If you do one thing in Joshua Tree National Park, make it Keys View. The short paved walk from the parking area takes less than five minutes and puts you at 5,185 feet above sea level, looking out over the entire Coachella Valley. On a clear day — and most days out here are clear — you can pick out Palm Springs far below, the glittering line of the Salton Sea to the south, and the snow-capped peaks of Mount San Jacinto and Mount San Gorgonio.
The San Andreas Fault runs directly through the valley floor visible from here, which gives the view an extra edge of drama once you know what you’re looking at.
Sunrise and sunset are the times to come. The light at dawn turns the entire valley gold, and the drive back through the park in the fading light is one of those moments that earns a trip a permanent place in the memory. It’s about a 20-minute drive from the park’s west entrance, entirely paved, and accessible to all fitness levels. No extra entry fee beyond the park pass. Go before dinner and drive back to the villa in the dark — the stars on that return journey tend to stop conversation entirely.
