SCENIC DRIVES — PALM SPRINGS AREA
The Best Scenic Drives Around Palm Springs for Exotic & Luxury Car Enthusiasts
Updated July · 7 routes · 12 min read
Seven drives covering every car type and time commitment — from the world-class switchbacks of the Palms to Pines highway to the storied hairpins of Palomar Mountain. Curated from car enthusiast communities, luxury travel advisors, and regional driving experts.
From the palm-lined desert floor of the Coachella Valley up into pine-scented mountains, out to the sculptural boulders of Joshua Tree, and down the dramatic grades into Anza-Borrego, these are the routes worth showing up for in something special. Whether you’re picking up a dream rental, chasing a road a Bentley insider called one of the best in the world, or simply looking for pavement worthy of a supercar, this is the definitive Palm Springs list.
Scenic drives research and mapping powered by Geovea’s Luxury Travel Search, our parent company — plan your own trip with the same tool.
1. Palms to Pines & Idyllwild Loop via CA-74 and CA-243
The desert-to-alpine crown jewel — a world-class driving road ★★★★★
This is the Coachella Valley’s signature drive, and it belongs at the top of any serious enthusiast’s list. A Bentley insider once named Highway 74 one of the five best driving roads in the world, and after a recent resurfacing it’s smoother than ever. You climb from the palm-lined desert floor into cool, pine-scented mountain forest in a remarkably short span. CA-74 delivers big sweeping vistas and dramatic drop-offs, then CA-243 carries you through classic mountain scenery near Idyllwild before the descent back toward the valley. It’s the ideal two-climates-in-one-day escape, with the loop version (up CA-74, down CA-243 to Banning) being the move that regional experts call driving nirvana.
Special Insights & Experiences
- Fuel up first with lunch on El Paseo in Palm Desert, the desert’s Rodeo Drive: Mastro’s Steakhouse or Mitch’s on El Paseo Prime Seafood set the tone before you climb
- Cahuilla Tewanet Vista Point on CA-74 for the signature Coachella Valley panorama
- Reserve a table at Ferro in Idyllwild for a genuinely elevated mountain meal, from white sturgeon caviar to house-made pasta and a serious wine list; book ahead, it fills fast
- Café Aroma, also in Idyllwild, is the refined alternative, with a lead chef who came from Mastro’s in LA, an art-gallery setting, and live jazz
- A short forest walk in the San Jacinto Mountains before the golden-hour descent back to the valley
Driving Route: Palm Springs → CA-74 (Palms to Pines) → Mountain Center → CA-243 → Idyllwild → CA-243 north toward Banning → I-10 → Palm Springs
Route Map: Open in Google Maps →
Distance: 95–105 mi loop | Drive Time: 2.5–3.5 hrs | From Palm Springs: ~20 min to start
2. Joshua Tree Park Boulevard & Keys View
The otherworldly desert showpiece ★★★★★
Park Boulevard is one of America’s great desert drives — a clean, well-signed ribbon of pavement through Joshua tree groves, sculptural boulder piles, and iconic Mojave scenery. The crescendo is Keys View, a high vantage that looks out over the entire Coachella Valley and, on clear days, all the way to the Salton Sea and the peaks beyond. For a luxury day, this drive shines at sunrise or late afternoon, when the granite glows and the crowds thin. It’s a top-down convertible drive if there ever was one, with frequent pullouts for photography and short, high-impact walks.
Special Insights & Experiences
- Hidden Valley, just off Park Boulevard early in the drive, for a classic short stroll among the rock-and-desert formations
- Cap Rock and Skull Rock for easy, iconic roadside photo stops as you continue along Park Boulevard
- Keys View, at the end of Keys View Road, is the climactic panoramic overlook over the entire Coachella Valley
- Pack a premium picnic and use a designated day-use area inside the park for a quiet golden-hour break among the boulders
- For dinner after the park, Kitchen in the Desert in Twentynine Palms (near the park’s north entrance) is a $$$$ Caribbean-New American standout with a string-lit patio and fire pits
- La Copine, in Yucca Valley (on Old Woman Springs Road, at the edge of Flamingo Heights), is the region’s cult chef-driven table for a memorable seasonal meal on the way back toward Palm Springs; note it serves dinner Thursday through Sunday only
Driving Route: Palm Springs → West Entrance Station (Joshua Tree) → Park Boulevard → Hidden Valley → Cap Rock → Keys View Road → Keys View → back to Park Boulevard → Skull Rock → North Entrance (Twentynine Palms) → return to Palm Springs
Note: Keys View is an out-and-back spur, so you return down Keys View Road before continuing. Exiting east past Skull Rock to the north entrance puts Kitchen in the Desert (Twentynine Palms) on your path; backtracking west toward the town of Joshua Tree instead puts La Copine (Yucca Valley) on your route home.
Route Map: Open in Google Maps →
Distance: 50–75 mi RT | Drive Time: 2–3 hrs | From Palm Springs: ~45 min to West Entrance
3. Palomar Mountain South Grade Drive to Palomar Observatory
The most technical road in Southern California ★★★★★
This is a connoisseur’s mountain drive and a genuine bucket-list road. The South Grade (S6) is often called the most technical road in Southern California, packing more than 20 back-to-back hairpins into roughly seven miles, along with decreasing-radius turns, silky snake sections, and a handful of generously long sweepers. The Porsche Club of America rates it a perfect five out of five for difficulty. It finishes at one of the world’s most storied observatories, home to the Hale Telescope. Note the distance: this one sits near the far edge of the Palm Springs radius, so treat it as a full-day commitment for a road that earns it.
Special Insights & Experiences
- Arrive early on a weekday for quiet roads and crisp mountain visibility
- The apple pie at Mother’s Kitchen, the vegetarian roadhouse at the S6 and S7 junction, is the traditional summit reward
- Palomar Observatory for a high-impact cultural stop at the home of the Hale Telescope
- For a proper meal, plan a reservation on the way back at one of Temecula wine country’s tasting-room restaurants, an easy detour off the return
- Descend East Grade Road (S7) for a gentler, scenic return variation, and bring a light jacket since temperatures drop sharply at elevation
Driving Route: Palm Springs → I-10 → CA-79 → CA-76 → South Grade Road (S6) → Palomar Observatory → return via East Grade Road (S7)
Route Map: Open in Google Maps →
Distance: 200–240 mi RT | Drive Time: 5–6 hrs | From Palm Springs: ~2 hrs to the grade
4. Anza-Borrego Montezuma Grade Scenic Drive
The desert’s glass elevator ★★★★½
Montezuma Grade (S-22) is the desert’s glass elevator — a dramatic, well-paved climb with expansive overlooks and a striking shift from high scrubland down to the open desert floor. The reveal of Borrego Springs and the surrounding badlands as you descend is one of the great grand-entrance moments in Southern California driving. The road is twisty but smooth and well-maintained, rewarding a calm, confident pace. It pairs beautifully with a refined lunch in Borrego Springs and the town’s famous roadside metal sculptures.
Special Insights & Experiences
- Montezuma Grade overlooks, on the descent itself, for the signature drop-into-the-desert panorama
- The Anza-Borrego visitor center in Borrego Springs for orientation as you arrive in the valley
- Lunch or dinner at La Casa del Zorro in Borrego Springs, a historic 1937 four-star desert resort; the Fox Bistro is the town’s only upscale dining room, with a terrace beside the fountains and the storied Fox Den Bar alongside
- Galleta Meadows, just around Borrego Springs, for easy roadside viewing of the giant metal sculptures
- Wildflower timing can be spectacular in strong bloom years, typically late winter; time the descent for late afternoon to watch light move across the badlands
Driving Route: Palm Springs → CA-74 → CA-371 → Ranchita → S-22 (Montezuma Grade) → Borrego Springs → return
Route Map: Open in Google Maps →
Distance: 140–180 mi RT | Drive Time: 4–5 hrs | From Palm Springs: ~1.5 hrs to the grade
5. Box Canyon Road Through the Mecca Hills
The short but memorable desert canyon ★★★★
Box Canyon Road cuts through the vividly folded rock of the Mecca Hills, offering an otherworldly, geology-forward drive that feels far more remote than it actually is. CarBuzz has singled it out as a mostly smooth road with a few bends that catch out the unwary — exactly the kind of paved, low-clearance-friendly canyon run that suits an exotic. The canyon walls tighten in places and the colors shift with the sun, glowing pink, red, and gold in late afternoon. It’s the ideal short-but-memorable outing when you want maximum impact for minimum time. Stick to the paved Box Canyon Road itself; the Painted Canyon spur is an unpaved wash that’s no place for a supercar.
Special Insights & Experiences
- Slow roll through the narrowest canyon sections for the best rock-texture photos
- Late-afternoon light brings out the deepest pinks and golds in the walls
- Pair with a refined picnic setup, with shade and a curated spread, staged before you leave the valley
- Because this is a short drive, bookend it with dinner back in Palm Springs at Spencer’s, Eight4Nine, or Mr. Lyons for a proper close to the day; Eight4Nine is open daily, while Spencer’s closes Tuesday and Wednesday and Mr. Lyons serves dinner only Thursday through Sunday, so check the day before you plan around one
- Bring a microfiber cloth, since fine desert dust is common out here
Driving Route: Palm Springs → I-10 east → Box Canyon Road → Mecca Hills → return via CA-195 / CA-111
Route Map: Open in Google Maps →
Distance: 60–90 mi RT | Drive Time: 1.5–2.5 hrs | From Palm Springs: ~30 min to the canyon
6. Pines to Palms Extension to Julian
The best-of-both-worlds full-day grand tour ★★★★
This is the ambitious full-day version of the mountain drive: desert-to-pines elevation change, then onward into the apple-pie charm of Julian, a historic gold-rush-era town. The journey is the point here — big skies, mountain curves through the Cuyamacas, and a satisfying arrive-somewhere-special finish. For luxury travelers it’s ideal as a leisurely outing built around a long lunch, boutique browsing, and a perfectly timed slice of pie before the return. The forested stretches on the approach have the kind of smooth, sweeping asphalt that makes a grand tourer feel effortless.
Special Insights & Experiences
- On the approach through Santa Ysabel, California Mountain Bakery is a worthy first stop for pie and fresh sourdough, quieter and less crowded than the town center; it is open Thursday through Sunday only, so save it for a weekend run
- In Julian itself, Romano’s is the beloved family-run Italian and Sicilian institution near Main Street for a proper sit-down meal, in business since the 1980s
- Julian Pie Company and Mom’s Pie House, both longtime Julian institutions on and around Main Street, are the obligatory apple-pie finish
- Browse Julian’s walkable Main Street shops at an unhurried pace, and time the drive for crisp mountain air in fall or spring
- Consider a premium picnic kit for a viewpoint stop on the return
Driving Route: Palm Springs → CA-74 → CA-371 → CA-79 → Santa Ysabel → Julian → return
Route Map: Open in Google Maps →
Distance: 180–220 mi RT | Drive Time: 5–6 hrs | From Palm Springs: ~2 hrs to Julian
7. Pioneertown & the High Desert Scenic Drive
The cinematic Old-West atmosphere run ★★★½
This high-desert run delivers wide-open Mojave scenery with a stylish finish on Pioneertown’s iconic Mane Street, an atmospheric Old-West town built in the 1940s as a movie set by Roy Rogers and his cowboy friends. The drive up through the Morongo Basin offers big horizons and that unmistakable high-desert palette, and it’s especially strong as an afternoon-into-evening outing when the light softens. It’s more an atmosphere day than a technical driving day, which is exactly why it earns a spot as the relaxed, characterful close to the list.
Special Insights & Experiences
- On the way up through Yucca Valley, stop for design-forward shopping or a natural-wine run at Desierto Alto before continuing to Pioneertown
- In Pioneertown, stroll Mane Street for the Old-West movie-set architecture Roy Rogers helped build in the 1940s
- The Red Dog Saloon and boutique shops along Mane Street reward an unhurried wander
- Pappy & Harriet’s, the legendary Santa Maria-style BBQ roadhouse and live-music venue in Pioneertown that has hosted Paul McCartney and Robert Plant, is the reason to come; it runs on a first-come waitlist, so arrive early
- Golden hour is ideal for portraits and architectural detail, so time your visit for late afternoon into evening
Driving Route: Palm Springs → I-10 → CA-62 (Twentynine Palms Highway) → Yucca Valley → Pioneertown Road → Pioneertown → return
Route Map: Open in Google Maps →
Distance: 70–95 mi RT | Drive Time: 2–3 hrs | From Palm Springs: ~40 min to Pioneertown
Planning Your Drive
Most Palm Springs-area routes are well-paved and suitable for low-clearance exotics and supercars. The mountain grades deserve respect, though: CA-74, CA-243, Palomar’s South Grade (S6), and Anza-Borrego’s Montezuma Grade (S-22) are all genuinely curvy with real elevation change and drop-offs. Drive unhurriedly, use the turnouts to let faster traffic pass, and avoid nighttime descents if you’re not fully confident on unfamiliar roads.
Fuel up before heading into the mountains. There are no gas stations on Palomar Mountain, none for long stretches of CA-74 beyond Palm Desert, and sparse services around Borrego Springs and the Mecca-area drives. Always top off before you leave the valley, and keep an eye on range — supercars often have small tanks, and spirited driving cuts it quickly.
Mind the heat and the seasons. Summer temperatures in Anza-Borrego, the Mecca Hills, and Joshua Tree can be genuinely dangerous, so plan those desert-heavy days for the cooler months and start early. Winter can bring snow and ice at higher elevations near Idyllwild and Palomar, so check Caltrans and park alerts before you go. Spring and fall are the sweet spots across nearly every route.
Bonus Tip: For a simple luxury enhancement, pre-order gourmet picnic provisions in Palm Springs or Palm Desert before you set out, then plan one hero stop — a mountain overlook, a forest edge, a desert vista — where you linger rather than hopping between too many quick pullouts. One unhurried, well-chosen stop makes the whole day feel elevated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best scenic drive around Palm Springs for a supercar?
The Palms to Pines highway (CA-74) is the top choice, and it’s not close. A Bentley insider named it one of the five best driving roads in the world, and a recent resurfacing left it beautifully smooth. It climbs from the desert floor into the San Jacinto Mountains through a series of sweeping switchbacks, and paired with CA-243 down to Banning it makes a full loop that regional experts call driving nirvana. Palomar Mountain’s South Grade, rated five out of five for difficulty by the Porsche Club of America, is the other elite option if you’re willing to make the longer drive.
Are the Palm Springs mountain roads suitable for low-clearance exotic cars?
Yes. CA-74, CA-243, Palomar’s South Grade, Anza-Borrego’s Montezuma Grade, and Box Canyon Road are all paved and regularly driven by high-end sports cars. The one thing to avoid is the unpaved Painted Canyon spur off Box Canyon Road, which is a soft-sand wash unsuitable for any low-clearance vehicle. Stick to the paved routes and you’ll have no issues, though a slow first pass on any unfamiliar mountain road is always wise.
Which Palm Springs drives are best for luxury SUVs and grand tourers?
The Pines to Palms extension to Julian, the Anza-Borrego Montezuma Grade, and the Pioneertown high-desert run are ideal for luxury SUVs and grand tourers. These are longer, scenic, destination-focused days built around lunch, shopping, and small-town charm rather than aggressive corner-carving. A Bentayga, Cullinan, Range Rover, or G-Wagen is right at home on any of them.
Which drives are best for exotic cars and supercars?
For pure performance driving, prioritize the Palms to Pines and Idyllwild loop, Palomar Mountain’s South Grade, and Box Canyon Road. These routes have the technical curves, smooth pavement, and light midweek traffic that reward a properly sorted supercar. Time them for weekday mornings for the best experience.
When is the best time to take scenic drives around Palm Springs?
Fall through spring, without question. Desert routes like Joshua Tree, Anza-Borrego, and the Mecca Hills are best from October through April, when temperatures are comfortable and light is dramatic; summer heat in these areas can be extreme and should be approached with early starts and caution. Mountain drives to Idyllwild and Palomar are pleasant nearly year-round but can see winter snow and ice at elevation. Weekday mornings offer the emptiest roads on every route.
Are there gas stations on the Palm Springs mountain driving routes?
Largely no. There is no fuel on Palomar Mountain, none for long stretches of CA-74 once you leave Palm Desert, and very limited options around Borrego Springs and the Mecca Hills. Always fill up before leaving the valley and keep an eye on your range, since aggressive driving significantly reduces it on these grades.
Can I rent an exotic or luxury car in Palm Springs for these drives?
Yes. The Palm Springs and greater Coachella Valley area is one of Southern California’s premier destinations for exotic and luxury rentals, with a fleet suited to everything from a top-down Joshua Tree cruise to a technical Palomar Mountain run to a full-day grand tour toward Julian. Most rentals include a daily mileage allowance well suited to these day drives.
For the ultimate experience, rent your dream car from one of the Palm Springs area premier exotic and luxury car rental companies and make these drives truly unforgettable.
