Under the Borrego Sky

The giant serpent is one of the most recognizable sculptures in Galleta Meadows, an open-air art installation located in Borrego Springs, California, within Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

My husband and I took a break from the Henderson Canyon wildflowers to ride our e-bikes over to this desert icon. We love that it’s just down the road from our home and we can visit anytime.

The day couldn’t have been more beautiful for capturing a few great shots to add to the collection. We also enjoyed playing local tour guide for a lovely couple visiting from Colorado, pointing them toward some of the other standout works by renowned artist Ricardo Breceda around town—including the newest installation, the roadrunner and snake near La Casa Del Zorro Desert Resort & Spa.

Breceda’s 350-foot serpent is one of more than 130 open-air metal sculptures scattered across the landscape of Borrego Springs. The serpent appears to slither through the desert and beneath the roadway itself, its dragon-like head rising on one side of Borrego Springs Road, while its rattlesnake-inspired tail emerges on the other.

📸 Tips for Photographing

• Wide Shots: Capture the full length of the serpent snaking across the landscape to convey its immense scale.
• Detail Close-Ups: Focus on the textured metalwork — the shapes, the “scales,” and welded patterns that give it life.
• Golden Hour: Early morning or late afternoon light adds warmth and dramatic contrast.
• Night Skies: Borrego Springs is a designated dark-sky community, so a long-exposure shot with stars above the serpent can be magical.

How Borrego Springs, California Became Home to This Iconic Art

Breceda’s works, which are a huge draw for tourists, were commissioned by the late Dennis Avery, a local landowner who wanted to turn his property, Galleta Meadows, into an outdoor art experience.

Though the land remains privately owned, visitors are welcome to explore the sculptures and take as many photos as they like.

There’s something special about art of this scale being so open and accessible, waiting quietly in the desert for anyone willing to seek it out. I love seeing so many people drawn to Breceda’s work when they visit Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

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Photographs on this page are a labor of love by Under the Borrego Sky. To respect the work behind the lens, please do not use these images without a quick hello and permission first.