CALIFORNIA · PLACES & PERSPECTIVES
The Colorado Desert
Low-desert landscapes in southeastern California
The Colorado Desert is the California portion of the Sonoran Desert, not a separate alternative to it. Its landscapes include the Coachella and Imperial valleys and Anza-Borrego. Lower elevations, desert washes and palm oases distinguish many of its outings from trips into the higher Mojave Desert.
Start with a place, not the whole desert
Palm Springs provides a city base for museums, architecture and nearby canyon visits. Anza-Borrego centers a different journey around Borrego Springs and the state park. The Salton Sea and Imperial Valley add birdlife and a working agricultural landscape. These are separate areas with substantial driving between them.
Notice the changing environment
Joshua Tree National Park spans a transition between Mojave and Colorado desert environments. Plant communities and elevation help explain why its different sections look and feel different. In the wider region, Indigenous cultural sites and reservation lands have their own visiting arrangements; use the relevant operator’s guidance.
MAKE IT YOUR JOURNEY
Plan your visit
Choose a focused day or a multi-day route with overnight stops. Cooler months usually allow more comfortable outdoor exploration, but check the actual forecast. Carry water and fuel appropriate to the route, and check road conditions after storms. A desert wash or an unpaved shortcut is not a dependable all-weather road.