San Andreas Fault & Salton Sea: Offroad Jeep Tour Small Group

Summary

Offroad adventure through painted canyons and wild landscapes

You’ll ride deep into California’s San Andreas Fault zone by Jeep with a small group and local guide, stopping for views over the Salton Sea and wandering through narrow slot canyons painted in surreal colors. Expect real geology underfoot, stories from locals, snacks, bottled water, and moments of silence that somehow feel huge.

What’s the experience like?

"You know, this land moves under your feet," our guide Joe said, grinning as he tapped his boot on the cracked earth. I laughed, but honestly, I felt a bit nervous — you can actually see the ground split in places out here near Palm Springs. We piled into the Jeep (I got the middle seat, not my best call) and rattled down a dirt track that looked like it hadn’t seen rain in months. The air was dry and warm, dust curling up behind us. Joe pointed out some twisted rocks — he called them “tortured,” which made sense when you saw how they bent and folded like old bread dough.

The first stop was this overlook above the Salton Sea. It’s huge — bigger than I expected — and kind of ghostly with all that pale blue stretching out under a hazy sky. There was this faint salty smell mixed with something sweet from nearby farms (citrus maybe?). A couple of pelicans drifted by, ignoring us completely. Joe handed around cold water bottles and told stories about how the sea wasn’t supposed to be there at all. I tried to imagine what it must’ve looked like before all that water showed up.

Driving into one of those narrow slot canyons was wild — walls pressed close enough that you could almost touch both sides if you leaned out (don’t do it). The colors changed every few feet: rust red, pale yellow, even lavender in some light. It felt quiet in there except for our footsteps crunching on gravel and someone’s laugh echoing off the rock. At one point we stopped just to listen to nothing for a minute. I didn’t expect that part to stick with me.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore San Andreas Fault and Salton Sea

• View Salton Sea vistas
• Offroad San Andreas Fault trails
• Explore colorful slot canyons

Top questions

How long is the San Andreas Fault offroad tour?

The exact duration isn’t listed but includes multiple stops at the Salton Sea and slot canyons within a day trip format.

Is hotel pickup included for this tour?

Yes, hotel drop-off is included for selected hotels; check when booking for details on pickup.

What age is allowed on this San Andreas Fault tour?

The minimum age is 6 years old for participants.

Are snacks or drinks provided during the tour?

Bottled water and snacks are included in your day trip.

How many people are in each group?

This is a small group tour; at least two people are required for it to run.

Will we visit both the San Andreas Fault and Salton Sea?

Yes, you’ll see both the San Andreas Fault zone and have views over the Salton Sea during your tour.

Is this offroad tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels according to organizers.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from selected hotels around Palm Springs, plenty of bottled water to fight off desert thirst, snacks along the way (which hit different after climbing through canyons), plus a local guide who knows their geology inside out before dropping you back off at your hotel.