Explore the best tips for a desert adventure in California with expert advice from Sarah Mitchell. From Death Valley to off-roading and luxury desert resorts, plan your ultimate trip with our guide.
A desert isn’t exactly the best summer destination for many, but for the daring few, it might as well be at the top of any list. It’s good to know that California offers a large expanse of desert territory. Don’t let the barrenness of the Mojave convince you there’s nothing to expect other than sand and dirt.
Over the years, the state has seen the rise of desert resorts and recreational areas that cater to those who are looking for the kind of adventure they will never experience at the beach or while hiking.
If you count yourself among these desert aficionados, then you’ll need a guide to make your Californian desert experience worthwhile. Here’s one you might want to keep in mind:
1. See the desert landscapes from Death Valley
No other place in the United States deserves such an ominous moniker as Death Valley. With temperatures reaching a scorching high of 57 degrees Celsius, the place seems like it shouldn’t belong in any Top 10 list of travel destinations and national parks in the country.
Then again, thousands of tourists brave the rugged terrain and unforgiving heat just to see the magnificent rock formations. You can get the best views from Zabriskie Point.
A good word of advice: Reach the peak before dusk so you can treat yourself to a unique sunset view you can’t see elsewhere!
2. Cruise across the sand in a Land Rover
Dubai isn’t the only place where you can enjoy surfing on sand dunes with a Land Rover. There are plenty of places in the Californian desert where you can rent out an all-terrain vehicle and go off-roading in popular areas like Anaheim Hills.
Apart from that, you can also cruise along the trails of the Mojave Desert. As you do so, make sure to take snapshots of the natural wonders wherever you look, from colorful cacti to towering rock and sand formations that make for interesting screensavers.
3. Go golfing in the middle of nowhere
When you think of a desert, you’re probably thinking of sand and rocks. Things have changed over the years as developers scramble to transform patches of California deserts into makeshift oases without disrupting the flora and fauna around them.
Desert resorts have become popular destinations for adventurers who would like a taste of luxury along the way. There are also luxury communities around these parts.
The La Quinta Country Club, for one, offers not just luxury living spaces but also a golf course and wellness amenities that would make you think you weren’t living in the middle of the desert.
4. Camp out in the open
An overnight stay in the Californian desert is always worth the risk. The weather gets very cold during the night and you might encounter a coyote or two scavenging near your camp.
It’s not for everyone, but if you want your desert adventure to count, you might as well make plans to go on an extended stay.
In the Mojave National Preserve, you are allowed to camp out for a maximum of 14 days so long as you own a private RV. This would make sense because an RV provides better security at night than a tent!
End note
Is an adventure in California’s famous deserts a part of your travel itinerary this summer? Make sure to keep this guide in mind as you prepare for the trip!
Save on your trip with these resources
These are our go-to companies when we travel. We believe this list to be the best in each category. You can’t go wrong using them on your trip too.
- Flights: we use Expedia for the best and cheapest flight options.
- Accommodations: we use Booking.com (hotels), VRBO (self-contained), or Hostelworld (budget).
- Cars (gas or electric): we use RentalCars to search for deals and dealer ratings.
- Motorcycles: we have heard good things about BikesBooking.
- Private guides: we often find the best option is to work with a private guide from Viator.
- Travel Insurance: while not required, we always opt for travel insurance and start at InsureMyTrip to compare coverage plans.
Check out our travel resources page for more companies that we use when you travel.
What will you do on your California desert adventure?
More from the USA you might like, including our USA Adventure road trip.
Photo Credits
Photos on this page are either shot by our team and watermarked as such, in the public domain, or some stock photos were supplied by DepositPhotos.
About the author
Sarah Mitchell is an experienced travel writer with a passion for off-the-beaten-path adventures. She has explored numerous deserts around the world and enjoys sharing her insights and tips with fellow travelers. Sarah’s writing combines practical advice with a touch of wanderlust to inspire her readers to embark on their own unique journeys.
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