Total Escape! California's Guide to Get-Aways!

desert.retreats

Not up for those snowy mountain roads? Enjoy the California deserts! From luxurious resorts to secluded rustic hide-aways. Salt flats in baren lands to fields of joshua trees and wildflowers. Ghost towns and old mines, there is plenty to explore throughout the desert regions.

Anza Borrego
Death Valley
Joshua Tree
Mojave
Palm & Desert Hot Springs

Anza Borrego Desert

The most scenic of all California deserts is Anza Borrego. The largest State Park, the endless dirt roads & many hiking trails, the steep slot canyons, mud caves, huge desert washes, tons of vegetation and the non-threatening town of Borrego Springs. Plenty to do out here: Mountain bike, hike, picnic, relax soaking up the sun, golf. See our So.Cal. Desert Loop Trip for additional info.

Death Valley National Park

The best time to enjoy Death Valley is in the winter, since the summer temperatures can reach beyond 100 degrees! Little rainfall makes this an ideal place to escape the winter storms. Vast space with spectacular scenery! Wildflowers, ghost towns, beautiful canyons, sand dunes, scenic drives, old abandon mines, hiking, backroad exploration.
Look at our Death Valley Loop Trip for ideas.

National Park
Area Wildflowers
Death Valley Lodging

Mojave Desert Parks

The rural & secluded area known as the Mojave, is just the perfect spot to get away from it all. Plenty of clean air, space & open road with wonderful scenery. Mojave has great places to camp spring, fall & winter months. Summer can get ridiculously hot. Check out Death Valley Loop Trip for options.

Area activities include:

Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve
Back-Road exploration
Fossil Falls Volcanic area
Mojave National Preserve
Mountain Bike Trails
Red Rock State Park
Randsburg/Garlock ghost town
Trona Pinnacles

Palm & Desert Hot Springs

Take a weekend to relax in the hot mineral baths of the local deserts. While Palm Springs offers all the upscale spas & glitz you could dream about, Desert Hot Springs is a much better deal. Ride the tram up to Mt. San Jacinto & enjoy the breathtaking views atop the 8000 foot station. Eat lunch in the restaurant & take a nature walk. Winter season may also see some snow & horse rides are available in warmer months. Visit the famous high desert area & enjoy some bizarre, but cool scenery at Joshua Tree National Park. Check out Palm to Pines Loop Trip for other options.

Desert Hot Springs, next door to Palm Springs, has the quaint Lido Palms. This small hotel offers a few rooms that share a spacious courtyard with various pool sizes & a BBQ area.
Lodging in Desert Hot Springs

Downtown Palm Springs has the areas main shops, galleries & restaurants. Ingelside Inn is a nice place to stay while being within walking distance from the downtown area. Situated next to a residential area, it tends to be quite & very relaxing. It has nice landscaped courtyards, a restaurant on premises & pool/jacuzzi.
Lodging in Palm Springs

Area activities include:

Palm Springs Aerial Tram
Joshua Tree National Park
desert oasis parks with hiking
Golf

Joshua Tree National Park

More natures playground! Mountain bike, rock climb, hike. Endless beauty out here in these remote hills. Scenic Joshua Tree National Park will have you using up rolls & rolls of film. There is lodging in the town of Joshua Tree and TwentyNine Palms.A great overnight stop is Desert Hot Springs. Check out Palm to Pines Loop Trip for other options.

Total Escape California Camping