20 Attractions to Explore Near Palm Springs Air Museum

The largest rotating aerial tramway in the world. The tramway spans along the breathtaking cliffs of Chino Canyon, transporting riders from the desert floor to the pristine wilderness of the Mt. San Jacinto State Park. Tram cars rotate slowly during the journey, offering picturesque and spectacular vistas of the rock formations and the valley floor below. Once you reach the Mountain Station—you can enjoy restaurants, observation decks, natural history museum, two documentary theaters, gift shop

The highest peak of the San Jacinto Mountains, and of Riverside County. It is one of the most topographically prominent peaks in the United States. Its north escarpment climbs over 10,000 feet (3,000 m) in 7 miles (11 km), one of the largest gains in elevation over such a small horizontal distance.

A zoo and botanic garden combination dedicated to the deserts of the world. The programs provide environmental education, native wildlife rehabilitation, plant propagation, and habitat restoration, and captive breeding of African and Sonoran Desert species, including the iconic desert bighorn sheep.

Mt. San Jacinto State Park offers over 50 miles of hiking trails located within a 14,000-acre pristine wilderness. All trails are accessed by exiting the Mountain Station of Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and descending a concrete pathway to Long Valley where you will find picnic tables, the ranger station, flush toilets, and several easy trails.

Warren Peak marks the western extension on the Little San Bernardino Mountains high country. It is also the most western +5000 foot peak in Joshua Tree National Park. This stunning hike traverses the planes in the quiet northwestern section of Joshua Tree National Park, then climbs to the rocky summit of Warren Peak. The peak has amazing views of the Santa Rosas, San Jacintos, San Bernardinos, and the Mojave Desert Ranges that surround this region like the Little San Bernardino Mountains.

The Hi-View Nature Trail is a 1.3-mile loop hike in the Black Rock area. The hike ascends 400 feet of elevation gain and reaches a high point with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains. Along the trail, you will see large Joshua trees, pinyon pine, and juniper trees. This area of the park tends to be slightly cooler and less busy than other areas of the park.

Desert Christ Park is a 3.5-acre sculpture garden in Yucca Valley, California.The park was sculpted and created by Antone Martin, a former aircraft worker who died in 1961 at the age of 74. Sculptures include The Twelve Apostles, Martha, Mary, angels, and a 15-foot-tall, 3 ton statue of Jesus, reminiscent of Rio de Janeiro's famous and much larger hilltop Christ the Redeemer.

The 154,000-acre monument extends from Bureau of Land Management lands on the Sonoran desert floor up to over 10,000 feet in the San Gorgonio Wilderness on the San Bernardino National Forest.It protects diverse montane and desert habitats of the San Bernardino Mountains, southern Mojave Desert, and northwestern Colorado Desert.

The Joshua Tree Visitor Center is the most popular visitor center for guests looking to explore Joshua Tree National Park.The visitor center offers exhibits and a park store for those wanting a keepsake to remind them of the wonder they just experienced. Visitors often find themselves at this location as it serves as the main gateway to the park.

The World Famous Crochet Museum is a cute and quirky destination in downtown Joshua Tree. Shari Elf, a local artist, has created a whimsical world of crochet, screen printed clothing, patches, and other forms of art. It's a wonderful place to shop and take photos.

The Keys Ranch is the prime example of early settlement in the Joshua Tree National Park area. Bill Keys was the area's leading character, and his ranch is a symbol of the resourcefulness of early settlers. The ranch is an extensive complex of small frame buildings built between 1910 and Keys' death in 1964. Keys pursued both ranching and mining to make a living in the desert.

A water storage facility constructed by early cattlemen, including CO Barker, in 1900. It is a gathering place for desert wildlife, including many species of birds and Desert Bighorn Sheep. Native American petroglyphs can be seen on the rocks present in the trail to the dam.

The Wall Street Mill in Joshua Tree National Park was a complete and operable gold ore crushing mill featuring late-19th century two-stamp mill machinery. Consequently, the significance encompasses the mill machinery, the building which houses it, the well which supplied water for the mill's operation, and the well pump. It is the only gold ore crushing mill in the region that retains integrity.

This is the highest peak in Southern California which was in the San Bernardino Mountains. It is one of the most topographically prominent peaks in the United States. The mountain has a pyramid shape, with a steep north face and a slightly shallower south face.

Campground surrounded by large boulders and rock formations for which the Joshua Tree National Park is well known for.

Located on 10 acres of open land near the town of Joshua Tree, California, the museum contains over one hundred works of art, including large scale assemblages, environmental sculptures, and installation art created by the artist between 1989–2004. While giving the appearance of a salvage yard with tires, bathroom fixtures, TVs, ragged clothes, toys and vacuum cleaners, each piece has a story to tell.

Los Rios Rancho is Southern California's largest Apple Farm in operation since 1906.It shares the property with the Oak Glen Preserve in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains. They specialize in historic entertainment and traditional farming using our agricultural heritage as a backdrop for our many public events and living history field trips.

Oak Glen Preserve is one of 22 nature preserves owned and stewarded by The Wildlands Conservancy. The preserve is open to the public for passive recreation, including hiking, wildlife viewing, and picnicking.The garden contains a set of themed venues which are continually added. Within the 220 acres are oak woodlands, conifer forests, chaparral grasslands, redwood and sequoia trees, and two streams.

Fortynine Palms Oasis is a three-mile, out and back trail located in Joshua Tree National Park in California, with a 300-foot elevation gain in both directions. The trail starts at Fortynine Palms Parking Area, goes up and over a ridge dotted with barrel cacti, and descends to a palm oasis in a rocky canyon.The oasis is frequently used as a watering hole for bighorn sheep.

Anderson Peak is a mountain on the Mount San Gorgonio crestline in Southern California's San Gorgonio Wilderness, which is part of the San Bernardino National Forest. It is 3.2 miles from Jepson Peak. Although not above the tree line, snow tends to cover the crest from the northern hemisphere early winter until late spring.