LAX to Desert Hot Springs

[The Iron Chief]

If there is one thing I've learned from CP is that the wealth of knowledge is far better than any TripAdvisor crap or similar site that you would scroll thru on the internet....usually...

While we suffer thru our PM hangover today hoping the Packers win and on the last snap of the game Rogers breaks his pinkie ring finger I would like to pick your all mighty brains.

I live in upstate NY and I've gone North, South even across the pool to my Right but I gotta say I'm a Virgin to the west coast.

My wife has a company meeting in Palm springs but we land in the horror I'm told is LAX.
On top of that we land at noon.
Since we need to get to our resort quickly(if that is possible) in Desert Hot Springs we will not be site seeing.
Grab our rental at LAX and hit the highway.
It looks like a fairly straight shot on google maps..approx 2:30 travel time.

So my first questions are
LAX is truly a nightmare?
The surrounding highways...will I be at a stand still til I've cleared LA?

Google maps shows us I'll be using Highway numbers.. 105/605/10
Anything interesting to see on this ride?
I'm guessing I'll see some scenic views that I'm not used to which is interesting in itself.

Our list to dos are..

Soak up the scenery type(Rocks,cactus, desert terrain wildlife etc. that we've never seen before.
Going on the popular Palm springs Aerial Tramway.
Once were 8500 FT above the sea level..is it worth doing the 2 hour hike to the peak(10,000 FT)? has anyone been here or done this?

We're spending one full day at Joshua state park exploring.
Our plan is to leave there in the evening then go back near midnight and do the star gazing thing...I'm told it IS mind blowing with Zero light pollution.

Those are the typical things on the agenda the others are.

Buy our first Legal weed ever...my wife who rarely smokes anymore says to me... Ok so we land then we hit the highway then we buy a god damn Legal joint and burn that shit up!!.... I think I just stared at her and finally said..is there anyway we can leave tomorrow?!

Swim in the Hot Mineral springs at the hotel.

And of course Good Eats.

There is a Mexican place called South of the Border a walk away from our Hotel seems to have good reviews.
There is also a breakfast place in Palm springs called Cheeky's.

I should say our Hotel is 20 minutes from the Main Joshua Park Entrance at Joshua Village & we are 20 minutes from Palm Springs.

The location despite the Crime warnings seem to be pretty good.

Sorry to clutter the lounge with this but any tips or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

If nobody has any this thread will soon fall under the weight of the Injury reports & how long PM should sit threads.

[TinyEvel]

These guys pretty much covered it, but I would not fear the traffic. It isn't as bad as the legend states. but Grew up there, so maybe I ma used to it.

My advice is to get your bags and ge the rental car shuttle to the rental place, get your car and head out as soon as you can. 30 minutes difference can mean over an hour difference on the road.

Stay on the 105 as long as you can (to 605) and it will undulate speeds. Don't expect any good scenery until you are well out the 10 almost to the Palm Springs freeway (the 111?) and into the desert.

also, it may open up as you get closer to palm spring sand you may feels the urge to make up time by going faster than 75 MPH. I don't advise it. Cops lurk everywhere for that exact reason. Though, they may be more prone to pulling over a porsche audi or ferrari rather than a Kia Sorrento rental car.

It will be beautiful there this time of year. And cold at night. your list of things sounds great.

[Hydrae]

I will just say that I have never been out to that area of Cali but in regards to your question about hiking to the peak from the tramway, remember the altitude. At 8500 feet you may well have issues and trying to then hike up from there may not be a good idea. Altitude sickness is a real thing (as they say in Denver, at "only" 5280 feet) and not to be ignored.

Otherwise, have fun and enjoy your first trip to the West coast!

[The Iron Chief]

And the Info keeps on coming THX

If I hear sounds in the night I'll know what it is.
My wife and I are 54 she works out daily still I work out BI monthly..Achem..and honestly we do realize Altitude sickness is real so we will be prepared and see how we feel at 8,500.

And again it seems everyone agrees play around in Palm Springs Not Desert hot springs.

[chinaski]

Originally Posted by Hydrae

I will just say that I have never been out to that area of Cali but in regards to your question about hiking to the peak from the tramway, remember the altitude. At 8500 feet you may well have issues and trying to then hike up from there may not be a good idea. Altitude sickness is a real thing (as they say in Denver, at "only" 5280 feet) and not to be ignored.

Otherwise, have fun and enjoy your first trip to the West coast!

This is true. It's Mount San Jacinto, which is the 2nd Tallest Mountain in Southern California after San Gorgonio. I have been up there in October, there was snow. Plan accordingly, it's total wilderness, so be careful for sure. Neat place though.

Indian Casino's in Downtown Palm Springs are actually not that bad, and the restaurants in the Casino(s) are actually pretty decent. Had a pretty good steak at one place after my wife hit on the slots.

For a breakfast spot, Michael's Cafe in Cathedral City had pretty legit Biscuits and Gravy the last time I was there, which is going back a decade or more. Silly place though, it's like an homage to Marilyn Monroe.

[scho63]

Originally Posted by chinaski

You didn't mention what day you are arriving?

Yes, LAX is a nightmare. Certainly right now, with all of the construction. It's a major pain in the ass.

Yes, you will be hitting traffic. I'm an Airborne Traffic and News Reporter for a News Radio Station here, I fly the freeways Monday-Friday. If you land at Noon during the week, I would imagine you will probably be departing LAX somewhere around 1:00-1:30 PM, maybe later. That is the getting into peak drive time during the afternoon, which lasts until 7:30, even later. Things start tapering off around 6:30 though.

Maybe you could trade him 10 boxes of Mahomes Magic Crunch for a chopper ride from LAX to the desert for him and his wife.

Win-Win!

[Flying High D]

You should get a Ford Tempo and just drive it. Forget the plane, be good time for you and the Miss. Cp could assist with your cross country trip.

[displacedinMN]

LA traffic is 24-7. Just drive 80 mph.

I did Joshua tree with a hummer tour.

On 10...there is the In and Out burger store.

Palm desert etc is a great place to be. Have fun.

[Coyote]

Originally Posted by displacedinMN

LA traffic is 24-7. Just drive 80 mph.

I did Joshua tree with a hummer tour.

On 10...there is the In and Out burger store.

Palm desert etc is a great place to be. Have fun.

Concur. West coast driving etiquette is completely different from I 95.
Keep up or blow up.

And another thing , kids. Safety first in the desert.


This time of year, these guys seek warm holes like sleeping bags at night. Be more vigilant after sunset. Or folks sitting quietly in a car in the desert, before stepping out. They’re not looking for a scrap and unless stepped on usually rattle a warning. They will stand their ground and cause you to scream and jump like a little girl. Or so I’ve heard...


“Even though all rattlesnake species are venomous, this species is particularly dangerous to humans. The Mojave rattlesnake has the most potent venom of any rattlesnake in North America. Its venom is about 16 times more toxic than that of the Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes) and surpasses even that of the tiger rattlesnake (Crotalus tigris).”

Don’t want you to adjust anything just be aware. The majority of bitten Marines are the clearly due to the Marine’s fault. Never fails but 1 or 2 a year are bitten on the Mouth/face. Figure that one. Not sleeping. They’re protected on the combat center. Doesn’t help much just increases the fine

https://snake-facts.weebly.com/mojave-rattlesnake.html

[PutQuinnIn]

Originally Posted by chinaski

Thx Rain Man. It's my job 5 days a week.

I think I know who he is. He's a legit news guy flying all over So Cal.

[oldman]

I'm a bit surprised no one has advised the OP on the best place to buy pot and what strains to look for.

[L.A. Chieffan]

Shrooms in Joshua Tree will change your life

[suzzer99]

Originally Posted by The Iron Chief

If there is one thing I've learned from CP is that the wealth of knowledge is far better than any TripAdvisor crap or similar site that you would scroll thru on the internet....usually...

While we suffer thru our PM hangover today hoping the Packers win and on the last snap of the game Rogers breaks his pinkie ring finger I would like to pick your all mighty brains.

I live in upstate NY and I've gone North, South even across the pool to my Right but I gotta say I'm a Virgin to the west coast.

My wife has a company meeting in Palm springs but we land in the horror I'm told is LAX.
On top of that we land at noon.
Since we need to get to our resort quickly(if that is possible) in Desert Hot Springs we will not be site seeing.
Grab our rental at LAX and hit the highway.
It looks like a fairly straight shot on google maps..approx 2:30 travel time.

So my first questions are
LAX is truly a nightmare?

Noon on a weekday (assuming) won't be bad to get out of. Getting in can be a nightmare at the wrong times (Thursday night, Friday morning, Sunday night).

Traffic will be horrible but at least you can carpool. See if you can set that in Waze or google maps somewhere. If you make it out of the airport by 1 it might not be that bad. But if you get out at 2 you're screwed.

Edit: are you getting in on Sunday? You'll be fine - Sunday is pretty light.

The surrounding highways...will I be at a stand still til I've cleared LA?

What time of day are you arriving?

Google maps shows us I'll be using Highway numbers.. 105/605/10
Anything interesting to see on this ride?

Not too much except some wind farms and desert. The 60 is a little more scenic if you take that from the 605 to the 10. I don't think it has a carpool lane though.

I'm guessing I'll see some scenic views that I'm not used to which is interesting in itself.

Our list to dos are..

Soak up the scenery type(Rocks,cactus, desert terrain wildlife etc. that we've never seen before.
Going on the popular Palm springs Aerial Tramway.
Once were 8500 FT above the sea level..is it worth doing the 2 hour hike to the peak(10,000 FT)? has anyone been here or done this?

Yeah it's a decent little hike but if you're in reasonable shape you can do it. Bring very warm clothes - it could be below freezing and windy at the top. You might be able to say you went from 100 degrees to freezing in a day.


We're spending one full day at Joshua state park exploring.
Our plan is to leave there in the evening then go back near midnight and do the star gazing thing...I'm told it IS mind blowing with Zero light pollution.

Yeah Joshua Tree is amazing

Those are the typical things on the agenda the others are.

Buy our first Legal weed ever...my wife who rarely smokes anymore says to me... Ok so we land then we hit the highway then we buy a god damn Legal joint and burn that shit up!!.... I think I just stared at her and finally said..is there anyway we can leave tomorrow?!

Swim in the Hot Mineral springs at the hotel.

And of course Good Eats.

There is a Mexican place called South of the Border a walk away from our Hotel seems to have good reviews.

There is also a breakfast place in Palm springs called Cheeky's.

I should say our Hotel is 20 minutes from the Main Joshua Park Entrance at Joshua Village & we are 20 minutes from Palm Springs.

The location despite the Crime warnings seem to be pretty good.

There is no crime in that area.

Sorry to clutter the lounge with this but any tips or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

If nobody has any this thread will soon fall under the weight of the Injury reports & how long PM should sit threads.

See my replies above.

[suzzer99]

Originally Posted by The Iron Chief

I did notice while researching on the internet that we just may in parts feel like we've entered the twilight zone and feel like we've time warped into the past.
I've read there are stores towns bars and restaurants that still look as they did 80 years ago.

If you really want the lost in time experience check out the Salton Sea next to Joshua Tree - look for a bar called the Ski-In in Bombay Beach. The burger are pretty good considering where you are.

Next door is also Slab City - where a bunch of snow birds and squatters have created sort of this anarchic compound on an old air force base (but they're very friendly). There is a lot of art made out of old car parts and stuff for sale.

If are hungry for good Mexican - check out Consuelo's in Banning, CA. It's on the way to Palm Desert. Very authentic.

[Coyote]

Originally Posted by suzzer99

If you really want the lost in time experience check out the Salton Sea next to Joshua Tree - look for a bar called the Ski-In in Bombay Beach. The burger are pretty good considering where you are.

Next door is also Slab City - where a bunch of snow birds and squatters have created sort of this anarchic compound on an old air force base (but they're very friendly). There is a lot of art made out of old car parts and stuff for sale.

If are hungry for good Mexican - check out Consuelo's in Banning, CA. It's on the way to Palm Desert. Very authentic.

Suzzer reminded me of a couple amplifications
1) Banning Pass is the start of the transition in terrain to the high Desert.
2) Likely won’t hit to many Snowbirds yet. They migrate enmass after Thanksgiving but you may hit some early, particularly Canadians. “Slabbers” are unique.

[displacedinMN]

My father in law and his wife is there now. No need to say hi.