With its many luxury developments, it is worlds apart from that cold, snowy day in December 1775 when the second Anza expedition crossed Borrego Valley to its encampment at the mouth of Coyote Canyon. There are also trailer and RV parks available, but in a peak tourist season all accommodations fill up quickly. Grocery stores, pharmacies, service stations, a post office, small novelty and gift shops, art galleries, restaurants, the sheriff's office, and the chamber of commerce are found near Christmas Circle. The 19-passenger bus will carry bicycles with advance notification. Three community golf courses and tennis courts are open to the public.
Night life is quiet, centering around the few restaurants and cocktail lounges in the valley.
Camping areas in the Borrego Valley vicinity include the developed campground at Borrego Palm Canyon, and primitive, no-facility camps in Coyote Canyon, in Glorietta Canyon, at Pegleg Smith Monument, and around Borrego Sink. The latter two areas are privately owned but have been open to public camping. This facility has full hookups, two Jacuzzis, two pools, a store, laundry, and restaurant facilities in addition to a 60-room hotel. Much of Borrego Valley is private property, requiring compliance with regulatory signs, fences, etc. Camp and travel only where obviously permitted or designated.