10 Budget-friendly Things to do in California Desert That You Shouldn't Miss

October 14, 2021 Milan Banda

Discover the best top things to do in California Desert, United States including San Jacinto Mountain, Joshua Tree National Park, Palm Springs Art Museum, Cabot's Pueblo Museum, Palm Springs Air Museum, Alabama Hills, Oasis Visitor Center, China Ranch Date Farm, Maturango Museum, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens.
Restaurants in California Desert

1. San Jacinto Mountain

Mountain Station, Palm Springs, Greater Palm Springs, CA +1 909-659-2607 http://www.parks.ca.gov/
Excellent
82%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 928 reviews

San Jacinto Mountain

Reviewed By 811raulg - Doral, United States

Returning to Palm Springs, after more than 20 years, was a unforgettable and splendid experience! The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the world’s largest rotating tram car, travels over two-and-one-half miles along the breathtaking cliffs of Chino Canyon. It is a ten-minute journey, tram cars rotate slowly, allowing spectacular vistas of the valley below. At the Mountain Station, you will find two very good restaurants, observation decks, natural history museum, gift shop and awesome trails! (over 50 miles of them!) .

2. Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree, CA +1 760-367-5500 http://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm
Excellent
83%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 608 reviews

Joshua Tree National Park

Reviewed By jamesmD3016MY - Boston, United States

Being NP aficionados, Joshua Tree has been on our list to visit for a few years. We were not disappointed. The scenery from the loop roads was diverse and wonderful. We took a couple of relatively easy trail hikes. My only quibble is on the Barker Dam and Hidden Valley Trails the descriptions/stories exceeded what we actually saw on the hikes.

3. Palm Springs Art Museum

101 N Museum Dr, Palm Springs, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92262-5659 +1 760-322-4800 [email protected] http://psmuseum.org
Excellent
69%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,691 reviews

Palm Springs Art Museum

Located in downtown Palm Springs (with a branch location in Palm Desert, CA), the Palm Springs Art Museum offers compelling art exhibitions from national and international artists. The museum's extensive permanent collection includes significant works by modern and contemporary artists, western, contemporary and glass artists, and features several temporary exhibitions throughout the year. The museum is open free every Thursday night and the second Sunday of every month. It also offers a range of theatrical and musical performances in its Annenberg Theater. Throughout all these programs, the museum is dedicated to creating memorable and inspiring interactions through educational and cultural opportunities.

Reviewed By PSforever - Palm Springs, United States

Right in the middle of downtown Palm Springs..this little museum packs a big punch..An eclectic collection of art, a beautiful sculpture garden with a lovely cafe..It also contains the Annenberg Theater which is a beautiful venue for music. Don't miss it!

4. Cabot's Pueblo Museum

67616 Desert View Ave, Desert Hot Springs, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92240-4114 +1 760-329-7610 [email protected] http://www.cabotsmuseum.org/virtual-tours/
Excellent
59%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 361 reviews

Cabot's Pueblo Museum

The structure is hand-made, created from reclaimed and found objects. The Pueblo is four-stories, 5,000 square feet and includes 35 rooms, 150 windows and 65 doors. Visitors will notice many unique features: including windows and doors collected and reassembled from abandoned homesteads, old telephone poles, buck board wagon parts and many other materials used creatively.On the guided tour, visitors journey through the life of Cabot Yerxa and his family including artifacts collected from their adventures dating back over 100 years. Hear his story from the Dakota Territory to Mexico, Cuba, Alaska, France, throughout California and the Southwest, including the founding of Desert Hot Springs, California.

Reviewed By lindal369

If you find yourself in the Desert Hot Springs area this gem is a must-see. Wonderful pueblo, great history of the area, entertaining guides (definitely take the guided tour). We thoroughly enjoyed our visit!

5. Palm Springs Air Museum

745 N Gene Autry Trl, Palm Springs, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92262-5464 +1 760-778-6262 [email protected] http://palmspringsairmuseum.org/
Excellent
75%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,004 reviews

Palm Springs Air Museum

Rated by CNN as one of the top 14 Air Museums in the World. This facility Gives visitors an up-close look at the legendary fighters and bombers of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam.

Reviewed By geoffreyh551 - Phoenix, United States

Everywhere we went in Palm Springs people told us to go here. You need to go here as soon as it opens ( open 7 days a week 10 Am until 5 PM). The Air Museum is very well set up . Airplanes are located in two hangars to the left as you enter and two hangars to the right. There are 9 people fully employed and 400 volunteers ( docents). All of the docents are veterans and have extensive information that they are ready to personally share with you. Plenty of on site parking. Admission is either $18 or $16 Senior/Military persons. You need to plan on spending many hours going from hangar to hanger-exhibitions of World War 2 and Vietnam. Many hands on exhibits that detail what specifics of the war was happening. Docents all over the area to assist and explain details as to what you are looking at. Don't forget to save time to go upstairs to the very extensive library. We looked up in the large collection of Life Magazines specific issues in our life time that were of interest to us. There is also a docent who will personally assist you on a Flight Simulator ' actually help you simulate a flight. Last visit an actual plane B-17 before you exit ( donation $5.00), but you can board it and walk through the entire plane. Highly recommend We spent 3 hours there .

6. Alabama Hills

Lone Pine, CA +1 888-361-3731 http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/bishop/scenic_byways/alabamas.html
Excellent
75%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 745 reviews

Alabama Hills

Located near Lone Pine, these hills form the gateway to Mount Whitney, and are a favorite location for movies and television.

Reviewed By 75rover - Abingdon, United Kingdom

All the old cowboy films & series were made here Ye Ha take a trip back in time visit the museum & take a drive to the Alabama hills only a short drive away 5min Howdy Partner

7. Oasis Visitor Center

74485 National Park Dr, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277-3533 +1 760-367-5500 http://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm
Excellent
54%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 185 reviews

Oasis Visitor Center

Reviewed By waynefromcali - Yucaipa, United States

Joshua Tree National Parks Oasis Visitors located in 29 Palms California is the main visitor center for JoshuaTree National Park and is also the administration center for the Monument. They have an info center,gift and memoribilia store and very helpful staff and an exhibit room with a background on the area and monument. Joshua Tree National Park is an amazing and beautiful location to visit for young and senior alike! . . . . #oasisvisitorcenter #joshuatreenationalpark #29palms #goseejoshuatree #photografxworldwide #seetheusa #waynesalvatti #ilovejoshuatree

8. China Ranch Date Farm

8 China Ranch Road, Tecopa, CA +1 760-852-4415 [email protected] http://www.chinaranch.com/
Excellent
62%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 218 reviews

China Ranch Date Farm

When traveling through the Death Valley area consider visiting beautiful China Ranch, near Tecopa California. China Ranch is a family owned and operated small farm, a lush piece of greenery amidst the forbidding Mojave Desert near Southern Death Valley. Imagine towering cottonwoods and willows by a wandering stream, date palms and abundant wildlife, all hidden away in some of the most spectacular scenery the desert has to offer.The Ranch is also rich in history. The Old Spanish Trail is within walking distance, as is the historic Tonopah & Tidewater railroad bed. Hike to nearby abandoned mines if you wish, or just relax and browse through our store.We offer several varieties of California dates as well as our own hybrids. Try some delicious date nut bread, muffins or cookies, or take home one of our unique hand-crafted gifts.If you are interested in learning more about the wildlife, plants or history of the area, try one of our interpretive guided nature walks. Learn about the geology, botany, birds, and early man in the area. The Old Spanish Trail comes alive again and much more. Visiting China Ranch can be a wonderful one day adventure or highlight of any trip to Death Valley.We are not a resort or tourist development, but rather a working family farm in a truly unusual setting.

Reviewed By heyjules13 - Henderson, United States

China Ranch is a jumping off place for a great hike. The hike features magnificent scenery, a great slot canyon and a waterfall. After the hike, stop in at the visitor's center, featuring crafts, local honey, Ranch grown dates, and home made date bread, muffins and cookies. Cool off with the "out of this world" date shake, rich and thick and delicious. Then tour the actual date palm groves and see how the dates are grown. I can't recommend this enough!

9. Maturango Museum

100 E Las Flores Ave, Ridgecrest, CA 93555-3654 +1 760-375-6900 http://www.maturango.org/
Excellent
57%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 124 reviews

Maturango Museum

Reviewed By stevebP290MF

Great exhibits on the desert flora and fauna along with next door China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station. There is a nice gift shop, admission fees are reasonable and a friendly, helpful staff. Not a huge museum, but well organized and very informative.

10. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

47900 Portola Ave, Palm Desert, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92260-6156 +1 760-346-5694 [email protected] http://www.livingdesert.org/
Excellent
67%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,006 reviews

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is a nonprofit, accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, ensuring the highest standards of all aspects of animal care, education, conservation, public service, and operations. The Zoo is active in conservation research, habitat protection, breeding programs and education initiatives around the world, as well as in its own community. The Zoo has been a top attraction in the Palm Springs area for nearly 50 years. The Living Desert is located at 47900 Portola Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92260.

Reviewed By LaurieStory - Santa Monica, United States

Lovely desert gardens, fabulous model train display (huge), lots of interesting animal chats, free tram around the park, and wide selection of animals in large natural enclosures. I could happily spend several days there. Lots of places to sit in the shade and have a snack, good bathroom facilities (and plenty of them), nice combo of sunny and shady pathways. Not to be missed!

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