California Road Trip: Palm Springs, Joshua Tree, Death Valley (with Mammoth and Las Vegas)

California | Los Angeles | United States

California Road Trip: Palm Springs, Joshua Tree, Death Valley (with Mammoth and Las Vegas)

This trip takes you to two of California’s most remarkable national parks: Death Valley and Joshua Tree, following a relaxing few days in lovely Palm Springs. It offers an optional extension to enjoy the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains by visiting Mammoth Lakes. If you choose to not visit Mammoth, consider flying into Los Angeles (LAX) or Palm Springs (PSP) and flying out of Las Vegas (LAS) to reduce driving time instead of back to LAX. This trip should not be done in the summer – Death Valley becomes too hot to do any of the activities (120 degrees F). Aim to do this trip between October and April.

Length – 8-10 days

Transportation – Car

Day 1 – Los Angeles

Day 2 – Los Angeles to Palm Springs

Day 3 – Palm Springs

Day 4 – Joshua Tree

Day 5 – Joshua Tree

Day 6 – Death Valley

Day 7 – Death Valley

  • Death Valley National Park
    • Furnace Creek Visitor Center
    • Badwater Basin Salt Flats
    • Artist’s Drive and Artist’s Palette
    • Golden canyon trail
    • Dante’s Ridge
    • Salt creek interpretive trail 
    • Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes (at sunset)
  • Dinner – Inn Dining Room or Badwater Saloon
  • Stargazing: Harmony Borax Works or Zabriski Point
  • Lodging – same place (night 2/2)

Day 8 – Fly Home

  • Drive to LAX (4h38m drive) OR Drive to LAS (2h5m drive)
  • Fly Home

Optional Extension 1: Mammoth

Day 8 – Mammoth

Day 9 – Mammoth

Day 10 – Fly Home

  • Drive to LAX (5h18m drive)
  • Fly home

Optional Extension 2: Las Vegas

Day 8 – Las Vegas

Day 9 – Fly Home

  • Drive to LAS
  • Fly home

In Depth Itinerary

Welcome to California! This is a huge state with tons to see: beaches, desert, mountains, redwoods – which is why we had to break it into a series of road trips to capture the highlights. This particular trip takes you across the southern part of the state through two major National Parks. While you won’t see the mountains, redwoods, or the majesty the rest of the state offers, with more time you can combine it with a trip down the coast (see our Coastal California itinerary for ideas). You could easily fly into any of the airports and start your trip from there: SFO, Santa Barbara, etc.

For a slightly shorter trip (5 days) fly into Palm Springs and out of Las Vegas (taking off Los Angeles).

For a slightly longer trip (9 days) and to explore the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range forgo Las Vegas (which is honestly not our favorite) and visit Mammoth and return your car where you started in California.

Antelope Valley

Day 1 – Los Angeles

Arrive in Los Angeles at LAX. LA is huge. You will need to rent a car and you will also need to expect traffic. We list ideal times, but realistically it can take over an hour to get across town to plan accordingly. If you want to add an extra day in LA, visit Disneyland in Anaheim or head to Laguna Beach to relax and soak in the sun and water at one of the prettiest and chillest beaches nearby. We recommend you pick up your car at the airport and start at nearby Venice Beach.

Venice Beach is colorful. Wander along its promenade taking in the characters that frequent: hippies, health nuts, body builders, roller skaters, clothing optional…you name it, you’ll see it. While not the prettiest beach in LA it’s a fun wander to take in the local scene. There are some good restaurants along the promenade, stop in for a coffee or breakfast.

Now you get a choice with one day: beach vs city. If you have time for a second day, consider doing the option you didn’t select the first day.

Option 1:

If you enjoy a city vibe and want to see star-studded Los Angeles, this is probably the right option for you. Start with a visit to the LA County Art Museum, the largest art museum in the western half of the United States. From the museum, head to the nearby LaBrea Tar Pits to learn about prehistoric history at an active paleontological research site. After the Tar Pits, visit LA’s Walk of Fame, where you’ll see the historic landmark’s star studded sidewalk along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street. If there’s someone specific you’re looking for, check out the map here. From here, head to Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills to see how the other half lives. Rodeo Drive rivals New York’s 5th Avenue with over 100 of famous and ritzy stores. Start at the Beverly Wilshire, a historic and legendary hotel, hosting many famous people throughout the years including John Lennon and Elvis Presley (and famous as The Pretty Woman Hotel). For the sunset, head to Mulholland Drive in the Hollywood Hills and Mulholland Scenic Overlook.

Grab dinner at Dan Tana’s, Night + Market, Providence, Petit Trois, Son of a Gun, or select from our Los Angeles Restaurant Scene.

For lodging, consider Pendry West Hollywood, The West Hollywood EDITION, Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles, Hotel Covell, or 1 Hotel West Hollywood.

View from Griffith Observatory

Option 2:

If nature is more your speed and you’d prefer the beach to the city, we recommend this option (and our favorite). Drive to the Getty Museum where you can indulge in famous European Art and beautiful gardens. After the main museum, drive to Malibu for the second part, the Getty Villa where you’ll find the Getty’s remarkable antiquity works in a villa modeled after a 1st century Roman villa.

Spend the rest of your afternoon in Malibu. California’s beaches are all public, meaning you can wander down any staircase between mansion in Malibu and get pristine beach access. Some of the best places though include Carbon Beach, Malibu Lagoon State Beach, Paradise Cove Beach, Point Dume, Lechuza Beach, Leo Carrillo State Park and El Matador State Beach. There’s nothing quite like catching the sunset in Malibu, sitting on the beach while you watch it descend.

For dinner, stay in Malibu or head to nearby Santa Monica (another beautiful beach area). We recommend Broad Street Oyster Co., Malibu Farm Restaurant, Reel Inn, Nobu Malibu, Neptune’s Net, Nicolas Eatery, Sabor A Malibu, Malibu Seafood, The Sunset Restaurant & Beach Bar, Cassia, or Rustic Canyon.

For lodging, again we recommend staying in Santa Monica or Malibu. Consider Hotel June Malibu, The Surfrider, Malibu Beach Inn, Palihouse Santa Monica, Santa Monica Proper Hotel, or Ambrose Hotel.

Day 2 – Los Angeles to Palm Springs

Start your morning by heading to the Griffith Observatory where you’ll also see the iconic Hollywood Sign. This is maybe the most iconic site in Hollywood. You’ll also see the skyline from the Griffith Observatory, high above the city.

From the Observatory, drive to the Huntington Museum, Pasadena’s iconic library and art museum surrounded by lush gardens. With additional interest, get reservations to the Gamble House where you can appreciate iconic California Greene and Greene architecture.

Drive to Palm Springs, a little over an hour and a half.

Start your exploration with Sunnylands Gardens where you can wander through spectacular native and arid plants. Spend the rest of your afternoon at your hotel’s pool before grabbing pre-dinner drinks at the Coachella Valley Brewing Company. For dinner head to Rooster and the Pig.

For lodging in Palm Springs we recommend Les Cactus, Holiday House, Sparrows Lodge, Sands Hotel and Lodge, Parker Palm Springs, Korakia Pensione, or Two Bunch Palms though there are also many airbnbs that offer great options.

Day 3 – Palm Springs

Spend your morning on a short hike to Tahquitz Falls in the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation. Owned by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, the canyon is considered the home of the shaman spiritual guide Tahquitz. The nearly 2 mile loop leads to Tahquitz Falls, a 50 foot waterfall. You’ll pass by ancient rock art and rock shelters where artifacts over 2000 years have been found.

After your hike, cool down in the Palm Springs Art Museum.

You can’t visit Palm Springs with out taking in the incredible architecture. When old Hollywood stars worked in LA, Palm Springs just over 100 miles away offered escape, drawing stars like Cary Grant and Frank Sinatra. The finances that poured into the area allowed celebrated architects to design midcentury modern indoor-outdoor desert living. You can do a self-guided tour, or check out Robert Imber’s Palm Springs Modern Tours which offer 3 hour tours of architecture in the area starting at the Palm Springs Visitors Center.

In the afternoon either enjoy your hotel’s pool or visit the Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve or The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. The former is an oasis of California fan palm trees along a fault line in the desert. You can enjoy their leafy coolness on one of more than 25 hikes. The latter is a zoo focused on the animals which habituate arid climates around the world.

For pre-dinner drinks head to Bootlegger Tiki Bar. For dinner head to Jake’s, Bar Cecil or select from Palm Springs Restaurant Scene.

Day 4 – Joshua Tree

Start your morning by heading to the Palm Springs Ariel Tramway and doing a hike. The ride up is the world’s largest rotating tram car taking passengers along the Chino Canyon up to Mount San Jacinto State Park. You’ll climb 8516 feet over 10 minutes. At the top are breathtaking views from the mountain ridge as well as 2 restaurants and 50 miles of hiking paths.

Technically you could base yourself in Palm Springs for your exploration of Joshua Tree, but to save a hefty 50 minute drive to and from and to enjoy a bit of desert life, we recommend changing your lodging. But the choice is up to you.

Cholla Cactus Garden

Once you’re nearby Joshua Tree you may want to enjoy popping into the very unique shops in the area: Hoof & the Horn (desert vintage), Route 62 Arts & Antiques (antiques), Funky & Darn Near New (vintage clothes), Grateful Desert Apothecary (skin products). You can visit a very odd “museum” at Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Art Museum or skip this, enjoy reading a book at your hotel. Try and stop by the National Park Visitor Center to pick up your park pass today.

Head to Joshua Tree Brewery or Joshua Tree Saloon for drinks and the Joshua Tree Saloon for dinner.

After dinner, head through the closest park entrance to do some stargazing or astrophotography. You’ll begin to see joshua trees as soon as you cross into the park. Pull over into any of the car turnouts and enjoy the clear sky.

For lodging, we recommend Mojave Sands Hotel, Joshua Tree Inn, 29 Palms Inn, The Joshua Tree House, or La Quinta Resort (a significant splurge).

Day 5 – Joshua Tree

Today is your day to fully explore Joshua Tree National Park. Joshua Tree gets hot. Depending on what time of year you’re visiting you may have to alter your hours accordingly, starting as early as sunrise to catch the cool temperatures and be able to hike. Do not plan to have internet to navigate in the park.

Start your day with breakfast at The Natural Sisters Cafe, Crossroads Cafe, or Joshua Tree Coffee Company. Depending on how you imagine your day, you may want to pick up sandwiches this morning or bread and cheese at the nextdoor Joshua Tree Certified Farmers’ Market (a grocery store).

We recommend you start at the North Entrance Station past the Oasis Visitor Center unless you have a dedicated all-day hike planned. If you haven’t purchased your park pass yet (and gotten a park map), stop in the Oasis Visitor Center to buy one.

Joshua Trees

Your first stop in the park will be Arch Rock. After a quick quarter mile hike in, you’ll see the arch looming among other unique boulders. From here, drive to the Cholla Cactus Garden, a remarkable cactus filled area. A great, easy hike is Split Rock, which takes gets you a great overview of the scenery of Joshua Tree in a quick 2.5 miles. It’s a mini “best-of” scenery tour where you’ll see sites like Face Rock, along with pretty flowers and shrubs. It’s less crowded than some of the other hikes in the park and very beautiful. Get back in the car and take a quick pull off to see Skull Rock (which also tends to be swarmed with tourists). Hidden Valley’s loop will be crowded but it’s also the recommended hike by the Park Rangers (probably because it’s easy). If you’re not a hiker, this may be a better option than Split Rock. It’s pretty (though by now you’ve seen most of the Joshua Tree scenery) and a quick break.

With additional time or if you want more (or longer) hikes some other great options include the Desert Queen Mine Hike (1.8 mile loop) to see – and touch – ruins of an 1890s mine, the 49 Palms Oasis Trail (3 mile loop) to a an oasis middle of the desert, Lost Horse Mine (4 miles out and back) to an actual historic mine from the 1800s, and Panorama and Warren Peak Loop Hike (8 mile loop).

If you’re back in time for lunch (or taking a break) head to La Copine. This is a foodie haven in the middle of the desert (check hours though, and it does take reservations).

For a slightly longer trip (9 days) and to explore the Sierra Nevada Mountains, forgo Las Vegas (which is honestly not our favorite) and visit Mammoth and return your car where you started in California.

In the early evening drive to Pioneertown (though pass if it’s a Tuesday or Wednesday as nearly everything will be closed including dining). Pioneertown started in 1946 as an 1880s themed live-in Old West motion-picture set. The town was created for production companies to film movies while also enjoying the actual town residing there. Hundreds of Westerns and early television shows were filmed there. You’ll see tons of 1880s-style false-front facades including frontier stables, saloons, and jails.

Actor Dick Curtis started up the town in 1946 as an 1880s themed live-in Old West living, breathing motion-picture set.[1] The town was designed to provide a place for production companies to enjoy while also using their businesses and homes in movies. Hundreds of Westerns and early television shows were filmed in Pioneertown, including The Cisco Kid and Edgar Buchanan‘s Judge Roy Bean. The Red Dog Saloon has truly excellent drinks and very good Mexican food offerings. Pappy & Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace is fun, crowded (put your name in for dinner before you start exploring the town) and often has live music.

Day 6 – Death Valley

After breakfast head to Death Valley. Get gas before you leave town. You’ll pass through the Mojave Desert along the way, and it’s actually a quite pretty, though long drive. It will take a little over 4 hours.

Check into your hotel. Options are absolutely limited. We strongly The Inn at Death Valley. This is a historic inn built in 1927 with a glorious tile-bottomed pool. Yes, this is slightly more expensive than your other in-the-park option of The Stables at Death Valley, but it is so much superior in every way. If you’re really and truly needing budget you could stay in Stovepipe Wells at the Village Hotel – but it is truly budget. I For dinner eat at the Inn Dining Room (frankly, eat here both nights). Call a few days ahead to make reservations.

Before dinner enjoy sunset at Zabriskie Point.

Zabriskie Point

Day 7 – Death Valley

Today you’ll get to actually explore Death Valley National Park. This park is remarkable for its vastness and colors.

Dante’s Ridge

Start your day (early, it gets hot) at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center where you can read interesting exhibits about the park and purchase your park pass and obtain a trail map. We recommend starting by driving to the Badwater Basin Salt Flats which sit 282 feet below sea level (turn around and find the sign marking sea level!). Walk out along the salt flats as far as you want to go to see the unique salt structures. Next take the one-way turnoff road along Artist’s Drive. Pull off at Artist’s Palette and walk out as far as you like to marvel at the unique colors, very reminiscent of an actual artists’ palette. The colors along this drive are phenomenal. Next, head to Golden Canyon Trail. If you’re going to do one descent hike, this should be it, along the trail to all the way to Zabriskie point. The one downside of going all the way is you’ll have to walk all the way back unless you have set up a car shuttle. You can get the gist of the golden rock walls (and what used to be an actual road) by hiking a bit of the way down the canyon. Next head to Dante’s Ridge where you’ll get sweeping views of the valley below. Head along the paths both to the right and the left to get out to the perfect viewpoints.

Artist’s Palette

Take a break midday to enjoy the hotel pool and have lunch.

Sometime before sunset drive to the Salt Creek Interpretive Trail and take a quick 20 minute hiking loop. Here you’ll find actual water on the floor of Death Valley and explore a lush area. Once finished, drive to the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. These are true sand dunes (like what you’ll find in Saudi Arabia or Morocco) and at sunset are quite dramatic. Hike out along the dunes as far as you wish to go. Sit, and enjoy the spectacular color.

You can continue to Stovepipe Wells for dinner at the Badwater Saloon (it’s cheaper but not great) or return to the Inn Dining Room. Death Valley is known for its stargazing. Because of a lack of light pollution it allegedly allows you to see the night sky as the original pioneers would have seen it. We enjoyed stargazing at Zabriski Point but have heard great things from Harmony Borax Works as well (both short drives).

Day 8 – Home or Extension

Today you can drive back to LAX (4h20m drive) or pick one of two options to continue your adventure. Option 1: extend your trip and head to Mammoth to enjoy California’s beautiful mountain scenery high in the Sierra Nevadas. It will be a shocking difference from the desert and truly give you a taste of everything California has to offer. Option 2: Enjoy a day in Las Vegas before flying out of Nevada to get home. You may face a slightly higher fee to drop the rental care out of state.

Extension Option 1 – Mammoth

Day 8 – Mammoth

Bid goodbye to the desert and drive to Manzanar National Historic Site (a little over 2 hours) for a quick break to stretch your legs. Here you can learn about the sad history of Japanese internment in the United States during WWII.

After drive to Wild Willy’s natural hot springs one and a half hours away. There are series of natural hot springs close to Mammoth Mountain where you can pull up and jump in and soak while gazing at the mountain range nearby. Wild Willy’s is the biggest and easiest to access. If you’re planning to visit make sure you pack a towel (and swim suit).

Mammoth Mountain

Once you’re through soaking, drive to Mammoth (a quick 25 minutes). Mammoth Mountain is one of the best Alpine Skiing Mountains in the world, but it’s also the site of beautiful lakes, Sierra Nevada scenery, and amazing hikes.

For drinks, head to Mammoth Brewing Company or Shelter Distilling.

Tamarack Lodge and Resort is our top pick for places to stay, situated right on a lake in a historic lodge (don’t miss the nightly piano concert), but you can also consider Woods Lodge, 1849 Condos, Snowcreek Resort, or the Sierra Nevada Lodge.

For dinner you can eat at Tamarack Lodge and Resort or head to Gomez, Lakefront R Restaurant, Yodler,  53 Kitchen + Cocktails, Jimmy’s Taverna, or Campo.

Day 9 – Mammoth

Today is your day to explore Mammoth Mountain. Your activities will vary widely if it’s fall, winter, or spring.

September into November are excellent times to enjoy all the hiking the area has to offer (before the snow starts). Your must see Devils Postpile National Monument and we recommend adding on a hike to 101-foot-high Rainbow Falls. You could also opt to head out kayaking in Mammoth Lakes Basin or rock climbing in the iconic area. Other great hikes include those to McLeod Lake or Lake George to Lake Barrett.

December into April is ski season. Rent equiptment and head out for skiing, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing. For fun with kids head to Woolly’s Tube Park. Or if you want a real adventure plan join a Dog sledding adventure.

Summer or winter you can enjoy the sunset from Minaret Vista.

Tonight dine at Austria Hof Lodge, Restaurant, and Bar or Morrison’s Restaurant and Bar.

Day 10 – Fly Home

Drive to LAX (5h18m drive) and fly home.

Optional Extension 2: Las Vegas

Day 8 – Las Vegas

Our number one piece of advice: wear comfortable shoes. Get prepared to do a lot of walking. Adjectives that come to mind when describing Vegas is over-the-top, glitzy, ostentatious, fake…you get the gist. Seemingly plopped into the Nevada desert, once you arrive you can instantly pretend you’re in another world. Our recs have nothing to do with gambling (we don’t like gambling and don’t think it’s the only point of Vegas) and to be honest we’d only recommend one day in Vegas before heading on to bigger (and much much better) things. However, it’s worth visiting (if it’s a convenient stop to somewhere else) once. Yes there are multiple parts of Vegas, but with one day, you’ll predominantly stick to the tourist zone – the Strip. Getting around Vegas can get pricey. Primarily we will recommend you walk, but another cheap option is to take the bus (the Deuce).

The Las Vegas welcome sign

Start by visiting the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada” sign, a neon sign from the 1950s. Then head to the Strip. The Strip is where all of the main casinos/sites are. The entire Strip is 4 miles – as we said, get ready to walk. You can walk in for free to any casino to see the decoration inside. Start at Luxor Hotel then head to head to Excalibur and if you’re there in time, see the tournament of the kings. Then head to The Park, MGM’s outdoor space filled with restaurants and art. After head to New York New York. Next is Paris Las Vegas and Fountains of Bellagio for the fountain show. Next check out Caesar’s Palace and the Fall of Atlantis Show. Check out the free Wildlife Habitat at Flamingo Las Vegas then High Roller to see the tallest ferris wheel in the world. After this stop by The Venetian and if you’re feeling extra fancy take a gondola ride along the canals. Explore The Mirage’s outdoor oasis.

You may be tired and ready for a pool, but if not, now’s your chance to see Old Las Vegas, or the original Strip that offers some nostalgia. Visit the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino along Fremont Street where you’ll see Art Deco decor and the original wall. The throwback, upbeat atmosphere in the casino is reminiscent of frequent visits from Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack. Check out Vegas Vic nearby which welcomed tourists to Vegas in 1947. Head to the Neon Museum with restored displays going back decades. Binion’s Horseshoe is one of the oldest hotels and supposedly haunted. Also out here is the Mob Museum that explores the history of organized crime of Sin City’s most infamous mobsters. They also have a speakeasy-style bar and Prohibition-era distillery you have to check out. Fremont street also tends to have free nightly live music. If you don’t feel like venturing so far out, you could also stop by Area 15 which offers fantastical art exhibits or the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens.

Grab a drink at Herbs & Rye or one of our recommended drink places.

Dinner is likely to be pricey. Dining in Las Vegas just is. However, you’ll also find some incredible restaurants (and many Michelin starred). This is certainly not a comprehensive list but some places you may want to check out (and our favorites) include those on our Las Vegas Restaurant Scene.

For lodging, we recommend yous stay on the Strip (isn’t that why you’re here?). We like The Cosmopolitan the best. Other good options include Wynn Las Vegas, NoMad Las Vegas, The Palazzo, Vdara, Waldorf Astoria, Aria, Park MGM Las Vegas.

Day 9 – Fly Home

Fly home out of LAS.

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