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.
Walking & Hiking
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California's Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Walking & Hiking Tour - 4-Day Getaway - For Families with Older Teens & 20s
National Park Wonderland of Rocks & Desert Oases
One or more kids 17+ required (siblings 14+ ok)
Family — Older Teens & 20s
4 days 3 nights
Activity Level: 1-3
Premiere Hotels
From: $2,999 pp dbl occ
($800 for sgl occ)
Give a cactus a second look. Change your point of view on a crag. Experience a canyon from the inside out. From spiky Joshua trees to rare palm oases, every step in the desert reveals something magnificent and surprising. Open sky, open mind. Bring your family on this California hiking tour. It's time to see the desert in a new way.
Palm Springs and Joshua Tree Family Walking & Hiking Tour
California
Start/End Palm Springs
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Highlights
- Explore Joshua Tree National Park's remarkable landscape strewn with gigantic boulders and shady palm oases
- Marvel at the desert's distinctive beauty—from Joshua trees to unique wildlife like roadrunners and desert bighorn sheep
- Admire the mid-century architecture and old Hollywood glamour of Palm Springs' Las Palmas neighborhood
- Hike a section of the famous Pacific Crest Trail with your family, taking in impressive views of San Gorgonio Mountain
Videos
Itinerary
Accommodations may vary based on departure date.
4 Days Premiere Hotels
Accommodations may vary based on departure.
Description
DAY 1 Behold Joshua Tree National Park—a whimsical and mesmerizing landscape like no other | You can't help but marvel at the park's namesake flora—the cartoon-like Yucca brevifolia, more commonly known as Joshua trees | While you take a family hike, revel in breathtaking vistas beneath vast desert skies | Take advantage of countless photo ops amid the jumbo boulders.
DAY 2 Enjoy some of the area's best hiking, soaking up views of otherworldly rocky outcroppings among the varied scenery | Journey through palm-filled ravines that lead to a hidden oasis where year-round water sustains the largest stand of native California fan palms | Bird lovers rejoice—these lush palm groves are great places to view many of the canyon's feathered inhabitants, including hummingbirds and orioles | Add a final flourish to the day with a family dinner in a dramatic cliffside setting.
DAY 3 From Palm Springs, head into the hills and onto a section of the legendary Pacific Crest Trail, leading to the new Sand to Snow National Monument | Choose to descend to the rushing Whitewater River—an unexpected sight in the desert!
DAY 4 Rise early for a sunrise hike on the Chuckwalla Trail | Soak up some old Hollywood glamour during a guided tour of the historic Old Las Palmas neighborhood | Mid-century modern design and Spanish colonial architecture intermingle in the shadow of Mt. San Jacinto | Stroll through dynamic downtown to indulge in some classic California cuisine.
Accommodations
Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage
Palm Springs
| Premiere Hotel Set on a bluff overlooking glittering Palm Springs, this chic retreat complements its desert surroundings with elements of wood, stone and fire. (pool, spa)
Dates & Prices
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.
December 2023
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Our Private Trips are best for groups of 6 or more. We suggest joining a scheduled trip.
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Activity Level:
1-3
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.
Route notes
The 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.
Daily Route Options
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.
Route notes
The 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.
What's Included
- All breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers and porterage
- All breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers and porterage
Straight talk
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.
Shuttles
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 most days and will experience some longer rides (1–1.5 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.
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.
Shuttles
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 most days and will experience some longer rides (1–1.5 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.
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