10 Tours in California Desert That You Shouldn't Miss

Explore the Magic of Joshua Tree Our private single day hiking tours lasting up to 6 hours, are the perfect way to immerse yourself in the beauty of Joshua Tree National Park. After meeting at our office, Your guide will drive you through the most incredible parts of the park, on-route to your hike for the day. From the trailhead, you will enjoy a mostly off-trail adventure through the Joshua Tree wilderness. Towering rock formations, canyons, sweeping vistas and surreal landscapes from another planet await you around every bend. Enjoy an optional lunch on the trail before continuing your journey. All along the way, your expert guide will share the history and geology of the Park, along with a myriad of stories and talks about the plants, animals and other unique characteristics of the Park. You may even get in some epic rock scrambling to the top of some of our famous rock formations for views and experiences rarely had by others. 

Inclusions: National Park fees, Bottled water, Driver/guide, Live commentary on board, Professional guide, Private tour, Transport by private vehicle

Exclusions: Optional Lunch ( Can be added for $15 extra, per person. Invoiced separately if requested, Gratuities, Hotel pickup and drop-off ( Optional pick up and drop off available for additional cost, based on location. Invoiced separately if requested

Merlin's Magic School is in trouble. The entire school was accidentally cursed during a talent show, and only you and your team are able to save everyone by finding Merlin's hidden spell book. In this game you'll have to figure out what to do with magical objects, get help from a magical creature, and work your way into Merlin's secret study. What's in there?

Inclusions: All rooms are private games so you won't be grouped with strangers.

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There are a number of movie stars and celebrities who have (or had) a home here. In some cases, it was the hideaway, for others, the primary home. Without a doubt, its heyday was in the '40s, 50's and '60s, partly driven by the constraints of the old Hollywood studio system, which required them to be able to report to work at a moment's notice. In recent years, young celebrities have flocked to the desert, renting homes, or in some cases buying a second home as a refuge. Palm Springs will always be part of that Tinseltown allure. Locals and visitors still marvel at many celebrities' houses, some for their architectural prowess, others for their curious history. You don't want to miss this tour, because these people made this area what it is today. They had such a profound impact on Palm Springs, you can still feel there presence. The tour takes you to all of that, and then some. Palm Springs was built by movie stars for movie stars.

Inclusions: Bottled water

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This is a small group 2+ hour bike tour of three architecturally & historically significant residential neighborhoods in South Palm Springs. Quiet streets, no hills, constant sunshine, & very little traffic make for a great ride for novices or expert cyclists alike. Please note: Bike rental is NOT INCLUDED in this tour. You're welcome to bring your own bikes, or discounted rentals are available at Big Wheel Tours. Our tour begins & ends in their parking lot. We'll explore the neighborhoods of Deepwell Estates, Twin Palms, & Indian Canyons. We'll make frequent stops for photos & to learn details about specific homes. Please note: This tour is designed for serious architecture & history fans, with a lot of academic-level information & detail. It may not be the most enjoyable tour for some children. COVID Safety Update: Masks are no longer required for fully vaccinated guests while biking outside. Please wear a mask when entering Big Wheel Tours. Brennan & Tim have both been vaxed!

Inclusions: Tour Guide

Exclusions: Use of bicycle

Join our certified local guides for a half day exploration of Joshua Tree National Park's world renowned rock climbing! Meet other travelers who, like yourself, have a healthy appetite for adventure, while learning the basics of the sport from an expert. See JTNP from a new perspective 100' up a wall of granite!

Inclusions: We will provide a cooler with cold bubbly waters and our favorite snack bars for everyone to enjoy!, We will provide all of the necessary safety and climbing equipment.

Exclusions: Private transportation, Gratuities, National Park Entrance Fee

I am a 20 year resident of the Mojave Desert and log 200 miles annually on foot within Joshua Tree National Park. Over the years and miles I've cultivated an awareness of landscape, ecological systems, and local culture that when contextualized by the trail becomes a narrative experience I'm eager to share. I landed in Joshua Tree after dropping out of college in 2001. Back then you arrived by chance or a friend of a friend said you had to check out the rocks, feel the energy, and camp under the stars. I fell in with the gathering characters, an assortment of dirtbag climbers, avant artists, practical new age visionaries, and entrepreneurs...an amalgam of identities that would go on to create the image of the High Desert that is so coveted today. I am legally permitted to guide within Joshua Tree National Park and happy to host you. I know my stuff and I want you to know it too.

Inclusions: Snacks

Exclusions: Private transportation, Gratuities, National Park Entrance Fee, Sunhat, Sunblock, Hiking Shoes, Lunch, Backpacks, Trekking Poles, Bottled water

Enjoy a private and authentic cooking class in a local home with host Andrea, who moved to the USA from France, where she had lived for 25 years. Her family and friends all over the world have influenced her culinary skills, but Andrea is especially inspired by her son who is a formally-trained French chef. This is a perfect experience for anyone looking to connect with local culture over food. Your cooking class will take place in a local home kitchen where Andrea will teach you how to make 2-3 French dishes from their family recipes. After cooking, you will enjoy your meal together in your host's home. • Private cooking lesson in a local home • Introduction to France's culture and cuisine • 100% private activity • Experience French hospitality in a residential Palm Springs neighborhood • Vegetarian and gluten free options available

Inclusions: Private cooking class with your host Andrea, Local wine, Gratuities

Exclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off

Explore the lush palm oases of the Indian Canyons on this morning or afternoon 3-hour eco-tour from Palm Springs. Learn about the rich history and culture of the Cahuilla Indians as you ride a jeep their ancestral homelands with your knowledgeable guide. Take an easy 1-mile guided walk up Andreas Canyon for captivating views and see a stunning palm oasis from the rim of Palm Canyon. This small-group open-air outdoor adventure is limited to seven people per Jeep for a more relaxed, intimate experience.

Inclusions: Admission Fees, Granola Snack, Naturalist guided Jeep tour, Bottled water

Exclusions: Food and drink (unless otherwise specified), Gratuities

Whether you’re shooting for print or social media, capture brilliant images of scarlet cliffs, blue sky and muted desert flora on this small group photo tour of Red Rock Canyon and Death Valley, California. Your personal guide knows all the best viewpoints to capture landscapes and selfies, and can let you into the area’s secrets as well. Needless to say, your day includes door-to-door round-trip transfers.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Bottled water

Exclusions: Gratuities

You and your crack team have been assembled to pull off this caper which will involve sneaking past the bank’s high-tech security, hacking your way into a computer, and working out and deciding how you’ll break into the vault. Your objective: Get as much loot as you can before the police come and spoil all the fun.

Inclusions: All rooms are private games so you won't be grouped with strangers.

Exclusions: