RosiArt

Check out Sandi Wheaton's website. She leads a lot of photo tours at the Salton Sea. This is NOT an ad for her. She recently spoke at our camera club and showed quite few of her photos at the Sea.

info@sandiwheaton.com

xt2 Loc: British Columbia, Canada

Likely he means Salton Sea. It can, depending on the wind, but not a reason to not shoot the largest inland sea in the country. Photographers flood there... Try the Living Desert in Palm Desert for very up-close encounters with wildlife from all over the planet. The Palm Springs Air Museum for close encounters with a fabulous display of vintage aircraft from various theatres of war and various countries. The Tram in Palm Springs will zip you to the top of the mountain for spectacular views of the valley and the trip up and down has a large revolving tram that allows you plenty of opportunities to take great shots on the way up and back down. Joshua Tree park just East of La Quinta is a worthy destination indeed. Take your camera on a tour of Palm Springs, there is so much to shoot. You have so many "targets" in that general area remember to take some back-up memory cards! Enjoy!

Cheers!

MikeMc

Sunrises are spectacular. Especially out in La Quinta.

pwrxprt Loc: Beaumont, California

I haven't seen anyone comment or mention the Living Desert in Palm Desert. It's about a 15-20ish minutes drive from downtown Palm Springs. Not only do they have on of the best animal and reptile exhibits around, they also have a model train layout that is beyond imagination. There are four or five full time volunteers that create and maintain a huge train layout. Very realistic and detailed. In addition, there various displays of type of cactus, more than I realized. You can spend the whole day there and not see everything. Have fun. If you want more info, PM me or Google "Living Desert Zoo and Gardens" Palm Desert.

MikeMc

Sunrises are spectacular. Especially out in La Quinta.

sandiegokim1

If Joshua Tree National Park is too far for a short visit, try Thousand Palms Oasis, which is a county park. Its about a 30 min drive out of the city of Palm Springs on Ramon Ave over the Hwy10 overpass. Easy stroll, usually lots of birds, and great up close views of what wonders the desert can do around a pond of water.

SierraP Loc: Eastern Sierras

As mentioned, try the Tram, north end of town. The are the Indian canyons with hundreds of palm trees and indian artifacts toward the south end. The Pines to Palms highway up to Idyllwild/Pine Cove and Mountian Center in the San Jacinto mountains.
Palm Canyon drive. Many great resturants. Many million+ dollar homes. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert.Great for animal shots, minimal cages. White Water canyon, north of town off of highway I15. Hundreds of wind generators, north of town. Time permitting there is Joshua Tree Natl. Park several miles north on state hwy 62. Plenty to shoot inand around Palm Springs.

Katydid Loc: Davis, CA

Between Palm Springs and Desert Hot Springs, Ca, there are fantastic geocaches that are worthy of a photo, if you are into geocaching. 4WD is a real advantage but not necessary.

Hip Coyote

The large wind turbines are interesting...situated against the hills, they are massive. I do no know if the land adjacent is accessible, but it could make for an interesting photo. The blades might be moving which should afford the opportunity for long exposure to show the movement. (Think tripod and ND filters.)

The tram is magnificent...it goes from the valley floor up a few thousand feet. Very picturesque. Be prepared for very cold environment even though you are in the desert...it snows there frequently. Given our rain, it is likely very very cold there. Wide angle will be the lens of the day for that. If you can hit the golden hour, that would be great. Decent restaurant up top as well.

The Salton Sea is close by and is good for birding if you are into that kind of thing. As one reader suggested, Joshua Tree is gorgeous...I did some star photography there. Look at the various charts to see where the moon and the Milky way is going to be. DO NOT WANDER FAR OFF TRAIL IN JOSHUA TREE. People get lost and on occasion run out of water...later found dead due to dehydration, heat exhaustion or hypothermia overnight. Roadside shots are great there as are the camp grounds, etc...just dont be stupid.

Bipod

Palm Springs is next door to the town of Palm Desert, where the Living Desert Zoo
and Gardens is located. They have a giraffes and a Camel named Humprrey (of course)
and a few other desert critters. It's $20/person and low pressure.

If you're into vintage aircraft, the Palm Springs Air Museum is pretty good.

If cacti are your thing, the Moorton Botanical gardens is unbeatable.

The best shooting is definitely Joshua Tree National Park--if the fedeeral goverment
isn't shutdown when you get there.

ghill42 Loc: Colorado

I beg to differ. There's always a good photo to be had no matter where you are.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Thanks again. Arriving there this afternoon. Will do most of the suggestions.

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

There's dead fish on the "beach".
Consider "Slab City" nearby for street photography of how drop outs can among with little.

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

Also, my wife reminded me that we had some very good photo ops walking the Indian Canyons on the Cauhuilla Indian Reservation just east of downtown Palm Springs a short drive (follow Palm Canyon Drive East), (watch out which Palm Canyon Drive you follow, there are four for the cardinal directions). The rain has been good lately so the cascades and waterfall should be flowing well. There are lots of desert scenery views and the Tribe has a little café on the reservation to get food and drinks.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Thanks all. On our way home. 18 degrees in Ely headed to 7.🥶🥶🥶

Lots of great images. Will post Saturday or Sunday.

FYI Salton Sea didn’t stink and we were surprised at the many nice houses there. Plus some derelicts. A worthwhile excursion.