Top Things to do in California
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Top 10 Deserts in California, United States
California is a fertile, peaceful place where you’ll find a near-equal balance of vineyards and deserts, beaches and mountains, hippies and traditionalists. Catch an epic wave in Big Sur or swirl a glass in Napa Valley. Be dazzled by the Joshua Tree night sky or just star-gaze in Hollywood. Swish down the slopes of a Tahoe ski resort, or cruise across the Golden Gate Bridge with the top down and the music blasting. Above all, don’t forget to soak up some Golden State sunshine.
Restaurants in California
1. Tuttle Creek
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Desert camping area located west of the rock formations in the Alabama Hills.
2. Colorado Desert
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Agriculturally rich and heavily irrigated, the Colorado Desert hosts a diversity of wildlife, from the Yuma antelope to the desert pupfish.
3. Granite Mountain
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Located in the southwest corner of Anza Borrego State park, this is an uncrowded mountain to hike, with plenty of abandoned mine shafts and desert to explore. Danger: beware of bats in the mine shafts.
4. The Huntington Desert Garden
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 165 reviews
Conveniently located, the Huntington includes the largest collection of mature cacti and succulents in North America.
Reviewed By AdvtrTrvlr - Camarillo, United States
The Desert Gardens are in full bloom now, April 2021, and it is a very peaceful and quiet place to visit. The 2 most popular / busy gardens were the Chinese and Japanese gardens but this one had fewer people probably because there are no trees or shade in this garden and by mid day it was quite warm, even in spring. There are a large variety of cactus and succulents and huge numbers of barrel cactus. I think this is worth a look if you go to the gardens area you should take the time to see the Desert Gardens too. It might be a good idea to go to this area right as the place opens since it is in direct sun.
5. Glamis Sand Dunes
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By 495JamesG495 - Fredericton, Canada
It is like being on a non stop exhibition ride... looking forward to doing it again... and again.. hugs jim
6. The Racetrack
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 272 reviews
Unusual desert area where rocks move from place to place, but the actual movements have never been observed by humans.
Reviewed By 711lynnw - Kellyville, United States
We rented a Jeep from Farabee’s Jeep Rentals at Furnace Creek and, armed with water, maps, and a Spot GPS tracker, we hit the road to the Racetrack Playa. We were instructed to go 15 mph on the road, but due to the washboard rough conditions, we bumped it up to 35-40 mph and the ride smoothed out. There are a few areas with blind spots along the road to the racetrack but we slowed down in plenty of time and had no issues. The road is technically two-way but it is really only wide enough for one vehicle most of the time. When meeting an oncoming vehicle, one must pull off to the side a bit to allow the other to pass. We made it to the Grandstand in about 1 hour (from the start of the Racetrack Road) and we walked around the Grandstand for a bit and took some pictures. The views are great from atop the rocks. A little further down the road is the spot where the rocks have left tracks. To see many of the rocks requires a walk of about ½ mile. We saw several rocks, some with very faint tracks and others with much better trails. The walk out to the Grandstand and the Racetrack rocks is on smooth even ground (this was in December 2018). The parking areas are small but we didn’t have any trouble finding a spot. There are no facilities at either the Grandstand or Racetrack Playa. Even as remote as this place is, there was a good amount of traffic in and out. I highly recommend renting a Jeep from Farabee’s and saving the wear and tear on your own vehicle. The Jeep took the abuse we gave it and we had no issues at all. From Furnace Creek to the Playa and back will take about 8 hours.
7. Palm Canyon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 221 reviews
Reviewed By WireWrapGems2 - Tucson, United States
If you are in a hurry, you can see Palm Canyon from the parking area. There is a little gift shop in the parking lot next to the trail head. Hiking down into the canyon is fun too, but the trail is a little steep, so wear good walking or hiking shoes.
8. Ocotillo Flat
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
Located in Coyote Canyon, great place to hike for viewing desert plants and life.
9. Amboy Crater
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 74 reviews
This crater created by prehistoric volcanic eruptions offers hikers a panoramic view of the desert.
Reviewed By Perkadventures - Banning, United States
Well maintained road to trail head. Bathrooms there, bring water. View in area to left in parking area and trail starts next to bathrooms. Shelters here to sit and two trail bench's to rest on the way. Trail wanders to crater with hard pack, sandy and with lava rocks also. Use care to not stumble and fall, lava will cut you badly. Easy ramble part uphill and the it gets steep. Take you time. Drink water to keep you hydrated Refuse cans at trail head - pack it out and do not leave. Bring supplies for bathroom with you and do not depend on them to supply
