The California desert, located between the more-visited oases of Los Angeles, San Diego, and Las Vegas, is a place that just doesn’t get the love that it deserves. While some think of the California desert as an empty wasteland, there are actually tons of beautiful sights to see here. Check out these top three landscapes that you must discover in this magical region.
Joshua Tree National Park
The Joshua Trees of this national park lent a name to a U2 album due to the band being inspired and awed by the sights here. The withered and shriveled namesake trees of the park withstand hot temperatures and extremely low precipitation amidst the rugged rock formations here.
Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park contains the lowest point in all of North America at Badwater Basin, located 282 feet below sea level. In this arid, stark, and valley and mountain-filled region, high temperatures soar to over 120 degrees Fahrenheit regularly in the summer. Despite this, it’s a must-visit.
Salton Sea
The Salton Sea is a curiosity in the Southern California desert as a shallow saltwater lake. Here, fishing and camping are the main attractions alongside one of the strangest bodies of water that Earth has to offer.