Day Trips From Palm Springs

There’s always plenty to do in Palm Springs and its sister-communities of Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, La Quinta, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City and Indian Wells. Palm Springs is also the ideal “vacation hub” for a diverse variety of day trips to other nearby California vacation hot-spots.

So, make Palm Springs your “homebase” and when you get the urge to travel to the mountains, the beaches or world-famous theme parks, get-up and go. And then come back to the jewel of the desert cities....Palm Springs, CA.

Here’s a few day trip ideas....from almost next door to within about a two-hour drive of the Palm Springs area.

Joshua Tree National Park

Once the stomping grounds of outlaws and gold miners, Joshua Tree National Park is a pristine wilderness that attracts vacationers, hikers, rock climbers and photographers. Take Highway 62 from Palm Springs.

• More about Joshua Tree National Park.

Salton Sea

The Salton Sea is about an hour drive from Palm Springs via Highway 10 to Indio and then connecting to Highway 111. With over 200 Million fish, the Salton Sea is a feeding and resting stop for birds on the Pacific Flyway from the Artic on the way to South America. In season, have fun kayaking, fishing and jet boat racing.

• More about The Salton Sea.

Big Bear Lake & Lake Arrowhead

Drive-time from Palm Springs is about 1 to 11/2 hours. The lakes are in the San Bernadino Mountain Range and boast four distinct seasons. In the winter, ice skate and snow-ski. Once spring arrives enjoy hiking, boating, swimming and water-skiing.

• More about Big Bear Lake.
• More about Lake Arrowhead.

Temecula Wine Country

About an hour and a half drive southwest of Palm Springs via Highway 15 is the serene town of Temecula and its nearby vineyards. Picnic among awsone views, browse boutique shops on historic Front Street and spend the afternoon touring local wineries with wine tastings.

• Temecula Day Trip

San Diego, California

San Diego is about a two and a half hour drive from Palm Springs. Visit specatcular beaches with awe-inspiring sunsets. Shop the beach side boutiques, do some people watching and savor the finest of dining. Spend the day at the museums of Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo. Or take the family to Seaworld, LegoLand California or the Wild Animal Park. The city of Tijuana, Mexico is just a short drive south.

• More about San Diego.

The Palm Springs Desert Resort cities include Palm Springs, Palm Desert,
Cathedral City, Indian Wells, Indio, Desert Hot Springs, La Quinta and
Rancho Mirage. Abbreviations for California include CA, Calif. and Cal.