Tour Options

Desert Adventures conducts two- to four-hour red jeep tours ($100 to $200) on private land along the canyons and palm oases above the San Andreas earthquake fault. Other public tours include Painted Canyon/Mecca Hills and Joshua Tree National Park. Groups are small and guides are knowledgeable. Departures are from Palm Springs and La Quinta; hotel pickups are available.

Elite Land Tours offers two- to five-hour luxurious treks via Hummer and helicopter led by knowledgeable guides who take you to the San Andreas Fault, Joshua Tree, the Salton Sea, and other locations. Tours include hotel pickup, lunch, snacks, and beverages.

The city of Palm Desert offers four self-guided tours of its 150-piece Art in Public Places collection. Each tour is walkable or drivable. Maps are available at the Palm Desert Visitor Center and online (www.palm-desert.org/arts-culture/public-art). You can also take guided tours on the second Saturday of the month or by appointment for groups of four or more.

Tour Contacts

Desert Adventures (74-794 Lennon Pl., Suite B, Palm Desert, CA, 92260. 760/324-5337. www.red-jeep.com.)

Palm Springs Hiking Guides (Palm Springs, CA, 92263. 760/413-1575. www.palmspringshiking.com.)

Elite Land Tours (540 S. Vella Rd., Palm Springs, CA, 92264. 760/318-1200. www.elitelandtours.com.)

Palm Desert Visitor Center (73-470 El Paseo, Suite 7-F, Palm Desert, CA, 92260. 760/568-1441. www.palm-desert.org.)

Palm Springs Tours (Palm Springs, CA. 800/409-3174. www.palmspringstours.net.)