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Views of the Drive Down the Mountains to the California Desert

By
Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty of California, Inc. CA DRE #01490977

The drive from Carlsbad to the California desert is a beautiful trip of a little over 2 hours. You canmake a day trip out of it but there is so much to see and do in the desert that it makes a good weekend jaunt and stayover.

 

View of the California desert

 

While you can take the freeway, the drive out through Temecula on Route 74 and through the mountains to the California desert cities is spectacular, with beautiful mountain views, thousands of acres of open land, agricultural land, and much more.

 

There is a wonderful view point at about 4000 ft. above sea level in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto National Forest where you can take in most of the California desert and cities (e.g., Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, La Quinta, Indio) before you begin the 9 mile or so drive down the mountain with multiple switchbacks, many of which are 180 degrees (see below - this is only part of the road and I lost track of the number of switchbacks), and no guard rails, perfect for a sportscar but tough on those with motion sickness...a road known as the Palms to Pines Highway. It's a fun road to drive at 50 - 60 mph, if you dare!

 

Palms to Pines Highway in California

Posted by

Jeff Dowler, CRS
Certified Residential Specialist / Realtor®


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Comments (18)

Mimi Foster
Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO
Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor

That is so impressive! I spent many years as a child in Southern California, and I loved it there. Thanks for sharing!

Apr 17, 2016 02:21 PM
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Great post Jeff!  I used to go to these areas regularly in my past career.  Riverside, Rancho C. and Temecula.  Palm Springs is a favorite local get away spot.  Definitely plenty to do there, the tram up the mountain is a favorite.  There is also a pretty cool airplane museum out there too.

Apr 17, 2016 02:44 PM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Oh my, those views must be incredible in person!

Apr 17, 2016 09:23 PM
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Jeff. Appreciate the photos, currently in CA, but my views are very different.

Apr 17, 2016 11:15 PM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I can imagine driving fast on those roads. It would be exhilarating.

Apr 18, 2016 12:38 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Mimi Foster 

The desert is a pretty cool place, although NOT so "cool" in the summer months! Lots of fun things to do and see, and some great hiking

Jeff

Apr 18, 2016 12:46 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA 

Haven't done the tram yet but someday. I've heard good things about the museum. The Swap Meet in Palm Desert each weekend is pretty impressive. The list goes on

Jeff

Apr 18, 2016 12:48 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Call 631-805-4400 (c) 

They are impressive indeed, and these photos don't do them justice. The contrast between the barren mountains and the green below in the desert is striking!

Jeff

Apr 18, 2016 12:51 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Joe Petrowsky 

Having lived in New England I know how different the views are. It took a while to get used to the differences here, including the palm trees

Jeff

Apr 18, 2016 12:57 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Debbie Reynolds 

It's fun going up as well as down. I can't enjoy the views as much when driving, however. LOL

Jeff

Apr 18, 2016 01:12 AM
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Jeff Dowler CRS I would bet the highway patrol has fun citing people for pushing the limit on those roadways. 

Apr 18, 2016 01:20 AM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert
Zion Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Broker/Owner of Zion Realty ZionRealtyAZ.com

The desert certainly has it's own beauty. Some people need to be surrounded by green, which is nice as well, but the desert is full of awesome views. 

Apr 18, 2016 01:42 AM
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

Beautiful Jeff, thanks for sharing.  I doubt you were driving 50 to 60 MPH through those winding roads.

Apr 18, 2016 08:42 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Sandy Padula and Norm Padula, JD, GRI 

No doubt. I have seen some pretty speedy drivers, although have yet to see anyone pulled over - not a lot of room for that except in a few spots

Jeff

Apr 18, 2016 08:54 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert 

I think many who visit the desert for the first time are impressed with the beauty. And the wild flowers can be stunning

Jeff

Apr 18, 2016 08:55 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Noah Seidenberg 

Well I drive at a speed I am comfortable with and feel safe, but it don't dilly dally. And now that I've done this drive a few dozen times it's easy. A bit more challenging at night since there are no lights

Jeff

Apr 18, 2016 08:56 AM
Noah Seidenberg

I am glad Jeff Dowler CRS better to take your time and enjoy the beautiful scenery. You are lucky to live in Southern CA, a dream of mine but my work is grounded in Chicago.

Apr 18, 2016 09:07 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Jeff, looks like our switchbacks in the Rockies, and fun to take the curves at a higher speed.   No rails does make it interesting!  Beautiful views!  

Apr 18, 2016 10:54 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Joan Cox 

I imagine the views there are spectacular as well, and even greater elevations!

Jeff

Apr 19, 2016 04:07 AM