San Andreas Fault Jeep Tour from Palm Desert

Overview

Only Red Jeep Tours can take you to Metate Ranch, located in the heart of the San Andreas Fault Zone.

On this awe-inspiring OPEN-AIR Jeep Tour, you will travel deep into the heart of California’s world-famous San Andreas Fault and witness the forces of nature that have created amazing, steep-walled canyons and the most twisted and tormented landscapes on Earth!

You will be awestruck by the spectacular scenery as your Jeep winds its way through the bones of the earth. During your adventure, you will stop several times for short nature walks, including a short hike through a slot canyon, if desired.

This tour also stops at a natural palm oasis, where water bubbles up from the ground year-round. Here you will learn about how the Cahuilla Indians used desert plants to survive in this inhospitable environment.

A final highlight is a guided tour of our recreated Cahuilla Indian Village that showcases the lifestyle and culture of the Cahuilla people.

City: Palm Springs

Tue 24 Dec

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $150.00

Make a reservation

Tue 24 Dec

Starting at $150.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Bottled water

Naturalist guided open-air Jeep eco-tour

Granola snacks

Land Use Fees

Additional Info

Service animals allowed
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
A minimum of 2 guests per booking is required
Closed-toe shoes, a hat and sunscreen are strongly advised
As desert temperatures may vary, dressing in layers would be advised
Please call the reservation's desk a day or two before your tour to confirm your pickup time and location. Failure to call, however, will NOT result in cancellation of the tour.
Guests with neck or back problems or pregnant women in their 2nd or 3rd trimester should consult with their doctor before taking a Jeep Tour.
Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitised between use
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitised
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Regular temperature checks for staff
Temperature checks for travellers upon arrival
Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
COVID-19 vaccination required for guides

What To Expect

San Andreas Fault

Experience the twisted and tortured landscape of an active earthquake fault system as your guide describes the geology of the area and you explore the bones of the earth. Don't forget your camera - the photo opportunities are endless! Take a walk between the steep walls of deep canyons created by the powerful forces of plate tectonics, water, wind, and time. Explore a natural palm oasis where crystal clear water bubbles up from the underground aquifer year round. Learn about the culture and lifestyle of the Cahuilla Indians and how they used the desert’s plants for food, medicine, tools, weapons, shelter, and more as you tour a recreated Cahuilla Indian Village. Learn about the plants and animals of the California desert and take in spectacular views as your guide describes the geologic forces and local history that shaped the Coachella Valley.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (430)

85logsdon

Dec 2017

Thanks to Lane for an awesome afternoon adventure! The tour was incredibly engaging, informative, and fun! Lane was a wealth of information on the area’s geology, plant life, native people, and environment! Loved every minute of the excursion! Thanks again Sincerely, Chris & Dan

Response from Host

Dec 2017

Great to see your review! We are glad you enjoyed the tour with Lane!

John P

Dec 2017

This was one of the best tours I've attended. The trip started on a sour note. I'd mistakenly scheduled the tour for December 27th rather than Dec 20th when we were in Indio. Fortunately the two guides found room for us in one of the jeeps and cleared the change with the office. That was the last sour note. The rest of the tour was amazing. Our guide, Darrell Eisman, was absolutely wonderful. He was knowledgeable, personable and a terrific host. We saw some very interesting sights, but it was Darrell's explanations and teaching aids that brought the tour alive. His comments on history, geography and geology put what we were seeing into context. I had expected to see those interesting sights. I had not expected to come away with so much understanding of the desert and the fault. By all means, take this tour. I'll do it again, but I'll be certain to ask for Darrell.

Response from Host

Dec 2017

Thanks for the wonderful review! Glad you enjoyed your desert adventure and we hope to see you on the Jeeps in the future with Darrell!

SheriSR

Dec 2017

Our hotel made the booking for our afternoon tour. The weather was cold Christmas week in Palm Springs and the morning tour would've been very chilly. The guide was terrific, Craig Hughes , was knowledgeable, personable and a pleasure to tour with. You enter the San Andreas fault area through private acreage that they have access to. We walked through a desert palm oasis, visited a plateau where they re-created Indian shelters over the exact spot that was just abandonned 120 years ago. The final portion of the trip was walking through and climbing up a very narrow slot canyon. My husband and I made this trip with our adult daughter and the one suggestion I have for improvement would be to leave more time to climb the slot canyons. We all enjoyed the tour much more informed about geology habitats wildlife and pantries.

Response from Host

Dec 2017

Thanks for your review and sharing your experience!