Desert Points of Interest
BACK TO TOP
Scotty's Castle is located in the northern portion of Death Valley National Park. Scotty was an interesting desert character. It is said that he was once in Wild Bill Cody's Wild West Show and was even jailed for a stagecoach robbery in his younger years. His legacy carries on through the Spanish-influenced castle he and a millionaire investor took part in building in this unforgiving desert. Mystery surrounds the castle and whether it was funded by Scotty's secret goldmine or the millionaire's investment into the goldmine that may not have existed. It's worth the drive to see the castle for yourself. Tours through the home are available several times daily.
NOTE: There are multiple points of interest within Death Valley. Go to our Death Valley National Park page to find out more.
 Check our Death Valley blog for more details.
 See our Death Valley photo album on Flickr.
Scotty's Castle
Death Valley National Park
Scotty's Castle Road
Death Valley, California 92328
Map |
Accommodations |
Website |
Other Ideas
Edwards Air Force Base is located east of Highway 14 near Mojave. This 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. Edwards is an Air Force flight test center for new aircraft.
TIP: When the weather is unsafe to land in Florida, the Nasa Space Shuttle is diverted to Edwards AFB. This is usually a short notice so it usually requires driving to the base before the Shuttle is actually diverted. Here's the NASA public information line (661) 276-3520 and this is their WEBSITE. Be sure to bring binoculars, zoom lenses, or even a low power telescope because the public is kept at a safe distance. Catch the Thunderbirds at one of their yearly airshows, stop by the outdoor museum of vintage war birds, or take a public tour.
Edwards Air Force Base
15 East Mojave Blvd.
Edwards, California 93524
(661) 277-3510
Map |
Accommodations |
Website |
Other Ideas
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Tree forest is located east of Big Pine off Highway 395. This is an ancient forest dating back over 4,000 years. The first half of the forest is viewable from the visitor center parking lot and along trails. The second half is accessible by driving another 12 miles on a sometimes steep dirt road. 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 and must be treated with respect and care. Since this forest resides at over 10,000 feet, take precautions for altitude. The forest is accessible from May to October, depending on weather.
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest Visitor Center
Highway 168 & White Mountain Road
(760) 873-2500
Map |
Accommodations |
Website |
Other Ideas
Cerro Gordo Ghost Town 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. Silver bullion was transported to San Pedro, Los Angeles by way of wagon for shipment to processing elsewhere. 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. Activities include photography, exploration, mountain biking, off-roading and more. Cerro Gordo is located along a dirt road out of Keeler, approximately one-hour east of Lone Pine.
Cerro Gordo Ghost Town
Keeler, California 93530
(760) 876-5030
Map |
Accommodations |
Website |
Other Ideas
Alabama Hills are located along Whitney Portal Road off Highway 395 in Lone Pine. This 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. Visitors enjoy camping, fishing, hiking and mountain biking. Elk herds can often be seen in this area.
Lone Pine Visitor Center
126 S. Main Street
Lone Pine, California 93545
(877) 253-8981
Map |
Accommodations |
Website |
Other Ideas
Indian Trading Post is located off Interstate 395 in Lone Pine. Stop off at the Indian Trading Post to see autographs of the many famous actors that have starred in movies that were filmed here. Celebrities have carved and autographed their names around the front door frame and interior walls. The trading post is shared with the Totem Cafe which serves deli-style meals, refreshments and microbrews. An outdoor patio offers views of Mt.Whitney.
Indian Trading Post
137 S. Main Street
Lone Pine, California 93545
(760) 876-4641
Map |
Accommodations |
Website |
Other Ideas
Lake Havasu is located on the California border with Arizona between Highways 40 and 62. This is the only Arizona address on this web site since most of the population along this lake is in Arizona. Houseboating, speed boating, water skiing, fishing, sunbathing and people watching are 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. This is a great place to water ski or learn to if you've never done it before.
NOTE: It is not uncommon to witness nudity on the lake. Locals say it's the crazy Californians.
Lake Havasu Tourism
314 London Bridge Road
Lake Havasu City, Arizona 86403
(800) 242-8278
Map |
Accommodations |
Website |
Other Ideas
Palm Springs Tram is located off Highway 111 in Palm Springs. Ride two and a half miles in the world's largest rotating tram cars. Climb from the desert floor at 2,600 feet to over 8,500 feet in under 30 minutes. At the top is a restaurant overlooking the entire desert region and a winter adventure center where cross-country skiis and snowshoes are rented. Popular activities include sightseeing, hiking and primitive camping.
TIP: The hiking trails ascend to San Jacinto Peak, the second highest peak in Southern California. Continue on the trails to the wonderful mountain community of Idyllwild. The Tram to Idyllwild hike is approximately 17 miles.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
One Tramway Road
Palm Springs, California 92262
(888) 515-8726
Map |
Accommodations |
Website |
Other Ideas
Tahquitz Canyon is located off Highway 111 in Palm Springs. Ranger-led tours take you along a modestly strenuous hike through a desert oasis of palm trees and freshwater pools. Follow along Tahquitz Creek as it flows from one of California's highest peaks. The reward for this short 2-mile hike is Tahquitz Falls, a 20-foot waterfall at the back of the canyon.
NOTE: Tahquitz Canyon is prone to closure during drought seasons or periods of flooding.
Tahquitz Canyon
500 W. Mesquite Avenue
Palm Springs, California 92262
(760) 416-7044
Map |
Accommodations |
Website |
Other Ideas
Hadley's is located west of Palm Springs along Interstate 10. You'll see the signs and can't miss it. Have you ever had a date shake? It's one of our favorites and practically a tradition among Californians to stop and get one when passing by. Casino Morongo and the Cabazon Factory Outlets now surround the Hadley's store that was once the only building there.
Hadley's Fruit Orchards
off Highway 10
Cabazon, CA 92230
(888) 854-5655
Map |
Accommodations |
Website |
Other Ideas
Shields Date Gardens is located off Highway 111 near Jefferson Street in Indio. Enjoy one of their famous date shakes, shop the many date-oriented products, or watch a video about dates in their onsite theatre. The store is surrounded by many of the palm trees that provide the dates.
Shields Date Gardens
80-225 Highway 111
Indio, California 92201
(760) 347-7768
Map |
Accommodations |
Website |
Other Ideas
Calico Ghost Town is located at the intersection of Calico and Ghost Town Roads off Interstate 15 near Yermo. These are the remnants of an actual town and silver mine abandoned many years back and now a tourist attraction. A souvenir shop sells sheriff's badges, holstered six shooters and other Wild West items for children. You can enter a portion of the original mine, ride a narrow gauge train and watch a gun fight reenactment by stunt men dressed in period clothing. POW!
The Knott family purchased this property and started inviting tourists. Having little success at drawing tourists to the location, the Knott's built a replica of Calico on their berry farm in Buena Park. Knott's Berry Farm is now one of the great amusement parks in California and still has the original Calico replica on site.
Calico Ghost Town
Calico & Ghost Town Roads
Calico, California 92398
Map |
Accommodations |
Website |
Other Ideas
|
