Borrego Springs Metal Art
When you drive through the desert west of the Salton Sea to Borrego Springs, you’ll come across the most magical art in Galleta Meadows.
I expected to like it, but wasn’t prepared for the full range of emotions as I was in the presence of these larger than life works of art.
Galleta Meadows is privately held property that spans both sides of Borrego Springs Road.
There are no fences, and the public is welcome to explore and experience the outdoor art gallery anytime.
The original owner is now deceased, but his dream of sharing art in a gorgeous setting lives on. I was pleasantly surprised, when I saw how clean the property is.
Visitors haven’t defaced the sculptures, and I didn’t notice any trash.
Ricardo Breceda is the man who created the 130+ metal sculptures that dot the desert landscape.
He has been called an accidental artist, since he was working as a boot salesman prior to making his first sculpture.
When his 6 year old daughter asked for a dinosaur for Christmas, he got to work making her request a reality.
That first sculpture was a 20 foot tall metal Tyrannosaurus Rex.
It was a dream come true for the little Jurassic Park fan, but was also the start of a new career for Ricardo.
The art is full of raw emotion, which is captured in their poses and expressions.
Some depict violent scenes as creatures appear to fight for their survival.
Photo Gallery
Experiencing the Art
You can stop by anytime, but you may want to time your visit to get a particular type of photo.
Sunrise or sunset photos are nice, and so are those surrounded by blue skies or stormy clouds.
This time I only saw a portion of the pieces, so will be planning another trip to Borrego Springs soon.
My car has a very low clearance, so isn’t made for off road driving.
I drove slowly on some of the well-traveled dirt roads, and didn’t have any issues.
However, next time I visit, I’ll be in a different vehicle and will try to find all of the sculptures.
The elephants, horses, saber tooth cats and eagles were amazing, but I’m also looking forward to finding the scorpion and dragon.
Galleta Meadows is an amazing place to experience art, and I’m grateful that it’s set up so that the public can enjoy it.
Galleta Meadows
1700-1844 Borrego Springs Rd.
Borrego Springs, CA 92004
