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19465 N. Indian Canyon Dr., 92258 Palm SpringsView map
Palm Springs is the California desert two hours from Los Angeles and San Diego: palm groves, modernist villas and the walls of the San Jacinto range towering over the Coachella Valley at more than 3,000 m. For a rider, the city opens three very different directions: Joshua Tree to the north, the high-altitude forests of Idyllwild to the south-west and the Big Bear mountains to the west. Our partner EagleRider offers motorcycles from American, German, British and Japanese brands here; its fleet has 39 models, subject to availability.
The EagleRider branch is at 19465 N. Indian Canyon Dr., north of the city, about 9 km from downtown and the airport as the crow flies. You are already on the Interstate 10 side and on the roads to Joshua Tree: no need to cross the city to set off.
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Where to pick up your vehicle in Palm Springs?
Road trip ideas
Road trips from Palm Springs
1 Joshua Tree and Highway 62
- Palm Springs
- Morongo Valley
- Yucca Valley
- Joshua Tree
- Keys View
- Cottonwood Spring
- Palm Springs
Head up to Morongo Valley and Yucca Valley on Highway 62, then enter Joshua Tree park by the west gate. Park Boulevard crosses the granite boulder fields of Hidden Valley, the giant yuccas and the Keys View viewpoint, which overlooks the San Andreas Fault and the Coachella Valley.
Continue by the south exit toward Cottonwood Spring to rejoin Interstate 10 and the valley. The road is wide, almost straight and little used: a good first day for getting to grips with the motorcycle.
- Distance
- about 240 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Cruiser or comfortable touring bike, Street Glide or Heritage Softail
2 Palms to Pines and Idyllwild
- Palm Springs
- Palm Desert
- Pinyon Flats
- Idyllwild
- Banning
- Palm Springs
This famous road, Highway 74, leaves the palms of Palm Desert and climbs into the Santa Rosa Mountains through a series of bends. Within a few dozen kilometres, desert gives way to pines, and the temperature drops sharply. Idyllwild, a mountain village at more than 1,500 m, offers a stop with cafés and galleries.
Return via Highway 243 to Banning and the San Gorgonio Pass road, or go back down the same road. Allow time: the bends are taken slowly.
- Distance
- about 210 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Roadster or manoeuvrable adventure bike, Triumph Tiger 660 or Yamaha MT-07, or a Tracer 900 for two-up
3 Pioneertown, Big Bear and Rim of the World
- Palm Springs
- Yucca Valley
- Pioneertown
- Lucerne Valley
- Big Bear Lake
- Redlands
- Palm Springs
Go through Yucca Valley and Pioneertown, a western film set, then cross the high desert of Lucerne Valley. Highway 18 then climbs to Big Bear Lake, a lakeside mountain resort at more than 2,000 m. The atmosphere changes completely: forest, rocks and fresh air.
For the return, drop down via Highway 38 to Redlands, then along Interstate 10 to the valley. A night at Big Bear lets you ride without pressure: the descents are long and wear the brakes.
- Distance
- about 330 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Touring bike or adventure bike, BMW R1250 RT or Pan America to mix asphalt and tracks
Weather and seasons
When to go in Palm Springs?
Best time
March-April and October-November
March to April, October to November
highs 24 to 31 °C, lows 12 to 18 °C
The shoulder seasons are the most pleasant: an average high of 23.6 °C in March, 29.4 °C in April, 31 °C in October and 24 °C in November. Rain is rare, 4 to 30 mm a month, with 11 to 12 hours of sun in spring. The Idyllwild and Big Bear mountains are then accessible without excessive heat or cold.
High season
December to February
December to February
highs 18.6 to 21 °C, lows 9 to 10 °C
This is the city's high season: an average high of 18.6 °C in January, 20.9 °C in February, 8 to 10 hours of sun a day, 33 to 48 mm of rain a month. Mornings are cool, but afternoons are good for Joshua Tree. Hotels fill up, and mountain roads can be icy or snowy.
May to September, the great heat
May to September
highs 33 to 42 °C, lows 19 to 28.5 °C
The heat is extreme: an average high of 38.8 °C in June, 41.7 °C in July and 40.8 °C in August, with lows of 28 °C in summer. Rainfall does not exceed 9 mm a month. Ride at dawn toward Idyllwild and Big Bear, where it is much cooler, and avoid the desert in the early afternoon.
Climate in Palm Springs, month by month
Most pleasant months: October to April.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 19 °C | 9 °C | 48 mm | 9 h/day |
| Feb | 21 °C | 10 °C | 42 mm | 10 h/day |
| Mar | 24 °C | 12 °C | 30 mm | 11 h/day |
| Apr | 29 °C | 16 °C | 8 mm | 12 h/day |
| May | 33 °C | 19 °C | 1 mm | 13 h/day |
| Jun | 39 °C | 25 °C | 0 mm | 14 h/day |
| Jul | 42 °C | 29 °C | 2 mm | 14 h/day |
| Aug | 41 °C | 28 °C | 8 mm | 13 h/day |
| Sep | 37 °C | 24 °C | 9 mm | 12 h/day |
| Oct | 31 °C | 18 °C | 4 mm | 11 h/day |
| Nov | 24 °C | 13 °C | 16 mm | 10 h/day |
| Dec | 20 °C | 10 °C | 33 mm | 8 h/day |
Averages 2016–2025 computed from Open-Meteo data (ERA5 reanalysis).
Practical tips
Everything to know before hitting the road
Desert heat: stay hydrated
In summer, dehydration comes quickly on a motorcycle, even with the wind of the road. Drink before you are thirsty, wear a light-coloured ventilated jacket and keep a water bottle in the saddlebags. Avoid long stages without gas stations.
Wind at San Gorgonio Pass
On Interstate 10, at the foot of San Gorgonio Pass, crosswind gusts are well known and blow through the wind turbines. Hold the handlebars firmly, slow down and leave distance to trucks.
Helmets and lane splitting
Every rider wears a helmet in California, passenger included. Riding between lanes is allowed there; its value is mostly seen around Los Angeles. In the desert, the roads are clear and the question hardly arises.
From desert to snow
In the evening, after a day at 30 °C, the air at altitude can drop below 10 °C. A liner or a fleece under the jacket avoids surprises at Idyllwild as at Big Bear, where winter brings frost and snow.
Festivals and summer storms
In spring, the big music festivals of the Coachella Valley fill hotels and roads; check the calendar. In summer, brief storms can flood dry riverbeds: do not cross a dip covered in water.
What travellers ask
Your questions about a road trip in Palm Springs
Where do I pick up my motorcycle in Palm Springs?
At the EagleRider branch at 19465 N. Indian Canyon Dr., north of the city. It is about 9 km from downtown as the crow flies. Pick-up details are on your booking confirmation.
Which motorcycle for Joshua Tree?
A cruiser or a touring bike is enough: the park's roads are wide and well surfaced. An adventure bike such as the BMW R1250 GS or the Pan America is useful if you want to take tracks. The EagleRider fleet varies with the branch and the dates.
How many days should I stay in Palm Springs?
Two to three days allow you to do Joshua Tree and Idyllwild without rushing. With four days, add Big Bear and its ridge roads before heading back to the coast.
Can I return the motorcycle in Los Angeles or San Diego?
It is sometimes possible, depending on the rental company and the dates. EagleRider is present in both cities, less than 160 km away as the crow flies. The search shows whether this option is offered for your dates.
Can I rent an electric motorcycle?
The EagleRider fleet includes an electric Zero SR/S, but its availability depends on the branch. Limited range and the distances of the desert make it suitable for short trips only; find out about charging before leaving.
Frequently asked questions
FAQ — Motorcycle rental in Palm Springs
What licence do I need to rent in Palm Springs?
You must present a valid motorcycle licence (A for Europeans). An international permit may also be requested, depending on the country of issue. The age and licence seniority required depend on the chosen model.
Can we travel two-up?
Yes, with a touring bike or a cruiser fitted with a passenger seat. A helmet is compulsory for the passenger too. On mountain roads, a comfortable tourer limits fatigue two-up.
Can I store my things on the motorcycle?
Touring bikes have side cases and sometimes a top case. On a roadster, you need saddle bags. In the desert, keep water and a warm layer within reach.
Do I have to pay to enter Joshua Tree park?
Yes, the national park charges an entrance fee per vehicle, motorcycles included. Fees change and may vary depending on residence: check them before leaving, and consider the national parks annual pass if you are visiting several.
What is the best time to ride?
March, April, October and November are the most comfortable. In winter, afternoons are pleasant but nights are cold; in summer, the heat means riding at dawn. Run a search on your dates to see the available motorcycles.
About us
Why ride out of Palm Springs by motorcycle
Within half an hour, Palm Springs gives access to landscapes that take two days to reach elsewhere: the Mojave Desert, the San Jacinto mountains and the Big Bear forest. The roads are lightly used and well laid out, and most stages fit into a day.
Choosing this branch means setting off from the desert rather than the coast, with quiet stages for a first day at the handlebars. The city also works as a start or finish for a grand tour of California between Los Angeles and San Diego, and you can look for a one-way return in another city, depending on the rental company's offer.
Other departure cities
Rent elsewhere in the United States
Route 66 · Chicago → Los Angeles
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