Top Things to do in California Desert
Top Hotels in California Desert
- 1. Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa
- 2. Best Western Plus Las Brisas Hotel
- 3. Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel
- 4. Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa
- 5. Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs
- 6. Best Western Plus Frontier Motel
- 7. Palm Springs Rendezvous
- 8. Caliente Tropics Resort
- 9. JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
- 10. La Quinta Resort & Club, Curio Collection by Hilton
Top 10 Nature & Parks in California Desert, California Desert
Discover the best top things to do in California Desert, United States including Little Petroglyph Canyon, Mount Whitney Trail, San Jacinto Mountain, Joshua Tree National Park, Boulder Gardens, Alabama Hills, Kelso Dunes, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, Painted Canyon, Imperial Sand Dunes.
Restaurants in California Desert
1. Little Petroglyph Canyon
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 43 reviews
Cosos Mountains canyon containing rock paintings that pre-date Native Americans.
Reviewed By CRG48 - Berkeley, United States
Just came back from our tour into the canyon and cannot praise the tour guides enough. Bob, Libby, and 3 other guides lead our band of 25 or so folks into the canyon for an absolutely breathtaking experience. There are hundreds of incredibly beautiful petroglyphs to be seen along the mile and half canyon. It is definitely a very special experience I highly recommend. The trek is on sandy ground with many rocks under foot in places. The guides managed our group which had varying degrees of agility in a thoughtful and careful manner. Some of us continued the full length of the canyon which means scrambling over two rock "water falls" and with Bob's direction, it was all managed with good humor and safely. Others chose to stay in the first part of the canyon and still saw hundreds of spectacular petroglyphs. Many thanks to you terrific volunteer guides and the museum for allowing us to see the Western Hemisphere's largest collection of prehistoric petroglyphs in such a pristine, quiet and beautiful setting.
2. Mount Whitney Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 119 reviews
Scenic hiking trail on Mt. Whitney.
Reviewed By Susie1028 - San Diego, United States
Summiting Mt Whitney is on every hiker’s bucket list. At 14,505 feet, it’s the highest point in the lower 48. The hike to get there on the main Whitney Trail is 22 miles with 6,000 feet of elevation gain. You can day hike it or backpack it, but you will need a permit (lottery May 1-November 1, self issued otherwise). It is a clear and established trail, though additional skills and equipment are necessary for safe travel when snow and ice are present. The trail is usually relatively snow-free from late June to mid-October. You can hike as far as Lone Pine Lake (about 2.7 miles each way) without a permit.
3. San Jacinto Mountain
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 928 reviews
Reviewed By 811raulg - Doral, United States
Returning to Palm Springs, after more than 20 years, was a unforgettable and splendid experience! The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the world’s largest rotating tram car, travels over two-and-one-half miles along the breathtaking cliffs of Chino Canyon. It is a ten-minute journey, tram cars rotate slowly, allowing spectacular vistas of the valley below. At the Mountain Station, you will find two very good restaurants, observation decks, natural history museum, gift shop and awesome trails! (over 50 miles of them!) .
4. Joshua Tree National Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 608 reviews
Reviewed By jamesmD3016MY - Boston, United States
Being NP aficionados, Joshua Tree has been on our list to visit for a few years. We were not disappointed. The scenery from the loop roads was diverse and wonderful. We took a couple of relatively easy trail hikes. My only quibble is on the Barker Dam and Hidden Valley Trails the descriptions/stories exceeded what we actually saw on the hikes.
5. Boulder Gardens
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Boulder Gardens is a unique place on 640 acres of pristine massive desert boulder and Joshua tree landscape. The Cosmic Castle is one of its unusual small structures situated upon this magical land. It sits upon a massive boulder with an ancient pinion pine on its doorstep. The Castle has been fabricated using earth materials on the interior walls, which are painted in a landscape mural look.
Reviewed By Lynda816 - Edmonton, Canada
We went to Boulder Gardens after a guided hike at Pioneertown Preserve. You do travel about 5 miles of sand roads to get there, but they are in decent shape. The people are so welcoming and the Cosmic Castle is so cool - exactly as the previous reviewer described it. We found a shady spot and ate our lunch - so peaceful. Then we went exploring - we actually found a "grotto" - so much fun! The views are superb. The grounds are well maintained. Beautiful and highy recommended!
6. Alabama Hills
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 745 reviews
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
7. Kelso Dunes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 80 reviews
One of the areas in California where one can view the unique aspects of sand dunes.
Reviewed By AirForceTraveler - Charleston, United States
This is a place for kids of all ages and adults too. Run, play, climb and slide - the sand is loose and a chore to walk in let alone to climb in but its just so dang fun!! Climbing to the top and listening to the sand sing as you scoot, slide, and roll down the sand is a one of a kind adventure. Choose a dune and go! Please be prepared. Plenty of water, good sports or hiking shoes/boots, jacket, sunscreen, hat, something to cover the face like a barclava or bandana to keep out the sand, glasses/goggles again to keep out the sand, comfortable clothing - highly recommend spandex sports/exercise clothing to allow for heat exchange and prevent sand from getting into those places where sand does not belong. The sand is a fine powedery material, not like the beach. The wind blows continuous as you approach the tops hence the formation of dunes. The two mountain ranges and the dunes themselves are a site to behold. Take a camera that can tolerate sand or have a good protective cover. We use a fujifilm water camera which does great. There is 6+ miles of round trip to the top of one dune, out-house style bathrooms at the parking area of the main entrance, no path per say just footsteps towards the dunes. Choose one and start walking. The view is amazing, the walk is intense with the loose sand, but the effort pays off. A must see, must do activity. Only expense is fuel. No entrance fees (a rare offer) and excellent sites to and from the dunes in any/all directions. Plan a day of 6+ hours to enjoy. Take plenty of water on the hike and leave some in a cooler when you return to the vehicle. We took 1 L each and that was good for us but we hydrated well before and after the hike and it was early April so it was cool. Take extra clothes so you can remove stuff to leave the sand in the Mohave. Spandex is best since it prevents most sand from getting to the skin and it is easy to remove and shake out. Eat before you go, take quality snacks for energy and protein, and be prepared to be hungry when you leave. An easy drive from Las Vegas with interstate most of the way. Just a short distance off any interstate in the area. The flowers are colorful and the Joshua trees are enormous.
8. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,006 reviews
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!
9. Painted Canyon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 224 reviews
A variety of colors paint the rocks here, giving this unique location its name.
Reviewed By AKKris - Juneau, United States
Long drive in to the parking area on bumpy, dirt road. Took it very slow with the car. No bathrooms available once you get to parking area (there are bathrooms on the road on the way). From parking lot, head in and keep eyes peeled for big arrow pointing to the left. Also if you see a park sign on the left with an arrow, look around on ground in area by it for the arrow made with rocks to the left. It will look like you are going to walk into a big rock wall but once you are by the rocks, you can see a path to start climbing. If you get to the wash area, you missed the arrow and should turn around and go back looking for the arrow. You need to be able to climb ladders that at times are not in the best of shape. It will take you through some beautiful slot canyons. We've done the loop where you turn towards the right once you are on top towards the tower and follow the path down. It takes you through the wash area and is not that much fun to walk through. Or you can get on top and follow the path back along the canyon and it will take you through two ropes to climb down. Our group didn't feel comfortable doing so but have talked with others who have and sounds easier than the first rope looked. We also have hiked through the ladders back to the parking lot and really enjoyed that. Really enjoy this hike.
10. Imperial Sand Dunes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 99 reviews
These mountains of sand rise 300 feet above the desert floor.
Reviewed By flosventure - Arizona, United States
I've passed them quite often so I thought I should stop there. I just chilled on the dunes and took some pictures. It's a great place for some really amazing shots! If you only want to take pictures and stay 1h or less, you can park there for free and walk around for free, they seem to be pretty lenient. For more, you obviously have to purchase pass. It is definitely a really great desert experience!
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