Help me plan a trip to Joshua Tree, CA

December 16, 2010 10:55 AM

Help me plan a 3-day trip to Joshua Tree (CA). Or alternatively, suggest another really cool natural area to check out in Southern California in late January. I am in my cousin's wedding in the L.A. area and am coming with my girlfriend. We decided to take a few extra days--she's never been to California and I've only ever kept my visits to family time, usually in the OC area. We're renting a car, so we'll have transportation. Is late January a good time to go? Do you have any recommendations for gear rental (doubt I'll be able to climb, unfortunately)? I have gear at home in Michigan, but I'd like to travel light. If you have alternative suggestions--they can be around L.A.--I'd love to hear them. Thanks.
posted by SpicyMustard to Travel & Transportation around Joshua Tree, CA (15 answers total)

January is a pretty good time, but it will be cold beyond cold at night. In terms of climbing, you really only need good shoes; while there are more complicated climbs, quite a bit can be done by hand.

Regarding gear, I've gotten away with little more than a tarp, standard cooking/cleaning/first-aid gear, and a good sleeping bag.
posted by truex at 11:19 AM on December 16, 2010

As a slightly warmer alternative to the desert, how about beach camping around Point Mugu or McGrath State Beach? They are both an hour or so away from LA proper and probably closer than Joshua Tree, depending on where you're coming from. They will be pretty quiet this time of year, unlike in the spring and summer.

Another better-in-winter place is Catalina Island. Overrun with people in summer, only a handful of locals running the shops in Avalon in winter. Snorkeling, kayaking and camping are great there.
posted by slow graffiti at 11:43 AM on December 16, 2010

(take back the snorkeling at this time of year though, unless you wear a wetsuit and you can tolerate very cold water)
posted by slow graffiti at 11:45 AM on December 16, 2010

Joshua Tree rock formations range from things you can casually scramble up to things you're better off having gear to scale (or experience free-climbing). I'm not familiar with the weather in late January, beyond the idea it will indeed be cold. From historic trends, it could be freezing and it might rain (a small amount).
posted by filthy light thief at 11:46 AM on December 16, 2010

3 days in a car starting in LA. Drive the PCH to San Fran.
The views along the Pacific Coast Highway are absoltuely amazing.

You can stop at Hearst Castle and Big Sur and see the Redwoods in Muir Woods.
The drive, going super slow, takes no more than 2 days. Then the drive back on Interstate 5 takes a few hours.

Joshua Tree and the Palm Spring area is really nice - but driving the PCH is one of the most spectacular things on the planet
posted by Flood at 11:50 AM on December 16, 2010 [2 favorites]

I asked a similar question previously. Near Joshua Tree I recommend the Integratron, "an acoustically perfect tabernacle and energy machine sited on a powerful geomagnetic vortex in the magical Mojave Desert."

While at Joshua Tree it will be quite cold at night, but possibly check out an astronomy meeting -- great stargazing there.
posted by indigo4963 at 11:56 AM on December 16, 2010 [1 favorite]

There's more to do in Death Valley -- and it's not that much further.
posted by dzot at 12:03 PM on December 16, 2010 [1 favorite]

The Indian Cove campground is lower elevation and likely warmer than the main park, and has some good hiking/climbing. You'll certainly want to drive into the main park as well though.

I've never rented from them, but these guys were really friendly and helped me out with a gear repair one time.
posted by doctord at 1:51 PM on December 16, 2010

I've camped there in January a bunch. It's the best time of year to go. Plan on hiking in and getting away from the campgrounds because they will be booked solid by climbers. You might be able to hook up with folks to climb of you're there a few days. Definitely check out Joshua tree the town too.

You can rent gear in palm springs and while you're there take the Aerial Tramway up to San Jacinto State Park (will be snowy). The views are unreal in the winter.

Or go to Death Valley, its cool too and has jot springs!
posted by fshgrl at 2:40 PM on December 16, 2010 [1 favorite]

Palm Springs and Desert Hot Springs have hot springs, too!

I recommend here if they are open right now, or this for something way swankier!

If you drive up the coast, I'm not sure you need to go much further than the Hearst Castle (I say this because you only have 3 days, and you may want to be reeaaaaaally relaxed about the driving.)

We stay at MoonStone Beach near Cambria - totally lovely. There is an amazing cliffside nature walk that I think residents frequent more than tourists. Cambria itself kinda reminds me of Cape Cod or Woodstock, so I definitely recommend staying on the beach in MoonStone Beach because this reminds me more of Catalina, but much smaller and quieter than Avalon.

I love Death Valley a ton and if you go there, use Shoshone as a base of operations. Great hot springs in Tecopa (shhhhh!) It's not at all a swanky affair, but the nature and cool peeps + true desert ambience will totally knock you out!. China Ranch Date Farm, especially if the horseback rides are happening.

It's about 2 hrs to JT/Palm Springs/Desert Hot Springs from LA, with not much in between.

It's about 4 to 5 hrs to Death Valley from LA, with not much in between.

It's 4 to 5 hrs to Cambria & Hearst Castle from LA, with awesome stuff like Malibu, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo on the way.

I like the ocean in all kinds of weather because I grew up like that. I'm OK if the desert is cold, and spent Chrsitmas or New Year's last year in Death Valley - but add snow or freezing rain to those unbelievably strong desert winds that are so common here in California - and the desert becomes fucking miserable. consequently, you can pretty much decide this trip via the weather report and be assured a good time that way. YMMV, of course.
posted by jbenben at 4:15 PM on December 16, 2010

There's a lot of good, no gear necessary rock-climbing to be had at the Indian Cove campground mentioned above by doctord. I've driven up the PCH several times (I live in SD and my mom lives in SF), and I'd much prefer to go climbing out in the desert. Tastes vary.
posted by Thoughtcrime at 7:41 PM on December 16, 2010

Whitewater Canyon Preserve would be good for a day trip. It's off of the 10, and not far from Palm Springs. It's basically on your way to J-Tree. Beautiful area, with the Whitewater River running through. The PCT hooks up through part of the preserve, too.
posted by shinyshiny at 8:07 PM on December 16, 2010

Response by poster: Wow, thanks for all the responses.

I will definitely take a look at Death Valley, Point Mugu, Mcgrath Beach, and Catalina Island.

If we had a whole week, I think a leisurely trip up the PCH would be the way to go. Big Sur is one of the few places I have visited in California (I was lucky enough to stay in Deetjen's Big Sur Inn once). My girlfriend has never been to California so I think she would be happy with most anything. Considering our time constraints and my desire to spend most of the time outside of the car, I may keep it closer. But I'll mull that over.

Indian Cove sounds like a great tip--that's probably something I would not have figured out without coming here.

I haven't been in hot springs since I was a kid in Taos, so that's very tempting.

Thanks!
posted by SpicyMustard at 8:22 AM on December 17, 2010

I've rented backpacking gear from REI a couple of times and always been satisfied. It's an especially good deal if you're a member. I believe they also rent climbing gear.

One of my favorite campgrounds is Boulder Basin in Idylwild in the San Jacinto area, but I don't think I've ever gone this time of year -- I imagine it will be too snowy.
posted by natabat at 9:10 AM on December 17, 2010

Response by poster: We decided on Joshua Tree--especially after reading past posts full of hearty endorsements. I packed my climbing shoes and we're going to rent from J-Tree Outfitters. Thanks, everyone.
posted by SpicyMustard at 8:07 AM on January 27, 2011