LAX to Desert Hot Springs

[The Iron Chief]

I knew you guys would not let me down!

I get in the future a better landing spot than LAX will be in order.

And yes I should've mentioned Arrival is this "Wednesday" Noon.

So normally LAX runs fairly smooth...but is currently under construction.
I can expect it to take til 1:30 before I'm pulling out.
My plan of taking 105/605/10 sounds about right to most but more because yes it'll get me there but maybe not the Best way.
And I don't want to lose my soul to 10.

chinaski Your Hired!!
Airborne Traffic and News Reporter for a News Radio Station...the CP brain trust is amazing.
Your information on the route/traffic is unbelievable!
I'm going to research your suggestion I just may drop you a line Thank you!

Also suggested..
protect my Cornhole.
bang my wife 10 minutes after departing the city.

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.

I also realize we may enjoy Palm springs a little more than Desert Hot springs..as in Food and walking around etc.

Tramway is a for sure.
I realize the top temp is what 40 degrees cooler than the bottom.
The big question is whether or not were going to hike to the peek.
We may feel that the top of the Tram is plenty.
But we do like to Hike.
Its more..spend 5 hours total to get to the peek or go back down and do something else.

Thx again for the information!!!

[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.

[chinaski]

Originally Posted by Coyote

1) Banning Pass is the start of the transition in terrain to the high Desert.

Palm Springs, and most of the Desert in Riverside County is Low Desert actually. Palm Springs proper is only 100 feet in elevation...of course the mountains make the topography incredibly impressive.

[Coyote]

Originally Posted by chinaski

Palm Springs, and most of the Desert in Riverside County is Low Desert actually. Palm Springs proper is only 100 feet in elevation...of course the mountains make the topography incredibly impressive.

Roger. Thanks. And the Salton sea is 225’ below. Hence my words: “Banning Pass is the start of the transition...”

You know how the Riverside smegma stops at Banning and clearer air begins eastbound or the reverse, the ceiling East of Banning stops in the pass there and the LA basin smegma begins. Either way Banning is a transition point and usually sanctuary forward if coming out of LA basin.

[Coyote]

Well covered by the current experts. Don’t know how you could have gotten anymore relevant information.

For your Desert Hot Springs stay; anticipate weird noises (well not weird out there: https://www.29palms.marines.mil/Port...-29-161654-113)

I’m not counting any devil worshippers that you encounter at midnight at the Amboy Crater.... https://www.desertusa.com/desert-cal...ater-rt66.html. Enjoy your trip.

[saphojunkie]

Palm Springs is terrific. Have Cuban food at Ricks.

Desert Hot Springs is methtown. You’ll want to hang out in PS as much as possible.

[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!

[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.

[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.

[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