Galleta Meadows
6 Reviews
Hello everyone! This is a friendly reminder that any of these fun places we may visit, we are a guest at. Please treat both businesses and trails with the utmost respect. We here at Hidden San Diego follow the 'Leave no Trace' mantra, meaning whatever you bring with you comes back with you. If you see trash on a trail, please do your part to help remove it. Remember, we are not picking up trash from another person but instead cleaning up for Mother Nature. Happy adventures!
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1700-1844 Borrego Springs Rd
Borrego Springs, CA 92004
33.282937, -116.373841
Dog-Friendly: Yes, but be mindful of summer heat   Kid-Friendly: Yes
**Make sure to check out our list of Hidden Gems in Anza Borrego State Park for the ultimate day trip!**
About Galleta Meadows
For those of you whom are art lovers and have not yet ventured out to Galleta Meadows, prepare yourself for a stunning experience unlike anything else in our city. This amazing site is home to nearly 200 metal sculptures depicting prehistoric creatures that once roamed the earth.
Keep your eyes peeled because these gigantic installations are scattered across 3,000 acres. Each sculpture is the product of the artistic genius of sculptor Ricardo Breceda.
A man named Avery purchased the land with the intention of preventing it from ever being developed. Avery was heir to the Avery-Dennison label-making fortune, but he blazed a distinct path of his own in San Diego. He was a Cal Western Law School graduate who for a time worked in the San Diego City Attorney’s office and later served as an associate dean for the law school, but much of his attention was devoted to Borrego.
At some point while traveling back and forth visiting his children at college in Riverside, Avery happened on the Perris studio of Mexican born and self-taught sculptor Ricardo Breceda. The studio was called Perris Jurassic Park, and the men quickly discovered a mutual love of dinosaurs.
While you’re in the area, make sure to check out the Anza Borrego Slot Canyon nearby!
Breceda received his inspiration from watching the movie Jurassic Park with his daughter. When she asked for a T-Rex for Christmas, Breceda endeavored to please her and a major era in his artistry began.
In 2008 Avery commissioned Breceda to create iron sculptures of a variety of prehistoric beasts for Galleta Meadows, an appropriate site since Borrego is home to one of the richest troves of fossils in North America.
When Avery died in 2012, there were approximately 150 pieces in the collection and there may never be more. He left behind an endowment to pay Breceda for repairing weather related damage to his pieces.
A tip to photographers: the real magic happens at night here with a backdrop of a million stars.
Pin it for later
Ali
Keep driving around the south of town… there’s more….
January 22, 2015
To Broseph:
Thank you for sharing your experience!!
February 22, 2015
Broseph Q
I went today with my wife and it was quite an adventure. There are dirt roads that will allow you to get really close to most sculptures. I was able to navigate through them with my Ford Focus but if you have a lowered vehicle, I would suggest parking on the road and walking to the statues. We ended up heading to the Salton Sea after hanging out for a little bit. Thank you for all of the hard work you put into this site, I really appreciate it and will be donating soon!
February 22, 2015
sanjeet
Nice place once I saw this webpage and visited these sculptures. I liked it the most.
June 7, 2015
Victor
Hi i am flatter that you like my spiritual page on Facebook called Araboth Radiant Generation i shared your page too . I notice some of your flame pictures that you have on your hands are part of my pictures. Please don’t take my pictures unless i give you permission thank you.
December 4, 2017
jdjdjlmj (mod)
Victor, you are out of your mind.
January 30, 2019