The Best Desert Road Trips To Take in California
For all you adventure seekers, we've got national parks, hiking trails, and great views lined up. Not into camping? No problem! Enjoy cozy accommodations, trendy boutiques, and fantastic restaurants instead. So, make your road trip playlist and get ready to explore SoCal’s top desert spots. The excitement is unreal; it's how people feel when they score big at high roller casinos for Canadian Players!
Palm Springs to Joshua Tree National Park
Distance: 66 miles
If you are always down for a day of relaxation and adventure, Palm Springs is perfect for you. This spot offers everything you can think of. You have opulent villas, high-end resorts, rejuvenating hot springs, and unreal desert landscapes. This is the place to detoxify and relax in hot mineral springs before a restful night at an all-inclusive resort. To do this, check out El Morocco Inn and Day Spa, Miracle Manor Boutique Hotel and Spa, or The Spring Resort and Spa. If you’ve found a lovely Airbnb, you can buy a day spa pass for these resorts.
In Palm Springs, take your time. Visit the Palm Springs Art Museum and enjoy the Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden and Bill Anderson’s photography. Then, walk around downtown before relaxing at Integratron’s sound bath. Book your spot in advance, as it fills up fast.
Next up on the itinerary is Integratron. This place is a mix of art, science, and mysticism, built in 1954 by George Van Tassel. He created the wooden dome because he was inspired by biblical architecture, Nikola Tesla's ideas, and extraterrestrial influences. In the beginning, he designed it for rejuvenation and time travel. But as time passed, a few things changed. Now, it now serves as a space for sound healing. In 60-minute sessions, visitors relax to the soothing vibrations of crystal singing bowls. This helps balance the body's energy and promotes well-being.
With this out of the way, your next stop is none other than Joshua Tree National Park. Only 20 miles from Integratron, this park is where the Mojave and Colorado Deserts meet. As a result, you get to see unique landscapes, starry night skies, and diverse wildlife.
If you want to have a memorable trip, skip the resorts and hotels and pitch your tent right at Joshua Tree. While the resort is a nice way of experiencing the desert, it cannot match the beauty of nature. Spend a night under the stars and start your morning climbing the unique rock formations before heading home.
San Diego to Palm Springs
Distance: 158 miles
From vibrant downtown San Diego to the stunning villas of Palm Springs, this trip captures the essence of Southern California. Start by driving to Cleveland National Forest. It's a wildlife and plant paradise with wild shrubs and tree-covered mountains. Before Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo arrived, the area was known only to the desert and coastal Indians. You'll explore historic trails used by these early inhabitants.
Explore the stunning forest and its beautiful trails, including part of the famous Pacific Crest Trail. Cleveland National Forest is a cool spot for camping thanks to the many activities it offers. You can go fishing or target shooting; even horseback and ATV riding is a thing here. After a few nights in the forest, you can clean up and relax at Hotel Paseo or the Westin Mission Hills Resort Villas in Palm Springs.
Luxury shines in this desert town. So, if you want to shop till you drop, check out El Paseo Shopping District. But, if you have your eyes set on designer discounts, Desert Hills Premium Outlets is where you should go.
Los Angeles to San Bernardino National Forest
Distance: 117 miles
For those eager to go on a city break, this trip is for you. As you leave L.A., the cityscape fades into the Angeles National Forest, your first stop on the way to San Bernardino National Forest. Once you reach the green San Gabriel Mountains, park by the Gabrielino National Recreation Trail and prepare for your hike. The Gould Mesa Trail Camp is a short walk from here, along a section of the 28.8-mile Gabrielino trail shaded by sycamore trees.
Gould Mesa is an ideal spot to explore the 700,176-acre Angeles National Forest. There are so many hiking trails here that you'd be confused about where to start! We recommend taking on the 9,400-foot Mount Baden-Powell for a stunning 360-degree view of the Mojave Desert.
After spending a peaceful night at Gould Mesa, it's time to pack up. Hike back to your car early in the morning before heading to the San Bernardino National Forest. But before you get there, make a stop at the Grizzly Cafe near the Pacific Crest Trail.
The forest has eight Wilderness Areas, all of which are perfect to explore. Since it's not easy to cross off everything from your list, pick a spot and plan ahead what you would like to do. Whether you hike, bike, fish, or ride horseback, you'll appreciate the beauty of the park and be eager to return for another visit.
Los Angeles to Death Valley National Park
Distance: 214 miles
Welcome to Death Valley National Park. You are officially in the hottest, driest, and lowest in the United States. This park is a land of extremes, and we are not exaggerating when we say that. Prepare to face never-ending heat and drought while viewing snow-capped peaks. Its remote, arid landscape makes it an International Dark Sky Park.
To say that Death Valley is huge is an understatement. It's massive and you can't see it all in one visit. Research and plan your hikes in advance. Popular day hikes are Zabriskie Point, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, and Badwater Basin.
The intense heat here is no joke, so you should avoid camping here in the summer. If you do, you may end up getting sick or even go to the hospital because temperatures can exceed 100°F. So, we recommend visiting in the fall. Despite its dry reputation, Death Valley is full of fish, wildflowers, and wildlife. Start planning your trip and packing your gear.