There are several deserts in Southern California that are fun to visit with kids. They have beautiful landscapes, offer fun exploration activities, and are just a short drive away. These are some of the best ones to visit:
- Vasquez Rocks
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Palm Springs & Coachella Valley
- Anza Borrego / Borrego Springs
- Death Valley National Park
- Mojave National Preserve
You might think of deserts as flat and barren, and that’s true in many cases. But the deserts in Southern California also have beautiful mountain landscapes and unique rock formations. Sunrises and sunsets bring out vibrant colors, and the night sky is clear of light pollution and perfect for star gazing.
Southern California deserts are also great for kids. Many of them have unique rock formations that children and adults will enjoy bouldering and scrambling. Canyons and cliffs make for exciting hikes. And there’s lots for kids to learn about plants and animals in the desert.
If you live in the Los Angeles and Orange County area, most of these deserts are a just a couple hours away. Some you can visit in a single day, while others are better suited for an overnight or weekend trip.
1. Vasquez Rocks
Vasquez Rocks is a popular desert destination for those living near Los Angeles. Its sharp, diagonal features are prominent and recognized in many movies and shows such as Star Trek, Wild Wild West, and the Big Ban Theory. There are a few hiking trails around it, but the main attraction is exploring and bouldering around the rocks, which kids will love.
Probably the closest of the deserts, Vasquez Rocks is about an hour drive north of Los Angeles. You could probably spend 1-3 hours there exploring.
2. Joshua Tree National Park
One of the most famous parks in California, Joshua Tree is full of unique rock formations that are great for bouldering. It has attractions for all types of visitors. There are rock structures just off the side of the road that you can stop and look at, or go and do some climbing and scrambling. There are short, flat nature walks along with longer trails. And of course, thousands of Joshua trees that you could wander around and look at.
Joshua Tree National Park is about a 2.5-3 hour drive east of the Los Angeles / Orange County area. You could visit it in a day and see a few attractions, but it’s probably more relaxing to spend a night so you have more time.
3. Palm Springs & Coachella Valley
Palm Springs is usually known for poolside relaxing, but there are also a lot of other things to do and see. It’s located in the greater Coachella Valley, which includes other cities like Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Palm Desert, Indio, and others. There are multiple hiking trails throughout the area that lead to a palm tree oasis. Palm Springs also has a tram that goes up to the top of a mountain that has a great view of the valley.
Just a 2 hour drive east from LA/OC, you can make the trip in a day. But since relaxation is part of the Palm Springs vibe, it’s best to go at least overnight.
4. Anza-Borrego / Borrego Springs
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and the town of Borrego Springs right next to it a unique place to visit. One of the main quirky attractions are over 130 metal sculptures scattered throughout the town. It makes for a fun scavenger hunt driving around and spotting them. There are also some short hikes nearby that’s doable for kids.
Anza-Borrego and Borrego Springs are located south of Palm Springs and Temecula. It’s about a 3-hour drive from Los Angeles and Orange County, so it’s best to make it an overnight or weekend trip.
5. Death Valley National Park
Death Valley has a reputation for being incredibly hot and uninhabitable, and while that may be true, it’s also very beautiful. In the fall, winter, and spring months, it’s actually quite cool and moderate during the day. The national park is big, and there are many different trails and landscapes to see. Many of the places were set locations for Star Wars, so kids might enjoy recognizing them.
It’s a 4-5 hour drive from LA/OC to Death Valley, so you’ll definitely want to stay 1-2 nights there. Thankfully, there are a few hotels and resorts in the middle of the park that make it convenient for a trip.
6. Mojave National Preserve
The Mojave National Preserve is a large desert expanse with lots of Joshua trees, even more than Joshua Tree National Park. But it’s got a few trails that would be fun and easy for kids to do. One of the most popular is a lava tube cave that you can actually walk through.
Mojave is about a 3 hour drive from Los Angeles and Orange County, and its on the way to Las Vegas. So you could do it in a day, but would probably be more fun it was a stop on the way to Las Vegas or elsewhere.
There are many other deserts to visit in Southern California, but these are the most popular ones. Spring and fall are usually the best seasons to visit, as the weather is mild and it’s easier to go out on trails during the day.