Muchas Palmas

Visiting Dos Palmas Preserve and the International Banana Museum Near the Salton Sea

03.07.2019

No California desert trip is complete without a visit to an oasis, and on a Salton Sea sojourn, that means a 1-mile (round-trip) out-and-back walk to palm tree heaven: Dos Palmas Preserve just northeast of the sea.

Park in the small lot and take the rock-bordered San Andres Trail, named for (but not spelled like) the famous fault line. Pass under a gate and after just a half-mile, head straight into the shaded grove. It is an impressive array of bushy, spring-fed fan palms (definitely more than _dos _of them grow here), and the perfect spot for picnic on a sunny day. Look for the hardy desert pupfish in the water, dragonflies skimming over it, and soaring peregrine and prairie falcons high above, scouting for a meal.

The path meanders around the oasis before connecting with the wider dirt road that connects to the main path outside of the grove. Take this back toward your car and the Orocopia Mountains in the distance. Before leaving the area, check out an artistic oasis just a short drive away at 70th Avenue and Sea View Way—part of the 2019 Desert X art project that runs through April 21. An exhibit consisting of five sets of stairs with inscriptions in Spanish and English offers viewpoints on the Salton Sea and its neighboring environments. As with the palm oasis, it’s a great chance to change your perspective on the Salton Sea and the beauty of the desert that surrounds it.

BONUS WEIRDNESS: Make your journey truly fruitful with a stop at the nearby International Banana Museum. Its _appeel _lies in a seemingly endless assemblage of banana-themed gee-gaws. Browse at will; then stay for the delicious banana shakes that the owners make by hand. Enjoy it (or any of their other banana treats) at the bar while taking in all the various whatchamacallits that honor our favorite yellow fruit.

To get to Dos Palmas, take the I-10 east to Indio to CA-86 south to CA-111. After 11 miles, head east on Parkside Dr. Turn right onto Powerline Rd. for 1.5 miles followed by a left onto Sea Breeze Dr. (dirt road). After 2 miles you will reach the small lot and trailhead. To get to the International Banana Museum, return to CA-111 and head north 2 miles. Dog-friendly!

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories

  1. Bear Hug

    This 5.5-mile loop through Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park explores one of the newest segments of the acclaimed Bay Area Ridge Trail, one redolent with trees ranging from madrone and manzanita to buckeye and blue elderberry (with a bubbly post-hike bonus).

    View
  2. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

    View
  3. Bikers and walkers on the Bay Area Ridge Trail with the Golden Gate Bridge behind them

    National Park City Walk

    See San Francisco the way locals do by hiking the Presidio, a national park right in the city! Wooded trails, secluded beaches, and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge feature on this 5.5-mile out-and-back on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It’s a lovely slice of the City by the Bay.

    View

  4. Bucks Up!

    Come on in, the water is beautiful. Whether you like swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling, or heading out on a bigger boat, Bucks Lake is a high mountain haven that’s easy to access, blissfully uncrowded, and surrounded by sandy beaches, picnic areas, pines, and aspens.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Tram to Cool Treks

    Elevate your fun, getting whisked from palm trees to alpine wilderness on the world’s largest rotating tramcar. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway transports you up and away on a 2.5-mile scenic route from the desert floor to the refreshing wilderness of Mount San Jacinto State Park.

    View

  2. Coming Up Roses

    Looking to spice up your hiking life? Give your partner a rose—Mount Rose! The 10-mile out-and-back peak hike goes up to one of the grandest views in all of Lake Tahoe. Get ready f

    View
  3. A group of people clamored around the summit marker at Mission Peak in the Bay Area

    Your Mission Is Less Crowded

    Mission Peak is one of the Bay Area’s most popular mountains, with many hikers climbing every weekend. Skip the crowds with this 6-mile loop up the less-traveled southern route.

    View
  4. Vista Hermosa Park in Echo Park Los Angeles

    Vista Hermosa, Echo That!

    Tucked in Echo Park, the little-known gem of Vista Hermosa Natural Park feels worlds away thanks to its serene beauty and thoughtful design. At 11.5 acres there’s still plenty to explore. And it's got a premier view of the iconic Los Angeles skyline.

    View