Coachella Road Trip: 15 Fun Things to Do on the Drive From LAX to the Desert

It's about 125 miles from Los Angeles to the Coachella Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif. With no traffic on the I-10, you could get there in maybe two hours. But why the rush? You're in Southern California, the laid-back capital of America. Chances are you've made a quick stop at a "kush doctor" on Venice Beach and are ready to warm up your ears blasting your iPod in the rented convertible. So here are some choice stops from LAX airport to Indio that will enhance the three-day party that is Coachella.

Get Your Fine Art Fix at the Getty Center

Vincent Van Gogh's 'Irises' and Gustav Klimt sketches may line the walls of the J. Paul Getty Museum, but coupled with its white stone architecture and pristine landscaping, the complex becomes one giant work of art.

You Must: ride the tram up to the museum's five pavilions, which display works that date as far back as the Middle Ages.

1200 Getty Center Dr., Los Angeles, Calif. Mapify it!

Take a Hike at Griffith Park

Build your festival stamina by hiking one of Griffith Park's scenic trails. After you check out the telescopes in the park observatory, snap a shot of the world-famous Hollywood sign.

You Must: bring cash. No, neither the hike nor observatory cost a thing, but the park's Trails Cafe has killer chili and lavender shortbread cookies, and doesn't take credit cards.

4730 Crystal Springs Dr., Los Angeles, Calif. Mapify It!

Order From the Secret Menu at In-N-Out

In-N-Out Burger prides itself not only on its "secret menu" but also on being "fresh to order," which means no microwave rays, heat lamps or freezer burn -- so this ain't fast food. We suggest the Baldwin Park flagship, which hawks discounted memorabilia.

You Must: order your burger (or fries) animal-style. Trust us on this one.

13850 Francisquito Ave., Baldwin Park, Calif. Mapify It!

Race the Oval at the Auto Club Speedway

Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and other racing royalty drive this Nascar track twice a year. But if you feel the need for speed, the two-mile oval hosts various race schools that can put you in the driver seat. It's not cheap! A two-hour class from the Richard Petty Driving Experience starts at $500.

You Must: at least go on the cheaper "ride-along" option for the chicken-hearted.

9300 Cherry Ave., Fontana, Calif. Mapify It!

Soak in a Natural Hot Spring

Atop a natural hot-water aquifer, the town of Desert Hot Springs has several hotels offering natural spas. At the Living Waters Spa, water flows from a 200-foot well through two mineral pools. "They say it might have a trace of lithium,' says owner Judy Bowman, "so maybe that's why it feels so good."

You Must: try a clothing-optional soak.

13340 Mountain View Rd., Desert Hot Springs, Calif. Mapify It!

Go Thrifting at Gypsyland

Blame the sporadic hours of this vintage shop on owners Zach Woodward and Stephanie Santos' quest for a "retro-funky eclectic mixture." They've stocked up on boots, sunglasses, jewelry and retro-modern furniture. Clothing caters to the boho-chic and "older lady for casino wear," says Woodward.

You Must: browse the store's 5,000 LPs.

66169 Pierson Blvd., Desert Hot Springs, Calif. Mapify It!

See Unworldly Beauty at Joshua Tree

U2 were searching for a US site that was as open as the anthemic tracks on their 1987 album when someone suggested Joshua Tree National Park. The tree itself was named by biblically inspired Mormon settlers.

You Must: search for the spot where Gram Parsons' body was cremated following the country-rock pioneer's 1973 drug OD.

74485 National Park Dr., Twentynine Palms, Calif. Mapify It!

Win Some Cash at the Morongo Casino

Try to win back the dosh you just dished for your Coachella ticket at the Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa. In addition to old-lady faves bingo and slots, the Indian gaming house offers poker, baccarat and blackjack.

You Must: try "California-style craps," where cards have replaced the dice due to tribal-state gambling laws.

49500 Seminole Dr., Cabazon, Calif. Mapify It!

Go Jurassic With the Cabazon Dinosaurs

Relive 'Pee Wee's Big Adventure' with the "world's biggest man-made dinosaurs." It took 11 years to build Dinny, a 150-foot-long cement Apatosaurus. With the attraction now owned by creationists, you'll come for the dinos but stay for the pseudoscience.

You Must: climb up into the mouth of the four-story Mr. Rex for a scenic desert view.

50800 Seminole Dr., Cabazon, Calif. Mapify It!

Get New Gear at the Desert Hills Outlets

The Desert Hills Premium Outlets is known for its big markdowns on the world's priciest designers, but if you're not into forking $150 for $2,000 item, pick up the swimwear you forgot to pack from Billabong or denims (the desert gets cold at night) from Joe's Jeans.

You Must: bring sexy back at Justin Timberlake's clothing shop William Rast.

48400 Seminole Dr., Cabazon, Calif. Mapify It!

Make a Date at Hadley's Fruit Orchards

In business since 1931, Hadley's lives off the vast date culture of the Coachella Valley -- which produces 95 percent of all dates grown in the US. Hadley's sells various strands of dried dates, fruits, nuts and trail mixes.

You Must: have a banana-date shake. Locals who have been going to Hadley's since they were kids swear by them.

48980 Seminole Dr., Cabazon, Calif. Mapify It!

See What's Spinning at a Windmill Farm

The only tour of a working wind farm in the world puts the "vent" into adventure. Did you know that these giant fans produce enough energy to power 2,000 homes -- the equivalent of a mid-size nuclear reactor?

You Must: take a 90-minute bus tour through this "giant forest of gigantic wind turbines." Afterward, you'll be spewing wind energy facts like a proud eco-nerd.

62990 20th Ave., Palm Springs, Calif. Mapify It!

Travel From Sand to Snow in a Tram

It might be 110 degrees in Palm Springs, but a ride above Chino Canyon in the "World's Largest Rotating Tram Cars" will take you to two feet of snow. While those below are lounging poolside in bikinis, you can hike, snowshoe or even sled across Mount San Jacinto State Park's 54 miles of trails.

You Must: dine at the Peaks Restaurant, which offers great views of the valley.

1 Tramway Rd., Palm Springs, Calif. Mapify It!

Live the Rat Pack Life at Twin Palms

Frank Sinatra made Palm Springs the weekend getaway it still is today. He bought this estate in 1947, and it would host a divorce from his first wife, then a marriage (and divorce) to actress Ava Gardner.

You Must: check out the piano-shaped pool, glass walls and a cracked sink that fell victim to one of Sinatra's legendary outbursts.

1145 East Via Colusa Rd., Palm Springs, Calif. Mapify It!

Golf the Back Nine at Indian Wells

How many golf courses are there in the Palm Springs area? Try 125. Indian Wells Golf Resort, with its two 18-hole courses, is secluded enough that there's no worrying about hitting your ball into someone's pool.

You Must: grab a Bloody Mary at the IW Clubhouse, garnished with its signature pickled asparagus.

44-500 Indian Wells Ln., Indian Wells, Calif. Mapify It!

--Charley Rogulewski

Coachella 2010