A San Diego to Joshua Tree National Park road trip is an absolute must for residents and visitors alike. Since Joshua Tree National Park is my all-time favorite SoCal park, I know all the best things to do and the highlights to see along the way. Let’s dive in to learn the best route, distance, and stops on a San Diego to Joshua Tree drive!
This hugely popular national park has had Southern California residents flocking into the desert for years. And, as Joshua Tree gains more and more popularity, visitors and tourists are stopping by, too! And I completely get it.
Joshua Tree National Park is my all-time favorite of the many national parks in the southwest. The otherworldly landscape and the desolate desert vibe makes it truly one of a kind.
If you are in San Diego and headed on a Joshua Tree road trip, this helpful guide will highlight all of the best stops along the way. No matter if you are spending just one day in Joshua Tree National Park or have a whole week to visit, there is a lot to see. Let’s dive in!
How to Plan the Best San Diego to Joshua Tree Road Trip
Let’s start with the most frequently asked questions about this drive.
How long is the drive from San Diego to Joshua Tree?
You have two main route options when you drive from San Diego to Joshua Tree. The most frequently used – and the quickest – drives through Temecula, Cabazon, and Palm Springs.
If you take that route, Joshua Tree is roughly 145 miles from San Diego. In driving time, it will take roughly 2.5 hours to complete the route. It is best to avoid both the morning and evening rush hours or the drive will likely take much longer!
I consider the second route to be much more scenic and interesting, but it takes much longer to drive. For that route, you will drive through Anza Borrego Desert State Park and up north past the Salton Sea and Palm Springs.
This route takes just under four hours, so it is not the recommended route if you have only a short day trip or weekend trip.
If you do take the scenic route, here are my top resources for Anza Borrego Desert State Park:
- A Complete Guide to Visiting Anza Borrego Desert State Park
- Anza Borrego Hikes You Can’t Miss
- Hiking the Slot Canyon in Anza Borrego Desert State Park
- Hiking the Palm Canyon Trail in Anza Borrego Desert State Park
Can you do Joshua Tree in one day from San Diego?
Yes, if you leave early in the morning and drive back late at night. If you only have time for a quick trip, I have a helpful guide on visiting Joshua Tree in one day.
But I would recommend planning a two to three days trip if possible, so that you can explore Joshua Tree and the surrounding areas to the fullest.
Camping overnight means seeing more stars in the sky than you even through possible, thanks to being far enough from San Diego and Los Angeles to avoid the light pollution.
In the morning you can see some epic sunrise spots in Joshua Tree. In the mornings and afternoons, you can walk more of the hiking trails, too. This national park has seemingly endless stretches of scenic landscapes on view.
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Where should you stop between San Diego and Joshua Tree on your road trip?
There are plenty of places to stop on your road trip! I’ll break down each location below as well as mention things to do in each place.
San Diego
If you’re from out of state and fly into San Diego, you will be landing at San Diego International Airport. I recommend booking your rental car here, as they always seem to offer the lowest rates.
Once you’re ready to go, here are some of my favorite must-see attractions and tours around San Diego.
- Check out San Diego’s Old Town. The Old Town area is one of the best spots to explore here. You can walk some of it solo, or you can take the hop on hop off bus tour. It stops in Old Town, the Historic Gaslamp Quarter, Seaport Village and more. Book tickets here.
- Visit the Natural History Museum. You’ll learn loads of information about the natural history of Southern California and Baja California. Book your tickets ahead of time here.
- Hike Torrey Pines State Park. One of the most beautiful parks in the entire state, here you can take trails that lead you through large rock formations and overlook the sea. Details for Torrey Pines and many more hikes can be found in my 52 Hikes in Southern California e-book.
- Take a Balboa Park Guided Walking tour. Hands down, the most popular spot to explore in San Diego, Balboa Park is a must see! You’ll get to see lush green gardens, easy walking paths, theaters, museums, and more. Learn about the rich history and book your tour here.
After you’ve seen all of your top choices in San Diego, it’s time to road trip toward Joshua Tree National Park. Roughly one hour into the drive, you’ll reach your first stop: Temecula.
Temecula
Temecula deserves an entire post unto itself. This delightful region is full of vineyards and wineries, and personally give it a 5 star review. The warm Mediterranean climate allows grapes to grow at over 40 wineries and Old Town Temecula offers plenty to see (even if you’re not up for wine tasting).
Now, I do not recommend wine-tasting if you plan to drive straight through to Joshua Tree, for hopefully obvious reasons. But, if you want to stretch your trip out, I do recommend taking a wine tasting tour that hits several wineries and then staying overnight.
Here are the best tours to take in Temecula, if you’re into that sort of thing! I took my parents on a tour here and they loved it.
- Take a 4-Winery Tour with Lunch. This all-inclusive tour visits four Temecula wineries, explains the wine making process, and gives a VIP vintner’s tour. This is one of the top experiences in Temecula. Book your tour here!
- Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride. This private tour will take you high above the vines below for a birds’ eye view of Temecula! This private tour leaves at sunrise and provides champagne and snacks. Book the tour here!
Cabazon
One more hour into your San Diego to Joshua Tree drive is Cabazon.
Whether you have a penchant for oddities (or just a dinosaurs!) then Cabazon is a must see stop. Particularly because of the famous Cabazon Dinosaurs! But, there are even more things to see in Cabazon.
- Take photos with the Cabazon Dinosaurs. Whether you are on a solo road trip or with family or friends, you can snap some fun photos with these life sized reptiles (T-Rex is 27 feet tall.) Their theme changes regularly, so on any given trip they could be wearing completely different clothing!
- Get a Date Shake at Hadley Fruit Orchards. This family owned business is famous for their date shakes, dried fruits, nut products, and honey.
- Shop til you Drop at the Cabazon Outlets. Anyone looking for a shopping fix might want to check out the Cabazon Outlets. This open-air desert shopping center features 18 popular retailers.
Cabazon can be a quick 15-minute stop up to several hours if you plan to go shopping.
Palm Springs
Palm Springs is a great place to spend a night or a weekend. From sparkling swimming pools to the hip downtown, this is a fun desert town.
If you are only visiting Joshua Tree for one day, Palm Springs might be an ideal home base. But if you plan to visit Joshua Tree for two days or more, I would not recommend staying in Palm Springs, since it takes nearly an hour to reach the entrance. (Recommendations on where to stay are below.)
Nevertheless, Palm Springs is an awesome retro oasis in the Coachella Valley of Riverside County, California. Summers are super hot and winters can get cold, but there is plenty to see here year round.
- Hike the Andreas Canyon trail. This is one of my favorite hikes in Palm Springs! Expect to see wildflowers in the spring, groves of California fan palms, natural oases, jagged rocks, and desert views for days. This hike is great for all seasons as it’s not too strenuous but very scenic. Pack your desert hiking essentials for safety.
- Book a Guided Bike and Hike at Indian Canyons. Want to make it more adventurous? Or need to burn off all those wine glasses and date shakes? Try this bike and hike instead!
- Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Possibly the most famous attraction in all of Palm Springs, the aerial tramway gives you a birds’ eye view of the entire valley. This is a must do, particularly if it is your first visit to Palm Springs!
- Take a Mojave Desert ATV Tour. If you love the desert, and you are in the mood for a bit of an adrenaline rush, then this one is for you. You’ll get to race through the desert with a small group through a 28-mile loop across dirt, sand, and rocky terrain.
To learn more about what Palm Springs has to offer, check out this article. When driving from San Diego to Joshua Tree, you absolutely must explore Palm Springs! Even if just for a few hours!
Joshua Tree National Park
Finally, we reach the ultimate destination, Joshua Tree National Park. This park is one of the most unreal destinations on the planet. The giant round boulders, the rugged landscape, and the tall and spindly Joshua Trees make it feel otherworldly.
There is a lot to see in Joshua Tree. You could easily spend a week here and not do it all! Let’s cover some of my favorite Joshua Tree National Park activities.
- Go hiking in Joshua Tree. These are some of my favorite trails to hike in all of Southern California. The scenery is just gorgeous and you have lots of choices between easy, moderate, and difficult trails. Hike to the famous Arch Rock or to a lush green oasis.
- Take a Self-Guided audio tour. For a deeper understanding of this desert park, listen to the dramatic tales of the McHaney Gang, gold thieves, and other infamous men and women who used to live here.
- Take a San Andreas Fault tour. This open-air Jeep tour guides you across the desert landscape, where the famous active earthquake zone – the San Andreas fault – is located. This tour is also available from Palm Springs, FYI.
- Camp underneath the stars. Camping in Joshua Tree is like nowhere else on earth. Designated a Dar Sky Park, the stargazing is unreal, far from the city lights. Even if you are not typically a camper, it’s an experience you won’t forget.
Whether you’re a nature lover or an adrenaline junkie, there’s something for everyone in Joshua Tree. It truly is unlike anywhere else on earth.
You May Also Like: 10 Tips for Visiting Joshua Tree National Park
Where to Stay on your San Diego to Joshua Tree adventure:
The most logical places to stay for this excursion are either in Palm Springs area or near Joshua Tree’s park entrance.
Palm Springs Hotels
No matter where you staying Palm Springs, one thing is certain: a pool is never far away. Some of the most beautiful and relaxing resorts are:
Joshua Tree Hotels
If camping in the desert is not your thing, then these hotels will be your best bet. All reasonably close to the entrance, these each make a good home base:
What to pack for the trip
We are in the desert after all, so expect scorching temperatures in the summer; mild temperatures n the winter (and downright cold overnight). Spring and fall will be pleasant.
No matter when you visit, be sure to bring:
- sunscreen
- a wide-brimmed hat to keep the sun’s rays off your face
- a moisture-wicking tank top layer to keep you cool and dry
- great hiking shoes for walking and hiking
- trekking sandals for the hot summer months
If you would like even more details and information, check out my desert hiking essentials post.
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A visit to Joshua Tree National Park is a must-do for anyone and everyone who visits Southern California. It truly is one of the most amazing places on earth.
If you are looking to make an easy weekend road trip from San Diego with family or friends, Joshua Tree is a great choice!
Let me know below – which sight was your favorite?
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