Originally Posted by
IceTrojan
That's a good itinerary, especially since OP really seems to want to go via Anza Berrogo.
If OP is looking for a good shopping opportunity, perhaps a few-hours stop in Gilroy on the way from SF to Monterey would be good.
Or on the way to Palm Springs, those ones are nice.
OP- make sure your LA or OR drive to Palm Springs is in the morning. I would leave early, enter Joshua tree through the west entrance, drive through to the south entrance, this is a full day, spend the night, then drive down to AB.
DO NOT do the LA or OC drive to the desert in the afternoon on a weekday.