When we visited Anza Borrego for the first time a few years ago, we had no idea that this small desert town has been overrun by colossus mythical creatures and beasts that were once thought to be extinct. Don’t worry, this isn’t a real-life Jurassic Park. They are actually giant metal sculptures that are part of the Galleta Meadows, which is the work of artist/welder Ricardo Breceda. If you would like to learn more about Ricardo and the history of the animals of Anza Borrego, click here.
These metal sculptures are sprinkled all over the town of Borrego Springs. Some of them are quite hidden unless you know where to look and are willing to explore. After multiple visits, we are able to put together an ultimate guide on the exact locations of each sculpture for you.
STATS:
Where:
Anza-Borrego Visitor Center: 200 Palm Canyon Dr, Borrego Springs, CA 92004
Coordinates: 33°15’28.7″N 116°24’23.5″W
*Note: This is just your starting point. The sculptures spread all over the town. We included the exact locations for each sculpture below.
Fee:
FREE!!! You don’t need the State park pass to see these.
Parking:
There is plenty of parking at each of the sculptures.
Restroom:
There are restrooms at the park in the center of town as well as at the shops/restaurants.
Elevation:
597 ft
Level:
easy
Estimated Completion Time:
at least 2 hours since you do have to drive around.
Ideal Weather:
Springs and Falls are the best time to go, especially Springs if you time it right during the desert bloom. Summers are extremely hot and Winter can get very cold.
Ideal Time:
If you love taking pictures as we do, the morning and evening lights make for great photos with the sculptures at Galleta Meadows.
Dog-friendly:
Yes
Additional notes: Bring an ice chest with plenty of drinks. There are plenty of spots to buy more in town, but the sculptures are all on the outskirts of town. A high clearance vehicle is also recommended.
THE ADVENTURE:
The town of Borrego Springs is located 1.5 hours southeast of Temecula or 1.5 hours south of Palm Springs. The best way to go is to use GPS for directions to the Anza-Borrego Visitor Center. However, instead of turning left into the visitor center, you’ll turn right on to Palm Canyon Dr. and go straight to Christmas Circle, which is a traffic circle. The sculptures of Galleta Meadows are mainly spread out along Borrego Springs Road. All of our favorite sculptures are highlighted in blue.
From the visitor center going toward Christmas circle, if you make a right onto the second exit, which is Borrego Springs Road, you’ll head toward state route 78 and Anza-Borrego State Park. About 0.46 miles from the Christmas circle, you’ll reach the first sculpture. You can’t miss it if you pay attention. On the left-hand side, you’ll see one of the more popular sculptures, the Breceda’s Eagle (33°12’45.1″N 116°21’20.6″W). It is a giant eagle bringing a serpent home for dinner for her two little chicks.
If you continue down the dirt road, you will see a whole bunch of really neat horse sculptures. They range from horses peacefully grazing, to a mother feeding her foal (33°12’43.53″N 116°21’6.89″W) to two horses reared up, ready for battle (33°12’43.53″N 116°21’6.89″W). Further down the road, are 2 full-sized mammoths and their adorable little baby (33°12’43.99″N 116°20’52.12″W).
One thing that I realized about the Galleta Meadows sculptures is that you really need to get out of the car and see them up close. That is the only way to truly appreciate the attention to detail that Ricardo has poured into each and every one of Borrego Springs’ metal residents. When you see the scales of the reptiles or the feathers on the birds, you will really be impressed. Be careful when you’re interacting with these sculptures. They are made up of metal and can be very sharp.
Across the main road from the eagle are a bunch of feisty felines. Like with the horses, the saber-tooths are engaged in all sorts of mischief. Some are just striking a pose, waiting for their close-up (33°12’38.80″N 116°21’18.50″W). Others are showing off their athletic prowess with impressive lunges. A couple in the back got a little hangry and decided that donkey is on the menu (33°12’37.69″ N 116°21’18.11″W ). One of our favorites is the fully airborne saber-tooth that is determined to take down his poor victim (33°12’35.11″N 116°21’14.44″W).
As you leave the sabertooth area, make a right onto Borrego Springs Road toward state route 78, then make the first right onto Anzio Drive. When you come toward the end of the road, you’ll turn right onto the first dirt road you see. This is where you can see a giant prehistoric bird with an entire boar grasped in its talons (33°12’26.72″N 116°20’55.93″W). Evidently, it wanted some bacon for breakfast that day.
Once you’re done admiring the huge prehistoric bird, head back down Anzio Drive to the end of the road. From here, you’ll see another dirt road, right next to some fences. This is where high clearance vehicles come in handy. We did do this one time in my parent’s Toyota Camry, but it definitely wasn’t fun. This road is magical though because it will take you back in time million years ago to the age of the dinosaurs. The first one you’ll see is a Spinosaurus ( 33°11’58.53″N 116°20’55.00″W).
The funny thing about these Galleta Meadows sculptures is that you have to keep your eyes peeled. I was standing there admiring the magnificent beast when I realized that there was a little raptor (about 4 feet tall) standing behind me, and another one, AND ANOTHER ONE! It’s a good thing that these aren’t living dinosaurs because those three would definitely have snuck up on us.
From there, keep going about 250 yards further down the road, you will find yourself in the middle of a fierce battle between two massive bloodthirsty T-Rex’s (33°11’56.17″N 116°21’4.40″W). This is definitely up there on our favorites list. One cool thing about this display is that there is a big gap between the T-Rex, big enough to fit most cars in the middle of the battle for a fun photo op.
If you haven’t gotten your fill of dinosaurs yet, you can keep going for another 200 yards down the road to see another really cool T-rex (33°11’58.30″N 116°21’11.01″W), some more sneaky almost hidden dinosaurs, and two raptors. One of the raptors is a proud mama guarding a nest with some eggs (33°11’57.19″N 116°21’10.56″W). These dinosaurs are the last of the sculptures on this side of Borrego Springs Road. To see the rest of the animals, you have to head back the past Christmas Circle to the other side of Borrego Springs Road.
When you get back to Christmas Circle traffic circle, you’ll want to make your way around to the 4th turn off, which is also Borrego Springs Rd. The next sculptures are 1.6 miles down the road on the right side. This area is at the corner of Borrego Springs and Big Horn Road. The first ones that you will encounter are two Gomphotheres (prehistoric elephant) and their baby (33°16’57.96″N 116°22’26.02″W). A short distance from them is a pair of turtles (33°16’58.00″N 116°22’27.47″W). Just north from there is a super cute mother camel feeding her baby (33°17’0.88″N 116°22’27.21″W).
About a quarter-mile from the camels is a must-see on our list. It is a gigantic scorpion getting ready to trade blows with a huge grasshopper (33°17’0.62″N 116°22’11.97″W ). My favorite thing about this one is the mesh wings on the grasshopper. There is so much intricate work on the massive sculpture. When you’re done appreciating these giants, don’t forget about the neat little vineyard with grapes vines and workers a few hundred feet down (33°17’0.15″N 116°22’1.52″W).
After you are done with the vineyard, head back to Borrego Springs Rd. Just 0.16 miles down the road on the right is the home of giant sloths. One of them is even giving a piggyback ride to a baby (33°17’10.91″N 116°22’28.55″W). It is adorable!
If you keep going, you’ll find yourself at hands down the biggest and most epic sculpture of all Galleta Meadows! It is a colossal serpent (33°17’24.04″N 116°22’36.99″W). This guy weaves his way in and out of the ground from one side of the road to the other at a whopping 350 feet long. It took Ricardo almost 4 months to create everything from the scales on the creature’s head all the way to the rattle on his tail and another 3 months to put all of the pieces together in its new desert home. The project also cost a hefty $40,000 to complete.
If you keep going past the serpent, just under a mile away on the left-hand side, you will find one of Dustin’s favorites. It is a full-scale Jeep with a driver crawling over a boulder (33°18’0.85″N 116°23’14.22″W). Drive a little further up, right at the curve on the main road, there is a small dirt road. Here is where you will find the big cactus ( 33°18’4.81″N 116°23’21.99″W) and the Padre with his dog (33°18’6.46″N 116°23’18.53″W).
Galleta Meadows is definitely our kind of art! We love that it is a mix of a scavenger hunt with unique art installations. If you have more time to spend here, we recommend checking out The Slot, an easy yet super fun and unique hike in Anza Borrego. Wind Caves trail is another fun hike that will take you to some of the coolest wind caves. You can always finish out the day watching the sunset from the best viewpoint in the park, Fonts Point. If you’re up for more adventure, you are just outside the Salton Sea, don’t forget to check out 10 things to do in Salton Sea, Salvation Mountain or Slab City Adventure.
What is your favorite
Happy Adventuring. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, subscribe to our Youtube channel, and sign up for our newsletter!
RECOMMEND GEAR:
Don’t forget to check out our Recommended Gear section as well.
• Sunscreen:
We use eco-friendly, reef-safe sunscreen. Alba Botanica Hawaiian Sunscreen or Sun Bum Sunscreen
• Comfortable shoes
You do need to do a bit walking around to admire these sculptures so comfortable shoes are recommended. Vy’s shoes are North Face HedgeHog GTX. Dustin’s shoes are Coleman Tasman Hiking Shoe.
• Water/Cooler with drinks
Bring more than you think you need. It can get extremely hot here. Vy uses the Camelback L.U.X.E. Dustin uses the Clik Small pack (sadly Clik is no longer around).
CAMERA GEAR:
• Camera:
Sony a7 III
• Lenses:
Sony 24 -70mm f/2.8 Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T Zoom Lens
Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX
3 Comments
Ion
Wonderful article and photos (especially the drone shots). I photographed a few of these several years ago, but I see that I missed some good ones. Will have to return!
Vy
Hopefully, you’ll get to come back soon!
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