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
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
197 within 5 kms
Attractions
95 within 10 kms
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
86 reviews
Excellent
48
Very good
27
Average
7
Poor
1
Terrible
3
PamRoad
Texas1,051 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 12 March 2023
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.
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 28 January 2023
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.
lovethesights
Kankakee, IL251 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 5 March 2022
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.
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 22 June 2021
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.
rssrob
West Kelowna, Canada674 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 8 March 2020
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.
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 6 February 2020
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.
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 3 January 2020
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.
I13JAmarym
Palm Desert, CA2,337 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 14 September 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.
Dana Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA1,290 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 31 July 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.
Randy Y
Medicine Hat, Canada464 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 15 July 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.
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, CA687 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:
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 listingSAN ANDREAS FAULT: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about San Andreas Fault
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience San Andreas Fault:
- San Andreas Fault Jeep Tour from Palm Desert (From ₱8,327.32)
- San Andreas Fault Offroad Tour (From ₱10,492.42)
- Earthquake Canyon Express Downhill Bicycle Adventure (From ₱7,716.65)
- San Andreas Fault Jeep Tour from Palm Springs (From ₱8,327.32)
- The Legends & Icons Tour of Palm Springs (From ₱6,939.43)
- Hotels near San Andreas Fault:
- (0.16 km) Palm Springs Villas
- (0.17 km) The Hendrix - Chic Palm Springs Estate with 1-Acre of Resort Amenities #4093 4br
- (0.19 km) Poolside Palm Springs Getaway Condo!
- (0.20 km) Beautiful Remodeled Condo with New Stylish Furniture-quiet and peaceful location
- (0.22 km) Great 1 Bdrm Condo in North Palm Springs, Near Tram & Downtown + Mtn Views & Ten
- Restaurants near San Andreas Fault:
- (0.17 km) Brown's BBQ and Soul Food
- (1.47 km) Rick's Restaurant & Bakery
- (1.62 km) Billy Reed's Restaurant
- (1.76 km) Rick's Desert Grill
- (0.75 km) 4 Paws Coffee Co