Words by Chelsea Barron, MobileRVing.com
Generally speaking, we like wintering in Florida. We love Disney World, so it makes sense for us to stay down there. However, 2018 was a bit different, and an event we wanted to attend had us move mid-winter to Southern California.
We parked in Palm Desert, CA and loved it. Even without our usual winter Disney World fix, we had an absolute blast. In fact, we will likely stay much longer next time we come, and we would have extended our reservations if we could have.
Why do we love this little town so much? Read on to learn.
Joshua Tree
#1: Beautiful Weather
The reason so many RVers move south for the winter is because of the weather. Now, obviously we get gorgeous weather in Florida in the wintertime, but I had no idea that Palm Desert would have equally beautiful days. We were in the pool nearly every day of the week, and while it did get chilly at night, we actually enjoyed the break from the heat and used it to warm up by the campfire.
#2: Fewer Crowds
As I mentioned above, the vast majority of RVers head south for the winter, and a large percentage of them end up in Florida. This means Florida can become quite crowded in the winter, making it difficult to get into parks at all.
Meanwhile, although some people do winter in SoCal, not nearly as many RVers end up down here. This means our reservations can be a bit more flexible, and we don't feel like we have to squeeze into the campgrounds like sardines. Clearly, this is a much more comfortable way to spend several months.
#3: Plenty of RV Parks
Palm Desert and the surrounding towns have several RV camping options. This is great because it means that even when one park books up, you can always head to the next. There is a Thousand Trails park, an Encore Park, a Passport America park, and many other discount options. For those who aren't members of any clubs, there are also plenty of BLM boondocking options.
Palm Desert
#4: Amazing Attractions
Perhaps the thing about this area is the awesome assortment of attractions. From the Aerial Tramway and Joshua Tree National Park to the Living Desert Zoo and an assortment of museums, there is always something to go out and do in the Palm Desert area. My family likes to be on the go, so this is a major bonus for us.
#5: Gorgeous Views
No matter where you look in Palm Desert, you will be met with amazing views. Mountains form a backdrop to the town, and palm trees line the roads. To top it all off, the sunsets are spectacular, turning every evening sky into a colorful performance you can’t help but watch.
I'll be honest and say I wasn't sure what I would think about wintering in Southern California. However, I was pleasantly surprised, and while I will still return to Florida next winter, I will likely do Palm Desert again during another cold season.