“One desert. Two personalities.”
One sparkles. One stands still.
Southern California’s desert has always attracted extremes. On one side, Palm Springs turned isolation into glamour, drawing Hollywood legends who wanted sunshine, privacy, and a little architectural experimentation. On the other, Joshua Tree National Park stretches wide and raw, where wind shapes stone and silence carries its own authority. Together, they create a road trip that balances polish with wilderness.
This Bundle includes:
What makes this bundle special is contrast. Palm Springs celebrates clean lines, glass walls, and mid-century modern confidence. Joshua Tree trades cocktail parties for granite monoliths and twisted trees that seem lifted from a dream. Within a short drive, you move from Rat Pack mythology to desert geology millions of years in the making.
The Palm Springs tour rolls past design icons like the Kaufmann House, along with homes once tied to Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Debbie Reynolds, Liberace, and Frank Sinatra. Palm-lined streets reveal why this city became the capital of mid-century modern design, while landmarks like the Palm Springs Walk of Stars celebrate the entertainers who shaped its identity. Even nature makes an appearance at the lush Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve, where freshwater springs quietly defy the desert.
Joshua Tree shifts the mood entirely. Vast skies frame surreal rock formations and forests of namesake Joshua trees that define the Mojave landscape. As you drive through the park, stories of miners, bandits, Indigenous history, and resilient desert life unfold. Trails invite closer exploration, especially at Hidden Valley Trail, where towering boulders form a natural amphitheater that once fueled outlaw legends.
This self-guided audio tours bundle lets you explore both worlds at your own pace. GPS-based narration plays automatically as you drive or walk, pauses when you stop to explore, and resumes when you are ready. You focus on the views and the details. The stories fill in the context.
Taken together, Palm Springs and Joshua Tree create a desert experience that feels complete. One destination celebrates design and celebrity. The other strips everything back to rock, sky, and survival. Both reward curiosity. Both look better in golden light.
Side effects of this road trip: May include sudden interest in mid-century furniture, dramatic desert sunset photos, and the belief that silence can be luxurious. Water is essential.
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Palm Springs And Joshua Tree (Map)
How Does It Work?
- Once you book a tour, you’ll get a text/email with instructions.
- Download the app (while in good Wi-Fi/signal) and use your unique password to access your tours. If multiple versions or entry points are available for your tour, be sure to download all the audio guides.
- Audio Setup: Connect your phone to the car stereo via Bluetooth, USB, or Aux, and bring headphones on walking tours. CarPlay and Android Auto are currently not supported; we’re working toward a solution with Apple.
- To begin touring, go to the starting point and launch the app.
- The audio starts automatically once you reach the starting point. Stick to the tour route and speed limit for the best experience.
- Please note that no one will meet you at the starting point.
Preview The Tour
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Inclusions and Exclusions
App on your phone: A link to download the Action Tour Guide App and Password for your tours.
Easy to use: Stories play automatically via GPS, hands‑free. Assistance available all day via call, chat, or email.
Flexible schedule: Use any day, any time. Tours are valid forever.
Interactive audio stories: Experience local history and culture through clear, concise narratives from experienced narrators.
At your own pace: No group. Take breaks for photos, snacks, hikes. Go at your own pace.
Offline use: No cell signal or Wi-Fi required. Offline GPS Map & route. Stop-to-stop direction.
Don’t miss a thing: Enjoy a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated videos, text guides, and hidden gems.
Transportation, parking fees, food, and drinks.
Entry tickets or reservations for any attractions along the route.
Car Rental: Please arrange a rental car at the closest airport or train station.
