Death Valley National Park is the nation's hottest, driest, and lowest place. The best time to visit is winter or spring when the temperature is not too extreme. People from all over the world come to see this desert valley. Some tourists visit in the summer just for bragging rights about … [Read more...]
Southern California Desert Day Trips
Explore California's Desert Regions
Saline Valley Hot Springs Death Valley Side Trip
Saline Valley Hot Springs may be a little rough, but well worth the effort for those that love to dip in hot mineral water pools. Saline Valley Hot Springs is "managed" by volunteers who have constructed and maintained the hot springs for many years. In 1994 Saline Valley and the hot spring … [Read more...]
Manzanar Historic Site Highway 395 Owens Valley
California is rich in history. Reading about history in a book is one thing, but it is far more enriching to see locations and experience the past in person. The Manzanar National Historic Site is a location worthy of your time if you are hungry for mid-century history in California. Manzanar was … [Read more...]
Joshua Tree National Park Day Trip Things To Do
Joshua Tree National Park day trip is the best thing to do and see while visiting this fantastic desert park. Joshua Tree National Park sits in Riverside and San Bernardino counties and covers nearly 800,000 acres. Of that land area, over half has been officially designated as a wilderness area, … [Read more...]
Antelope Valley Indian Museum Day Trip
Antelope Valley Indian Museum State Historic Park displays a fantastic collection of Native American artifacts. The museum is located in the Mojave Desert, about 25 miles from the town of Lancaster. This wonderful little gem is only open on weekends from 9 am to 4 pm. There is a small admission … [Read more...]
Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Day Trip
If you are a film and television buff, Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park is the perfect day trip. When driving along the 14 freeway, most travelers pass by without knowing the history and beauty, just a quick exit away. The Vasquez rocks area has always been a popular backdrop for Hollywood studios … [Read more...]
Wildrose Charcoal Kilns Death Valley Day Trip
Wildrose Charcoal Kilns would probably be one of the most visited attractions in Death Valley if they were not in such a remote location. The charcoal kilns were built in 1877 to provide a reliable source of charcoal for mining operations at Lookout City in the Argus Mountain Range. Due to the … [Read more...]
Mojave National Preserve Day Trip Things To Do
Mojave National Preserve is located in the heart of the Mojave Desert and was established in 1994 through the California Desert Protection Act. It is a must for any outdoor enthusiast and an excellent way for the entire family to spend some time outdoors. Visitors can explore nearly 1.5 million … [Read more...]
Desert Hot Springs Day Trip Things To Do
Situated in the foothills above the Coachella Valley floor, the inhabitants of Desert Hot Springs get a bird's eye view of the bustling life of the rich and famous in nearby Palm Springs. Plenty of sunshine with average temperatures in the mid to upper 80s allows visitors to enjoy one of the area's … [Read more...]
Harvey House Railroad Depot Casa Del Desert
Harvey House Railroad Depot, also known as the Casa Del Desierto, sits by the railroad tracks in Barstow, California. The Barstow Railroad Depot opened in 1911 as a Santa Fee train station and Harvey House. Before there were dining cars, trains would stop at Harvey Houses so passengers could eat … [Read more...]
Death Valley Junction Almost a California Ghost Town
Death Valley Junction started as a water stop along the Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad, which operated from 1907 until 1940. In 1914 a 20-mile side spur was constructed from Death Valley Junction to the mines at Ryan, near Death Valley; the line operated until 1928 and carried Borax to the mill at … [Read more...]
Palm Springs Air Museum Day Trip
The Palm Springs Air Museum allows visitors to experience firsthand the sacrifice our flyers made in preserving the freedom we take for granted. It’s a worthwhile stop on your next getaway and the perfect opportunity to pay homage to those heroes. The museum is home to one of the nation's largest … [Read more...]
Cabot’s Pueblo Museum Palm Springs Day Trip
Cabot's Pueblo Museum is one of Southern California's most unique buildings. It all started with one man’s dream. He was an extraordinary individual who worked hard and traveled to many places. He wanted the desert to be a wonderful place to live for his family and everyone. To build an area rich … [Read more...]
Noah Purifoy Joshua Tree Outdoor Museum
Day Trip to Noah Purifoy Joshua Tree Outdoor Museum Noah Purifoy Outdoor Museum is an unusual collection of artwork, way out there in the middle of nowhere along a dusty desert road. Artist Noah Purifoy (1917-2004) moved to the desert to escape because Los Angeles was just too expensive to … [Read more...]
Oasis Date Gardens Palm Springs Day Trip
Oasis Date Gardens are a 175-acre date ranch dedicated to growing Organically Certified Medjool Dates. Located along the old road to the Imperial Valley, the date ranch was established in 1912. While guests cannot roam around the palm groves, they can visit the company store. Customers shop for … [Read more...]