GoPlaces

Anybody have any experience/recommendations for driving from Palamor Observatory (outside of Temecula) to Palm Springs? Would like to take an intersting/scenic route if possible, but also have to balance with travelling with 8 year old.

placeu2

Seems to me that there are very limited options on this trip. I can tell you that 74 through the San Bernadino forest coming in on the South side of Palm Desert is scenic. Not sure about getting to 74 scenery wise.

Not a great way to get from here to there no matter how you cut it. Bound to be scenic at some level.

BobbiOh

That's about it, you can take the 15 to the 74, cut through the Hemet area. But, honestly it's pretty much all desert and there's not a heck of alot to see.

GoPlaces

Thanks. Hard to tell with all the smaller twisty roads (76, 79, S22), but does anyone know how long it would take from the observatory to Borrego Springs?

paula1470

Go places - Yes, there are lots of windy roads, 76, 79 etc. If you want to take the scenic route from Palomar Mtn this is what I would suggest.

When you come down Palomar Mountain, you will end up on Highway 76. Make a left (east) and go about 15 miles to Highway 79 (stop sign). Make a left and continue on 79 about 28 miles. This will put you by the small town of Aguanga. From there veer right onto Highway 371 and go about 20 miles (through the town of Anza). Turn left at Highway 74 and follow it into Palm Desert. In Palm Desert, turn left on Highway 111 and follow it to Palm Springs.

I am not sure what Bobbi Oh meant about not being scenic. As placeu2 said, coming into Palm Desert on Highway 74 is scenic. From Anza you climb up into some pine areas and right before you begin your descent into Palm Desert, there are some spectacular views of the desert below you.

I often to drive to the Palm Springs area this way although I take the 15 and get off on Highway 79 in Temecula. Thats connects with the 371 in Anza and then the rest of the drive is the same. I am always amazed at this drive because when you live in So. California with all the people and all the traffic, you often forget there are wide open spaces close by. If you take Highway 76 to Highway 79, you will see Lake Henshaw (pretty dried up), pastures, cows, etc. Then through Anza and into Aguanga it is semi-desert but would be green this time of year. You then head up into some pines before you begin the descent into Palm Desert.

The only thing I would caution about your 8 yr old is if he/she gets carsick. My younger daughter does and she does not enjoy the windy descent into Palm Desert!!

Looking at the map, it also looks like you can descend from Palomar Mtn on the northside so you don't have to go around on 76 and 79. Don't know this route but it looks pretty windy and might take longer than the other way.

At the most it would take you about 2 hours to drive the scenic route and it would take you about the same to use the interstate.

paula1470

To Borrego Springs maybe a little over an hour. You would go on the 76 to the 79 as I said in my Palm Springs directions. Then after about 5 miles on 79 turn right on S2 which I think turns in S22 and goes into Borrego. Again it is very windy going down into Borrego.

PSLocal

Paula nailed it, great post.

PSL

paula1470

PSlocal - Thanks for your comments. I live in Fallbrook and travel often to Palm Springs and Palm Desert. Sometimes I take the freeway but lots of times I go over the mountain. I really love the drive and the scenery-better than Interstate 10! I had to really think about the highway numbers-once you learn the route, you just drive it and don't think much about the details.

GoPlaces

Thanks for all the detail. Since youre on a roll..... we also have lots of time on the return leg back to LA, also thinking about the "scenic route". Ever taken/any comments about driving Route 2, through San Gabriel wilderness, from 138 to 210?

paula1470

Go Places - Sorry, I am not familiar with the 138.