Just because Interstate 40 ends at Barstow doesn't mean your trip has to!
Follow any of the following three finales, and you'll have an adventure all your own to add to your wonderful memories of I-40 and the many things you did along the way!
Option 1: Sizzle’n Side Trip to Death Valley
Option 1: Sizzle’n Side Trip to Death Valley
3 hours north of Barstow, and situated at 282 feet-below-sea-level, the desolate landscape boasts some of the highest temperatures in the continental U.S. The Furnace Creek Visitor Center & Museum is open daily for information, permits and book sales.
www.nps.gov/deva
- Do: Scotty’s Castle: Visitors will enjoy tours led by costumed park rangers of the castle’s richly furnished interior. Legend has it that a prospector named “Death Valley Scotty” built this Spanish-style mansion from the gold out of his fictitious mine. The elaborate castle was actually the 1920s vacation home of Albert and Bessie Johnson, the couple that befriended Scotty and brought his dreams of a desert mansion to fruition.
- o Stay: at Stovepipe Wells Village, the Wild West town located inside of Death Valley National Park complete with a unique hotel, rustic restaurant and saloon.
Rates from $95
#760-786-2387
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Option 2: Relax in the desert oasis of
Palm Springs at CASA CODY
www.visitpalmsprings.com
It started as a grassy Indian village with small huts, home to the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians who had lived there for over two-thousand years.
and other respiratory problem sufferers who came to the dry, desert location for their health.
Many more came searching for a better place to live and work, a healthier climate and an exciting new start.
Harriet Cody, the beautiful cousin of the legendary Buffalo Bill Cody, first came to Palm Springs with her ailing husband—who happened to be a gifted architect.
While he rested and attempted to recover, she busied
herself with finding a solution to their financial situation.
In the early 1920s, she founded an inn which became popular among Silent Film Era stars. Many movies were made in Palm Springs because the topography was so diverse (sand, desert, mountains), and it quickly became the playground for early screen stars like Charlie Chaplin.
Rates from $79
#760-320-9346
The Winter’s House, a quaint cottage filled with deep reds and dark
woods, provides a restful repose for a short weekend or even an extended stay.
A full set of amenities including a kitchen, dining room and private patio with grill lend the property an air of ease and convenience.
Exquisite antiques fill the suite with historic charm, and the rooms are wrapped in traditional paneling and custom trim accents.
Weather is perfect near year-round,
though the summer
The
solution? Take the Aerial Tramway to
the top of the mountain and wander the pristine trails of the Mt. San Jacinto State Park Wilderness
area.
For
a fun, evening show, go to the “world famous, fabulous FOLLIES OF PALM SPRINGS” and Let the
Good Times Roll! www.psfollies.com
Two of the most beautiful suites on the
property are the Winter’s House and The Adobe, Harriet’s original home.
A full set of amenities including a kitchen, dining room and private patio with grill lend the property an air of ease and convenience.
Exquisite antiques fill the suite with historic charm, and the rooms are wrapped in traditional paneling and custom trim accents.
· The Adobe: Old wooden doors awash in faded hues of green
welcome you into the original, white-washed adobe that once housed the Cody
family.
Entering the agave-colored doors, you will step back in time to a
cottage filled with quaint, rustic charm. Intricately carved wooden furniture
from India frames the room, and low, beamed ceilings stand out against the
smooth white walls and linens. Rock floors lead into the sleeping quarters,
while the familiar creek of wooden slats carries you into a charming den and
dining area. Clean lines lend a refreshed feel to the historic home large
enough for a family to enjoy comfortably.
In Palm Springs, you’ll be
transported back in time; the town maintains an old, nostalgic old Hollywood
feel, and reminiscent night shows abound!
months are the hottest with temps reaching over 100’.
The
solution? Take the Aerial Tramway to
the top of the mountain and wander the pristine trails of the Mt. San Jacinto State Park Wilderness
area.
Refreshingly cool, pine-scented air awaits you high above the town
where summer temperatures are a good 30-degrees cooler!
(military discount available)
While you’re in the area, enjoy:
- · Joshua Tree National Park (1-hr drive)
- · Street Fair on Thursdays
- · Natural Oasis (closed in summer months) is a fun location; many sheik movies were filmed there.
Eat at:
- · Blue Coyote: outstanding food and atmosphere in downtown Palm Springs. www.bluecoyotegrill.com
- · Davey’s Hideaway: a bit of old Palm Springs, good food and live music. www.daveyshideawayps.com
- · Las Casuelas Quinta: a taste of Colonial Mexico—since 1958; fun and colorful! www.lascasuelasquinta.com
- Rock Garden Café: for breakfast or dinner, soak up the ambiance! www.rockgardenpalmsprings.com
Or, take in a live performance at The Starlite Lounge. www.psriviera.com/starlite-lounge
Take your time, relax and enjoy cool,
classic, sunny Palm Springs!
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Option 3: Trace Route 66 all the way to the Pacific!
Route 66 enthusiasts will want to follow the Mother Road all the way to its end at
the shimmering Pacific Ocean.
The route across Los Angeles, now marked by prominent beige road signs as Historic Route 66 1935-1964, is almost completely intact, following Santa Monica Boulevard through the hearts of Beverly Hills and West Hollywood.
Route 66 merges into Sunset Boulevard for the long, winding drive to downtown L.A. before it finally ends at the edge of the Pacific Ocean. Walk out onto the:
The route across Los Angeles, now marked by prominent beige road signs as Historic Route 66 1935-1964, is almost completely intact, following Santa Monica Boulevard through the hearts of Beverly Hills and West Hollywood.
Route 66 merges into Sunset Boulevard for the long, winding drive to downtown L.A. before it finally ends at the edge of the Pacific Ocean. Walk out onto the:
Santa
Monica Pier,
where a brass placard designates Route 66
as the Will Rogers Highway (Will
Rogers, an American cowboy, vaudeville performer, humorist,
social commentator and motion picture actor, was mayor of Beverly Hills in the late 1920s).
The
pier holds a small amusement park and a lovely old carousel which was made
famous in the movie The Sting.
The
surrounding streets, including Santa
Monica Place and Third Street
Promenade provide ample shopping opportunities. Strollers, street
performers, and side-walk café people-watchers all culminate in this lively
spot. The area has multiple parks, like Palisades
Park and Chess Park, where
spectators are always welcome and open tables are free for public use.
- Stay: Two options stand out. First, for a little 1950s time-travel, stay at the art deco gem SEAVIEW HOTEL. It’s one block from the pier and the most affordable hotel by the beach. www.seaviewhotel.com Rates from $88, #310-393-6711
- Or,
choose THE CHANNEL ROAD INN, a rare West Coast Colonial Revival home near
the beach. Craftsman accents and cozy rooms will charm you, while extra
amenities like afternoon wine and hors d’oeuvres will fully satisfy! www.channelroadinn.com Rates from $195, #310-459-1920
- Eat: Choosing is the hard part, but the
following are definite winners:
- Mélisse:
Beverly Hills glam (www.melisse.com)
- The
Lobster: A legend in its own right, diners come
for the food but love the view! (www.thelobster.com)
- Monsoon
Café: a personal favorite, this outstanding
restaurant provides a gorgeous Asian setting and reasonably priced food.
(www.monsooncafe.us)
- Loteria
Grill: intimate taco bar near
the beach. (www.loteriagrill.com)
Well, partner, we’ve reached the end of the road.
Enjoy the journey, live the life, love the road!
HAPPY TRAILS . . .
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