swands530

We'll be leaving San Diego on Easter Sunday and heading to Palm Springs. Can anyone recommend the best route to take? We've never done the trip before, so we're interested in a scenic drive, but we will also have our three young children with us, so I guess nothing too far out of the way or that puts us in a gridlock situation. Also, do you think there's a better time of day to do the drive in terms of traffic? Thank you!

bigtyke

1) I15 to 215 to 60 to 10 to 111 is the freeway route
2) take 79 off I15 and take it to I10
3) the mtn route that would take 79 to Hemet and then 74 and 243 to I10

If getting to PS is the goal, take 1, otherwise #2 gives a little more scenic route

boom_boom

Another option ... I8 to 79 to 78, to 86 and then either 111 or I10. This will take you by the Salton Sea and though the Coachalla Valley.

SOCALOC

We really enjoyed taking this scenic route from downtown San Diego over the holidays:
I-15
CA 79
CA 371
CA 74( beautiful views of the valley coming down the mtn.)
ending up on 111.

PSLocal

The best scenic route is I-15 to Hwy 79 in Temecula (Indio turnoff), to Route 371, to Hwy74 as described above. This ultimately deposits you in Palm Desert, where Hwy 74 becomes Monterey Avenue at the intersection with Hwy 111. From there you could take 111 west to Palm Springs or Monterey to I-10 west to same if that is indeed your destination.

At that time of year it could be very pretty, with wildflowers, depending on Spring rainfall. If there is inclement weather, beware of the possibility of snow above 4,000 feet and/or rain-slicked highways, which can be unnerving on the 74 and maybe consider the lowland routes.

PSL

LSky

Take the 15 to the 79, avoid the 215 whenever possible.

swands530

Thank you, all!