Road Trip from Los Angeles to Palm Springs
A road trip from Los Angeles to Palm Springs is a fantastic way to see the Coachella Valley, relax, and unwind while traveling through some of the most breathtaking areas in the Golden State.
It takes three hours and forty-five minutes to drive 140 miles from Los Angeles to Palm Springs. Mount Baldy, Rancho Cucamonga, Mt San Jacinto State Park, San Bernardino National Forest, Lake Arrowhead, Big Bear Lake, and the Rim of the World Scenic Byway are important destinations.
Continue reading to learn more about the many wonderful things to see and do on this enjoyable trip, as well as the best route to take, places to stay, and the ideal time to travel.
How long will it take to drive from Los Angeles to Palm Springs?
Without taking into consideration the numerous amazing detours and attractions you’ll want to visit along the way, the most direct route from Los Angeles to Palm Springs is approximately 140 miles and takes about 3 hours and 45 minutes.
It takes only one day to get from Los Angeles to Palm Springs. However, we suggest allowing at least two or three days for the trip because there are so many captivating views and fascinating sites to see along the way.
Ideal road trip route from Los Angeles to Palm Springs
There are several ways to go from Los Angeles to Palm Springs, and if you have a little more time, our suggested route will let you take a few short detours to explore.
This route gives you the freedom to visit any of the major sights and attractions that are waiting along the road, from breathtaking national forests to charming cities, while yet allowing you to keep a steady course towards Palm Springs.
Best route from Los Angeles to Palm Springs
Join Interstate 10 from Los Angeles, then turn left onto Interstate 605 N to Azusa. From there, you may climb through the San Gabriel Canyon and take in the breathtaking natural surroundings at Azusa Wilderness Park.
You can enter the Angeles National Forest, which has many trails and waterfalls to explore, by continuing along this route. Continue east on I-10, where you can take a detour to see the charming cities of Rancho Cucamonga and Claremont.
If you don’t want to take a detour, keep on to Chino Hills State Park, which is particularly lovely in the spring when the wildflowers bloom.
After that, you will arrive in San Bernardino. To see Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead, the Rim of the World Viewpoint, and the San Bernardino National Forest, it is strongly advised to take a detour along the Rim of the World Scenic Byway.
After re-entering I-10, you will soon reach the community of Cabazon, where you may marvel at the world’s largest dinosaurs, the Cabazon Dinosaurs.
North of Cabazon, the fascinating Morongo Reservation provides a thorough study in Native American history. With views of the Banning Pass, the 35,000-acre property is situated beneath the magnificent San Gorgonio and San Jacinto Mountains.
Take the right fork onto the CA-111 and continue on the I-10. Before you reach Palm Springs, you will soon pass the Desert Palisades and the Angel Cove Monument.
Best locations between Los Angeles and Palm Springs
It’s best to spread out your travel from Los Angeles to Palm Springs over a few days in order to get the most out of it. There are many interesting locations along the way, and staying overnight will allow you plenty of time to explore more.
Enjoy the beauty of Big Bear Lake
Big Bear Lake is a lovely area to spend a day or two if you wish to extend your vacation by taking our advised diversion, and the Bluegreen Vacations Big Bear Village is a great place to stay. Just ten minutes away, it’s the perfect location for an easy stroll down to the shores of neighboring Big Bear Lake.
Each of the beautifully furnished apartments has two fireplaces, which makes them incredibly warm during the winter. And a luxurious spa soak is the ideal way to relax! From your individual balcony, take in the breathtaking scenery and the fresh mountain air.
The lake offers a variety of activities for those who enjoy being active, including wakeboarding, water skiing, ziplining, and kayaking. You can trek on one of the many mountain routes or go horseback riding if you’d rather stay on dry land.
Get a real bobsled experience nearby at Magic Mountain’s The Alpine Slide, where you may ride a beautiful chairlift to the summit and then make your way down the concrete track.
Being only a 15-minute drive away, this place is great for people who want to ski at Bear Mountain and Snow Summit.
Before enjoying the wonderful regional fare at one of the cafés or restaurants, you can spend a wonderful afternoon exploring the neighborhood boutiques and gift shops in Big Bear Lake village.
Places to stay after arriving in Palm Springs
You’ll want to stay somewhere that ends your vacation in style once you’ve reached Palm Springs, and the luxurious Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage, is the ideal location for that. This desert resort combines Palm Springs’ glamour and style with history.
The refined and fashionable décor here perfectly reflects the Palm Springs splendor inspired by the desert. The chic, luxurious rooms have spacious tubs for a relaxing soak that can ease all of your problems.
Dining at the Ritz-Carlton is an experience in and of itself. You can sit at a table overlooking the Coachella Valley and sample seasonal food made with the best local foods in the area.
Enjoy a broad desert spa therapy while nestled into the mountainside with stunning valley views, featuring two swimming pools, a cutting-edge fitness facility, 16 treatment rooms, VIP-style cabanas, plunge pools, and poolside dining.
You’ll have plenty of options for activities because the area’s main attractions are less than 45 minutes away. Tahquitz Canyon and Joshua Tree National Park are great places to experience the area’s wild natural landscapes.
One of the most well-liked local attractions is the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Travel more than two and a half miles along the breathtaking Chino Canyon cliffs on the world’s largest spinning tram, which provides breathtaking views of the valley below.
Places to see on a road trip from Los Angeles to Palm Springs
A road trip from Los Angeles to Palm Springs may have a relatively modest distance between your starting point and destination, but there are so many sights and activities to see and do that you could easily spend a few weeks seeing them all.
Our suggestions for the most fascinating and unforgettable locations to visit will be very helpful in organizing your schedule, regardless of how many days you decide to spend on this amazing journey.
1.Huntington Library, Museum and Botanical Gardens – George Washington and Thomas Jefferson’s renowned papers are housed in this library. Beautiful blossom gardens and a fascinating art museum are also included inside this complex.
2.Marshall Canyon Golf Course- Beautiful 18-hole golf course above La Verne, tucked off in the charming foothills.
3.Claremont, California- hospitable college town with stunning scenery, an exciting atmosphere, and charming buildings. has a trendy and stylish variety of stores, cafes, and restaurants.
4.Mount Baldy- This resort is well-known for its fantastic skiing and snowboarding slopes and offers moonlight hikes, zip-lining, disc golfing, and a host of other fun activities.
5.Rancho Cucamonga, California- Sapphire Falls, the Joseph Filippi Winery, and the Pacific Electric Inland Empire Trail are among of the city’s attractions. It is located on the historic Route 66.
6.Chino Hills State Park- This park, which is close to the city, is well-known for its beautiful hiking terrain, wildflower-covered meadows, and rolling hills.
7.Box Springs Mount- Hiking, backpacking, biking, fishing, and water and snow skiing are all abundant in the breathtaking Mountain Lake location, which is home to amazing species and scenery.in Reserve Park-Nestled on a mountainside is a stunning 3400-acre park that spans Riverside and the Moreno Valley.
8.San Bernardino National Forest- This forest is about one million acres in size. features majestic pine trees and is a great place to explore, fish, and get back in touch with nature.
9.Rim of the World Viewpoint- The Rim of the World Scenic Byway leads to this lovely scenic overlook, which provides breathtaking views of the surrounding forest and mountainous terrain.
10.SkyPark at Santa’s Village- An enjoyable outdoor adventure park with a Christmas theme that offers zip-lining, bicycling, climbing, and entertainment.
11.Morongo Reservation- covers about 35,000 acres and provides views of the Banning Pass. includes the fascinating Malki Museum, which honors Native American culture with pride.
12.Lake Arrowhead- Hiking, backpacking, biking, fishing, and water and snow skiing are all abundant in the breathtaking Mountain Lake location, which is home to amazing species and scenery.
13.Big Bear Lake- The largest leisure lake in Southern California, it’s a paradise for hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming, fishing, skiing, and other snow sports.
14.Oak Glen Preserve- The Children’s Outdoor Discovery Center and botanical garden are located at the base of the San Bernardino Mountains, and there is a great system of hiking paths that lead into lush wetlands.
15.Mt. San Jacinto State Park- This stunning park offers breathtaking views of the desert and forest, making it a popular destination for hikers, particularly those who wish to summit Mount San Jacinto.
Best time to visit from Los Angeles to Palm Springs?
You can take a road trip from Los Angeles to Palm Springs at any time of year. You may choose the ideal time to go by deciding what you want to experience the most.
You may avoid the crowds and take advantage of more temperate weather if you plan your trip during the spring. In addition to enjoying the great outdoors and the fresh, clear spring mountain air, the wildflowers will be blooming.
During this time of year, Palm Springs hosts the Swing’ n Dixie Jazz Festival, which features performances by jazz musicians from across the nation. Several stages showcase nonstop live music during the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in April.
The hilly regions are a haven for hikers and mountain bikers alike, and summer temperatures here aren’t as scorching as they are in other parts of California. Anticipate lows in the 50s and highs in the 80s. The temperature of Big Bear Lake itself can get to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, which enhances the pleasure of swimming.
Traveling in the fall allows you to take advantage of the Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest, which is considered the best Oktoberfest in Southern California and is a genuine celebration of German beer, food, entertainment, and music.
The region is highly visited throughout the winter, and the ski resorts will be crowded. The typical temperature is between 15 and 20 degrees Fahrenheit, and the mountains will appear incredibly beautiful with their new, snowy white blankets.
There are so many sights and activities to see and do along the way that this amazing tour will undoubtedly be unforgettable at any time of year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to stop between Los Angeles and Palm Springs?
Which locations on the LA to Palm Springs route are the best? Along the trip, you should visit the San Gorgonio Pass Wind Farm for breathtaking vistas of wind turbines, the Cabazon Dinosaurs for unusual photo possibilities, and Desert Hills Premium Outlets for upscale shopping.
Is Palm Springs a day trip from LA?
How to Travel to Palm Springs and Around It. Palm Springs is approximately an hour and a half’s drive from Orange County and two hours from Los Angeles or San Diego.
When not to visit Palm Springs?
Travelers may find it difficult to decide when to visit Palm Springs because there is never a bad time to go. Avoiding the summer months is a good idea if you don’t enjoy hot weather, but even really hot temps might not be a problem.
Is it safe to walk around Palm Springs?
Thanks to its strong community-oriented attitude to safety, visitors may explore this dynamic city with confidence. Palm Springs is a popular vacation spot for people from all walks of life since it is friendly and accessible to everyone.
What is the best time to visit Palm Springs?
The shoulder seasons of fall (October–November) and spring (March–May) are the ideal times to visit Palm Springs.
Fore more details kindly visit https://www.palm-springs.org/
