7 must-see spots in Southern California’s deserts

California’s deserts — the Mojave, the Colorado — may not be the most enticing places to be in mid-summer, when temperatures soar above the century mark. But winter brings cooler temperatures and fewer crowds, and spring adds wildflowers to the mix. In other words, this is the perfect time to plan a sunny sojourn south.

If you go, make sure these strange and beautiful places are on your itinerary, from the surreal, sunset-hued rock formations and spiky trees of Joshua Tree National Park to the arid landscapes of Death Valley, which partially reopened to the public in mid-October after catastrophic flash floods in August.

Don’t miss the movie set-like Pioneertown in California’s High Desert. Built in 1946 as a filming location, Pioneertown exudes an 1880s Western vibe — movies such as “The Cisco Kid” and “Judge Roy Bean” were filmed here. It’s also home to Pappy & Harriet’s Palace, an atmospheric honky tonk that serves up barbecue and live music, including the occasional impromptu appearance by Coachella artists.

And if you prefer your desert experiences with a heady dose of glamour, Palm Springs is the go-to, a city that offers midcentury mod architecture, fantastic restaurants, museums, an oasis trail and an aerial tramway that gives you the entire region from on high.

7 must-see desert experiences

1 Joshua Tree National Park

2 Fortynine Palms and Oasis Trail at Joshua Tree

3 Death Valley National Park

4 Mitchell Caverns

5 Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

6 Indian Canyons, Palm Springs

7 Coachella Valley Preserve