If you needed another excuse to plan a summer vacation, Father's Day is fast approaching (this year, it lands on Sunday, June 18th). Look no further than the fun ideas below to plan a getaway (or two) this season for the history buff, outdoor enthusiast, or mechanically-minded dad in your life. Explore the Old West in Wyoming Cowboy Bar in Wyoming by Makenzie Cooper - Unsplash Whether he gets to release his inner child while digging for dinosaur bones Jurassic Park-style, surf the sand dunes, ghost hunt, or hike, bike, and more—the Star Valley (southwest) corner of The Cowboy State has experiences that are hard to find anywhere else. Killpecker Sand Dunes are the second largest active sand dune field in the world, encompassing approximately 109,000 acres and stretching 55 miles east from the Green River Basin across the Continental Divide into the Great Divide Basin. Rent an ATV and get out on the 11,000 acres of designated play space - Novice riders learn the ropes on flatter areas and smaller dunes while the experts show their skills on mammoth dunes that reach 100 feet high. Or surf down the dunes on a sled or skis! Descend 50 Million years into the past at the American Fossil in Kemmerer, which offers scheduled fossil digs between May and September. This dino dig area is located outside of Kemmerer, in the northern part of the Green River Formation and perfect for any dad wanting to experience a childhood Jurassic Park dream. You can expect to uncover fossils of various species, like turtles, fish, birds and insects. It’s one of the few places in the country you can take home some of your favorite finds or purchase fossils others uncovered. Complete with old graveyards, original log structures and worn-out wagon trails, Old West ghost towns in Wyoming feed the imagination with actual artifacts from this transformative piece of American history. Fort Bridger State Historic Site is renowned as one of the most haunted places in Wyoming and is a stop on the Oregon Trail. But it isn’t just the soldiers you may encounter wandering around Fort Bridger. A dog named Thornburgh is reported to have earned a medal of honor after saving a child. When he died, he was buried at the fort. He now stands guard over the cemetery. Master the Art of Sailing in the Finger Lakes Sailing on Canandaigua Lake - courtesy of Mower / The Lake House on Canandaigua This Father’s Day, why not skip the shirt and tie and gift dad an experience he’ll never forget: the art of sailing. He’ll learn to harness the wind and trim the sails from an experienced captain and crew on the seemingly endless Canandaigua Lake in the Finger Lakes region of New York. This exclusive sailing adventure at The Lake House on Canandaigua promises a unique blend of relaxation, exploration and lifelong memories for dad and his loved ones. During a Lake House sailing excursion, guests become part of the crew. Participants will assist the captain and learn the ropes of navigating a sailboat firsthand – providing for both an educational and empowering adventure that will leave dad with new skills and a sense of accomplishment. See Vintage Motorcycles at the Harley-Davidson Museum Motorcycle by Harley-Davidson - Unsplash Make Father’s Day an unforgettable experience with a trip to the Harley-Davidson Museum. Start your day with a trip through the unrivaled collection found in the H-D Museum – including the new, special exhibit, “Mama Tried: Bringing it Together.” Dads get in free all day! After your tour, come spoil the #1 Dad in your life and shop our newest arrivals at the Harley-Davidson® Shop. Finish it off at MOTOR, where Dads and Grandads can score a free grill special including a Usinger's hot dog or bratwurst served with potato salad and coleslaw when you purchase a beverage! Go up against dad with lawn games like giant Connect Four and more on our sun-splashed patio. On Saturday, June 24th, the museum is also hosting Wild Ones: Vintage Motorcycle Rally. Come celebrate Harley-Davidson’s unrivaled motorcycle heritage with a vintage 1940s-style motorcycle rally at the H-D Museum. In partnership with The Knucklehead Company’s Annual Reunion, this family friendly event features an antique motorcycle ride-in show and the AMCA Badger Heritage Chapter hosts authentic motorcycle field games with proceeds benefiting Make-A-Wish Foundation of Wisconsin. The museum also has regular programming all summer long. All wheels unite every Thursday from 5 to 9 pm at the Harley-Davidson Museum. Join riders (and non-riders) for free live music from some of our favorite bands, fun, drool-worthy rolling sculptures and outdoor food and beverage specials from MOTOR. Visit the museum campus on Saturdays to experience the fun and freedom of a Harley-Davidson® motorcycle. Riders with their motorcycle endorsement/license will be able to choose from a dozen of the latest and greatest #FreedomMachines from Harley-Davidson, including Touring, Softail® and Sportster® models. A pre-determined scenic route through the Menomonee Valley will give riders the chance to explore the H-D Museum’s surrounding neighborhoods. Sign-up is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Riders and passengers must be at least 18 years of age. All riders (and passengers) must wear a helmet, eye protection, shirt, long pants and closed-toe shoes with heel strap. All riders and passengers must bring their own riding gear.

Los Angeles is an ever-evolving destination full of fresh concepts and new experiences to discover. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a returning friend, the City of Angels has seen countless exciting new offerings emerge in recent years. Across the region, new places to stay, award-winning dining experiences, vibrant attractions, advanced infrastructure and more make up “LA 2.0” offering all-new places to explore. Celebrate 100 Years of These Landmarks Hollywood sign by Martin Jernberg - UnsplashThe Hollywood Sign – Throughout this year, the iconic Hollywood Sign will celebrate 100 years of larger-than-life lettering perched atop the Santa Monica Mountains. Originally reading “Hollywoodland” in its early days, the Sign is now an enduring symbol of Los Angeles as a place where magic is possible and any dream can come true. For spectacular views of the cityscape and the Sign itself, travelers can hike through the Mt. Hollywood Trail, Brush Canyon Trail and Cahuenga Peak Trail or even ride horseback on the Mulholland Trail. Visitors can also enjoy delicious food and drinks at rooftop venues such as the Highlight Room atop the Dream Hollywood Hotel or Mama Shelter Los Angeles with the Hollywood Sign as a backdrop. Step into Hollywood history with a stay at the Hollywood Roosevelt hotel, a martini at the 100-year-old Musso & Frank Grill or a show at the Pantages Theatre. From past to present, there are so many exciting ways to experience the evolution of Hollywood beneath the century-old Sign.The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum – The beloved Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum celebrates 100 years of hosting major sporting and entertainment events as a key LA venue in Exposition Park. The Coliseum is an icon of the sports world having served as the home field for Los Angeles professional sports teams including the Rams, Raiders, Chargers and Dodgers in its storied past, and has been home to the USC Trojans since the Coliseum's opening. The venue has also hosted two Super Bowls, three NFL Championships and one World Series, and is the only venue to host two Summer Olympics—soon to be three in 2028. Sports are not the only major events the Coliseum has seen within its walls, hosting concerts by some of the world's most famous artists including the Rolling Stones, Prince, U2 and Metallica. The Coliseum also plays a part in key historical events, dedicated as a memorial to LA County WWI veterans upon opening in 1923. Martin Luther King Jr. also spoke at the venue less than a year after giving his famous “I Have A Dream” speech. Warner Bros. Studios – A global icon of Hollywood moviemaking, Warner Bros. Studios celebrates its 100th Anniversary on April 4 with a year of exciting centennial celebrations. From fan favorites like When Harry Met Sally and Friends to masterpieces of cinema like Casablanca and Gone With the Wind, Warner Bros. will share the magic of film with audiences in special ways throughout the year. Film fans can join the celebration through several commemorative experiences, including centennial museum exhibits and screenings at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, a special 100th anniversary exhibit at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood and a celebration of key films and major talent from Warner Bros. Pictures' history at the TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood. The centennial exhibit explores 100 years of Warner Bros.' impact on storytelling, recognizing a range of classic and contemporary productions, including Casablanca, DC Comics, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Abbott Elementary, and beyond. The new exhibit is located in the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Welcome Center, which is open to the public, offering guests a photographic exploration of where it all began.The Millennium Biltmore – The Millennium Biltmore Hotel Los Angeles celebrates its 100th anniversary with a centennial logo, a series of anniversary events and updates to maintain the Biltmore's longstanding grandeur. With previous lives as a prohibition nightclub, Academy Awards venue and feature film set, the Millennium Biltmore Los Angeles was recently declared a “Los Angeles Historic-Culture Monument” dazzling guests since 1923. The centennial celebrations will include an elegant 100th Anniversary Ball in October 2023, thematic speakeasy events, An Evening with Mermaids event, high teas at the Rendezvous Court and a soon-to-be-announced fashion show, showcasing the Biltmore's impressive history, ornate design and Old Hollywood style. The “Grande Dame” will also see a restoration of its original fresco ceilings and all new windows and fixtures, and the hotel's entrance will return to its original location on Olive Street paying homage to the guest experience of the 20th century. Visit These Emerging Neighborhoods A sign in LA's Arts District by Welton Gite - UnsplashThe Vinyl District – With a long, rich history as the entertainment capital of the world, Hollywood has welcomed film-lovers and star searchers to its iconic landmarks such as the Walk of Fame and Grauman's Theatre for close to a century. There's a reason travelers are drawn by “Old Hollywood,” but the Vinyl District is setting out to breathe new energy into the neighborhood while preserving its storied past. Situated around the intersection of Selma and Wilcox just blocks away from Sunset Blvd., this emerging neighborhood was recently named the “Vinyl District” as a tribute to the area's long history in the music industry with recording studios, record shops and entertainment labels making their home on its blocks throughout the years. The Vinyl District has witnessed a major development boom, with several glamorous hotels reminiscent of Hollywood stardom such as the Thompson Hollywood and Dream Hollywood, new dining concepts from famed LA chefs like Mother Wolf and Ka'teen as well as venues that pay homage to old Hollywood's music scene while spinning the latest tracks. The Vinyl District is about paying tribute to Hollywood's storied history while revitalizing the area for a new generation of Angelenos and visitors, with a multitude of ways to spend your day all in one exciting neighborhood.The Arts District – A creative neighborhood flourishing with hubs for the arts, award-winning dining experiences and unique shopping, the Arts District in Downtown LA invites visitors to discover an area rich with cultural gems. A haven for artists in the 1970s, the neighborhood's artistic landscape today includes murals around every corner by famed street artists such as Shepard Fairey, RETNA and WRDSMTH as well as curated galleries like Hauser & Wirth. Culinary experiences are also a jewel of the Arts District with a variety of restaurants opening in the neighborhood. Several have been recognized on a global stage with French bistro Camphor receiving a MICHELIN Star and Brazilian restaurant Caboco receiving Bib Gourmand distinction, as well as LA Cha Cha Chá, Girl & the Goat, kodō, Yangban Society and Yunomi Handroll receiving MICHELIN recommendations. Just blocks away, ROW DTLA transforms industrial buildings into over 30 boutique shops, a weekly outdoor market and dining offerings including MICHELIN-Starred restaurants Hayato and Kato as well as Bib Gourmand award recipient Pizzeria Bianco. Slated to open this year, Kensho Ryokan will turn a historic firehouse into a thoughtfully designed Japanese-style hotel, offering an all-new home base for experiencing the neighborhood. Explore New Cultural Attractions Palm trees in Los Angeles by Shot By Joe - UnsplashLA's arts and culture landscape continues to thrive with more museums and performing arts venues than any other city in the US. An exciting addition will be Destination Crenshaw, the largest public/private Black art program in the nation, stamping a 1.3-mile stretch of Crenshaw Boulevard with an infrastructure project that includes beautifully designed community spaces, landscaping and newly planted trees, and 100 commissioned works by Black artists. While elevating Black culture, Destination Crenshaw will also boost the community through economic development, job creation and environmental healing. The Hammer Museum also completed its two-decades-long project transforming the building with a new entrance experience, 60% more gallery space and an outdoor sculpture courtyard in March 2023. True to Los Angeles' ever-evolving nature, there is even more to come for the arts in LA with the new NHM Commons wing at the Natural History Museum in 2024, LACMA's renovations in 2024, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art slated to open in 2025 and an exciting revamp of the La Brea Tar Pits taking visitors on a journey from prehistoric times to today expected in 2028. Immerse Yourself in Super Nintendo World SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, a highly anticipated innovative and immersive themed land at Universal Studios Hollywood, just debuted in February. This all-new, dynamic land is a visual spectacle of vibrant colors and architectural ingenuity located within a newly expanded area of Universal Studios Hollywood, sweeping guests into the 360-degree world of Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach. Super Nintendo World features the groundbreaking “Mario Kart™: Bowser's Challenge” ride seamlessly fusing augmented reality with projection mapping technology and actual set pieces to take guests on through creative courses inspired by the popular Mario Kart™ video game series to compete for the Golden Cup in a repeatable attraction with a variety of outcomes. In addition, the signature restaurant Toadstool Café serves a gourmet menu by Chef Toad including Super Mushroom Soup, Mario Bacon Cheeseburger and Princess Peach Cupcakes. Guests can commemorate their visit with a trip to 1-UP Factory for collectable memorabilia from apparel to iconic character hats and an array of plush characters. Dine at World-renowned Restaurants LA has also established itself as a global dining capital with 26 Angeleno restaurants receiving MICHELIN Stars across the city in neighborhoods such as Downtown LA, the Arts District, Hollywood and beyond. 10 Los Angeles restaurants also made their debut on the Bib Gourmand list, recognized for their exceptional food at a great value. LA's unique culinary offering spanning over 400 food trucks to high-end dining experiences is a result of the 140 different nationalities that call Los Angeles home, with many cultures reflected in LA's dining scene. From modern French at Camphor and Southern-inspired American at Hatchet Hall to European-style Gwen and contemporary fare at Manzke, Los Angeles continues to captivate the imagination of the culinary world, offering world-class cuisine from our ever-evolving street food to fine dining in iconic settings. The dining landscape of Los Angeles continues to shine as The James Beard Foundation Awards announced their 2023 finalists and LA's world-renowned restaurant scene is well-positioned for a variety of big wins. The diverse group of nine finalists include n/naka's Niki Nakayama for Outstanding Chef, Bridgetown Roti's Rashida Holmes for Top Emerging Chef, and Republique's Margarita Manzke for Outstanding Pastry Chef. Book a Room at a New Hotel Downtown Los Angeles by Owen Lystrup - Unsplash Los Angeles has added over 5,000 new hotel rooms in the last two years with options at virtually every price point, and the city has also seen a boutique hotel boom featuring unique new hotel concepts. Some exciting new properties across the region include The Conrad Los Angeles, Fairmont Century Plaza, Thompson Hollywood, The Shay and Downtown LA Proper. New properties continue to open their doors in many different areas of the city including the Moxy & AC Los Angeles in Downtown LA which opened in April 2023 and the upcoming Kensho Ryokan in the Arts District, welcoming guests to stay across LA's 30 diverse neighborhoods.

Head to Kentucky and Tennessee for the perfect bourbon-themed travel experience. In addition to a plentiful amount of distillery tours, the area is also home to unique experiences where visitors can learn more about the history, science, and culture around the beloved drink. Choose from the activities below to plan a perfect Father's Day weekend, guys trip, or bachelor party, or just make one of them a unique addition to any trip in the area. Bottle Your Own Bourbon (Louisville & Bardstown, Kentucky) Bourbon, neat, on a table by Phil Cruz - Unsplash Copper & Kings in Louisville, Kentucky recently released its first bourbon, available for guests who visit the distillery and take the new “Bottle-Your-Own” tour, part of their Barrel-to-Bottle experience. After the tour and tasting, guests can fill their bottle selected straight from the barrel, hand signed by Head Distillery Brandon O’Daniel. If simply bottling your own drink isn't enough, what about making your very own custom blend? In that case, try out Louisville Slugger's unique distillery experience. Barrels and Billets offers a custom bourbon blending experience lasting approximately 45 minutes, with six different wood-finished bourbons that visitors can taste and blend. The new custom recipes will then be bottled, sealed and labeled with a custom label so guests can take their new blends home with them. In Bardstown, Kentucky, there's also the Whisky Magazine’s "Global Whiskey Attraction of the Year"—Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience, which has been recently renovated with a new two-story wing with an expanded visitor center and three new themed tasting rooms. In addition to the new Five Brothers Bar and Kitchen, the new building also houses a hands-on experience called “You Do Bourbon” where guests receive product education before getting to select, fill and label their own bourbon to take home with them. Peruse a Vintage Spirits Library (Covington, Kentucky) Revival Vintage Spirits & Bottle Shop in Covington, Kentucky features a full-service bar on the first floor with one-of-a-kind vintage spirits and cocktails plus unique tasting flights. The second floor showcases the shop’s library of 4,000+ bottles for sale, including Pappy Van Winkles to Pre-Prohibition bottles. Keep the vintage experience going and head to Louisville, where you'll find a 1920s-inspired bar and tasting experience at Neat Bourbon Bar and Bottle Shop. This Highlands area bar highlights historic bourbons while offering vintage spirits to buy, trade and sell. Take Flight with This Luxury Experience (Louisville, Kentucky & Nashville, Tennessee) Touring company Mint Julep Experiences has launched a new “Roll Out the Barrel” high-end adventure, where guests can fly privately to-and-from either Louisville or Nashville via helicopter to Maker’s Mark Distillery. The all-inclusive package includes black car service, a farm-to-table lunch at Star Hill Farm, a private barrel select and personalized bourbon bottles. The experience will also include two nights in luxury accommodations at either the Omni Hotel Louisville or Omni Hotel Nashville. Learn Kentucky History at Bourbon Live (Lexington, Kentucky) Bourbon barrels by Josh Collesano - Unsplash A new high-tech bourbon experience, Bourbon Live, opened in July 2022 in Lexington’s Distillery District. The location includes floor-to-ceiling walls painted with a special pigment transforming them into projector screens, showcasing Kentucky’s bourbon history and distilleries. It’s an opportunity for guests to learn the basics of bourbon and see bourbon sights digitally while sipping on a flight of bourbon. BYOD – Bring Your Own Dog (Louisville, Kentucky) Louisville, Kentucky has several unique options when it comes to fun whiskey bars. But one of the newest additions that is getting a lot of love from pet owners is Frank’s Whiskey Place, a unique new dog-friendly whiskey bar. The business is named after the owner’s dog, a 3-year-old Australian shepherd/Labrador mix named Frank, and his face is part of the bar’s logo. The bar features a custom walnut wood bar-back with live-edge walnut shelves for alcohol and dark railroad ties holding the bar up, and the walls are filled with murals from distilleries on the Urban Bourbon Trail. Collect Memorabilia in Jack Daniels' Hometown (Lynchburg, Tennessee) Lynchburg, Tennessee is known for being the home of the Jack Daniels Distillery. They offer several different types of tours throughout the day showcasing the history and process behind making the drinks. However, if you're looking to commemorate your trip to town with a keepsake or two, you'll have to head elsewhere as the distillery doesn't sell any. Nearby, The Lynchburg Hardware & General Store has a huge selection of Jack Daniel’s memorabilia. It's a must-see stop for any visitors to town. Dine and drink at the James B. Beam Distillery (Clermont, Kentucky) Jim Beam Stillhouse in Clermont by Adam Bouse - Unsplash The James B. Beam Distilling Co. in Clermont has undergone significant renovations to upgrade visitors’ experiences. New visitor experiences include: The American Outpost, a new visitor and retail center; The Kitchen Table, a 5,000 square foot restaurant and gathering space championing local farmers; and “Beam Made Bourbon,” an immersive consumer tour showing how bourbon is made the “Beam Way”. There’s also the Fred B. Noe Craft Distillery, a new functional production facility offering special distillation process sessions with Freddie Noe, 8th generation Beam Distilling, plus hands-on activities in the blending lab, a tasting bar and state-of-the-art classroom. The new restaurant, The Kitchen Table, features indoor and outdoor dining where guests can enjoy a meal and cocktail while taking in the distillery grounds. The restaurant is inspired by the original Beam family kitchen table, a place of storytelling, whiskey sharing and recipes, and each dish and cocktail will feature locally sourced Kentucky ingredients. Some of the new specialty cocktails offered include a “Jim Beam Highball,” a Basil Hayden-based “Golden Hour” with Aperol Aperitivo liqueur and lillet blanc, and a “Smash” featuring Old Grand-Dad, lemon, mint and sugar.

California's vast desert region is a land of hidden oases and canyons, towering snow-capped mountains, and sweeping panoramas that conjure visions of early California and the Old West. Unlike anywhere else in the world, the California Deserts feel like one giant natural theme park—connected by scenic open roads and a network of character-rich lodging properties. From colorful, otherworldly rock formations, expansive dunes, and natural mineral hot springs to old mines, hidden ghost towns, and outdoor art installations, the desert has no shortage of sights to behold. Travel from elevations that are thousands of feet high to lower depths of 280 feet/85 m below sea level. Discover a region that is vibrant yet remote, colorful and camouflaged, and rustic but luxurious. Whether you power through in a week's time or linger longer in each destination, this itinerary promises to be unforgettable and truly inspiring. Leg 1: LAX to Ridgecrest Road in Ridgecrest, California by Brian Wangenheim - Unsplash Driving Distance & Time: 163 miles/262 km (3.5 hours) Stops & Attractions: Red Rock Canyon State Park, Lone Ridge Trail, Petroglyph Park Dining & Drinking: Ale's Steakhouse, Bangkok House, Tokyo House Accommodations: SpringHill Suites by Marriott Ridgecrest Fresh off a flight, you'll want to use this first leg of the trip to position yourself closer to Death Valley, while keeping the driving time manageable. Nestled at the crossroads of three major highways and less than three hours from several of Southern California's major attractions, Ridgecrest is the perfect base camp to start a desert adventure. The surrounding California high desert is popular for off-roading, rock climbing, and hiking. With the largest concentration of Native American petroglyphs in the western hemisphere, a living ghost town, and several geological attractions, it's no surprise that Ridgecrest has also captured Hollywood's attention as a desirable filming location. Leg 2: Ridgecrest to Death Valley National Park Viewpoint off Echo Canyon Road in Death Valley National Park by Gilberto Parada - Unsplash Driving Distance & Time: 72 miles/115 km (1.5 hours to enter the National Park, which is 100 miles/160 km long) Stops & Attractions: Trona Pinnacles, Panamint Springs, Mosaic Canyon, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Badwater Basin, Devil's Golf Course, Zabriskie Point, The Racetrack, Artist's Palette, Dante's View Dining & Drinking: Desert Brew, Toll Road Restaurant, Last Kind Words Saloon & Steakhouse, Accommodations: Cottages at Death Valley The largest national park south of Alaska at 3.73 million acres, Death Valley is defined by extremes. It's North America's driest and hottest spot, with fewer than two inches/five cm of rainfall annually and a record high of 134°F (56°C). It also boasts the lowest elevation on the continent at Badwater Basin, which sits 282 feet/86 m below sea level. You could easily spend a few days exploring all sides of the expansive park, which abounds with hiking opportunities, fascinating landscapes, and dark night skies. Given the sheer size, it's best to plan your journey around three or five main stops a day. It's also well worth rising early to capture the sunrise from a scenic lookout such as Zabriskie Point. Leg 3: Death Valley to Joshua Tree via Baker Joshua Tree by Nicole Herrero - Unsplash Driving Distance & Time: 246 miles/396 km (4 hours) Stops & Attractions: World's Tallest Thermometer, Mojave National Preserve, Roy's Motel & Café, Amboy Crater Dining & Drinking: The Ranch 1849 Restaurant, Los Dos Toritos, Kitchen in the Desert Accommodations: AutoCamp Joshua Tree This longer day of driving features many photogenic stops, starting with the quirky town of Baker, home to the World's Largest Thermometer and funky shops. After lunch and filling your gas tank in Baker, carry on driving through to Mojave National Preserve where the sea of yucca trees calls for photo ops. You'll get on historic Route 66 to arrive in Amboy, home to its own quirky roadside sites including the midcentury relic, Roy's Motel & Café. The town of Joshua Tree will be one hour's drive from Amboy. After dinner in Twentynine Palms, leave room for s'mores by the fire back at AutoCamp. Leg 4: Joshua Tree to Anza Borrego The sun rising at Fonts Point in Anza Borrego by John Ko - Unsplash Driving Distance & Time: 100+ miles/160 km (2.5 hours) Stops & Attractions: Hidden Valley Trail, Key's View, Skull Rock Trail, Arch Rock, Cholla Cactus Garden, Anza Borrego State Park, Badlands Adventure with California Overland Desert Excursions Dining & Drinking: AutoCamp Joshua Tree, TKB Bakery & Deli, Arches Restaurant, The Fox Bistro Accommodations: Borrego Springs Resort & Spa, La Casa Del Zorro Resort & Spa With nearly 800,000 acres of mystical beauty, Joshua Tree National Park is undoubtedly one of the world's most incredible natural desert treasures. Sweeping, grand in scale, and populated by granite monoliths and voluptuous rock and boulder formations, the park offers wonder to eco-travelers, outdoor adventurists, and naturalists. Evidence of many diverse forms of plant life from creosote and ocotillo are found everywhere, but none as unique or prevalent as the park's namesake: the Joshua tree, standing majestically across the vast topography. Plan your route to enter the park from the town of Joshua Tree's West Entrance and exit from Cottonwood Entrance, dropping you onto the interstate. Stop in Indio for lunch and then head to Anza Borrego State Park for a tour of the famed Badlands. Leg 5: Anza Borrego to Palm Springs Wind turbines near Palm Springs, California by Karsten Winegeart - Unsplash Driving Distance & Time: 66 miles/106 km (1.5 hours) Stops & Attractions: Anza Borrego Metal Sculptures, Salton Sea, Desert Adventures Red Jeep Tours, Downtown Palm Springs Public Art, Uptown Design District Dining & Drinking: Kendall's Café, EIGHT4NINE Restaurant, Workshop Kitchen+Bar, Ernest Coffee, Norma'sAccommodations: Azure Sky Hotel, Hilton Palm Springs, Sparrow's Lodge Start the day in Anza Borrego exploring the charming downtown and walking among the giant metal sculptures created by Ricardo Breceda. Stop to see the Salton Sea en route to Indio, where you can stop for a pre-booked guided naturalist jeep tour of the San Andreas Fault and learn more about the plants, animals, geology, seismology, and history of the California desert. End the day in Palm Springs, where you can check into a resort and relax for a few days of sunbathing, art and architecture, shopping, and fine dining. After all that hiking and adventuring on the open road, you'll have earned a spa treatment or two!