San Andreas Fault
San Andreas Fault
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
86 reviews
Excellent
48
Very good
27
Average
7
Poor
1
Terrible
3
PamRoad
Texas1,044 contributions
Feb 2023
We drove out to the oasis that is located in the Coachella Valley National WIldlife preserve. It was amazing. One minute, the scenery is total desert, then off to the side, there are huge, ancient palm trees in a group. You can drive down to the entrance and walk through the oasis. It is free and open to the public. The site includes boardwalks that take you through a wetland area that comes from a spring that bubbles up right through San Andreas fault. It is really interesting and totally unique.. A docent lives on site and can answer all your questions.
Written March 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Karen B
Grants Pass, OR165 contributions
Mar 2022
Fun facts to read, we really enjoyed learning about the fault. A place to take guests that come visit the desert.
Written January 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
lovethesights
chicago249 contributions
Nov 2021
So my hubby wanted to "see" the fault so we ventured to PD from PS. As were approached we saw a bunch of very tall green palm trees and thought it odd. Come to find out from our docent, there is a huge plate of underground water that feeds these enormous palms that the dinosaurs used to eat so those palms have been around for a very long time. It is a weird experience to walk the trail and be transported to a very wet environment while being in a desert. The trail itself is very walkable and you'll be done in about 30 minutes depending on the trail you choose. There are bathrooms available.
Written March 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Francine R
1 contribution
May 2021
Our guide answered our questions about the Fault and the impact on the environment. She was informative and made the trip fun, especially when we went off roading through the faults. I highly recommend the experience!
Written June 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
rssrob
West Kelowna, Canada629 contributions
Mar 2020
Coming from Canada it was kinda neat to see the San Andreas fault as we hear about it in B.C. All the time.
Written March 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
JimF
Chesterfield, MO7 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Was expecting this to be a drive by a crack in the ground but it was staggering.
Our guide, Craig, showed us an amazing geological tour of the site and was full of factual information. Highly recommend this tour...ask for Craig.
Our guide, Craig, showed us an amazing geological tour of the site and was full of factual information. Highly recommend this tour...ask for Craig.
Written February 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
westcoastjuls
Henderson, NV19 contributions
Dec 2019
The photos and information others have submitted are actually Coachella Valley Preserve:
29200 Thousand Palms Canyon Rd
Thousand Palms, CA 92241
It is free and fantastic for seeing a Palm Oasis on the fault. Check with the volunteer docent in the visitor center (log cabin shack!) for other hiking options on the preserve. If you just want a short relaxing nature stroll through the oasis try the McCallum trail to the pond and back.The pond itself is closed for restoration this year 2020.
29200 Thousand Palms Canyon Rd
Thousand Palms, CA 92241
It is free and fantastic for seeing a Palm Oasis on the fault. Check with the volunteer docent in the visitor center (log cabin shack!) for other hiking options on the preserve. If you just want a short relaxing nature stroll through the oasis try the McCallum trail to the pond and back.The pond itself is closed for restoration this year 2020.
Written January 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
I13JAmarym
Palm Desert, CA2,074 contributions
Apr 2019
The fault does run through the Coachella Valley and is more obvious in some places than in others. Where you see the huge California fan palms growing naturally, is where you will find the fault. In this area , evidence of the fault is more water based than a place on a rock that you can touch.
Written September 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dana Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA1,261 contributions
Jun 2019 • Solo
San Andreas Fault is not just a video game...this is the big fault that worries people about the next big earthquake.
Written July 31, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Randy Y
Medicine Hat, Canada463 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
We really enjoyed this oasis and the trails it provides. Go early as the daytime temperatures get extremely high and make hiking in the desert impracticable.
Written July 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Liz
Washington DC, DC17 contributions
Is the linked map here accurate (nearest town is Bakersfield when I click on location)? When I search "San Andreas Fault" for directions on Google Map, it says there's one near San Francisco and one in San Luis Obispo - neither of which are close to Palm Desert. Is there a specific park in/near Palm Desert we can go to to see the fault? Many thanks for your help!
NinjaGigi
Murfreesboro, TN186 contributions
The fault is 800 hundred miles long. There are multiple places along it that you can visit for no cost. You just research where you are and there are usually places along the way that you can stand on the fault line or get really close. Some of the fault is located along the I-10 in Coachella, Ca. Palm Springs and Desert Hot Springs are on the fault also. Desert Hot springs exists because of the fault pushing hot water up onto the desert surface and creating hot rivers and pools where a lovely spa is located along with Al Capones house and former brothel. where spa treatments are done now. There is a visitor center on 29200 Thousand Palms Canyon Road where you can walk along the fault. You can visit the Living Desert in Palm Desert and there is a viewing area on a short trail that starts in the Living Desert. It is about a mile from the fault itself but there is an elevated viewing area with telescopes.
Maureen2758
Sydney, Australia2 contributions
How do I get there from Palm Springs?
SDPeterson
La Quinta, CA686 contributions
You can go to Thousand Palms Oasis off of Washington Street heading north. The only other way to REALLY see the fault line is to take Desert Adventures Jeep Tour where you can have direct access to the fault line and learn about how the wildlife depend on the oasis created by the fault lines for food, water, shelter, etc. Hope that helps.
aclark56
Post Falls, ID1 contribution
What are the hours
JovidaAD
Los Angeles, CA
I am so sorry, by this point hopefully you had your trip. But its a 2hr 18minute drive off the Coachella Reservation wetlands stop. Its a hike but there are Jeep tours that can take you right next to the fault line. Hopes this helps. If you do wish to see the eroded, immersed by time cliffs that look similar to the ones in Arizona, about a 50minute drive on the Antelope 14 is the immersing rock and collapsed boulders:
San Andreas Fault (Palm Desert) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about San Andreas Fault
- We recommend booking San Andreas Fault tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 7 San Andreas Fault tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience San Andreas Fault:
- San Andreas Fault Jeep Tour from Palm Desert (From $150.00)
- San Andreas Fault Offroad Tour (From $189.00)
- Earthquake Canyon Express Downhill Bicycle Adventure (From $120.00)
- San Andreas Fault Jeep Tour from Palm Springs (From $150.00)
- The Legends & Icons Tour of Palm Springs (From $125.00)
- Hotels near San Andreas Fault:
- (0.10 mi) Palm Springs Villas
- (0.11 mi) The Hendrix - Chic Palm Springs Estate with 1-Acre of Resort Amenities #4093 4br
- (0.12 mi) Poolside Palm Springs Getaway Condo!
- (0.14 mi) Great 1 Bdrm Condo in North Palm Springs, Near Tram & Downtown + Mtn Views & Ten
- (0.16 mi) Beautiful and Iconic Palm Springs Living
- Restaurants near San Andreas Fault:
- (0.11 mi) Brown's BBQ and Soul Food
- (0.92 mi) Rick's Restaurant & Bakery
- (1.01 mi) Billy Reed's Restaurant
- (1.10 mi) Rick's Desert Grill
- (0.47 mi) 4 Paws Coffee Co