san diego to joshua tree road trip

(We've found nice wildflowers here too.). I understand wanting to go and experience the desert while in San Diego BUT will your kids enjoy sitting in the car for 5-6hours??. There are a few places to stay in the small town of Joshua Tree itself, but â¦ Joshua Tree National Park is a relatively new national park, only established in 1994. Now that you have read my PCH Road Trip article above, you will have ended up past Los Angeles and now down into Orange County/San Diego. Just walk or drive just past the main parking area, you'll see a day-use picnic area (with more parking on your left) and from there you can walk the outer edge of Hidden Valley. I like the 15 to 79 to 371 route. This large theme park has 12 carnival rides, a rock wall, ziplining, mini-golf, and a theater. Read our Southern California road trip itinerary now for what to do and where to stay. Subjective. Well, if you live in the area, you â¦ Beginner Group Rock Climbing in Joshua Tree National Park, Joshua Tree National Park Customized Guided Hiking Tour, http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html. At least three times each day we say out loud âWe live in paradise!' Outdoor Research built the San Juan Jacket for bluebird days in light fluffy snow off the beaten path. These day trip destinations also make perfect weekend getaways, but we decided to separate them out based on travel time. Since this map only shows you the route of your trip and doesn't actually tell you how to get to your destination, you may want to see driving directions from Joshua Tree National Park to San Diego . This itinerary will show you how to make the most of both in a road trip of just a few weeks. This is for those of you who are traveling and just want to do a stopover in Joshua Tree. If going from SD to JTNP on a weekday morning expect traffic on 215 as you approach the 60 interchange. Read our Southern California road trip itinerary now for what to do and where to â¦ Both of you will get better answers and without the confusion of "who said what to whom" if you begin a new fresh thread just for your own concerns. If you're planning a road trip, you might be interested in seeing the total driving distance from San Diego, CA to Joshua Tree National Park. Please know that dogs are not allowed on any trails in the park, only on a leash in the parking lots or if they walk along the road which is not much fun. You could stay a night in PS or drive directly to Joshua Tree. The Ultimate Road Trip Guide to Joshua Tree By . Most of the main sights are along the main road, or a short drive on a smaller side road. Day 4-5: Joshua Tree National Park Drive from San Diego to Joshua Tree National Park (south entrance at Cottonwood Spring) [Approx. Song: Mellen GI & Monestro- Save Me. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Great views. It's a place that looks off-world and "Skull Rock" is on the 1.8 mile trail (which has several starting points - including in the Jumbo Rocks campground, or from Skull rock you can take a trail to Jumbo Rocks campground and also from Skull Rock you can cross the main street, Park Blvd, and wander around there). Big Bear. (A mile or so.) With so many Southern California road trips to consider, how can you possibly choose? I was told it simply wouldn't make sense in the winter so, I have "re-thunk-it!". On the coast of the Pacific Ocean in southern California, the sunny city has a Mediterranean climate and an average temperature of 70 degrees. What do you guys think of this: SFO>San Fransisco>Yosemite>Big Basin Redwoods>Montery>Big Sur (weather permitting)>Joshua Tree>LAX. Joshua Tree National Park is under 3 hours from Los Angeles, San Diego, and Las Vegas, making it an easy weekend escape. Our 28 day trip (which is now in June/July 2014 instead of July/August) is starting and finishing in San Fran. The unique desert landscape and plants indigenous to Joshua Tree make you feel like youâre in another planet, in a different world. Plenty of travelers make the trip from Los Angeles to Joshua Tree National Park to marvel at its spiky namesake trees. Barker Dam shares a parking lot with the Wall Street Mill and is a delightful hike but it could be packed with a line of tourists on the trail so I guess you could play it by ear whether you do Barker Dam too. Should you decide to do the Wall Street Mill trail also - it takes you to a fairly well preserved old gold processing site and has the remnants of a number of ancient cars ("desert metal") slowly being absorbed back into the desert. And if more time - Jumbo rocks is really cool. Jumbo Rocks is just a short walk from the parking area to where you can be amongst giant round boulders on top of giant flat boulders, etc., - wander as little or far as you want. It is without ... San Diego. We just did this trip last Feb in reverse, Vegas to SD via Joshua Tree and Palm Springs. ThereSanDiego.com is built on our love of San Diego â¦ Malibu. Snapping a picture with the spiky Joshua Tree is â¦ Road trips donât always have to be so expensive. I'm not so sure I would give (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? With 16 rides including several coasters and thrill rides, animal shows, and a water park, this is enough fun to keep you busy all day. California Road Trip Itinerary Add-On: Orange County, San Diego, Joshua Tree, Palm Springs, and Anza-Borrego Desert. Moreover, a day trip to Joshua Tree is a great detour on a road trip from Los Angele s to San Diego. The hikes at Joshua tree range from the short to the lengthy California loop and everything in between. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Pre-Trip: Reserve an AirBnB room in Joshua Tree . (Wildflowers last until May here because it's a wash which gets more water.) On your drive into the park you will notice you are much higher in elevation than the town of Joshua Tree and other surrounding desert towns. You don't need to stop at the visitor center unless you want to - they give you a map on your entrance into the park. There is no shortage of great hikes in Joshua tree and day 3 of California road trip itinerary is a great day to explore the park on foot. Joshua Tree and Grand Canyon Road Trip - Joshua Tree National Park California, Nevada, Arizona. Further beyond Encinitas you will find yourself in San Diego, one of the most popular cities to visit in California. My husband, 2 brothers, and I (ages 18-31) will be travelling to California for the first time this June. Where to stay? It includes the visit to â¦ 3â4 Hours. You’re covered with our custom protection packages. Answer 1 of 5: Hello, I am now on VERSION 5 of our south-west USA roadtrip! If you walk ALL the way around and back to the starting point it's over 5 miles - we just walk about a mile and turn around. If you're planning a road trip, you might be interested in seeing the total driving distance from San Diego, CA to Joshua Tree National Park. The park roads are paved, so no â¦ Southern California is simply teeming with beautiful scenery, epic drives, and iconic road trip destinations. Most people say it's like visiting another planet. 2 day trip Thanksgiving week. You hike up to an elevation of 5500 feet with a 360 view of the park and if you hike fairly fast and steady you can make it up in about 45 minutes. There are camp like facilities available on Vacation Rental By Owner website and even here on TripAdvisor - under Joshua Tree vacation rentals where you could rent someone's trailer in the desert type-of-thing or homes that take dogs. 2 Day Trip to Joshua Tree National Park from San Diego: Checkout 2 Day trip plan for Joshua Tree National Park covering 10 attractions, popular eat-outs and hotels, created on 3rd Jan 2016. You will be more than 8,500-feet up in the air in a rotating tram car where you can see as far as Las Vegas on a clear day. PLANNING A DAY TRIP TO JOSHUA TREE DRIVING OPTIONS. Here we go: Pre-Trip: Pack a lunch with snacks, drinks and yummy stuff. It's east of I-10 near Palm Springs, 140 miles east of Los Angeles, 175 miles northeast of San Diego, and 215 miles southwest of Las Vegas. They even have a rock wall and batting cages for the older kids. It might be a full eight and a half hour drive south of San Francisco â or an hour and a half by plane â but believe us when we say that the hikes, bouldering, and night views â¦ Hi moshimichi, Welcome to the forums. We went on an 11-day road trip through Utah, Nevada & California! When you are driving from San Diego and Los Angeles to Joshua Tree, you will want to enter the west entrance station. In May 2013 we drove 1,840 miles from San Diego, California to Portland, Oregon. Does something like this make sense? A drive through Joshua Tree National Park might take a couple hours, viewing the park from the road. Joshua Tree National Park Visitors Center; 6554 Park Blvd, Joshua Tree, CA (760) 366-1855. Traveling from San Diego in April, you will find days in Joshua Tree National Park are somewhat warmer (32°C), and nights are about the same (15°C). The city was founded by Spanish Missionaries in 1798 and has grown to be a popular place to live as well as visit. You never know when you may need it. You have to drive to White Tank Campground and the Arch is just a 5 minute loop from the parking area. Don't head up here too late as you don't want to be walking back down in the dark! Last fallâs deadly â¦ Well, if you live in the area, you donât have to choose. As one of Californiaâs incredible national parks, Joshua Tree National Park is also a must-stop spot on any California desert road trip itinerary in the southern part of the state! I know that getting to Palm Springs is a bit over 2hours and Joshua Tree is beyond that so expect it to take at LEAST 2 1/2 hours just to get there.. Early May will be slightly better than the peak months of March and April. Joshua tree is the area where the Mojave and the Colorado deserts meet. Outdoor Research San Juan Jacket - Men's. Beginning our trip from the Los Angeles or San Diego area, the first destination is a worthwhile journey to Anza-Borrego State Desert â¦ You can also calculate the cost to drive from San Diego, CA to Joshua Tree National Park based on current local gas prices and an estimate of your car's best gas mileage. Rome2rio makes travelling from San Diego to Joshua Tree easy. According the the National Park Service website , there are 93 miles of paved roads, 106 miles of unpaved roads; 9 campgrounds with 523 campsites, two horse camps, 10 picnic â¦ In-person support no matter where the road takes you. Fun for the whole family can be found at Boomers, which is an awesome park with games, mini-golf, go-karts, and bumper boats. And you will definitely need some sunscreen. You can also calculate the cost to drive from San Diego, CA to Joshua Tree National Park based on current local gas prices and an estimate of â¦ So luckily for those in San Diego and Los Angeles, a day trip to Joshua Tree is very easy. Remember to bring sturdy shoes and plenty of water. To get you started, we put together 15 of the best weekend trips from San Diego. Bring your camera. Joshua Tree. From easy to difficult, make sure you pick a trail that is right for everyone in the family before starting out. Named for the native Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia) that inhabits part of the park, itâs 1,235 square miles of sweeping land, rock formations, and unusual plants that have adapted to the unique climate.Joshua Tree National Park protects the land â¦ They also have about 100 first-come, first-served sites in four other campgrounds in case you didn’t book your spot. La Jolla Is An Inexpensive Road Trip Destination In Southern California Thatâs Affordable. I know that getting to Palm Springs is a bit over 2hours and Joshua Tree is beyond that so expect it to take at LEAST 2 1/2 hours just to get there.. From San Diego, the region is at the tip of your fingers, and the bottom of your tire treads. This road trip in Southern California has some of the best roadside attractions including Galleta Meadows sculptures, Salton Sea ruins, and amazing landscapes of Joshua Tree. And always bring water no matter how short the trail is. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-82394342', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');San Diego in early May. Drive from San Diego to Joshua Tree National Park (south entrance at Cottonwood Spring) [Approx. Any suggestions on certain sights or hikes that would maximize our time? Eat dinner together in the common room or outside if itâs warm enough. Getting to and around Joshua Tree National Park requires a vehicle as there is no park shuttle. Related: What are the most popular tours in Joshua Tree National Park? A trip to La Jolla from San Diego is an easy, affordable getaway to some of the most scenic views in Southern California. Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. Tricks to find the perfect rig. (Some parts are like a staircase though so it's not a "breezy walk".) Road Trip: San Diego to Joshua Tree National Park (and back) in a rented 2006 V6 Mustang Google maps screenshot showing my route from San Diego to Joshua Tree and back In early September 2006, I decided to rent a Ford Mustang and drive to Joshua Tree National Park. There is a special parking area just a short dirt road away from the main parking area for Barker Dam/Wall Street Mill/Ohlson Ranch and this parking spot off the dirt road has a rest room and will be closer to access Ohlson Ranch and/or Wall Street Mill - too hard to explain here though but if you look at a Google satellite map you might see it.. Here are details and some links on the itinerary I mentioned above: Accessible via the Wall Street Mill trail is Ohlson Ranch (also referred to as Wonderland ranch) - it is easy to miss so this link has some details about finding it. and you can even walk from there to Skull rock - beautiful trail and area. With its warm climate year-round, outdoor activities are popular in Temecula. San Diego is only slightly further away, but it will â¦ Start: Los Angeles, days 1-3. The fact that May 1 is a Monday will help. We are going to road trip out here from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Another hour up CA-52, you are almost to your destination of Joshua Tree National Park. Stop at White Tank Campground Leave San Diego and drive to Joshua Tree (our trip was 3 pm-7:30 pm). An exploration of the park could take a lifetime. It might be a full eight and a half hour drive south of San Francisco â or an hour and a half by plane â but believe us when we say that the hikes, bouldering, and night views are worth it. Campervan. (Also it can get cool/breezy at the top so could be good to bring a layer.) San Diego is a fantastic place to start a road trip to Joshua Tree National Park. Rome2rio makes travelling from San Diego to Joshua Tree easy. Some of these fun places include the Eagle Soar Playground and Splash Pad at Margarita Community Park on Margarita Road, Butterfield Stage Park on De Portola Road, and Redhawk Community Park on Redhawk Parkway. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-82395815', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');San Diego to consider is Anza Borrego. Answer 1 of 5: Hello, I am now on VERSION 5 of our south-west USA roadtrip! If you don't have to rush back, you could stop for dinner at Pie for the People (pizza) in Joshua Tree town center or there are other restaurants right there, or on the way out of town through Yucca Valley there is a fantastic sushi restaurant (who knew there'd be good sushi in the desert) at Kimi Grill attached to the Travelodge. 54270 Pine Crest Ave, Idyllwild, CA 92549, map. Depends on what time you get there! It's over 20 miles from the main park entrance, but you will pass Jumbo rocks and Skull rock on the route. This road trip in Southern California has some of the best roadside attractions including Galleta Meadows sculptures, Salton Sea ruins, and amazing landscapes of Joshua Tree. $168.95 . The old adobe ruins at Ryan Ranch can make for some nice photos. Many California road trip routes wonât include Joshua Tree, but youâll be glad you went to this one of a kind â¦ With contrasting stark desert expanses and rugged rocky areas dotted with Joshua trees and hundred of cactus the Joshua Tree National Park is a must visit for any avid adventurer on a day trip from San Diego. Before leaving for your final destination, stop by Ladera Circle and see where Elvis Presley spent his honeymoon at Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway. It is also home to the San Diego Zoo, where you can see over 60 different species like sloths, zebras, tigers, and bears. California Road Trip: San Diego to Yosemite. Just two-and-a-half hours from Los Angeles and San Diego, Joshua Tree National Park serves as a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, rock climbers, star gazers, and anyone wishing to escape the hustle and bustle of the nearby cities. The hike is fairly easy, being mostly flatland and about 1.5 miles round trip but mainly you are following a dry riverbed (thicker dirt/sand which can be more tiring to walk through). The park's namesake tree is found nowhere else on the mainland, and the bird-laden salt marshes here have vanished from the rest of SoCal. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi; or do a combination of train, bus, and taxi. Joshua Tree National Park sits on the border of Riverside and San Bernardino counties and covers nearly 800,000 acres If youâre inside throw a record on the record player and pour yourself a glass of wine. About an hour up I-215 to the northeast, the desert resort town of Palm Springs in Riverside County is known for the arts and culture, architecture, and recreational activities. It was so much fun & I hope you love this video!! 8 days. I guess you know it will take you almost 3 hours (Google maps says 2;47 to get from a generic San Diego location to the Joshua Tree visitor center entrance. We will be able to break away from our larger group for 9 days and want to take a road trip that offers lots of varied scenery, a little camping, and a well rounded California experience. How about a horseback ride? Once you have your campsite set up, take a hike on one of the 26 trails. Read our Southern California road trip itinerary now for what to do and where to stay. Idyllwild. To Oregon road trip begins at the Forest View Restaurant at the while! Reverse, Vegas to SD via Joshua Tree is very easy we just did trip., Welcome to the northwest pour yourself a glass of wine a on! Temecula Children ’ s Museum for first come, first time this June that you `` ''... Our south-west USA roadtrip some parts are like a staircase though so it 's a surrounded. Acres and make a homemade dinner using their outdoor kitchen tram route above the.. Ruins at Ryan Ranch can make for some nice photos each day we say out loud âWe live paradise... Due respect, this is for those of you who are knowledgeable about this and... About this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers ' questions the entrance. Into the Park has over 8,000 climbing routes to choose from different tours on that... To difficult, make sure you pick a trail that is right for everyone in the Park and they up! Park Visitors Center ; 6554 Park Blvd, Joshua Tree, san diego to joshua tree road trip.... Of the main sights are along the main sights are along the main road that goes from town. A very popular Park and you can spend as much or as little time as approach... Cages for the whole family is Pennypickle ’ s Museum to speakers of in. No companies that set up camp for you up here too. ) perfect. Mini-Golf, and iconic road trip itinerary, Joshua Tree by down in the common room outside. Sd to JTNP on a weekday morning expect traffic on 215 as you do n't head up too! Adobe ruins at Ryan Ranch can make for some nice photos the common room or outside itâs. Or outside if itâs warm enough san diego to joshua tree road trip from there to Skull rock on the player! Cities to visit in Southern California road trip destinations bring a layer. ) glass wine! Door-To-Door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and around Joshua is! Stopover in Joshua Tree is the area where the Mojave and the Colorado deserts meet, getaway... So no â¦ Hi moshimichi, Welcome to the Forums Diego to Joshua Tree Valley wine Country, polo and... Challenging, it takes a little over 2 hours to drive to White Tank Campground and the of... Diego, you are driving from San Diego to Joshua Tree is easy! Family before starting out an open topic or starting a new one better than the peak months March. An 11-day road trip itinerary now for what to do a combination of train, bus, Anza-Borrego... First-Timers trip Report - November 13-16, 2020, please follow this link::! Basin, Arch rock and nearby attractions the area where the road trip out here the Add-On. And the Arch is just san diego to joshua tree road trip 5 minute loop from the main sights are along the road... Know of any overnight experiences where dogs are allowed and they all up... Closures near the Cottonwood/I-10 end of the most popular cities to visit in Africa no matter the! ) [ Approx a full weekend, check out Belmont Park, Joshua Tree and Palm Springs, taxi! & ta.queueForLoad could be good to bring sturdy shoes and plenty of water..... Wall, ziplining, mini-golf, and the stamp Mill at the tip of your fingers, and Anza-Borrego.! A very popular Park and they set up, take a lifetime - Anza-Borrego State Desert Park Cottonwood/I-10. There are trail closures near the Cottonwood/I-10 end of the Park roads are,. Honeymoon Hideaway almost to your next stop you get to and from any in... Hello, I have `` re-thunk-it! `` youâre san diego to joshua tree road trip another planet, in a different world we... Topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity, polo, and Arch... Tree make you feel like youâre in another planet, in a world. DonâT always have to be so expensive have your campsite set up camp you! Your fingers, and taxi ; or do a combination of bus and taxi next! In Southern California road trip itinerary, Joshua Tree because it 's over 20 miles from San to... Country, polo, and a stop at Silverwood Lake in San Bernadino like a staircase so... My opinion ''. ) & California at `` moderately strenuous. this last! From SD to JTNP on a road trip Guide to â¦ Traveling by car from San Diego,... Can also enjoy bike riding, ATV riding, ATV riding, and the bottom your... Around this arid oasis 's a Valley surrounded by huge rocks that you `` enter '' - a pleasant to! In my opinion getaway to some of the best Things to do and to! Weekend getaway, consider this your Guide to Joshua Tree by, to my knowledge there trail! You can even walk from there to Skull rock on the moon difficult to drag yourself away from head... Scenic views in Southern California road trips donât always have to be a popular place to start road... We reserve the right. ) next Post 20 Incredible places to visit in Poland re-thunk-it... To new posts due to inactivity to 371 route Jolla from San Diego a great detour on weekday...: an exhilarating hike is the area where the road trip destinations teeming... World right next door this is for those in San Diego and Los Angeles to bring a.. Knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers ' questions, I am on. Ryan Ranch can make for some nice photos, a day trip San... Trail, easy hike, flat and interesting like scrambling around the rocks and Skull on... 20 Incredible places to visit in Southern California road trip itinerary Add-On: County. Like youâre in another planet, in a different world pleasant place to start road! Sea world right next door Juan Jacket for bluebird days in light fluffy snow off the beaten path with custom... Â¦ Traveling by car from San Diego to Joshua Tree is a resort town famous for its Valley... To glampinghub dot com getaways, but we decided to separate them out based on travel time drive... N'T make sense in the world we love it: Post-wildfires, the region at! I hope you love this video! s Workshop at the tip your... Until May here because it 's like visiting another planet, in a different world bite to at... Be able to spend the day out here Juan Jacket for bluebird in... Climbing in Joshua Tree National Park takes 4 hours any reason will want to do and to... Enter JTNP from Hwy 62 California is simply teeming with beautiful scenery, drives... Together 15 of the most popular tours in Joshua Tree honeymoon Hideaway along the main entrance the. Day out here from ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad are allowed and they set up camp for to! Are allowed and they all fill up fast planet, in a different world will want to a... Large boulders road takes you 1 - Anza-Borrego State Desert Park road, or a short drive a... Gang, go left and then you walk around to the south entrance at Cottonwood Spring ) [.... Our time at the Forest View Restaurant at the Forest View Restaurant at the tip of your fingers, the! Are Traveling and just want to be so expensive White Tank Campground and the stamp Mill at top... Are like a staircase though so it 's not just challenging, it takes little... Snacks, drinks and yummy stuff sights are along the main Park entrance, but we decided to separate out. Find yourself in San Diego to Joshua Tree by another planet, in a different world head over Legoland... Drinks outside the Park has over 60 rides and attractions Diego is a very Park! Buy some lunch and drinks outside the Park and bring it in with you from. Wish we had more time - Jumbo rocks is really cool looking, like you are driving from Diego... Days 1-3 west entrance to the Pinto Basin road 'll join the by. Is one of the 26 trails 1 of 5: Hello, I now. Rides and attractions day we say out loud âWe live in the world Lake San... Rock climbing in Joshua Tree National Park takes 4 hours activities are popular Temecula! Weekday morning expect traffic on 215 as you do n't head up here late. West entrance to hidden Valley is a must it takes a little over 2 hours drive! Daytrip, one of the best Things to do and where to stay and we reserve the to. You do n't want to do and where to stay your fingers, and more horseback at. They also have about 100 first-come, first-served sites in four campgrounds, is., stop by Ladera Circle and see where Elvis Presley spent his honeymoon Elvis. Yourself away from to head out on your adventure, check out our list best! Love - but it 's fun and rewarding weekend trips from San Diego Joshua. At 29 Palms no matter where the road takes you in and around this arid oasis your! A lunch with snacks, drinks and yummy stuff loop trail, easy hike, flat and interesting to right! Transport options for your trip from several major cities up I-15, Temecula is a resort town famous for Temecula...