San Andreas Fault Jeep Tour from Palm Desert
Recommended by 98% of travelers
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Palm Springs, USA
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Explore the geology around California’s legendary San Andreas fault during a Jeep tour from Palm Desert. See a desert oasis fed by an underground spring as your naturalist guide describes how the Native American Cahuilla tribe used the desert's plants for food, medicine, and shelter. Marvel at steep-walled canyons and tall twisted rock mountains, and learn about the plant and animal life of the area. Choose from a morning or afternoon tour that includes light snacks, and bottled water.
- Walk around a desert oasis fed by underground water sources
- Hear about geology and California's earthquakes
- Travel with an expert naturalist guide
- Small-group tour ensures a more personalized experience
What's Included
- Naturalist guided open-air Jeep eco-tour
- Granola snacks
- Bottled water
- Land Use Fees
- Gratuities
- Food and drink (unless otherwise specified)
- Hotel Transfers
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Metate Ranch | San Andreas Fault Jeep Tour38635 Monroe St, Indio, CA 92203, USA
Meet your Jeep at the Metate Ranch parking lot 10 minutes prior to your tour. Follow the signage for Red Jeep Tours. If you make it to the Granite/Hi Grade construction gate, you have gone too far.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
Your guide explains the ecology of this desert environment and takes you to see an underground creek that has been forced up to the surface by the fault lines, creating a green oasis that supports a range of plant and animal life.
Then go to a recreated Native American site that illustrates how the native Cahuilla people managed to live in this harsh climate. See homes, a sweat lodge, and artifacts, and hear details about the survival skills needed for living in the desert.
Next up, get a close look at the San Andreas fault on an easy walk into a slot canyon. Your guide shows you areas of the rock that reveal the region's unique geology and discusses the impact of the collision of the Pacific and North American plates.
At the end of your tour, your guide returns you to the original departure point.
Then go to a recreated Native American site that illustrates how the native Cahuilla people managed to live in this harsh climate. See homes, a sweat lodge, and artifacts, and hear details about the survival skills needed for living in the desert.
Next up, get a close look at the San Andreas fault on an easy walk into a slot canyon. Your guide shows you areas of the rock that reveal the region's unique geology and discusses the impact of the collision of the Pacific and North American plates.
At the end of your tour, your guide returns you to the original departure point.
1
San Andreas Fault
3 hours • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 1 day of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Most travelers can participate
- 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.
- Tours departing after 1:00 PM are sunset tours
- 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.
- This is not an extreme tour, but you are travelling on dirt trails and washes, so the ride is a little bumpy.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
MARY_A
Very informative and fun! Linda made the trip so much fun with her humor. A little hiking, scenery, and learning about the faults. Would recommend this trip to everyone.
Reviews
4.9
based on 787 reviews
Lillian_F, May 2026
Super fun- we learned so much from our guide (Gary) about the Cahuilla tribe, geology of the San Andreas fault, fauna, etc. Enjoyed squeezing through the slot canyons. Highly recommended tour!
Dean_T, Apr 2026
Great experience learning about the Coachella valley and San Andreas Fault. Our guide was very knowledgeable and even I learned some things I didn’t know about the area.
Connie_O, Apr 2026
I did not go with my family, but my family had a fabulous time on the tour. They truly enjoyed the tour Director and it was a nice experience.
Cynthia_M, Apr 2026
Excellent way to spend a morning while in Palm Springs. Learned many things I never knew about the San Andreas Fault as well as the Pacific and North American tectonic plates. Hiked a couple of slot canyons and saw a desert oasis!
Karen_C, Apr 2026
Mike did an excellent job explaining the fault, the historical changes to the rock formations and impact to the ecosystem. We enjoyed hiking into the canyons too.
Mary_C, Apr 2026
Fascinating explanations of the San Andreas Fault, amazing rock formations and hiking in a small canyon! Ron was extremely knowledgeable and friendly, a great guide!
Deborah_J, Apr 2026
This tour was a highlight of our visit to Palm Springs! It was fun and informative! Our guide, Pace, was knowledgeable about all the things/areas he showed us! We would definitely recommend to family and friends!
Colleen_A, Apr 2026
Amazing trip! Travis was spectacular and made the evening! Super knowledgeable, passionate and has great dinner suggestions! 10/10
John_K, Apr 2026
Beautiful vegetation of CA palms and distinct linear layers of sand and stone. Our guide, Greg, was well informed, answered all our questions, was mindful of the limitations of guests on short hikes. Thanks for the water and snacks.
Thanks Greg!
Ronald_M, Mar 2026
Nice tour and Ron was very informative. Not exactly what we expected (thought we might see more of the effects of the San Andreas fault).
Jeep was nice and restroom availability was a nice surprise.
Learned about effects of geology and local indigenous people.
Michael_W, Mar 2026
This was a really interesting tour. Tom was awesome and very knowledgeable. I definitely would recommend this.
Lisa_W, Mar 2026
A must do in Palm Springs!! Kelly was our tour guide and he was simply the BEST! This tour is not only educational, learning all about the indigenous people of the land but also the San Andreas fault. It has some light hikes, lots of laughs and photo ops. Request Kelly for your tour and you won’t be disappointed. Definitely a highlight of our vacation. Thank you.
Kinga_B, Mar 2026
Morgan was a wonderful guide. Very informative and a great photographer. We enjoyed learning about the area.
Debra_R, Mar 2026
We had a great time! Learned a lot. Loved the combo of the Jeep ride and a little bit of hiking. Unique experience.
MaryLou_G, Mar 2026
It is very bumpy but the guide was full of great information and made it so interesting. A fascinating adventure.
Krystal_M, Mar 2026
Bonnie our travel guide was incredibly knowledgeable and kind. The time went by fast. I don’t think I’ve ever had a better tour experience before. The walking and/or jeep experience was top notch. Loved our experience.
Ana_R, Mar 2026
Amazing experience! So much to see. Pace was a great tour guide and made it fun and educational! Would definitely recommend for all ages!
Jeffrey_S, Mar 2026
Exceptional experience. Our guide, Belinda, was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Really knew the plant life, indigenous history and geology features. Sunset with champagne and cheese and crackers was an unexpected plus!
MARY_A, Mar 2026
Very informative and fun! Linda made the trip so much fun with her humor. A little hiking, scenery, and learning about the faults. Would recommend this trip to everyone.
Julie_W, Mar 2026
Can be hot! Some people on the tour weren’t prepared to walk up the canyon. Very informative guide! 🥵
Chris_S, Feb 2026
Some light hiking, water, granola bars, sunscreen provided. Restrooms are available about every hour. Jennie, our driver/tour guide was knowledgeable, informative and entertaining. We enjoyed the tour and would highly recommend it.
Lori_L, Feb 2026
The experience was amazing! Our guide Teresa was so knowledgeable! She answered any questions we had and was so great at explaining all the nuances of the desert. It was just a great experience. Highly recommend it.
Mary_W, Feb 2026
Remember to dress in layers. Bill was our tour guide and we learned so much. It was a great experience.
Cecil_W, Feb 2026
Rick was a very good guide. Made the tour enjoyable. We learned a lot about the natives and the different faults in the area.
Sundy_F, Feb 2026
We have been to Palm Desert many times, but never tried this tour before. Since we had friends visiting we signed up & I’m so glad we did. It was fantastic. Marv is an amazing guide- very knowledgeable and so good about taking photos for us & answering questions. We were really fortunate to have spent the morning with him! I would highly recommend this experience.
Robin_W, Feb 2026
Very fun experience! Jennie was very informative. The weather changes quickly so make sure to wear layers.
Preston_S, Feb 2026
Three hour tour of the desert near Palm Springs. Our guide (Ron)?did a great job describing the geology of the SanAndreas fault, the Cuhilla Indian tribe who’ve lived here for thousands of years & some of the more recent history of the area. It is not a very rough tour riding in the jeep. Very glad we did it. Plenty of water and snacks provided.
Ron_B, Feb 2026
Very informative. Not a rough drive, a few bumps as expected on a trail drive. Awesome scenery! Our driver was super friendly! We highly recommend this excursion, we learned so much about the faults and the Indian tribe that lived there.
Marti_H, Feb 2026
History of area Education of Guide. Names of plants. Tell guide not to be offended if someone asks a question which he already explained.
mary_m, Jan 2026
Our guide, Bill, was very knowledgeable and loved the area he covered. Accommodating to all ages and abilities.
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