San Andreas Fault
San Andreas Fault
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience San Andreas Fault and nearby attractions
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
88 reviews
Excellent
49
Very good
27
Average
7
Poor
2
Terrible
3
Cathy H
Gold Coast, Australia180 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
Where was it,closed so no access onto private property,only open on the weekend! not sign posted. Not tourist friendly.
Could not visit or see other than the clumps of palms where the fault line obviously was. We had another couple drive same as us, very disappointing as we spent time to come here and saw nothing, don’t bother do something else better with your time
Could not visit or see other than the clumps of palms where the fault line obviously was. We had another couple drive same as us, very disappointing as we spent time to come here and saw nothing, don’t bother do something else better with your time
Written July 17, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gerhard
Meersburg (Bodensee), Germany9 contributions
Apr 2023 • Family
The fault is cutting through the dessert. As usually water syphers up through the crack, palm trees mark it.
Many different hikes available. Plenty parking spots at the trailheads.
It's something different, not to be seen everywhere.
Most dirt-roads can be handled with normal cars.
Of course bring your food, water, sunscreen and camera with you.
When you are in the area, you also might go to the Salton sea, Ansa Borrego and enjoy the many hikes there. Nice in winter and you might see flowers blooming in the dessert, if it rains. Also many off-road potentials, especially the nearby Imperial Sand Dunes.
Many different hikes available. Plenty parking spots at the trailheads.
It's something different, not to be seen everywhere.
Most dirt-roads can be handled with normal cars.
Of course bring your food, water, sunscreen and camera with you.
When you are in the area, you also might go to the Salton sea, Ansa Borrego and enjoy the many hikes there. Nice in winter and you might see flowers blooming in the dessert, if it rains. Also many off-road potentials, especially the nearby Imperial Sand Dunes.
Written March 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
johnstoneh
North Vancouver, Canada23 contributions
Jan 2019
Closer than you'd think to Palm Desert - and I do mean close! Just over the I-10 on Washington, and another 2 miles and you are there! sometimes overlooked by other more major attractions, but this is a very interesting tour of the area on constructed boardwalks (some steps involved, but not excessive) and can be cool among the palms and a close up of a portion of the San Adreas Fault - a great way to spend an easy hour or so, and conveniently close to Palm Desert and La Quinta - and its free.
Written March 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ADolores
Lafayette, IN1,365 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
We decided that since were in the area we needed to go view the San Andreas Fault. The fault runs for many miles but there is a viewing spot near Palm Springs. It was awesome to look at the fault which is responsible for so many tremors.
Written October 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kathywE3521OR
Oklahoma City, OK12 contributions
Apr 2018
I looked at this from top of the overlook in Joshua Tree then drove down to Palm Desert and walked to the fault. Amazing to think that one day everything west of that point may be gone. very quiet area felt like you were on the edge.
Written April 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Juliadrusilla
Heerhugowaard, The Netherlands344 contributions
Feb 2017 • Friends
The Coachella Valley Preserve is a beautiful spot near Palm Desert on the other side of the "10".
There are native palm trees here (the ones with the skirts) and an oasis and small wetland area. There is a small ranger station where people explain the significance of the area to you, help you plan your hike and where guided tours start (check in advance!).
It is a strange idea to be right on top of the San Andreas fault line!
The hiking here is not to strenuous and there is a boardwalk which would also be OK for people who are not accustomed to hiking.
We loved this experience. Do take water and a sunhat because when you get out of the palmy areas the rest of the hike is pretty exposed.
There are native palm trees here (the ones with the skirts) and an oasis and small wetland area. There is a small ranger station where people explain the significance of the area to you, help you plan your hike and where guided tours start (check in advance!).
It is a strange idea to be right on top of the San Andreas fault line!
The hiking here is not to strenuous and there is a boardwalk which would also be OK for people who are not accustomed to hiking.
We loved this experience. Do take water and a sunhat because when you get out of the palmy areas the rest of the hike is pretty exposed.
Written February 6, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tek
Palm Desert, CA136 contributions
Dec 2014 • Solo
No, you cannot really touch it. It's not like the zipper in the intro to Superman 1. There are places where you can see evidence of the fault--palm oasis is one example. Good places for "seeing" the fault are Coachella Valley Preserve, the road back to Whitewater Preserve, and the Living Desert.
Written December 5, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shadelly
San Francisco, CA42 contributions
Mar 2018 • Family
These photos are actually not from this location . If you want to do the San Andreas fault . If you want to go to this location put Coachella valley preserve in your GPS .
Written March 28, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lb33wonka
Redondo Beach, CA2,055 contributions
Mar 2018
You do not need to book a tour . Goto visitor center and get a map . They will tell you best way to see it all . You don’t need that much time . Make sure you make it out to the pond and get a picture of the palm trees reflecting on the water
Written March 20, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bob M
Minneapolis, MN212 contributions
Feb 2016 • Family
I've been to where the Mississippi River starts north of Bemiji, Mn and it's small so the begining of the San Andreas starts small.
But to charge $145.00 each total waste of money. Total waste. First, took us to a Oasis that was free to the public. A few people who didn't pay tagged along and the tour operator said nothing. Second we were told that we would go to the Joshua National Forest. If you thought you were going to the Joshua National Forest wouldn't you expect to see a Joshua tree, no Joshua tree. In fact the tour operator said we were in the Joshua tree didn't exist in the southern part of the forest.
If you want to pay $145 each to see the capability of a Hummer this is the tour for you. If you want to see spent ammunition from gun shooters is your tour as apparently in California anyone can shoot guns. I'm all in favor of guns but please clean up your MESS!
But to charge $145.00 each total waste of money. Total waste. First, took us to a Oasis that was free to the public. A few people who didn't pay tagged along and the tour operator said nothing. Second we were told that we would go to the Joshua National Forest. If you thought you were going to the Joshua National Forest wouldn't you expect to see a Joshua tree, no Joshua tree. In fact the tour operator said we were in the Joshua tree didn't exist in the southern part of the forest.
If you want to pay $145 each to see the capability of a Hummer this is the tour for you. If you want to see spent ammunition from gun shooters is your tour as apparently in California anyone can shoot guns. I'm all in favor of guns but please clean up your MESS!
Written February 18, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
So there is no free walk to visit
the Fault area? It has to be with the Jeep tour?
Written May 23, 2017
You can visit the fault area free. There are several areas to view it. Just use a map for info. The visitor center is free also.
Written May 27, 2017
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!
Written April 25, 2017
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.
Written July 14, 2017
How do I get there from Palm Springs?
Written April 6, 2017
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.
Written April 6, 2017
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:
Written March 15, 2017
Showing results 1-7 of 7
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing