A Guide to a Road Trip Filled with Dinosaurs, Trail Mix, a Chateau and a Mustang
Southern Californiaās magic isnāt just in its sunshineāitās in how close you are to everything. Within two hours, you can trade surfboards for snowboards or desert trails. Picture this: youāre catching waves in Huntington Beach on Friday, carving snow in Big Bear on Saturday, and by Sunday, youāre cruising in a red convertible Mustang, headed to La Quinta with the top down. Thatās California dreaming in motion. Road trips are part of the lifestyle here, and if youāre planning one, the Coachella Valley is a must. With so many gems along the way, weāve rounded up the best stops to make your trip unforgettable. Behold, what to see and do when you’re high-tailing it to the desert. Desert Road Trip
First things first, you’re officially on a road trip and you’re actually going to need that classic car. Set yourself up with a timeless beauty and learn all the old car intricacies: how to get that drop top down for maximum wind-in-hair effect, how to tune the radio to your favorite oldies station and, most importantly, where exactly that gas tank is locatedātrust me, it’s trickier than youād think! Once youāve got that freeway situation under control, itās a straight shot toward road trip bliss.
Want Fries With That?
You’re officially in the 909 now and as any true 909-er will tell you, there’s no place like Baker’s Drive Thru. The Inland Empire lives and breathes Bakerās. You can’t go wrong with a supersized Papa Meal. Their hearty burgers and hand-dipped real ice cream milk shakes even giveāgasp!āIn-N-Out Burger a run for its money. However, if that last statement caused your SoCal heart to skip some beats and your mouth is already salivating for that Double-Double, go for itāIn-N-Out is just a few exits away and the 909 will probably forgive you.
Your first official stop should be the Desert Hill Premium Outlets. It’s the perfect excuse to add a shopping spree to your trip. Discount stores range from Balenciaga to Billabong, Jimmy Choo to J. Crew and Armani to Asics. Everything is already on sale so why wouldn’t you buy that new jacket? And bathing suit? And extra-soft velour bodysuit with matching sneakers? You need it and it’s a good deal. Sold! With over 180 luxury outdoor stores, Cabazon’s outlet mall is the largest collection of outlets in California, making it a sure thing youāll find prime gifts for everyone in your hot little speedster. Thereās no guarantee all your new loot will fit in it though!
With a mall the size of Desert Hill, itās to be expected that parking can be a nightmare. Try finding parking on the back end rather than the front or middle section; youāll do a little more walking but youāll also be spending less time cooped up in your car.
Slim Pickings Desert Road Trip
Just past the outlets is Hadley Fruit Orchards, a California landmark that has been in business for six decades. Step inside the brightly colored old wooden building and you are immediately transported back to the ā60s. At Hadley Fruit Orchards, youāll find organic fruits, nuts, cereals, preserves, and their famous Date Shakes. The selection of dates is unmatched, from sweet dates blended into shakes to walnut-stuffed varieties. Date cakes and candied fruits also fill the shelves, perfect for fueling your next adventureāor just your healthy cravings.
Paul Hadley Sr. first created his trail mix for hikers exploring the nearby San Jacinto Mountains. But soon, Hadleyās blend of dried fruit, nuts, and seeds became a snack staple, beloved by locals and travelers alike.
Grab some dates for a snack and head next door to the World’s Biggest Dinosaurs. The two dinosaurs were the brainchildren of Claude Bell. This former Knott’s Berry Farm sculptor started construction on the first one (Dinny the Apatosaurus) in 1964. Dinny ultimately took 11 years and over $250, 000 to complete. Standing at 150-feet long, and 45-feet high, Dinny is towered over by his younger sibling. This Tyrannosaurus rex aptly named Rex, who stands at 65-feet high. There’s a gift shop inside Dinny. Stairs that lead up Rex’s neck to a viewing area behind the dinosaur’s teeth. The iconic dinosaurs have made appearances in a few movies, most notably Pee Wee’s Big Adventure. Self-guided tours are available every day from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and cost $8.95 for adults and $7.95 for children.
According to a 1970 interview with The Register-Guard, Claude Bell originally planned to give Dinny the dinosaur glowing eyes and fire breath. āItāll scare the dickens out of a lot of people driving up over the pass, ā Bell said.
The Whole Package
Once youāve taken that obligatory dino selfie, you’re off to the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa. One of the largest casinos in California, the resort has 310 rooms and sits on 44 acres. In addition to the hotel and casino, the property offers golf, shopping, bowling, plenty of restaurants and the Oasis Pool and Sage Spa. Furthermore, Morongoās entertainment and nightlife scene draw plenty of out-of-towners who come from all over SoCal to try their luck in the new exclusive room for high rollers. Dance at Vibe Night Club, dine at the resortās signature steakhouse, Cielo, or slide a few chips at the roulette table and let Lady Luck decide how long you’re staying.
>Each month at Morongo youāll find different packages available that offer exclusive rates on rooms with views, spa deals, casino credits, tee times and more. Book in advance!
Gotta Stay High
Whether you win or lose, you have to leave the slots at some point. As you’re heading east on the 10, veer off onto Highway 111 and continue until you see the Palms Springs Aerial Tramway signs. Follow those up the mountain, and youāll arrive at the Valley Station where you can catch a rotating tramcar to an elevation of 8, 500 feet up the sheer cliffs of Chino Canyon. At the top, enjoy panoramic views of Palm Springs and the entire Coachella Valley. Grab a snack from Pines CafĆ© before you explore over 54 miles of hiking trails of the Mt. San Jacinto State Park. Fares are $24.95 for adults and $16.95 for children, and the experience is sure to get some of that are-we-there-yet-Iām-tired-of-sitting-in-the-car energy out.
The trails are known to get some snow, so be sure to bring a jacket. It gets cold up there ā¦ and yes, even in the summertime!
Wine Down Desert Road Trip
Alas, it’s time for the final stretch. Back on the 10 past Palm Springs and Palm Desert youāll reach La Quinta, a resort city and one of the leading golf destinations in the US. While the town is full of sprawling ritzy resorts, The Chateau at Lake La Quinta sticks out among its bigger competition. A quaint 24-room boutique hotel located on the lagoon, The Chateau has the inviting feel of home mixed with class and luxury plus multiple amenities to make your stay even betterāweāre talking 400-thread-count sheets and BVLGARI bath products.
The gourmet restaurant MĆ©lange features an outdoor area where patrons can actually dock their boats for a fine dining experience worth the trip across the lagoon. Outdoor fire pits combined with an expansive wine collection mean youāll definitely want to cozy up the rest of the night in one of the lakeside bungalows. Your weekend road trip is officially over. Until tomorrow, that is, when you have to drive back … unless you can figure out a way to stay here all week. “Hi boss, I’ll be at the pool. At the Chateau.” Click.
In addition to signature cocktails and an impressive wine list, MĆ©langeās sommelier offers eight different varieties of wine available by self-dispense.
Styled By: Amanda Gerardo
Models: Alana Noland & Jenny Purtee of Brand Model & Talent Agency
When Sendakās Wild Things dream, they voyage to Lindsayās life. Since earning her degree in San Diego, Lindsay has become a regular fixture in far-away places, whether at the worldās largest Redhead Festival in the Netherlands or at a sheikhās palace in Abu Dhabi, eating pheasants. Holding it down physically in Long Beach and digitally via well-trafficked blogs, she is first and foremost a journalistāalways watching with a keen eye. www.iLikeLindsay.com
Michael Wesley is a San Diego based lifestyle photographer who brings a unique eye for style and color to any project. With travel in 26 countries, a die-hard love for the ocean and an appetite for adventure, this California surfer is always on the hunt for capturing the coastal lifestyle that he is so lucky to live. Check out his work atĀ WWW.BLUEWESLEY.COM
