CA / AZ / NM
Out of context: Reply #6
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- fresnobob0
Palm desert and 29 Palms are pretty much nothing to see but exactly what you'll be driving through, desert. Joshua Tree is better because of the rocks and Pioneertown, but still, eh. Death Valley is awesome, though. If you want to experience "desert" go there. (Also maybe see the film "Zabriskie Point" before you go.)
If you do Death Valley, you could probably take the 190 around the back, go through Death Valley, and then come out on to the 395 and go up that way. (Also, if you have access to a 4wd car, it'll make Death Valley way more awesome.)
Off the 395 is Lone Pine, where they filmed tons of old westerns and you have a great view of Mt. Whitney. A little ways north of Lone Pine is the ancient Bristlecone Pine forest, which I highly recommend. Most of the oldest trees in the world grow here, some are even older than the pyramids. Then, you'll get to Mammoth where there are lots of lakes (and skiing, if you want), then Mono lake where you can see sea monkeys in their natural habitat (lol, its true though) and also volcanoes. I'd say then go through Yosemite, but in winter the road is closed most of the time. You could head over to SF from like Lake Tahoe or something. Also, coming down highway 1 from San Francisco is a pretty drive.