Borrego Art Institute


This nonprofit outfit in a modernist glass-fronted bungalow in central Borrego Springs presents desert-themed paintings, sculpture and crafts created by local artists. It also operates pottery workshops, kids' programs and a hip restaurant serving Mediterranean fare, including wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, and craft beer.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

0.07 MILES

The largest state park in California, Anza-Borrego comprises a staggering 640,000 acres of land punctuated with hiking trails, canyons, palm groves and…

2. Peg Leg Smith Monument

5.32 MILES

The pile of rocks is actually a monument to Thomas 'Peg Leg’ Smith – one-legged mountain man, fur trapper, horse thief, con artist and Wild West legend…

3. Fonts Point

8.33 MILES

East of Borrego Springs, a 4-mile dirt road, sometimes passable without 4WD, diverges south from County Rte S22 out to Fonts Point (1249ft). From up here…

4. Foot & Walker Pass Monument

15.34 MILES

Back in the day when the Butterfield Overland stage coach had a hard time making it across this pass, passengers had to temporarily get off and walk –…

5. Eagle Mining Co

17.64 MILES

Pan for gold and be regaled with tales of the hardscrabble life of the town’s early pioneers during an hour-long underground tour through the former Eagle…

6. Vallecito County Park

19.55 MILES

This pretty little park in a refreshing valley on the southern edge of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park centers on a replica of a historic Butterfield Stage…

7. Oasis Date Gardens

28.97 MILES

En route to the Salton Sea, this certified-organic date garden is handy for picking up gift boxes and yummy date shakes.

8. Palomar Mountain State Park

29.46 MILES

To stretch your legs after visiting the ridgetop Palomar Observatory, nearby Palomar Mountain State Park has forested hikes along panoramic-view trails…