Things to do / Travel Guide
By Plane
By far, the most common way of entering the California Desert by air is by flying into either Los Angeles (LAX) or Las Vegas (LAS) and then driving the rest of the way into the region. If you prefer arriving at a different, more easily-navigable airport in the Los Angeles area, then you can also arrive at the airports in Burbank, Orange County, Long Beach, or Ontario (closest), and drive from there. Whichever airport you choose, there are plenty of rental car companies lining up to serve you.
The most direct route into the region is flying straight into Palm Springs. Over ten different domestic carriers fly to Palm Springs Airport (PSP). Known as “America's Resortport,” the airport provides convenient access to the region with nonstop flights from Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Denver, Phoenix, San Francisco, and even as far away as Calgary and Edmonton, in Canada. Once off your flight, there are a number of ground transportation options into the city and the rest of the region, including taxi and bus service, car rentals, shuttles, and even limousine service. Note, however, that the airport is expensive to fly into relative to Los Angeles or Las Vegas, and that it is highly seasonal (many flights don't operate during the summer).
By Car
The major east-west thoroughfare running through the southern areas of the region is I-10, which passes from Phoenix and points further east to Los Angeles in the west. Within the region, I-10 passes through Indio and Palm Springs, as well as close to San Bernardino. Further north, I-15 is a major north-south highway that passes from San Diego in the south to Las Vegas and points further north and east. Along the way, I-15 passes through Barstow, and links to State Road 127 in the north and U.S. Highway 395 in the south. State Road 127 is your route for heading to Death Valley National Park, while U.S. Highway 395 will take you south into the region from the Sierras, Lake Tahoe, Reno, Nevada, and points further north. Big Bear Lake can be reached from the San Bernardino area via State Road 18.
The following are approximate distances and driving times to the more popular destinations in the California Desert region from major destinations outside the region:
- Los Angeles: Palm Springs - 105 miles, 1 hour 45 minutes; San Bernardino - 60 miles, 1 hour; Badwater (Death Valley) - 290 miles, 5 hours
- San Diego: Palm Springs - 125 miles, 2 hours 10 minutes; San Bernardino - 105 miles, 1 hours 45 minutes; Badwater (Death Valley) - 365 miles, 6 hours 15 minutes
- Phoenix: Palm Springs - 270 miles, 4 hours; San Bernardino - 320 miles, 4 hours 40 minutes; Badwater (Death Valley) - 500 miles, 8.5 hours
- Las Vegas: Palm Springs - 280 miles, 4 hours 10 minutes; San Bernardino -225 miles, 3 hours 20 minutes; Badwater (Death Valley) - 155 miles, 3 hours 10 minutes
- Lake Tahoe: Palm Springs - 485 miles, 9 hours; San Bernardino - 430 miles, 8 hours; Badwater (Death Valley) - 360 miles, 7 hours 15 minutes
- Yosemite Village: Palm Springs - 415 miles, 7 hours; San Bernardino - 370 miles, 6 hours 15 minutes; Badwater (Death Valley) - 315 miles, 7 hours 10 minutes
By Bus
Greyhound bus service runs a limited number of routes from Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and points beyond into the California Desert, arriving to Palm Springs, San Bernardino, Barstow, and other smaller cities.
By Train
Amtrak gives you train access to the California Desert region from either the east or west. The Southwest Chief line stops in San Bernardino, Victorville, and Barstow. This line departs from Los Angeles in the west, taking just under three hours to reach San Bernardino. It's another two hours ride from there to Barstow. Travelers can also depart to the region (arriving in Barstow), heading west from Albuquerque (15 hours), Topeka (31 hours), Kansas City (33 hours), Chicago (41 hours), and other points in between.
If you want to arrive by train directly into Palm Springs, then you can take the Sunset Limited line, which runs from Los Angeles heading east three times a week; the trip takes about 2.5 hours. From the east, train service is also available three times a week on the same line to Palm Springs from El Paso (13 hours), Houston (33 hours), New Orleans (42 hours) and other points in between. Be aware that arrivals to Palm Springs from the east pull in to the station during the early hours of the morning.
Airports in Palm Springs, Death Valley and the California Desert
Getting-There
Ontario International Airport (ONT)
Palm Springs Municipal Airport (PSP)
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