Santa Catarina Springs, a desert spring in Borrego Valley near Borrego Springs in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, was an important water source and the site of the historic Santa Catarina campsite. Juan Bautista de Anza and Father Francisco Garcés's expedition stopped here on March 14, 1774, resting and watering its mules, cattle, and horses while crossing the Colorado Desert through Las Californias. That journey later became part of the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail, linked to Spain’s effort to establish missions and presidio forts as far north as San Francisco Bay. The campsite became California Historical Landmark No. 785 on March 3, 1958.