California Welcome Centers
The Desert region has four California Welcome Centers:
Deserts Region Profile
The dramatic desert region fills the south-eastern half of California with remarkable parklands to explore, including Death Valley, Joshua Tree and Anza-Borrego. Complementing the sun-drenched environment is the oasis-like allure of Palm Springs, three hours north-east of San Diego and offering resort-style getaways complete with golf, tennis, spas and luxury shopping.
MAJOR TAKEAWAYS
- At 282 feet below sea level, Badwater in Death Valley National Park is the lowest point in the contiguous United States.
- A short trail about 36 miles north-west of Ridgecrest leads to Fossil Falls, a surreal, convoluted chasm of shiny, sculpted black lava.
- Palm Springs is America’s mid-century modern mecca, and from petrol stations to City Hall, it’s clear that mod dominates the local landscape.
- Long considered one of America’s golf capitals, Palm Springs boasts more golf courses per capita than any place on earth.
- Shopping is central to Palm Desert pastimes, whether it be in El Paseo boutiques or Backstreet Arts District galleries.
Counties
There are four main counties in the Desert region of California:- Imperial County
- Inyo County
- Riverside County
- San Bernardino County
Major cities
Rural desert towns have low populations, although cities like Riverside and Palm Springs are densely populated.- Borrego Springs
- Coachella
- Indian Wells
- Joshua Tree
- La Quinta
- Lone Pine
- Palm Desert
- Palm Springs
- Rancho Mirage
- Riverside
- Twentynine Palms
Major attractions
The thwack of a golf club, the hum of the wind buffeting towering sand dunes, the splash of a dive into a perfect pool creates a sensory feast in the desert region.
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park: This is not only California’s largest state park, but also the home of amazing spring-time wildflowers and dark skies perfect for stargazing
- BMW Performance Driving School: Take a high-speed driving class and fulfil your racetrack dreams here in the Southern California desert south of Palm Springs
- Death Valley National Park: The hottest place in California is home to Badwater Basin at 282 feet below sea level, soaring Telescope Peak, colourful Artist Palette and many more incredible views
- El Paseo: Discover a multitude of art galleries and delicious restaurants here at Palm Desert’s very own 'Rodeo Drive'
- Joshua Tree National Park: Named and known for the unique 'Joshua trees' that grow here, this park is ideal for hiking, off-road 4x4 adventures and wildflower viewing
- Palm Springs Aerial Tram: Enjoy breath-taking views of Mount San Jacinto and jagged canyons as you travel 8,516 feet from the desert floor up to Mountain Station, where you can begin hiking or skiing adventures
- Pappy & Harriet’s: This 1870s frontier town-style film set is a great family attraction and one of the most legendary indie music venues in the state
- Salvation Mountain: Over the course of 30 years, Leonard Knight built a colourful attraction in the Sonoran Desert as a way to express his devotion to peace, love and a higher power, proclaiming 'God Is Love' in a five-storey, 150-foot-wide art project
Destination marketing organisations
Destination: Death Valley JunctionVisit 29 Palms
Visit Greater Palm Springs
Visit Palm Springs
Weather
California’s desert region is known for its warm winters and high summer temperatures. Annual precipitation in the desert region is less than five inches.DEC-FEB
22°C
8°C
MAR-MAY
31°C
15°C
JUN-AUG
41°C
24°C
SEP-NOV
32°C
17°C