Member Spotlight: Stephanie & Tom DiPalma
For Stephanie and Tom DiPalma, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park isn’t just a destination—it’s a way of life. From their first visit in 2000, when they hiked Palm Canyon and caught sight of bighorn sheep locking horns, the desert captured their hearts. What began as a spontaneous day trip from Julian has grown into a lifelong connection and they now call Borrego Springs home.
Stephanie, who serves on Anza-Borrego Foundation’s Board of Directors, brings her passion for exploration and stewardship to ABF’s mission. Together, she and Tom share their love of the desert by leading Guided Driving and Biking Tours that help visitors experience the Park’s vast backcountry in meaningful ways. This season, they’ll be leading the following tours:
Over the years, Stephanie and Tom have explored the Park in every way imaginable: hiking, biking, jeeping, and discovering its quiet corners at dawn and dusk. They’ve come to know that Anza-Borrego’s magic lies in its vastness—650,000 acres of ever-changing light, texture, and solitude that offer something new with every season.
What is your favorite location in the Park?
Our favorite location depends on what activity we are doing. With over 650,000 acres of diverse lands, there’s no single place we could choose. For a quick “getting the desert” experience, Coyote Canyon is a must. For a magical hike, the Dos Cabezas or Mountain Palm Springs areas. Out into the desert in the Jeep—Canyon Sin Nombre and Arroyo Tapiado. For a quiet, easy, close-to-town hike, Henderson Canyon or Palm Canyon. And with over 500 miles of dirt roads for our fat-tire bikes—there are just so many great places.
What is your favorite season in the Park and why?
The quiet of fall—when the desert has just begun to wake up after a hot summer. The season is just beginning, the air is perfect, and everything feels fresh and alive again.
Tell us about your first experience in the Park.
In 2000, we were staying in Julian and decided to come down and explore the “funky” little town of Borrego Springs. We hiked Palm Canyon and saw our first Borregos—butting heads! There was something magical about the desert, and we knew we were going to come back.
If you could be any desert animal, what would it be and why?
The raven—smart, fast, and able to survive the harshness of the desert. To soar above the desert would be breathtaking. Of course, being able to scale the mountains like a Borrego would be great too.
How long have you been visiting the Park?
We started coming annually in 2013 and now own a home in Borrego.
Why did you become members?
To protect the Park we love.
Anything else you’d like to share?
If we want to have this Park and other public lands for our grandchildren and their grandchildren, we need to protect it today. Joining ABF and supporting this magical place is the only way it will be here in the future.
Want to be a featured member?
Email jaime@theabf.org
Not a member yet?
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