Region Overviews: California Travel Guide: Overview
Take some time to explore California, and you'll understand why visitors from all over the world flock here.
Best for ages 9+ (Ages 4+ ok) | Min. age to ride own bike: 9+ | Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+
Family — Teens & Kids
5 days 4 nights
Activity Level: 1-3
Premiere Hotels
From: $3,599 - $3,849 pp dbl occ
($700 - $1,150 for sgl occ)
In the California desert, less is more. A single white cloud floats above the San Jacinto Mountains in Palm Springs' vast blue sky. Joshua trees stand humbly within the rugged expanse of the national park. And sparse vegetation and little precipitation conspire to create a distinctive landscape of stark beauty. An ice-cold drink after a day of family adventure? A simple but welcome pleasure. On this one-of-a-kind classic desert escape.
Start/End Palm Springs
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Travel from Palm Springs, the jewel of California's low desert, into the high desert landscapes nestled between Joshua Tree National Park and the San Bernardino National Forest | Hike piney ridge trails in a geologically rich wildlands preserve | Immerse yourself in quirky desert culture in rugged one-street Pioneertown, built as a Western film façade in the 1940s | Kids play lawn games with our Kids Adventure Leader while adults take in the scene at a local saloon and relax at our one-of-a-kind American West hotel.
Once frequented by film stars here shooting old Westerns, this coolly revamped desert hideaway spotlights local artisans and celebrates the town's quirky history, culture and setting.
Journey to Joshua Tree National Park and be awed by its fascinating rock formations and iconic yucca trees | It's a full-day family adventure amid the park's surreal labyrinths of sculpted granite, massive boulders and secret craggy passageways | Explore colorful pockets of the park on an optional hike | All levels are welcome for a rock climbing experience with an expert guide in one of the world's top climbing destinations! | Bike through historic Palm Springs neighborhoods on an architectural bike tour | Witness the lush oases of Indian Canyons | Follow desert trails in Mission Creek and Whitewater Preserves, where a dry rocky valley gives way to a cascading river | Discover tranquil desert sanctuaries and craggy mountain ridges | Weather and crowd permitting, journey over the breathtaking cliffs of Chino Canyon on a ride up to Mount San Jacinto State Park on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway | Marvel at the views of Chino Canyon's breathtaking cliffs | Walk amid age-old pine trees and rocky ridgelines, pausing at overlooks with picturesque panoramas of the surrounding desert and beyond | Enjoy some downtime in the family-friendly pool at our luxurious hotel overlooking the Coachella Valley | Extend your getaway in one of Old Hollywood's favorite escapes.
Set on a bluff overlooking glittering Palm Springs, this chic retreat complements its desert surroundings with elements of wood, stone and fire. (pool, spa)
The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy.
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
Our Private Trips are best for groups of 6 or more. We suggest joining a scheduled trip.
Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.
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Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Several routes and a range of levels are offered each day so you can choose how much or how little activity you want to do. Learn more about how we determine activity levels.
The hiking terrain on this trip includes well-maintained paths and rugged desert trails with some rocky and sandy sections, and a few steeper climbs and descents. The biking terrain varies from level to rolling with a few steeper hills. Possible extreme weather conditions, such as heat and wind (or colder temperatures in winter months), can make biking more strenuous.
The key to a stellar day's ride is a bike that's perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! Please note that bike requests are subject to availability and prioritized based on the date they're submitted.
Click the arrow to see all bike options.
Included in your trip price
This custom-designed titanium bike is lightweight and responsive, featuring Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic shifting, 11-speed compact gearing, a premium Mavic Ksyrium Pro wheelset and a full carbon fork.
Included in your trip price
A proven classic, this custom-designed titanium bike is suited for a wide range of cyclists. It features a comfortable ergonomic seat and a long wheel base that add to the bike’s control and stability.
Included in your trip price
Keep pace or zip ahead, pedaling with an electric boost. This bike provides plenty of power to flatten the hills and more than enough battery range to cover the distance.
Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+
Included in your trip price
Backroads is the only travel company to manufacture its own line of kid's bikes. While the wheels might be small, the performance is big—it's the perfect choice for kids. On our Family Trips, you'll find 20" and 24" bikes.
Included in your trip price
The Burley Kazoo trailer bike, for children up to 85 pounds, attaches to an adult bike with your child providing some of the pedal power for a real team effort! It's ideal for kids who aren't yet ready for bike touring.
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
To bring you to our favorite parts of Joshua Tree National Park and Palm Springs, we make liberal use of shuttles on this trip. Although you'll see the inside of the Backroads van on each day and will experience some longer rides (1–1½ hours) as we shuttle between highlights, consider it an opportunity to view some spectacular scenery while resting your legs in preparation for your next adventure.
This trip includes a one-night stay at the Pioneertown Motel in Pioneertown. This unique property doesn’t have a restaurant or common indoor spaces, so at least one meal will be outdoors. Be sure to pack layers as mornings can be chilly! We’ve chosen this property because of its proximity to Joshua Tree National Park as well as its quirky charms and historic location – we think you’ll enjoy this one-of-a-kind property as part of your desert adventure.
Take some time to explore California, and you'll understand why visitors from all over the world flock here.
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