Fun destinations flying out of Palm Springs?

motoadve

motoadve

Pre-takeoff checklist
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motoadve
Will be flying a Cessna a 182 all week out of Palm Springs, starting next Monday, any fun destinations recommended out of the area?
Backcountry preferable, or scenic and fun places to visit.
 
Hop and a skip from KPSP, just down the I10

It’s a dirt strip, not much around though

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Lake Havasu City (HII), on the Arizona side of the Colorado River, 116 nm northeast of PSP. A lot of desert inbetween, but there are very scenic areas along the river north and south of Havasu. There's a great restaurant/brewpub on field (Hangar 24, opens 11 am), right next to the FBO. Rent a car and go into town to see the London Bridge, which was moved stone-by-stone from the River Thames in 1970.
 
Catalina is great.
Vegas is an hour from PSP.
Colorado River - Laughlin or Lake Havasu is also an hour from PSP.
Camarillo (KCMA) is one of the best choices for breakfast or lunch at an airport in SoCal.
Hop over to San Diego and catch an Uber to the Gas Lamp district - land at KMYF.
PSP isn't far from Oceanside or Lake Elsinore if you want to watch Skydivers. If you fly into the dirt strip at Lake Elsinore, there is a Glider operation that will take you up.
 
JEB said:
Catalina is great.
Vegas is an hour from PSP.
Colorado River - Laughlin or Lake Havasu is also an hour from PSP.
Camarillo (KCMA) is one of the best choices for breakfast or lunch at an airport in SoCal.
Hop over to San Diego and catch an Uber to the Gas Lamp district - land at KMYF.
PSP isn't far from Oceanside or Lake Elsinore if you want to watch Skydivers. If you fly into the dirt strip at Lake Elsinore, there is a Glider operation that will take you up.
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I would highly recommend calling in before trying to land at Elsinore
 
JEB said:
Camarillo (KCMA) is one of the best choices for breakfast or lunch at an airport in SoCal.
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Can't go wrong with the Way Point Cafe... Wednesday is Tri-Tip Day... And there is a CAF museum next door...
 
If you are looking for some long x-country time building, Georgetown E36. It has been years since I was there, but a very nice back country scenic airport. There is an old gold rush mining town. If you have ever watched the movie "Radio Flyer", it was filmed at this airport.

Really close to Palm Springs that you probably don't want to miss is Big Bear Lake L35.
 
Forgot about Bullhead City AZ, IFP. It is right on the Colorodo River and across the River from Laughlin Nevada. You can catch a free river boat shuttle across the river to the casinos, or call a casino & they will send transportation to get you. There are endless choices of restaurants and entertainment at the casinos. I built up a lot of flight hours going there.
 
lsaway said:
Really close to Palm Springs that you probably don't want to miss is Big Bear Lake L35.
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Big Bear is a great destination, and during the oppressive late summer heat in Palm Springs it's usually refreshingly cool.
 
Mojave is a great destination. Not often that you get to fly into a freakin' spaceport!. :D:D

The jet boneyard and windmill farms make for interesting sights in the pattern, and the Voyager restaurant is quite good. Check the NOTAMs for rocket launches, though. :eek:
 
Yes - Chino (KCNO). Flo's is a legit old school airport cafe. Great place for a slice of pie. The really cool thing at Chino is the Museum. There is a ton to see. It's also where some excellent work is being done to restore old warbirds. Not many places will have everything from WW1 aircraft to Vietnam War era on display. It's hard to find one P38 to look at - they have multiples.
 
Thanks for the replies and advice.
Looks like there is a ton to do.
 
Awesome places to see:

Catalina, of course
CHINO for the air museums
If you don't mind going a bit further...

Agua Caliente- 3000 foot paved strip with a commercial hot spring and camping of you like near san diego
Owens valley... some of the highest relief mountains in the USA
Death Valley-Furnace Creek to the nations lowest airstrip
Grand Canyon Scenic corridors are a must do

And if you really want backcountry; go hit the Chicken Strip in Death Valley NP--- 1300' of lava rock in a no go around off camber uphill landing that puts you right at the most incredible hot springs in the entire USA. (stay away if you don't like naked Hippie's!
 
You are all forgetting Big Bear. Flying over the lake is very scenic and the snow and ski slopes make an amazing backdrop.
 
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