The 10 Best Historic Sites in California Desert, California Desert

Cerro Gordo is a privately owned Mining Town located in the Owens Valley near Lone Pine, California. The town was the silver thread to Los Angeles, being partially responsible for its growth and economic development. It features original buildings and artifacts relevant to the town and is open for guided tours, photography groups, mineral and rock groups, schools and historical groups. There are NO OVERNIGHT ACCOMODATIONS. Tour fees are $10.00 per person, kids 5-12 are free. All proceeds go to the Cerro Gordo Historical Foundation 501(c)3founded to preserve and improve the townsite of Cerro Gordo. Our goal is to continually upgrade amenities and keep the town intact to be enjoyed and explored as a true historical site in California. All visitors must check in and sigh a waiver.

Built in 1884, this historic home was built for the first permanent white settler and is today the oldest building in Palm Springs.

Temporarily Closed The museum campus contains the Smiley-Tyler House, a 1926 adobe home which houses the main exhibits; the historic 1909 Indio Schoolhouse; and the Date Museum. Also, the spacious grounds hold a variety of gardens, including a Memorial Date Garden, a Japanese Garden, the Jardin Del Desierto, and the oldest Cork Oak tree in the Coachella Valley. Other highlights include our Submarine house, a Blacksmith shop, various farming equipment, and the Museum's archives.Visit us to learn about the history of the Coachella Valley from the story of early Native American communities to the present. The Coachella Valley History Museum is open the beginning of October to the end of May from 10am to 4pm on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and 1pm to 4 on Sunday.

Sunnylands, a 200-acre midcentury modern estate, reopened in March 2012 as The Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands, welcoming national and international leaders for high-level retreats and meetings that address serious issues facing the nation and world. The former winter home of Ambassadors Walter and Leonore Annenberg is available also for limited public tours with purchase of a ticket. Admission to the adjacent Sunnylands Center & Gardens is free (no pets please). It features art exhibitions, films, and educational programs. Visitors may also enjoy the cafe and a nine-acre garden. Sunnylands is open Wednesday through Sunday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm; closed in summer.

The home of Elvis & Priscilla Presley in 1967 where they honeymooned and lived. Visit Elvis’ Palm Springs Home that Inspired Two “Upstairs” Suites at the Guest House at Graceland™. The Alexander Estate aka The House of Tomorrow, is a mid-century Modernism icon. Conde Nast Traveler, Marie Claire, Fodor's, Travel Channel, AAA Westways, Time, & Architectural Digest have featured it. Tours daily. We are closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day.

This historic railroad never made it to either Tonopah or Tidewater, but ran 250 miles from Ludlow to Goldfield.