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SoCal Free Spirit Loop
Hey! If you're looking to see a ton of cool stuff without breaking the bank on tickets, a loop through Southern California and the High Desert is unbeatable. There’s so much world-class scenery and quirky art out here that doesn't cost a dime. Since you've got five days and a car, we can hit the coast, the mountains, and the deep desert. I'm starting and ending this at LAX, as it's the easiest hub for a road trip like this. Five days of mountains, desert art, and Pacific sunsets without spending a cent on admission.
5days
16stops
DAY01
Los Angeles International Air… → Santa Monica Pier & Palisades…
Overnight in Santa Monica Pier & Palisades Park
- 09:00Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)· start
- 11:00Griffith Observatory
- 14:30Echo Park Lake
- 17:00Santa Monica Pier & Palisades Park· overnight
DAY02
Santa Monica Pier → Twentynine Palms
Overnight in Twentynine Palms
- 09:00Santa Monica Pier· start
- 12:00Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch
- 15:00Mojave National Preserve
- 18:00Twentynine Palms· overnight
DAY03
Twentynine Palms → Palm Springs
Overnight in Palm Springs
- 09:00Twentynine Palms· start
- 11:00Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Art Museum
- 14:00Pioneer Town
- 17:00Palm Springs· overnight
DAY04
Palm Springs → Lake Arrowhead
Overnight in Lake Arrowhead
- 09:00Palm Springs· start
- 11:00Deep Creek Hot Springs
- 14:00Big Bear Lake
- 17:00Lake Arrowhead· overnight
DAY05
Lake Arrowhead → Los Angeles International Air…
- 09:00Lake Arrowhead· start
- 12:00Chicano Park (San Diego/Barrio Logan)
- 15:00La Jolla Cove
- 19:00Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Heads Up
- Day 5: last activity ends 19:00 — aim to wrap by ~18:00 or drop a stop