Los Angeles (LAX) → Palm Springs & Joshua Tree SoCal Loop

Trip Snapshot:

Distance & time: ~300 miles round‑trip; ideally 2–3 days.
Best time: October–May for pool weather and cooler desert hikes.
Ideal for: Families, architecture lovers, night-sky chasers, music fans.
Quick route: LAX → I‑10 east → Palm Springs → CA‑62 → Joshua Tree National Park → loop back to I‑10.
Top 3 highlights: Aerial tramway to 8,500 ft • Hidden Valley & Skull Rock hikes • Keys View at sunset.

Route Overview: From mid-century cool to boulder playgrounds. Start with pool time in Palm Springs, then ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to crisp mountain air. The tram spins slowly as it ascends 2.5 miles in about 10 minutes, rotating 360° with spectacular desert views. (Be sure to check for maintenance closures and buy tickets online for busy days.) Spend a day (or two) exploring Joshua Tree National Park, open 24/7 buy your entry pass in advance and carry plenty of water. The park is an International Dark Sky Park, so stick around after dark for incredible stargazing.

Top Stops & Experiences:

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway(Family-friendly) Giant rotating tram car that whisks you from desert floor to alpine forest at 8,516 ft in 10 minutes. Check hours and book tickets ahead on busy weekends.
Palm Canyon Drive (Downtown)(Family-friendly) Stroll Palm Springs’ main drag lined with mid-century boutiques, retro galleries, and palm-shaded cafés. Ample garage and street parking makes it easy to hop out and explore.
Cabazon Dinosaurs(Family-friendly) Kitschy roadside stop off I‑10 featuring a massive T. rex and brontosaurus. Quick photo-op for the kids (and the young at heart) before you continue east.
Joshua Tree National Park(Family-friendly) Start at the official park entrance for maps, safety tips, and ranger advice. Joshua Tree’s surreal high-desert landscapes are dotted with namesake Joshua trees and jumbo rock piles. It’s one of the largest U.S. National Historic Landmark districts and a designated Dark Sky Park, ideal for night-sky viewing.
Hidden Valley Nature Trail(Family-friendly) An easy 1-mile loop through boulders and iconic Joshua trees a perfect introduction to the park’s scenery. Excellent for families; kids can scramble on rocks along the way. Go early to find parking, as this popular trailhead fills up.
Skull Rock(Family-friendly) A famous rock formation right off the main road that resembles a skull. There’s a small pullout for parking; short walking paths around the “skull” make this a quick, fun stop.
Keys View(Family-friendly) A drive-up vista point atop the Little San Bernardino Mountains, with panoramic views across the Coachella Valley. This perch ~5,000 ft high is well worth the 20-minute detour especially gorgeous at sunset when the desert basins below turn golden.
Pioneertown & Pappy & Harriet’s(Adults-only, PG-13) A former Old West movie-set town now home to an iconic live-music roadhouse. Walk the dusty Main Street with its 1880s-style facades (built in the 1940s for Hollywood films), then grab barbecue and beer at Pappy & Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace, a legendary saloon known for nightly live music and an eclectic crowd. Check the concert schedule and note that minors aren’t allowed during late shows.

Where to Eat & Stay:
– Food: Fuel up with poolside tacos or a classic Palm Springs brunch (many trendy spots along Palm Canyon Drive). In Joshua Tree, try the natural foods café in town or grill out under the stars. If you swing through Pioneertown, Pappy & Harriet’s serves up great BBQ (adults can sample the craft beers during the music sets).
– Lodging: Mid-century modern motels and boutique hotels abound in Palm Springs many with retro pools and mountain views. Near Joshua Tree and Yucca Valley, consider a rustic cabin or funky Airbnb; book months in advance for spring weekends (it’s a popular season). Camping is available in the national park but often fills up reserve early if that’s in your plans.

Detours & Extensions:

Salvation Mountain & Salton Sea (add 3–4 hours): A 1.5-hour drive south of Palm Springs leads to the technicolor folk-art mound of Salvation Mountain and the eerie shores of the Salton Sea. It’s an outlandish art pilgrimage and a glimpse at an environmental oddity worth it if you have a half day free.
Palm Desert / El Paseo (add 2 hours): On your way back toward L.A., stop in Palm Desert to stroll El Paseo, known as the “Rodeo Drive of the Desert,” for galleries, upscale shops, and cafés beneath swaying palms. A nice change of pace if you need a shopping fix after all the nature.

Practical Tips:

Park fees: Purchase the Joshua Tree 7-day vehicle pass ($30) online or at the park entrance. Keep the pass handy on your dashboard.
Heat: Desert temperatures climb quickly, even in spring. Plan hikes for early morning or late afternoon, carry extra water, and wear sun protection. In summer, mid-day hikes are not recommended due to extreme heat.
Cell coverage: Very spotty inside Joshua Tree National Park. Don’t rely on GPS; download offline maps or pick up a paper map at the visitor center. Let someone know your route if hiking remote trails.
Wildlife: You might encounter desert critters (lizards, jackrabbits, maybe a tortoise). Enjoy them from a distance and do not feed or approach wildlife. (If you’re lucky enough to spot bighorn sheep, give them plenty of space.) At night, be mindful of where you step rattlesnakes are mostly shy but active on warm evenings.

Rentals & Logistics: A midsize SUV or minivan is ideal for this trip plenty of room for coolers, daypacks, and inevitable sand in your shoes. You’ll appreciate a vehicle with decent ground clearance on the unpaved desert roads (like those to trailheads or Noah Purifoy’s Outdoor Desert Art Museum if you venture there). Ask for all-weather floor mats if available, since sandy and dusty shoes are guaranteed. Gas up in Palm Springs or Yucca Valley before entering Joshua Tree (no fuel inside the park). LAX tip: If flying into L.A., pick up your rental car at the airport and consider timing your departure to avoid peak LA traffic on I-10.

Los Angeles (LAX) → Palm Springs & Joshua Tree SoCal Loop

Trip Snapshot:

Distance & time: ~300 miles round‑trip; ideally 2–3 days.
Best time: October–May for pool weather and cooler desert hikes.
Ideal for: Families, architecture lovers, night-sky chasers, music fans.
Quick route: LAX → I‑10 east → Palm Springs → CA‑62 → Joshua Tree National Park → loop back to I‑10.
Top 3 highlights: Aerial tramway to 8,500 ft • Hidden Valley & Skull Rock hikes • Keys View at sunset.

Top Stops & Experiences:

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway(Family-friendly) Giant rotating tram car that whisks you from desert floor to alpine forest at 8,516 ft in 10 minutes. Check hours and book tickets ahead on busy weekends.
Palm Canyon Drive (Downtown)(Family-friendly) Stroll Palm Springs’ main drag lined with mid-century boutiques, retro galleries, and palm-shaded cafés. Ample garage and street parking makes it easy to hop out and explore.
Cabazon Dinosaurs(Family-friendly) Kitschy roadside stop off I‑10 featuring a massive T. rex and brontosaurus. Quick photo-op for the kids (and the young at heart) before you continue east.
Joshua Tree National Park(Family-friendly) Start at the official park entrance for maps, safety tips, and ranger advice. Joshua Tree’s surreal high-desert landscapes are dotted with namesake Joshua trees and jumbo rock piles. It’s one of the largest U.S. National Historic Landmark districts and a designated Dark Sky Park, ideal for night-sky viewing.
Hidden Valley Nature Trail(Family-friendly) An easy 1-mile loop through boulders and iconic Joshua trees a perfect introduction to the park’s scenery. Excellent for families; kids can scramble on rocks along the way. Go early to find parking, as this popular trailhead fills up.
Skull Rock(Family-friendly) A famous rock formation right off the main road that resembles a skull. There’s a small pullout for parking; short walking paths around the “skull” make this a quick, fun stop.
Keys View(Family-friendly) A drive-up vista point atop the Little San Bernardino Mountains, with panoramic views across the Coachella Valley. This perch ~5,000 ft high is well worth the 20-minute detour especially gorgeous at sunset when the desert basins below turn golden.
Pioneertown & Pappy & Harriet’s(Adults-only, PG-13) A former Old West movie-set town now home to an iconic live-music roadhouse. Walk the dusty Main Street with its 1880s-style facades (built in the 1940s for Hollywood films), then grab barbecue and beer at Pappy & Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace, a legendary saloon known for nightly live music and an eclectic crowd. Check the concert schedule and note that minors aren’t allowed during late shows.

Detours & Extensions:

Salvation Mountain & Salton Sea (add 3–4 hours): A 1.5-hour drive south of Palm Springs leads to the technicolor folk-art mound of Salvation Mountain and the eerie shores of the Salton Sea. It’s an outlandish art pilgrimage and a glimpse at an environmental oddity worth it if you have a half day free.
Palm Desert / El Paseo (add 2 hours): On your way back toward L.A., stop in Palm Desert to stroll El Paseo, known as the “Rodeo Drive of the Desert,” for galleries, upscale shops, and cafés beneath swaying palms. A nice change of pace if you need a shopping fix after all the nature.

Practical Tips:

Park fees: Purchase the Joshua Tree 7-day vehicle pass ($30) online or at the park entrance. Keep the pass handy on your dashboard.
Heat: Desert temperatures climb quickly, even in spring. Plan hikes for early morning or late afternoon, carry extra water, and wear sun protection. In summer, mid-day hikes are not recommended due to extreme heat.
Cell coverage: Very spotty inside Joshua Tree National Park. Don’t rely on GPS; download offline maps or pick up a paper map at the visitor center. Let someone know your route if hiking remote trails.
Wildlife: You might encounter desert critters (lizards, jackrabbits, maybe a tortoise). Enjoy them from a distance and do not feed or approach wildlife. (If you’re lucky enough to spot bighorn sheep, give them plenty of space.) At night, be mindful of where you step rattlesnakes are mostly shy but active on warm evenings.