The 10 Best Things to do in California Desert, California Desert

June 23, 2021 Jeremy Dunfee

Discover the best top things to do in California Desert, United States including Marvyn's Magic Theater, Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, Alabama Hills, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, Rainbow Basin Natural Area, Indian Canyons, Coachella, Liberty Sculpture Park, Shields Date Garden, Calico Ghost Town.
Restaurants in California Desert

1. Marvyn's Magic Theater

46630 Washington St, La Quinta, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92253-2439 +1 833-627-8967 [email protected] https://www.marvynsmagictheater.com/
Excellent
93%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 134 reviews

Marvyn's Magic Theater

World-Class Magic, Comedy and Variety acts from Broadway, Las Vegas and across the globe in a state-of-the-art, intimate, luxury 129-seat theater with NEW SHOWS WEEKLY! 75-minute performances with pre-show music and magic in the lounge. Come early to enjoy!

Reviewed By seattlebarb - La Quinta, United States

Great theatre and great entertainment, Ive been twice . They change the show every week and have a different type of act everyday . We took out of town guests and they loved it. Fun way to do spend a couple of hours in the evening.

2. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

1 Tramway Rd, Palm Springs, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92262-1828 +1 760-325-1391 [email protected] http://www.pstramway.com/
Excellent
73%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 9,203 reviews

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

World's largest rotating Tram car. Opened in 1963, the Tram's 80-passenger cars travel along the beautiful cliffs of Chino Canyon from the Valley Station (elevation 2,643 ft.) to the Mountain Station (elevation 8,516 ft.) in approximately 10 minutes. At the top enjoy breathtaking views, Peaks Restaurant, Pines Cafe, a gift shop, nature exhibits, educational documentary theaters, and over 50 miles of hiking trails in the Mt. San Jacinto State Park Wilderness.

Reviewed By robinb42018 - Seattle, United States

No surprise...Palm Springs is hot, hot, hot in August! The bummer is that many things are closed except on the weekends, but The Aerial Tramway and national park is not. It was an amazing experience and one I would highly recommend. Be sure to wear appropriate shoes (uh--not flip flops), and bring water. Even though the temp is up to 30 degrees cooler than down below, it is still plenty hot and dry. The ride up is a bit of a thrill, and if you are afraid of heights, I recommend sitting in the center section. At a minimum, take the Nature or Desert Trail hike at the top. It is only 1.5-2 miles and so beautiful. There are many viewpoints along the way. Tram starts at 10 a.m. and departs about every 10 minutes until 8:30 p.m. It is not cheap, but well worth it. Food, gift shop, and awesome viewpoints at the top!

3. Alabama Hills

Lone Pine, CA +1 888-361-3731 http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/bishop/scenic_byways/alabamas.html
Excellent
75%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 745 reviews

Alabama Hills

Located near Lone Pine, these hills form the gateway to Mount Whitney, and are a favorite location for movies and television.

Reviewed By 75rover - Abingdon, United Kingdom

All the old cowboy films & series were made here Ye Ha take a trip back in time visit the museum & take a drive to the Alabama hills only a short drive away 5min Howdy Partner

4. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

47900 Portola Ave, Palm Desert, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92260-6156 +1 760-346-5694 [email protected] http://www.livingdesert.org/
Excellent
67%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,006 reviews

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is a nonprofit, accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, ensuring the highest standards of all aspects of animal care, education, conservation, public service, and operations. The Zoo is active in conservation research, habitat protection, breeding programs and education initiatives around the world, as well as in its own community. The Zoo has been a top attraction in the Palm Springs area for nearly 50 years. The Living Desert is located at 47900 Portola Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92260.

Reviewed By LaurieStory - Santa Monica, United States

Lovely desert gardens, fabulous model train display (huge), lots of interesting animal chats, free tram around the park, and wide selection of animals in large natural enclosures. I could happily spend several days there. Lots of places to sit in the shade and have a snack, good bathroom facilities (and plenty of them), nice combo of sunny and shady pathways. Not to be missed!

5. Rainbow Basin Natural Area

Fossil Bed Road 8 Miles North, Barstow, CA 92311 +1 702-808-5383 http://www.blm.gov/visit/search-details/15172/1
Excellent
49%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 116 reviews

Rainbow Basin Natural Area

This scenic desert area is good for hiking and other outdoor activities.

Reviewed By R4982MLchrisk

This was a great stop and easy to get to. From the Baymont Hotel, Barstow, take a left on Main St, another left on N 1st St and another left on Irwin Rd. It's about 8 miles. Drive 3 miles on a dirt, washboard road and then take a right into Rainbow Basin. It's very easy to get to and well marked. Once in the Basin, you will wander through a 5 mile dirt road through the formations. The road is good, any can can make it. The formations were so beautiful. Different colors and shapes. I went at sunset and the lighting made it interesting. Definitely a good stop of an hour or two.

6. Indian Canyons

38500 S Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92264-9332 +1 760-323-6018 http://indian-canyons.com/
Excellent
73%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,567 reviews

Indian Canyons

Reviewed By X816YFchriss - Cleveland, United States

Well worth it! Great trails! The 1 mile loop San Andreas Trail was maybe the most beautiful hike of my life! The hike to the seven sisters waterfall was amazing, definitely a bit strenuous. Bring good hiking shoes!

7. Coachella

81800 Avenue 51 Empire Polo Club, Indio, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92201-9702 https://www.coachella.com/
Excellent
73%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 52 reviews

Coachella

The most well-known and heavily attended music festival in the US, the Coachella Music and Arts festival has been luring music lovers to Indio, CA since 1999. Celebrity sightings, non-stop sunshine, and bohemian chic summer fashions are as much a signifier of the festival as the eclectic lineup of music itself, making it the perfect homage to the golden state. Coachella has become so popular with fans that it has extended from one two-day weekend to two successive three-day weekends. Throw camping, dancing, and lots of eating and drinking into the mix, and you've got the ultimate taste of California summer.

Reviewed By rainbow2012 - Bicester, United Kingdom

What an absolutely amazing experience Coachella was. We stayed in Lake Eldorado which was only a short walk from the festival. I think I underestimated the jet lag and if we were to return (which we couldn't do this year due to covid) I would definitely get to the US a few days before and sleep the jet lag off. The music was amazing - I loved wandering and discovering new artists - there was so much choice. I would recommend getting the buses to the supermarkets to get out for breakfast and definitely wearing trainers as there is a lot of walking. It was a bucket list festival!

8. Liberty Sculpture Park

37570 W. Yermo Rd., Yermo, CA 92398 +1 253-221-9338 https://www.facebook.com/LibertySculpturePark/
Excellent
50%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2 reviews

Liberty Sculpture Park

9. Shields Date Garden

80225 US Highway 111, Indio, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92201-6599 +1 760-347-0996 [email protected] http://www.shieldsdategarden.com/
Excellent
45%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
4%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 803 reviews

Shields Date Garden

Shields Date Garden is now open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, we are still offering curbside to-go orders for those customer who would prefer this option. The theater, and walk are still closed to the public.

Reviewed By TeaWithLori - Eagan, United States

A group of 6 of us ate breakfast here. It was a chilly morning and we wanted to sit inside. Small inside seating area, but ample outdoor seating. If you spend $25 in the cafe or the gift shop, you get tickets to their grounds. It is a beautiful walk. Their gift shop has date varieties to sample and purchase, as well as a short film on their operation. You must try the famous Date Shake, very delicious! A worthwhile stop in my opinion.

10. Calico Ghost Town

36600 Ghost Town Rd, Yermo, CA 92398-0406 +1 760-254-2122 [email protected] http://www.calicotown.com/
Excellent
27%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
22%
Poor
8%
Terrible
6%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 1,932 reviews

Calico Ghost Town

Visitors from around the world come to Calico each year to experience a real ghost town originally settled in the 1880s.A hive of activity for the adventurous at heart - the park hosts the Mystery Shack- a crooked house where water runs uphill, two museums, narrow-gauge train rides and gold panning.Calico was founded during California’s largest silver strike. The town thrived for 12 years, until the price of silver plunged and mining operations ceased. By 1907, residents had moved away, leaving Calico to the tumbleweeds and spirits.Amenities include group and RV camping, mountain bike trails and off-road vehicle areas, fourteen shops, three restaurants, cabins and bunkhouses. Special events are held year-round, including Civil War re-enactments in February, Spring Festival featuring Americana music, the Calico Days Festival when the town’s rich mining history is celebrated with a burro race, miner’s triathlon, music and more, and let’s not overlook the ever-popular Halloween Ghost Haunt in October. The desert park is just a few miles north of Barstow, and minutes offInterstate 15. Calico Ghost Town is a great place to get a bite to eat and do a little shopping if you’re traveling between Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

Reviewed By deanal591 - Corcoran, United States

What a neat little place ,you can pan for gold ,you can take a train ride ,you could get something to eat ,you can buy souvenirs and what beautiful pictures you can take.

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