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Desert
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Desert Overview
The California Desert offers visitors many recreational activities and natural wonders. From the barren lands of Death Valley to the lush green golf courses in Palm Springs, California's deserts can be a brutal display of plant and animal survival to a lush oasis. Many visitors come in the Spring to witness the 'Desert in Bloom' when the dry, tumbleweed landscape explodes with wildflowers and butterflies. Others come for off-roading on the thousands of miles of dirt roads or giant sand dunes of Glamis or Dumont. Summer is understandably the 'off-season when daytime temperatures can hover in the 120s and even 130s in some parts of Death Valley.
TIP: See our TIPS page for more details on desert safety and preparedness.
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Death Valley is the hottest, driest and lowest point in the United States and can reach temperatures over 120 degrees in the summer. Sightseeing, photography, road & mountain biking, off-roading, hiking, and camping are the major activities to be enjoyed in Death Valley. Spring is the best season to see this park for its 'desert in bloom'. MORE DETAILS
Joshua Tree is named after its plentiful desert plants that stand 10' to 20' tall. Sightseeing, road & mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing and camping are the major activities to be enjoyed in Joshua Tree. A half-day trip from Palm Springs through the park is definitely doable including stops at sites. MORE DETAILS
Manzanar is the site of a World War II relocation camp for citizens of Japanese descent. Little remains of the original camp. A museum contains artifacts left behind and historical facts and documents about the camp. MORE DETAILS
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Red Rock features scenic desert cliffs, buttes and spectacular rock formations with marbled colors of red. MORE DETAILS
Providence Mountains offer the Mitchell Caverns as a main attraction. Hiking and exploration is in abundant supply. MORE DETAILS
Salton Sea is a huge, inland lake that formed as the result of a dam breakage in 1905. Activities include camping, boating, hiking, fishing and wildlife viewing. MORE DETAILS
Anza-Borrego Desert is a playground for off-roaders with the Octotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area and Borrego Badlands within its boundaries. MORE DETAILS
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Soak City Water Park is located in Palm Springs and features water rides like Pipeline Point, Surfrider Rapids and Rip Tide Reef. Are you looking for 'The Oasis' waterpark? This is it with a new name and even larger than before. MORE DETAILS
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The Living Desert is a moderate-sized zoo and gardens featuring desert dwelling plants and animals from around the world. Succulents, cacti and drought tolerant plants are intermingled with aviaries throughout the gardens. Local species of wildlife including coyote, rattlesnakes and eagles are on display with animals from other desert regions including giraffes, ostriches, leopards and more. MORE DETAILS
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Amargosa Opera House is a historic theatre that was revived in the late 60's from an almost certain fate of decay & ruin by an ambitious and inspired dancer & actress. Today, Marta Becket performs theatre, song and dance on Saturday nights and Sunday matinees. She spent four years painting the inside of the theatre with a 17th-century audience for the early days when she sometimes had no real audience, but these days it's a packed house. MORE DETAILS
Casino Morongo includes a casino with machines and table games, a four-star hotel, a restaurant and bar & grill. MORE DETAILS
Agua Caliente Casino offers a casino, hotel, restaurant, bar & grill and buffet. Entertainment includes live bands and shows in indoor and outdoor venues. MORE DETAILS
Spa Resort Casino is located in the heart of downtown Palm Springs. This indian casino & resort offers an adjacent hotel, multiple dining options and entertainment including an outdoor venue. MORE DETAILS
Fantasy Springs Resort & Casino offers accommodations, restaurants, gambling and entertainment. Their concert venue hosts top rock and country bands as well as comedy shows and more. MORE DETAILS
The Annenberg Theatre hosts performances of ballet, classical music and theatrical plays. The theatre is located in the Palm Springs Art Museum in beautiful downtown Palm Springs. MORE DETAILS
Palm Springs Pavilion Theatre is a huge Big Top structure situated across the street from the Palm Springs Art Museum and features live, Cirque-style performances with colorful effects and amazing artistry. MORE DETAILS
McCallum Theatre large music venue that has hosts world-class artists that have included Tony Bennett, Sheryl Crow, the St. Petersburg State Ice Ballet, the New York City Opera Company, Ray Charles and more. MORE DETAILS
The Plaza Theatre is the center point of activity in downtown Palm Springs. This historic theatre is home to the critically acclaimed Palm Springs Follies and hosts the Palm Springs International Film Festival awards ceremony each year in January. MORE DETAILS
Palm Springs Tram climbs two and a half miles from the desert floor at 2,600 feet to over 8,500 feet in under 30 minutes. At the top is a restaurant offering views of the desert community of Palm Springs and a winter adventure center for snow shoeing and cross-country skiing. MORE DETAILS
Jeep Tours are available in a variety of group tours and activities including jeep eco-tours. Navigate backroads and canyons where no other vehicle can. View the wildlife and fauna in its natural surroundings. MORE DETAILS
Hot Air Balloon ride above the California desert in vibrant colored balloons. Take in the views of vineyards, polo fields, world famous golf courses, exotic orchards and Southern California's tallest mountain peaks. MORE DETAILS
Golfing is available at hundreds of public and private courses throughout the desert region. Be able to say you've golfed at the lowest golf course in North America in Death Valley, or tee-off one of many PGA approved courses in Palm Springs that also host professional tours. Lessons are readily available for those looking to try it for the first time or improve their technique. MORE DETAILS
Horseback Riding is available at all of the popular desert destinations. Ride through the hills surrounding Furnace Creek in Death Valley, through canyons and oasis' surrounding Palm Springs, or through the badlands of Borrego Springs. Multiple riding adventures are available at several times throughout the day. Rides range from 1 to over 4-hours. MORE DETAILS
Sky Sailing in a wind propelled glider above the Anza-Borrego Desert. Gliders are towed to high altitudes by a motored plane and released to ride the natural wind currents. MORE DETAILS
Lake Havasu offers houseboating, speed boating, water skiing, fishing, sunbathing and people watching as the main attractions. The actual 'London Bridge' was moved here and rebuilt in Lake Havasu City. This is a very popular destination for college students and partiers during the Spring and Summer breaks. MORE DETAILS
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Barstow Outlets is a collection of over 70 outlets for stores like Calvin Klein, Geoffrey Beene, OshKosh B'Gosh, Levi's, Van Heusen Direct and more. MORE DETAILS
The Gardens on El Paseo spans several blocks and is reminiscent of Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. High-end shops and restaurants line the streets. Semi-secret gardens are nestled between shops. MORE DETAILS
Palm Canyon Drive in beautiful downtown Palm Springs, the very heart of the city of Palm Springs. Nearly 300 businesses including shops, galleries, and restaurants stay open late during the weekly Villagefest event. MORE DETAILS
The River is an outdoor mall with shops, top restaurant chains and entertainment like movies and live music. MORE DETAILS
Palm Springs Mall is an indoor mall conveniently located between the Palm Springs Airport and downtown. Many of the typical mall chain stores can be found here. MORE DETAILS
Westfield Palm Desert offers nearly 200 stores and restaurants. MORE DETAILS
Desert Hills Premium Outlets is a collection of nearly 150 outlets for stores like Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Polo Ralph Lauren, Yves Saint Laurent and more. MORE DETAILS
Cabazon Outlets is situated adjacent to the Desert Hills Premium Outlets and offers additional outlet store options. MORE DETAILS
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Miscellaneous Recommendations
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Ancient Bristlecone Pine Tree is an ancient forest dating back over 4,000 years. These trees are not the giants you would expect but much shorter, denser and gnarled by wind specimens. They are the oldest living things on Earth. MORE DETAILS
Alabama Hills is a beautiful rock upwelling landscape that has been worn by centuries of severe weather conditions. Many old western movies, TV commercials and videos were filmed here. MORE DETAILS
Cerro Gordo is considered to be the one of the best "authentic" ghost towns in California. In the late 1860's Cerro Gordo was a silver mining boom town that competed with the Comstock Mine of Virginia City. Visitors are welcome to stay at original structures on the premise to further explore the town. The original hotel serves meals and homebrewed root beer to visitors. MORE DETAILS
Edwards Air Force Base is where the NASA Space Shuttle sometimes makes its landings. Catch the Thunderbirds at one of their yearly airshows, stop by the outdoor museum of vintage war birds, or take a public tour. MORE DETAILS
Calico Ghost Town holds the remnants of an actual town and silver mine abandoned many years back and now a tourist attraction. This town was the inspiration for Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park. MORE DETAILS
Hadley's fruit stand is famous for its date shakes. This is one of our favorites and practically a tradition among Californians to stop when passing by. MORE DETAILS
Palm Springs Region is California's desert oasis. There are multiple five star hotels, world-renowned golf courses, high-end shopping and entertainment. MORE DETAILS
Tahquitz Canyon is a desert oasis of palm trees and sycamores tucked into a narrow canyon. Follow Tahquitz Creek until it ends at Tahquitz Waterfall and a refreshing freshwater pool. MORE DETAILS
Palm Springs Air Museum pays tribute to the men and women that fought in war, particularly WWII. It has one of the largest collections of WWII warplanes and artifacts in the world. In addition, many modern-day fighters and bombers are on display. MORE DETAILS
Imperial / Algonis Dunes also known as 'Glamis' is an off-roading paradise. Dune buggies, motorcycles and ATV's converge on the dunes by the thousands during the Spring and Fall to take advantage of nearly 120,000 acres of sand dunes. These dunes are the largest in California at over 40-miles in length and 5-miles wide. MORE DETAILS
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Palm Springs International is located off Highway 111 and Ramon Road.
Options to consider would be
Ontario International offering access to northern desert regions, or San Diego International airport offering access to the southern desert regions and the Imperial Valley.
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Traffic & Transportation
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Interstate 395 runs north & south and accesses the northernmost desert regions like Death Valley. It can be crowded in the winter months with skiers/boarders from the L.A. basin, especially on the weekends. Both Highway 14 and Interstate 395 are trecherous two-lane roads for a 50-mile stretch south of Inyokern.
Interstate 15 runs from the south to the northeast and connects San Diego County with Las Vegas, Nevada and beyond. It can be very crowded on Friday nights heading toward Las Vegas and Sunday afternoons heading southwest from Las Vegas.
Interstate 40 runs east and west from Barstow to northern Lake Havasu and beyond into Arizona. It is prone to heavier traffic during 'Spring Break' (March to April).
Interstate 10 runs east and west from Santa Monica to Blythe on the Arizona border and beyond. Traffic is only an issue west of Palm Springs where commuters travel from the Inland Empire into the Los Angeles basin for work. Be aware of rush hours during the week.
Highways 111 & 86 run north and south from Palm Springs to El Centro and beyond into Mexico. Traffic is not an issue but can be busier during off-road opening weekend in Glamis. These are mostly two-lane highways.
Highway 78 runs east and west from Oceanside to Blythe. This mostly two-lane road has many differences from stop and go traffic through the towns to the west, to the twisting mountain road through Julian and the long stretch of desert beyond. Traffic is only an issue through the towns in San Diego County and during off-road opening weekend in Glamis.
Interstate 8 runs east and west from San Diego to Yuma, Arizona. Traffic is only an issue in San Diego County and during off-roading opening weekend in Glamis.
Public transportation is good in the Palm Springs region and fair in the Barstow, Mojave and Imperial Valley regions.
Palm Springs & vacinity - Sunline bus service.
Barstow - BAT (Barstow Area Transit) bus service.
Imperial Valley - Imperial Valley Transit bus service.
See our Resources page for links to rental car services. Amtrak train depots are located at many of the major desert regions. The southern region near El Centro has no Amtrak service. Any areas not accessible by train are usually accessible by Greyhound bus transfer.
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Winter brings average lows in the 30's and highs in the 60's. Heavy rains, thunderstorms and flash flooding are common. Light snow is a rare occurrence in the high desert regions.
Spring brings average lows in the 70's and highs in the 90's. Occassional thunderstorms with flash flooding.
Summer brings average lows in the 90's and highs in the 120's. Thunderstorms are a rare occurrence.
Fall brings average lows in the 50's and highs in the 70's. Thunderstorms increasing with hail and heavy flash flooding.
NOTE: See our TIPS page for desert precautions.
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Jan 6-17, 2011 - Palm Springs International Film Festival shows independent films at several Palm Springs area theatres. The awards ceremony is held at the historic Plaza Theatre in downtown Palm Springs. WEBSITE
Feb 18-27, 2011 - National Date Festival is held at the Riverside County Fairgrounds in Indio. This annual celebration pays tribute to the area's Arabian heritage. Celebrate the date fruit and see events like Ostrich & Camel racing, hypnotist shows, live music and more. This event also features carnival games and rides. WEBSITE
Mar 12, 2011 - Blue Angels Air Show in El Centro where the Blue Angels train. See modern-day war birds such as B-1 bombers, Stealth Fighters, A-10 Warthogs, Apache helicopters and more on display on the ground and air. Show finale features the Navy's Blue Angels precision flying team. WEBSITE
Apr 2011 - Wildflower Viewing is best in early Spring when the normally stark deserts explode with color. Many varieties including poppies, lupine, cream cups, ocotillo and more combine to create perfect photo opportunities. Popular wildflower viewing regions include Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve, Anza Borrego State Park and Joshua Tree & Death Valley National Parks.
Apr 16-18, 2010 - Coachella Music & Art Festival is held at the Polo fields in Coachella. This massive event features two days of top alternative bands on multiple stages. This event is so large and yet so remote, they offer on-site camping and Amtrak schedules a temporary stop at the Polo fields the week of the event. WEBSITE
Apr 24-25, 2010 - Stagecoach Festival is held at the Polo fields in Coachella. This massive event features two days of top country bands on multiple stages. This event is so large and yet so remote, they offer on-site camping and Amtrak schedules a temporary stop at the Polo fields the week of the event. WEBSITE
April 24-25, 2010 - California Poppy Festival takes place in Lancaster City Park. Event coincides the blooming of the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve and features food, dancing, crafts and entertainment. Entertainment includes live bands, magicians, salsa dancers, Japanese swordsmen and more. WEBSITE
May 25-30, 2010 - Bishop Mule Days is the region's largest annual event held every Memorial Day weekend as back country mule and horse packers celebrate the opening of the summer packing season. World's largest non-motorized parade, events include rodeo-style packing competitions, concerts, crafts fair and more. WEBSITE
October 8-10, 2010 - Lone Pine Film Festival celebrates the long history between Lone Pine and the Hollywood motion picture industry. Over 400 films have been shot in the Lone Pine region since the 1920's. Festivities include movie showings, concerts, film location tours, dinners and more. WEBSITE
Dec 4-5, 2010 - Indio Tamale Festival is held in Indio and features an endless variety of tamales. Entertainment includes live music, mariachis, carnival rides and games, a tamale eating contest and more. WEBSITE
Jan-Dec, 2010 - Calico Events include Civil War reenactments over President's Day weekend, Calico Days to celebrate California's gold mining glory days, Ghost Haunt over Halloween weekend where the ghost town really turns haunted, and more. Calico is an actual abandoned mining town that's been a popular attraction for many years. WEBSITE
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