Anza-Borrego and the Salton Sea
From San Diego over the mountains to apple-pie Julian, down into California’s largest state park and on to the strange shores of the Salton Sea.
- Distance
- 242 km (150 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 41 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 7
- States
- CA
- Updated
- June 2, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 242 km (150 mi) with 7 stops, from San Diego to Salvation Mountain. About 2 h 41 min of driving in total.
Route description
From San Diego, climb east through the backcountry to Julian, an old gold-mining town in the oak and pine hills, famous for apple pie. It is a pleasant contrast to the desert below.
Montezuma Grade (S-22) drops steeply into Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California’s largest state park. The village of Borrego Springs sits in the middle, surrounded by giant metal sculptures of mammoths, horses and a sea serpent at Galleta Meadows. After a wet winter the wildflowers peak around February and March.
East of town, a sandy four-mile track leads to Fonts Point, overlooking the Borrego Badlands; high-clearance vehicles do best, and it is magical at sunset. The area is also a dark-sky community, so stay for the stars.
Continue on S-22 to the Salton Sea, a shallow salty lake that attracts huge flocks of birds. Drive around the north shore to the state recreation area, then south to Salvation Mountain near Niland. Avoid summer, when temperatures often exceed 110°F.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
San Diego
CA - 279 km
Julian
CA - 335 km
Borrego Springs
CA - 44 km
Galleta Meadows sculptures
OdditiesBorrego Springs, CAMore than 100 rusted metal sculptures of dinosaurs, horses and a giant serpent scattered across the desert around Borrego Springs. They are free to visit from the roadside.
- 517 km
Fonts Point
ViewsBorrego Springs, CAA rim above the eroded Borrego Badlands, spectacular at sunrise and sunset. The four-mile access road is soft sand; high clearance helps.
- 647 km
Salton Sea State Recreation Area
NatureMecca, CACalifornia’s largest lake, created by an accidental flood in 1905 and now slowly shrinking and very salty. Come for the birds and the strange light; the shore can smell strongly.
- 760 km
Salvation Mountain
OdditiesNiland, CAA hillside of adobe, straw and thousands of gallons of donated paint, built by one man over almost 30 years.
