| Oh, how I love the desert. The dry heat, the way the landscape seems to shimmer in the sunlight, the pool culture where cocktails and dips in the water melt the day away. I could spend months at a time baking under Southern California's sun. I may have been fully embracing the East Coast lifestyle since I moved to NYC four years ago, but don't get it twisted, I am a West Coast girl at heart with a lifetime affinity for Southern California's heaps of beauty. Plus, with New York's humidity in full swing, an escape couldn't have come at a better time. Over the course of five days, I weaved through Southern California's deserts, driving roughly 1073 miles across the varied, dry landscape. Whether I was watching the sunrise from Zabriskie Point, looking over the badlands in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park or listening to a sound bath in Joshua Tree at sunset, I left this road trip relaxed and feeling connected to myself and the world. | | | I'm a Brooklyn-based writer from Seattle, Washington. Whether I'm exploring the US or abroad, I'm always looking for the best places to eat and the most inviting beaches to spend a sunny afternoon. | | |  | Zabriskie Point, Death Valley | | | | You will need a car for exploring the desert! If you're flying into California, rent one at LAX or the Palm Springs International Airport, depending on where you want to begin your road trip. | | | The desert is hot, even in the cooler months of the year. Breathable clothes are a must, and sun protection is essential. | | | The nearly 100-year-old Inn at Death Valley is a date-palm-filled oasis with elegant yet cozy decor and captivating views of the surrounding desert. In Palm Springs, you can never go wrong with a stay at Parker Palm Springs, which blends mid-century modern decor and '70s opulence. | | | | | What I wish I had known before | | | The desert can be extremely windy, which leads to a lot of dust. Next time, I would bring a scarf or bandana to cover my nose and mouth on extra windy days. | | | | Driving through Death Valley, California | | Cruising through Death Valley | Morning
Get an early start by catching the sunrise at Zabriskie Point. Walk up to the lookout and watch the moonset as it slips behind the mountains in the distance before the sun slowly breaks over the rolling, wave-like landscape. Afterward, head back to the hotel for some breakfast.
In the late morning, take a walk along the salt flat at Badwater Basin, the lowest place in North America at roughly 282ft below sea level. Continue on to the Artists Palette loop where you can marvel at how volcanic ash and minerals have turned the mountains pink, green and blue. Stop your car to hike along the trails that have emerged from the carving of water that once filled this valley.
If your vehicle can handle it, leave the pavement behind for an off-roading journey up to Inyo mine in Echo Canyon. There, you can see structures once used to mine gold during the early 20th century. Grab some pool time at the hotel and take a well-deserved nap to recover from your early morning.
| Evening
You saw the sunrise, but the sunset isn't one to miss either. Head to Dante's View (accessible by car or on foot) to catch a panoramic view of Death Valley as the sun melts into the horizon.
| | | After dark
While Death Valley isn't known for its nightlife, in the evening, you can get the feel for an old-timey night out and enjoy the valley like miners once did by heading over to Last Kind Words Saloon for burgers in a kitschy Western-style dining room.
What we ate
The Inn at Death Valley is also home to a fabulous dining room with Mexican-inspired cuisine, a great bar and a cozy lounge space. Make sure to try the pollo asado, which was fabulous. I enjoyed lunch poolside with a hearty serving of fish and chips that were airy and delicious. Dinner at the saloon consisted of carne asada tacos, but the bison burgers are what it's best known for.
| | | Keep the good times rolling this summer | | | Photography credits: Chamidae Ford and Visit Greater Palm Springs | This email was sent to you by: | Lonely Planet Publications Ltd. | 1101 Red Ventures Drive, Fort Mill, SC 29707 | | | |
