San Andreas Fault
CA
Running down the state of California, from Cape Mendocino to the Mexican border, the San Andreas Fault forms a continuous, narrow break in the Earth's crust between the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate. Seismologists predict that the fault will eventually cause what's known on the West Coast as "the big one" (an earthquake of 7.8 or higher magnitude on the Richter scale).
At just over 28,000 years old, the San Andreas Fault zone is still growing at a rate of 2.5 inches (64 millimeters) per year, constantly reshaping California. The fault has three distinct segments. You can visit the northern part at Pinnacles National Park, the central part at the San Andreas Fault Observatory in Parkfield, and the southern part from the San Bernardino Mountains to the San Gabriel Mountains.
San Andreas Fault Jeep tours head out to the Palm Desert to explore the fault, as well as the oasis and hot springs it created.
Desert temperatures can fluctuate drastically, so dress in layers if you're heading to Palm Desert on a tour.
Wear sneakers or hiking boots to climb around the fault area.
Be sure to apply sunblock, wear a hat, and bring water.
The 1906 earthquake that leveled San Francisco erased almost all traces of a crack in the earth along the fault line. However, geological rock formations remain.
The southern part of the fault begins near the San Bernardino Mountains, just outside of Los Angeles, and runs east to the San Gabriel Mountains, with Palm Springs being the best place to explore the fault. Palm Springs is about 1.75 hours southeast of LA or a 2.5-hour drive from San Diego. Tours typically begin at a location in Palm Desert, not Palm Springs.
If you're planning to head out to Palm Desert to tour the fault area, book your trip between January and April, when the weather is the most pleasant. During the summer, temperatures regularly rise above 100 degrees. If you want to explore the northern section at Pinnacles National Park near Big Sur, aim for some time between September and November for optimum weather conditions.
Joshua Tree National Park is among the better-known attractions near San Bernardino and Palm Springs. The protected area boasts plenty of outdoor activities, such as camping, hiking, rock climbing, and birding, and many tour companies offer rides in 4WD vehicles, to explore the park and its wildlife. The park's name comes from the Joshua trees that are native to the Mojave Desert.
Yes. Palm Springs is one of the best places to explore the fault across its 800-mile (1,287-kilometer) span in California. Hummer or open-air Jeep tours are the most popular option for touring, offering a fun way to learn about the area's geology, flora, fauna, native culture, and tectonic plates.
Yes. You can explore the San Andreas fault around Palm Springs. The most in-depth experience is by guided tour, whether by walking, hiking, or off-road vehicle (the most popular). On your own, head to the Coachella Valley Preserve, where you can stand atop the fault zone at Thousand Palms Canyon.
The San Andreas Fault spans 800 miles (1287 kilometers) across California, and there are many places to access it. However, while large rifts exist, most traces of the fault are subtle. Popular spots to see signs of tectonic action include Parkfield, California; Carrizo Plain National Monument; and the Coachella Valley Preserve outside Palm Springs.
San Andreas Fault tour options include walking, hiking, and off-road vehicle tours by Hummer or Jeep. The 4WD tours, offered near Palm Springs, are a popular way to explore the fault zone. Naturalist guides typically lead these tours, which are great for travelers wishing to learn more about the area's natural and cultural history.
A San Andreas Fault tour takes you through an active fault zone to explore the landscape and geologic formations that occur with tectonic activity. Naturalist guides typically lead tours and most explain the geology, tectonic science, natural history, and native culture of the area.
No, it's not dangerous. In fact, touring the San Andreas Fault is safe—and interesting. The biggest danger in an earthquake is falling objects, and there aren't many things to topple over here. While you could be at fault when the earth opens up, the chance of this happening is slim.
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