Discover the witts and charm of the California state in our Los Angeles to Joshua Tree Road Trip
California is home to varied landscapes, scenic roads, amazing coastal viewpoints, and an abundance of American native wildlife. It’s one of the country’s most glorious states that generously hosts many energetic experiences and touristic activities. And the only best way to discover the best of California is through road trips. Be it a long journey or a short-distance trip, some of the unspoiled paths in California lead you to spectacular places. One of the best drives to experience in this state would be from Los Angeles to Joshua Tree National Park.
Road trips in California are ridiculously popular. Vacationers from all over the globe travel to the West Coast to experience the best routes this state offers. We also covered some popular road trips in our blog if you would like to check them! But if you prefer something short yet fruitful – then LA to Joshua Tree road trip could become your next most awaited trip. Ideally, tourists prefer longer trips where they could halt, stay overnight, experience a bunch load of activities, and then return home. But, yes, on the contrary, many like short trips, where they can relax and enjoy the beautiful setting. For those, LA to Joshua Tree National Park is a perfect fit.
This guide will cover some of the must-visit stops between Los Angeles and Joshua Tree. The drive from LA is beautiful, crisscrossing zig-zaggy roads and ever-changing landscapes. We will give you a detailed road trip planner to help you nail a perfect vacation in California.
How to Plan LA to Joshua Tree Road Trip
How Far is Joshua Tree from Los Angeles
The drive from Los Angeles to Joshua Tree National Park via I-10 E is 128 miles. If you were to drive non-stop, it would take 2hr 10mins to reach. Due to its proximity, this trip could be a day trip on a beautiful sunny weekend. Consider leaving early in the morning to avoid traffic in Los Angeles so that you can reach Joshua Tree well before lunchtime.
Having said that, it’s best to soak in the atmosphere, and wonderful pit stops between Los Angeles and Joshua Tree drive. Try making as many stops as possible whilst enjoying the admirable scenic settings. The landscape drastically changes once you pass the Los Angeles urban city border. The terrain then changes to barren lands, rugged routes, and famous red rock formations that symbolise the typical Californian road trip journey.
Given the distance to Joshua Tree from LA, there’s no excuse not to stop and admire the scenic setting. The road trip blissfully boasts some of the natural gems and landmarks. You can find a list of some of them below.
Best Route to Reach Joshua Tree from Los Angeles
Los Angeles to Joshua Tree National Park road trip is a direct, straightforward route. It’s also one of the most attraction-packed drives with plenty of things to see and discover. To reach Joshua Tree, take Interstate 10, which passes through Monterey Park, with Los Angeles National Forest to the north. Since our road trip includes a stop at Palm Springs, you’ll have to take a short detour after passing Cabazon. Once your exploration is done, you can return to Interstate 10 to continue your journey to Joshua Tree.
Best Time to Take LA to Joshua Tree Road Trip
Since you can complete this road trip within a couple of hours, you can practically take this trip at any time. However, we suggest you plan your trip during spring or fall. Travelling in the summer season is fine if you drive directly to Joshua Tree. However, with multiple road trips stops on the way – you would heavily sweat with the scorching Californian heat. Furthermore, summer brings in more crowds at each attraction listed in this guide. You’d have to deal with a lot of visitors at each place.
Like summers, winters in California drive visitors to Joshua Tree National Park. Of course, there’s always this fascination of seeing towering peaks and mountains covered in snow. However, winters are still a good-to-go option as an alternative. It’s a different experience altogether.
How to Rent a Car in California
Whether it’s a long journey or a short day trip, planning for the right vehicle for your road trip is of utmost importance. You could either book a campervan for your trip or rent a car for a budgeted journey. For our LA to Joshua Tree road trip, book your rental service from Rentalcars.com. They tend to offer an affordable service for the vehicles you rent and also provide a detailed comparison of the prices you can expect to pay for each duration. I’ve used them as my preferred partner for my rental services too.
Los Angeles to Yosemite Road Map
Here’s your driving route to reach Joshua Tree National Park –
Los Angeles to Joshua Tree Road Trip Stops
Los Angeles
A vibrant, energetic metropolis, there’s a plethora of things to do in Los Angeles. From hitting some of LA’s famous beaches to spotting stars at Beverly Hills, Los Angeles is a star-studded city in California that hosts popular activities and experiences immensely.
For travellers visiting LA for the first time, things might get a little overwhelming. With so much to see and do, we want you to keep track of your scheduled road trip. However, if you’re willing to spare a day, you can hit some of LA’s main sights and landmarks. If you have some extra days to spare, check the detailed guide below for a brief list of all the best things to do in Los Angeles.
49 Best Things to do in Los Angeles.
Must-Visit Places in Los Angeles –
Santa Monica Pier: For locals living in LA, Santa Monica is their go-to beach spot. Its proximity to Los Angeles’ main centre makes Santa Monica a perfect base for travellers to relax, unwind and loosen out. Santa Monica State Beach features beach-walking trails, soft silky sands, and great vantage points overlooking the blue ocean horizon. You also want to visit the Pier, the most recognisable landmark in California.
With endless water-sport activities and family-friendly events, Santa Monica is one of the best places to visit in Los Angeles.
Explore the Third Street Promenade: For all shopaholics, it will spoil you down to its core. Known to lure visitors, this street is a fascinating shopping spree housing the biggest brands like H&M and Urban Outfitters and boutiques like Bookseller Inc. and Puzzle Zoo. Apart from all the shopping buzz, the street is well-known for local eatery stalls and sellers. So, remember to get your taste buds revamped with exciting Californian flavours.
Spot the Hollywood Sign: No trip to LA is complete without doing the traditional thing of spotting the iconic ‘Hollywood’ Sign. Any travellers visiting Los Angeles often has this question, ‘Where is the sign?”. Honesty, you could spot the sign almost from anywhere in LA. You need a good angle to capture a photo. Plenty of official guided tours specifically take you on hiking trails closer to the Hollywood sign. Join one of these tours to get a closer look.
Travel Tip: Book a stay at Mama Shelter Los Angeles. The rooftop bar at this hotel has a spectacular view of the Hollywood Sign.
California Botanic Gardens
Interested in learning about the Californian native plants? Head to the California Botanic Gardens, which preserves more than 22,000 living plants. This collection includes rare and endangered species that could only be found in this botanic garden.
The California Botanic Gardens is an underrated road trip stop between Los Angeles and Joshua Tree National Park. However, visitors do attempt to pay a visit to this spectacular garden for the inspirational conservation and horticulture process they follow. This place is a good option for families travelling with their kids to be able to educate and inform them about California’s native flora community.
Riverside
Located in the Southern California region, Riverside is a gorgeous small city boasting incredible touristic opportunities and activities. With an assortment of varied experiences and a pleasing climate, Riverside has become a trendy city to visit nowadays.
Here are some of the top things to do in Riverside, California –
Visit the Mission Inn Hotel and Spa: A visit to Riverside is surely incomplete without visiting its iconic attraction, Mission Inn Hotel and Spa. Even if you aren’t staying at this hotel, it’s worth a trip to admire the awe-inspiring architecture featuring stunning designs and intricate works. For a hotel to look this impressive is simply extraordinary. The hallways and corridors are enough to leave you spellbound as you traverse different spaces within this massive hotel.
Book a stay at the Mission Inn Hotel and Spa at discounted rates.
California Citrus State Historic Park: California is known for its freshly grown oranges. There was a sudden development of citrus trees in California back in 1873 because of their suitable climate and temperatures. Since then, the popularity has grown, and now there’s a dedicated Citrus State Historic Park. Visitors exploring this place can join a free guided tour to discover how oranges are grown, citrus trees are preserved, and how they are maintained in rough climatic conditions. You will also get to taste some of the freshly ripped Californian oranges.
The above-listed places remain must-visit ones if you make it to Riverside. The other optional attractions include exploring Riverside Metropolitan Museum, Mount Rubidoux, Riverside Art Museum, and California Museum of Photography.
Palm Springs
Located in the Coachella Valley of Riverside County, Palm Springs is a beautiful city that cannot be missed by any traveller visiting Joshua Tree National Park. Although the city of Palm Springs isn’t part of the main route that leads to Joshua Tree, it still makes an excellent pit stop to enjoy the resort and other remarkable locations spread across.
Palm Springs is often visited by some of America’s biggest celebrities, film producers, musicians and politicians. It’s not hard to guess that this beautiful city holds something truly special.
Palm Springs is a great culmination of a modern-urban life amidst the deserted zone filled with trendy bars & cafes, restaurants and world-famous resorts. If you were to relax and live a life like a celebrity, then indulge in a stay at La Serena Villas. These properties woo you with amazing swimming pools and amenities. Nothing sounds more relaxing than cooling yourself inside a pool with striking mountain views.
Top things to do in Palm Springs –
Visit Uptown Palm Springs: There’s nothing more upbeat than driving past Palm Canyon Drive to explore a dozen galleries, restaurants, movie theatres, cafes, and shopping outlets. Palm Canyon Drive is the heart of this city that beautifully drives visitors to interact with local sellers and artisans. Every weekend, the streets of Uptown Palm Springs flow with tourists browsing a variety of souvenirs and products. It’s a great stop to admire handmade crafts, pottery, designer clothes, and much more.
Explore The Gardens on El Paseo: A 23-minute drive from Downtown Palm Springs takes you to the Gardens on El Paseo, a beautiful outdoor shopping centre for locals and tourists alike. Today, its become one of the trendy hotspots to explore and is certainly becoming one of the most-visited places in this region. You can light up your visit by having a wonderful dinner at Mastro’s Steakhouse and tons of entertainment options.
Tour Palm Springs Art Museum: Well, if you admire art, then Palm Springs Art Museum should definitely be on your list. Home to permanent art collections of western and contemporary, the museum has been internally acclaimed as one of the great art museums in California. You’ll often find art workshops and exhibits happening during their regular opening hours.
Joshua Tree National Park
From tranquil deserted areas to epic hiking trails and jaw-dropping sunsets, Joshua Tree National Park is one of California’s most natural preserved gems. The place is truly unlike any other national park and is certainly the best day-trip option for locals living in LA.
People living near Los Angeles find it absolutely blessed to have a national park closer to the city. Within a couple hours of drive, you’re right in the centre of gigantic red rock formations and hidden oases. More importantly, Joshua Tree National Park is also a crowded one. Mostly on weekends, travellers rush to this place to either explore, camp or dine. So expect a certain crowd during the daytime during your exploration.
Joshua Tree National Park is a place for all adventure junkies and outdoor enthusiasts. The park’s opportunities are at their best – considering varied difficulty hikes, red-rock treks, horseback riding, stargazing, and offroading. Even if you aren’t an adrenaline person, there’s nothing to worry about! You could explore Joshua Tree town, go saloon dining, browse quirky shops, and camp overnight. The only best way to appreciate the beauty of Joshua Tree National Park is to spend some time and admire the scenic setting. Consider spending a minimum of 2 days in this town.
Things to do in Joshua Tree National Park –
Take the Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail: If you had to imagine what Joshua Tree NP looks like, then visualize an open-spaced desert with a flurry of palm trees. You get that if you take the famous Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail. Known for its lush desert oasis, the hike is over three miles and is pretty rugged with steep slopes. This could get a little challenging for visitors with little or no fitness, so ensure that you’re well-equipped with enough energy drinks. Nonetheless, however challenging this trail might sound, the panoramic views over the valley are unmatched. It’s a visual treat to your eyes.
Marvel at the Arch Rock: Another popular landmark you can’t miss in Joshua Tree National Park is the giant boulder rock that’s been naturally formed into a curvaceous shape. It looks massive in size and is over 30 feet in width. To reach the Arch, you’ll have to take a short trail which leads directly to the boulder.
Experience Stargazing: Stargazing is one of the definitive experiences of visiting Joshua Tree National Park. The desert oasis offers a perfectly clear sky, making it incredibly special to spot constellations and planets. The best way to experience stargazing is to go camping at Joshua Tree. Spend an overnight under the star-studded sky and witness the dancing skies in action.
Where to Stay
Los Angeles and Joshua Tree features an excellent range of accommodation. Be it luxury stays, budgeted apartments, B&B rooms, shared dorms – you’ll get a plethora of options to choose from when planning for a LA to Joshua Tree trip.
I recommend using Booking.com as your preferred hotel partner to book hotels and stays for each destination. I personally use them for my travels and often find the best rates compared to other booking engines. At the end of this post, you’ll find a search widget for Booking.com. Make use of that search box to see what rates you’re being offered for your travel dates. This way you can make a comparison of prices before booking.
Guided Tours from LA to Joshua Tree
Further Readings & Resources
Amarillo to Santa Fe – 9 Beautiful Amarillo to Santa Fe Road Trip Stops
Los Angeles to Yosemite – 9 Sensational Los Angeles to Yosemite Road Trip Stops
California – 10 Day California Road Trip: One Epic California Itinerary
Sedona – Phoenix to Sedona: Top Things to Do + Sedona Itinerary
Yellowstone – Yellowstone Itinerary: How to Spend an Ideal Time in Yellowstone
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