Traveling Route 66 in California, USA – Part 1

▲A giant Marilyn Monroe welcomes you at Palm Springs

While Los Angeles often steals the spotlight due to the Major League Baseball star Shohei Ohtani’s achievements, California itself spans approximately 424,000 square kilometers, about 1.1 times the size of Japan. Therefore, it’s a waste to limit your visit to just Los Angeles. I participated in a familiarization trip to showcase California’s attractions.

One of the areas gaining attention in the vast California is the region around Riverside County in the south. For example, Palm Springs, located about 170 km east of Los Angeles, is a popular hidden resort as a “winter retreat” for those traveling from within the United States.

In Palm Springs, where the weather is mostly sunny throughout the year, the favorable climate offers activities such as golf and swimming pools, along with the delightful “hot springs,” making it a resort destination appealing to Japanese visitors as well. Tours to explore mid-century modern architecture and the Desert X art festival, held biennially, offer plenty to see in Palm Springs.

Among the highlights, the hot air balloon tour to view the Palm Springs area from the sky is highly recommended. Fantasy Balloon Flights is a long-established company that has been conducting balloon tours in the area for over 40 years.

The balloon, boarded by a dozen people from the starting point, begins its journey according to the weather and wind direction. On the course I joined, we enjoyed a breathtaking “bird’s-eye view” experience of the Palm Springs area, including the cityscape, palm trees, date farms, and residential areas with private circuits, offering quintessential American scenery.

▲After the balloon flight, celebrate the safe landing with a toast of sparkling wine

For a stay in Palm Springs, The Paloma Resort, located south of downtown, is an excellent choice. The hotel offers a vibrant impression with five types of accommodations, including bungalows and villas, each decorated with pop illustrations, complete with a swimming pool and bar, making it perfect for family stays.

Rooms blend modern amenities with mid-century design, offering comfortable accommodation in a spacious and relaxing setting.

▲At The Paloma Resort’s Spanish restaurant, enjoy authentic paella and more

When extending your visit to Palm Springs, be sure to explore the desert area further east. The Metate Ranch | San Andreas Fault Jeep Tour, located about 26 kilometers east of Palm Springs’ downtown, offers an opportunity to learn about the complex terrain and geology of the desert while riding a Jeep, including insights about how the area was underwater millions of years ago and the volcanic obsidian formed by eruptions—fascinating stories adding depth to the scenic tour.

The Joshua Tree National Park, offering California’s vast natural beauty, is another recommended destination. Located east of Palm Springs, it covers 3,196 square kilometers, roughly 1.5 times the size of Tokyo. Though you will need a car to explore, the park lies in the transition zone between the Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert, featuring unique landscapes with diverse flora and interesting rock formations.

The park features campsites attracting campers from not just California but various locations. While staying within the park may be ideal, the lack of electricity and water can be challenging, making it difficult for visitors from Japan to prepare camping gear.

AutoCamp Joshua Tree, where I stayed, is a perfect facility for such travelers. Located adjacent to Joshua Tree National Park, it offers trailer houses as accommodations for a “glamping” experience, comfortably spacious for two adults and two children.

BBQ grills are also available outside the trailer houses. With food provided by the facility, enjoying a casual BBQ under a starry sky is a highlight.

Furthermore, a private stargazing experience led by an expert from the 29 Palms Astronomy Club was part of the journey. The desert’s low light pollution reveals an astonishing number of stars visible to the naked eye, but the view of the moon, planets, and nebulae through a large telescope is even more impressive. The expert’s clear explanations made for a valuable opportunity to fully enjoy the beautiful desert night sky.

While still in California, this experience offered a multifaceted and captivating encounter not available in the metropolitan areas like Los Angeles. As the phrase “Enchanting Southern California Resort” suggests, it goes beyond mere resort comfort, offering a chance to engage with the rich nature, unique culture, and profound history of the vast desert region. (Special thanks to California Tourism Board, Greater Palm Springs Tourism Board, California Desert Tourism Board, Inland Empire Tourism Board, Pasadena Tourism Board, and Santa Monica Tourism Board)