food and Carly can be the place, as long as you’re not there in peak hour when it can be a little slow, but otherwise enjoy.

We had a delicious lunch today at Carlee's as we were passing by on the way to Calexico. We ordered Chicken (grilled chicken was outstanding!!!) Cesar Salad, Fish Tacos, Hamburgers, Fish n Chips and more, all plates were huge and tasty. We were pleasantly surprised about all the options on the menu. Nice ambiance and super clean bathrooms were a great plus. Gotta remember this place for future visits.

Out on a drive today to Salton Sea and Coyote Canyon, Borrego on Easter Sunday 2024. Stopped at Carlee's for dinner on my way home to San Diego. I said at the bar and Initially I was ignored by the waiter, Jonathan, 5 times passing by me before he even acknowledged that I was there. I know he was busy because it was medium crowd getting ready to leave But he could have said I'll be with you in a minute or even just acknowledge that was there the first or second time passing me. I ordered a steak sandwich with beer battered fries and a Modelo. $26 plus tax and tip. I ordered a medium rare steak sandwich and received a medium well on one half and well done on the other half. I didn't say anything since this was my first time here. Jonathan was actually pleasant and checked on me a few times which was nice. The food was just okay though, as the steak was over cooked and tough. The fries were OK. Nothing out of the park. I am not sure I would return here unless there's no other option, as it was just OK. Three stars.