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Any route/sight suggestions San Diego to Palm Springs?

Any route/sight suggestions San Diego to Palm Springs?

Old Mar 20th, 2014, 08:19 AM
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Any route/sight suggestions San Diego to Palm Springs?

Taking a long weeked to Palm Springs next week, flying into San Diego. We don't want to dawdle too much but I thought it was worth checking with you California pros regarding the best or most interesting route.

Thank a million!
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Old Mar 20th, 2014, 08:56 AM
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Kinda of curious why you picked flying into San Diego to go to Palm Springs if it's just a weekend. Are you spending your whole time in Palm Springs?
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Old Mar 20th, 2014, 09:15 AM
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Closest airport for using my free Southwest tickets, and yes, spending the whole time in Palm Springs, where we have an event to attend that weekend.
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Old Mar 20th, 2014, 10:45 AM
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There are a couple good choices, one a more scenic route with a mountainous stretch, the other a rural byway that stays on the valley floors. The scenic route is as follows: Take I-15 north to Hwy 79 in Temecula. Take 79E to HWY 371, and on to Highway 74, the Pines to Palms Highway, a designated "scenic" highway. The 74 will deposit you in Palm Desert at the intersection of Hwy 111, which is about the geographic midpoint of the Valley.

The other route is to take I-15 to Temecula and exit Winchester Road. Winchester intersects Hwy 74, where you head east and intersect Sanderson Road, where you will go north. This will become Hwy 79, which will deposit you at the I-10 in Beaumont. From there, take the I-10 east to Palm Springs. If your destination is Palm Springs, take the Highway 111 exit. If it is another down valley city, stay on the I-10 until the appropriate exit.

Either route takes roughly the same amount of time, the mountainous route perhaps a little longer. The first one crosses the mountains and has some curvy two-lane road stretches, especially the last part down into Palm Desert.
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Old Mar 20th, 2014, 10:53 AM
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Thanks so much, PSLocal. Exactly what I was looking for. Which route would you choose at the time of year?
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Old Mar 20th, 2014, 11:27 AM
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I like the mountain route in the spring. Usually there are lots of wildflowers, but unfortunately probably not this year---not enough rain. In any case the scenery between Temecula and Palm Desert is widely varied and pretty. Also, there are usually a couple fruit/vegetable stands along the way near the Hwy 79/371 junction (though the Hemet route has some too). That would be my choice I think.
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Old Mar 20th, 2014, 11:29 AM
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Would also add that if the weather is stormy I'm inclined to take the Valley floor route. Doesn't look like much of a chance for any rain in the next 10 days though.
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Old Mar 20th, 2014, 12:20 PM
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One more question-- about how much difference in time would these drives be as opposed to taking the typical fastest route?
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Old Mar 20th, 2014, 05:34 PM
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Those two routes are the fastest routes. Which one is actually faster depends on where (what address) in the valley your destination is.
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Old Mar 20th, 2014, 06:55 PM
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There are a lot of nice wineries in Temecula. That's the route I took in November, coming back through the mountains. I prefer that over the interstate, which has so much traffic. But it's almost an hour or so longer because you go through towns.
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Old Mar 20th, 2014, 07:10 PM
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I think dugi is right. These routes tend to be the fastest.

If you want to end up mid-Valley (PD) or points east (Indian Wells or La Quinta) the mtn route is good. If PS or Rancho Mirage, then probably more expedient to do the Hemet route.

Sometimes the mountain route can be slower if there is Caltrans work, or you get stuck behind trucks or RVs; also if you go slow to enjoy the scenery, are extra cautious on curvy roads, pull off on scenic viewpoints, or maybe go to a few of the Stop-Pie-Coffee diner places.
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Old Mar 21st, 2014, 03:47 AM
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Thanks for all the wonderful information, everyone. I much prefer a back-road experience when I have the time, and our plane gets in about 9 a.m., so there is no big hurry. My only plans for Palm Springs that day are checking out VillageFest that evening.

Now that PSLocal put pie and coffee on the radar, any suggestions for a good, casual non-chain place to stop for lunch on either route?
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Old Mar 21st, 2014, 04:58 AM
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If you want a fun place to stop enroute (it's only two hours) - take the most scenic route by far - the one over the mountains from Temecula - and drive into Idyllwild while on the way.

It's a cute little artists' town (20 minutes from the Anza turnoff) - with many good little places to dine. see: www.idyllwild.com, or close.

There is a 3rd route - the fastest if there is no traffic on I-60 and that is all freeway - heading north on 163/15 to Moreno Valley/I-60 and east to the 10. Don't do this on Saturdays when people use the 60 to go shopping.
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Old Mar 21st, 2014, 02:02 PM
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Sounds like you already have gotten all the advice. I live close to Temecula and when I go to Palm Desert for work, I generally do the mountain route. It's a very scenic drive but as someone already pointed it, you end up in Palm Desert, not Palm Springs. It can take up to 30 min to get from Palm Desert to Palm Springs especially if you just follow Hwy 111. Even though I know side roads, it still takes awhile to get across the valley. But you will get a feel for the area doing that.

If you want to stop in the wineries in Temecula for a bit, take 15 north from San Diego and exit on Rancho California Rd. Go about 4 miles east and you will see the beginning of the wineries. Ponte Winery has a nice patio for lunch and they open at 11am for lunch. www.pontewinery.com

After you leave Ponte or other wineries on Rancho California, go to Anza Rd (there is a traffic circle there), go south to Hwy 79, make a left and you will be on your way to the desert via the mountain route.

As far as places to stop for the lunch, there isn't a lot of on the mountain route unless you do a side trip to Idyllwild. There is a Dairy Queen in Anza

The route through Hemet is the way I usually go but honestly it's not the most attractive and I'd just head through there and find something on I-10. However most of the places on I-10 are chain places/fast food. I go through there so often but never really eat, trying to think where to stop. If you like Outlet Stores, there is a huge outlet mall in Moronago on I-10. When I say huge, I mean huge. There is a casino right next to it. Never been in the casino, I'm sure they have some decent restaurants. www.morongocasinoresort.com

Hope this helps. Enjoy your trip.
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Old Mar 22nd, 2014, 04:52 AM
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Thank you, Tom and Paula. All excellent info. Idyllwild looks cute. It is going to be pretty early in the morning when we head out, so not sure when we will be ready for wine, but then again we will still be on on Central time-- haha.

Just throwing this out for your consideration -- if we wanted to totally avoid freeways, what would be the drive be like going (67,78 79 I believe) through Ramona up to 371 and then Pines to Palm highway? I know it would be longer but is it interesting?
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Old Mar 22nd, 2014, 08:55 AM
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That is a lot of driving even for me and I'm one who loves to drive. But the 79 through Warner Springs is nice. You could do a little side trip to Julian and have a late breakfast/early lunch there. It's about 8 miles from Santa Ysabel which is at the junction of 78 and 79. In Santa Ysabel, there is a Dudley's Bakery which is worth a stop. Looking at the map, it would probably add on about another 45-60 min to your drive. Julian is a very cute little town and has wonderful apple pie.

However, you said your plane lands at 9 and by the time you get off the plane and get your rental car and drive to Temecula, it could be getting close to 11am which is when the Ponte Restaurant opens. Don't know if you are doing carry-on or have to wait for luggage. Might be a little early for wine tasting but you could have lunch there.
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Old Mar 22nd, 2014, 12:58 PM
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Thanks again, Paula. I am getting excited about the trip!
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Old Mar 22nd, 2014, 04:29 PM
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If you want to visit Julian - suggest you just take 8 east for about 40 miles - and then get off at the Julian turnoff/79 and it's about a half an hour up the hill - 20 more miles or so.

Great little town Julian - and you might like to take a break and explore an old mine, or have lunch/ and/or apple pie, whatever.
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Old Mar 22nd, 2014, 04:31 PM
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And the last 20 miles - up 79 - IMO are more scenic than going via Romona.
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Old Mar 23rd, 2014, 04:56 AM
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You guys are fantastic. I always get the very best advice from Californians.
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