Natives--Surrounding California?

[Y0UNGBL00D]

This will be my gf's first time out west. and while we will have to drive back to texas relatively soon, is there anything daytrip-distance away from indio worth checking out? i guess we could check out LA. anything cool about the salton sea?

[anonimouse]

talk about polar opposites. if you're thinking about a true day trip i dont think LA would be worth it unless you left indio really early and got back really late. the distance and traffic will mean you will likely be spending around least 5-6 hours round trip, and that doesnt count all of the driving you'll do once you get there. everything in socal/LA is spread all over the place. i am always amazed at how little you can do in one LA day due to the time it takes to drive from one place to another, even if you just stay in one area like hollywood. and then once you get there you have to find parking which is no easy task for those not familiar with the area. on the other hand, how often do you get to LA?

the salton sea is pretty close to indio but it's a very different experience and one that i think only appeals to certain types. the area itself is pretty desolate and quite bizarre even if you ignore whats left of the half submerged ruins. there is also slab city and salvation mountain to check out a ways down the east side of the sea. there are some good documentaries on the sea and slab if you want more info (Plagues & Pleasures on the Salton Sea, Bombay Beach)

our old buddy huell howser had also done some great work there and he was nice enough to donate all of his work to a local university when he passed last month, so you can check em out for free now

salton sea
slab city
might as well include this while im at it

to sum up i'd say if you really want to go to LA then go for it but be prepared for lots of car time and have clear destinations in mind. if you're looking for something a bit more off the beaten path then go to the sea and make sure you bring a camera

[whatupnathan]

if you are willing to drive 2 hours west of the festivals you will hit the west coast,Laguna Beach,Newport Beach,Hungtington beach are all very nice spots and considering its going to be 105 degrees most likely then a day trip to the beach might do you good with the beautiful weather.
LA is awesome and its alot better at night if your looking to club hop or see some concerts.

[levi760]

I would suggest NOT heading west (back to LA area) right after the festival...Imagine around 100k people all driving in one direction at the same time. Not going to be a "quick" trip by any means. If you were willing to drive the distance to LA, you MIGHT want to look into Lake Havasu - probably the same distance but opposite direction of traffic.

[Dylanfan0027]

I would stop at the grand canyon on the way back, maybe even camp there.

[kvnty]

Palm Springs can be fun. Not sure if that's too close to Indio for your tastes, but PS has some great hiking and hotels.

[JustSteve]

I would suggest NOT heading west (back to LA area) right after the festival...Imagine around 100k people all driving in one direction at the same time. Not going to be a "quick" trip by any means. If you were willing to drive the distance to LA, you MIGHT want to look into Lake Havasu - probably the same distance but opposite direction of traffic.

Traffic has never been any worse the day after coachella than it is any other day of the year.

[artisticcreator]

The Palm Springs Aerial Tram is cool. The weathe rand hiking on top are a nice change to the heat you will dance during.
If you have the time I would visit Venice Beach and Newport Beach and Baloa Island. Depending on where you are from in Texas you may wnat the ocean or you might. Venice Beach is always a unique experience. If your going that far, visit downtown Hollywood. Do the walk of stars.

There is an amazing amount of stuff you can do, depending on your interests.

[Y0UNGBL00D]

all awesome ideas. LA itself was never really a priority. the coast could be though. it just looked like you sort of had to at least partially deal with the area to get anywhere west of indio.

one thought is to take an extra day and go down to san diego to see some relatives and the coast there (also i was born and partially raised there, so some sentimental value there for me as well).

the salton sea stuff is very interesting, though not something i really want to get into on this trip, now that ive read up on it.

palm springs looks gorgeous

[captncrzy]

We did this last year. It was cool.



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The Integratron is heated and cooled for your comfort.

[kvnty]

all awesome ideas. LA itself was never really a priority. the coast could be though. it just looked like you sort of had to at least partially deal with the area to get anywhere west of indio.

one thought is to take an extra day and go down to san diego to see some relatives and the coast there (also i was born and partially raised there, so some sentimental value there for me as well).

the salton sea stuff is very interesting, though not something i really want to get into on this trip, now that ive read up on it.

palm springs looks gorgeous

Don't know if you'll need accommodations, but Ace Hotel Palm Springs is tons of fun (young, hip and usually a great pool scene with DJ). And the restaurant attached to it is great (truffle popcorn is to die for).

[Y0UNGBL00D]

nah, we're driving out west from austin, camping at the festival but doubt we'll be getting a hotel in PS. but if we do, thanks for the tip!

[guedita]

if you are willing to drive 2 hours west of the festivals you will hit the west coast,Laguna Beach,Newport Beach,Hungtington beach are all very nice spots and considering its going to be 105 degrees most likely then a day trip to the beach might do you good with the beautiful weather.
LA is awesome and its alot better at night if your looking to club hop or see some concerts.

LA is not awesome. Just look at the face on this guy. These are the kind of people that think LA is awesome.

[guedita]

You can't club hop at Joshua Tree.

[Y0UNGBL00D]

joshua tree was another option...

[taco goes to coachella]

This will be my gf's first time out west. and while we will have to drive back to texas relatively soon, is there anything daytrip-distance away from indio worth checking out? i guess we could check out LA. anything cool about the salton sea?

Salton Sea smells really bad, its a total bust. Seriously, don't even consider it.
Glamis Sand Dunes, are actually pretty damn impressive if you've never seen or heard about em. 1 hr.
Take the Palm Springs tram up the mountain and have lunch...kind cool, killer view...you may even be able to see the polo grounds if you try. 45mins.
Joshua Tree State Park. cool rocks and some climbing..1.5hr tops
Then yeah...there's LA...I'm sure you can figure that one out...

[Y0UNGBL00D]

im liking this palm springs tram idea if the san diego thing turns bust.

[Buddha99]

Sunrise at Joshua Tree if you can time it properly...

[levi760]

im liking this palm springs tram idea if the san diego thing turns bust.

Probably your best bet...not too far, fairly cheap, and pretty cool...Joshua Tree is only okay IMO

[Ambassador of Coachella]

Intergratron/joshua tree, Palm springs/Tram-way, Palm desert (paseo), Salvation mountain, North Shore yacht club, Salton Sea history museum, Salton City, Slab city, Dos palmas reserve, Over 6 casinos, Ocotillo Wells, Anza Borrego.

[Peter_Tork]

Don't know why everyone is thinking MORE desert at 90+ degrees F after baking in the sun for 4 days in a row. Make the drive up to Big Bear Lake and rent a boat, do some fishing, drink some beer, and kick back. It's about 6,500 feet altitude and way more pleasant than the desert that time of year. Just a two-hour drive from Coachella -- about 100 miles one way.

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=C...=h&mra=ls&z=10

Do not, repeat, DO NOT go to the Salton Sea. Grody to the max.

[involvelemons]

If GF has never seen the west coast, I strongly recommend Laguna Beach / Dana Point. You can get to San Diego from Laguna in 30-45 mins. I grew up in Laguna, and it was the best youth. Ran around in the hills barefoot, explored tiny rock coves and went cliff diving, snorkeled, all of that. It's like a mini Mediterranean. The south, less commercialized end of town is the prettiest. PM me if you want details on where to park/go, where to stay, how to get in and out, how much stuff costs, etc.

[Y0UNGBL00D]

i might just do that, involvelemons, thanks

[SPX_clothing]

Go check out the Palm Springs Tramway!! It's super close, and really cool!

This will be my gf's first time out west. and while we will have to drive back to texas relatively soon, is there anything daytrip-distance away from indio worth checking out? i guess we could check out LA. anything cool about the salton sea?

[BossQuest]

San Clemente/Dana Point/Laguna Beach

great beaches, my favorite is Strands (free parking) located in Dana Point. Great food in the area, lots of streets to walk around and people watch. San Jan Capistrano is super close as well. Im pretty sure there are cheap places to camp in and around San Clemente and like another poster said a quick drive to San Diego.

[GDSD573]

San Diego!!!

[BROKENDOLL]

This will be my gf's first time out west. and while we will have to drive back to texas relatively soon, is there anything daytrip-distance away from indio worth checking out? i guess we could check out LA. anything cool about the salton sea?

Here out West, depending on the timeline of your day trip, you can go from desert to mountains, then mountains to beach and back, all in a full day. Don't waste your time on traffic jams in L.A. (You're already lucky enough to live in the Live Music Capitol of the World... L.A. won't have anything you haven't already seen, other than the traffic and the people responsible for it.) As for the Salton Sea... It's not the kind of place you want to hang out at for a day, but it is intriguing to see one of man's fuck ups along your driving route. It's size alone amazes me, but not enough to step foot in it, that's for sure!
I'd guess that after 4 days in the desert heat, your gf might be ready for a day at the beach. You could head East, stopping long enough at the Salton Sea to see what I'm referring to, then catch Interstate 8 to continue your drive up through the high desert and mountains of San Diego County, and continuing on towards the beaches in San Diego. By nighttime, you could start heading back East towards Austin.
If you two find that after those 4 days here in the desert, that you want to be some place cooler, but don't feel up to a bunch of driving, I'd definitely recommend the Top of the Tram. You'd be able to checkout Palm Springs on the way, and once you're at the top, there's hiking, dining, and a view of our desert floor from above.

[RickeyinLA]

Consider this: Hwy 62 up to Landers, the Integratron will probs be closed on the Monday but Kate from the B52s owns a one-year-old Gulfstream trailer park which she individually decorated - take the back road in to Pappy and Harriet's at Pioneertown from there. Back down to 62 then take a drive through Joshua Tree where it lets you out at 29 Palms. Pick up the Amboy Road and within 5 miles you'll be at the best bar in the world - the Palms in Wonder Valley get a cheeseburger, seriously. Take that road to Amboy (I think it's still for sale) and that will put you on Old Route 66 for a bit until you turn north onto KelBaker Road, cross under the 40, and keep driving to KelsoCima Road junction (these are all two-lane roads through amazing country) and check out the restored rail museum. Then go somewhere else. That's what I'd do. Make sure you fill your tank in 29 Palms and get water.

[jnthnbyl]

Some very useful stuff in this thread. I'll be in California for 2 weeks and have a day to kill before Coachella. If you were to pick one between Joshue Tree and Big Bear what would it be?

[Zafocaine]

You guys should hit Waterman and Baseline in San Bernardino. Southern California has a red light district... you just want to avoid it at all costs.