In March, 1774, Juan Bautiste De Anza was seeking an overland route from Sonora Mexico to Monterey, California. Proceeding west from San Gregorio, he and his party of 25 followed Coyote Creek and ascended Coyote Canyon. They camped at the Cahuilla indian village of Lower Willows, now known as Santa Caterina. The Spaniards called this village (and spring) just east of the Borrego Sink, San Gregorio. It is the location of the original Borrego Spring.

It was not until about 1910 that people began homesteading the Borrego Valley. The first successful well was dug in 1926, which quickly led to irrigation farming. By then, the town contained a post office, a small general store, and a gas station.

The military presence of both the Army and Navy during World War II brought the first paved roads and electricity to Borrego Springs. After the war, developers subdivided the area attempting to create a resort community by capitalizing on the tourism generated by the state park. By 1946, developers were busily implementing plans to turn the valley into a winter resort. Within a few short years Borrego Springs had positioned itself to become another Palm Springs. Aggressive marketing programs brought celebrities and developers to the valley and Borrego Springsí future looked very bright.

Because of its location within the boundaries of the largest state park in the nation, Borrego Springs struggled in its early days with accessibility issues. There were dreams of roads along the old Truckhaven Trail to the Salton Sea, a road through Montezuma Valley to Warner Springs, and even a highway through Coyote Canyon. To appease conservationists, the plan for the Coyote Canyon road was abandoned, but the other two roads were ultimately built (S-22 and S-2).

In the 1950s the De Anza Desert Country Club, consisting of a golf course and 300 home sites, was constructed. The Borrego Air Ranch and a central mall with adjoining condominiums were constructed in the 1960s. Because of its remote location, Borrego Springs never turned into the next Palm Springs the community's early pioneers had envisioned. Instead, it has maintained its pristine, natural beauty attracting visitors who appreciate true un-spoiled desert.

The Borrego Valley Inn was built by Don & Mary Robidoux, and opened in 1998. Rich Caldwell & Gwenn Marie purchased the property in April, 2006. The Inn continues in its original tradition of friendly abundance, serenity, peace, and rest. If you haven't visited the Inn since late 2001, be assured it's now back in friendly & caring hands. HOME