California - Driving to Palm Springs from PHX (and back)

Hi all,

Will be driving to Palm Springs from Phoenix Sky harbor on Feb 14th, and wondered if there was anything interesting to stop for on the way?

Thanks in advance

Hi,

It is quite a bit of a drive to Palm Springs from PHX ( are you coming off the BA flight or overnighting in PHX, upperdeckplease?)

(1) The drive from Blythe ( CA/AZ border to Lake Havasu is very nice as you drive along a valley with the river between the hills ( you can rent house boats) but this would take you out of your way. ( see map quest )

(2) Joshua Tree National Park ( entrance just after Desert Centre) is very nice but you should give this time on its own via a day trip from Palm Springs and again this takes you on smaller roads and would add time and distance.

Mapquest details;

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Phoenix&1s=AZ&1pn=Phoenix+Sky+Habour+Airport&1y=US&1l=33.448299&1g=-112.073303&1v=CITY&2c=Palm+Springs&2s=CA&2pn=palm+springs+airport&2y=US&2l=33.830299&2g=-116.544403&2v=CITY#a/maps/l:Phoenix+Sky+Harbor+International+Airport+(PHX):3 400+E+Sky+Harbor+Blvd:Phoenix:AZ:85034:US:33.43588 :-112.00615:address::1/l:Palm+Springs+International+Airport+(PSP):3400+E+ Tahquitz+Canyon+Way:Palm+Springs:CA:92262:US:33.82 2894:-116.508591:address::1/m::5:33.625028:-114.256061:0:::::/io:1:::::f:EN:M:/e

Miles 269
Time 4hours 6 mins

Apart from the above there was not anything obvious to stop for close to I10

Regards

TBS

PS once in palm springs try the Desert museum and the Palm Springs Cable car ( tramway)

There's the George S. Patton Memorial Museum (http://www.desertusa.com/mag99/feb/stories/paton.html), on I-10 30 miles east of Indio.

You might want to make a pilgrimage to Hi Jolly's tomb (http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/11284) as you pass through Quartzite, AZ.

Hi,

It is quite a bit of a drive to Palm Springs from PHX ( are you coming off the BA flight or overnighting in PHX, upperdeckplease?)....



Thanks, TBS. Flying in on the BA flight the night before, overnighting at JW Marriott on my Marriott points ( flight gets in quite late, and want to make the most of the First service, so certainly don't want to drive that evening) then getting a cab back to the airport and hiring a car from there, planning to get off at about 10.00

Will definitely do the Desert Museum and the Aerial tramway- thanks

There's the George S. Patton Memorial Museum (http://www.desertusa.com/mag99/feb/stories/paton.html), on I-10 30 miles east of Indio.

You might want to make a pilgrimage to Hi Jolly's tomb (http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/11284) as you pass through Quartzite, AZ.

Thanks, mlshanks

Like the look of both of these, and hardly any distance at all off our route. Is it too far a stretch to visit London Bridge? Or could we do that from Palm Springs (where we are staying 6 nights)

Is it too far a stretch to visit London Bridge? Or could we do that from Palm Springs (where we are staying 6 nights)

Visiting London Bridge up in Lake Havasu City while on your way from PHX to Palm Springs will add roughly 2-2.5 hours to the drive, jumping the mileage from 270 to almost 400 miles. Also, it's almost exactly equidistant from PHX and Palm Springs, so a day trip would involve 400 or so miles of driving. You'll have to decide if that puts it outside of your range.

I personally can think of a lot more interesting side trips from Palm Springs than London Bridge...

I persoanlly can think of a lot more interesting side trips from Palm Springs than London Bridge...

)

Thanks mlshanks Fire away! Have already got Desert Museum and Aerial Tramway from The_Banking_Scot

Let's see...

A day of skiing at Big Bear, (http://www.bigbearmountainresorts.com/index_winter.php)

Outlet mall shopping at either Cabazon (http://www.cabazonoutlets.com/) (close)Ontario (http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=1258) (BIG),

If casino gambling is your thing, there are several nearby Indian casinos, some have concert venues associated with them... (ie: BB King will be a Casino Morongo (http://www.morongocasinoresort.com/) on 2/19)

How about sailplaning (http://www.sailplaneenterprises.com/), hot air ballooning (http://www.balloonabovethedesert.com/), or Horseback Riding (http://www.smoketreestables.com/).

All of these are within 70 miles o/w of Palm Springs....
Many significantly closer.

Hi,

Also ( if you are interested) you can get a map or go on a tour of the stars homes in Palm Springs.

From Palm Springs the joshua Tree NP makes for a good day out.


I think your taxi fare from the JW Marriott ( is it Camelback or Desert Ridge ) back to PHX will be quite expensive.


Regards

TBS

Thank you both