A family reunion in Los Angeles turns into a sun-chasing, EV-powered road trip filled with desert scenery, historic Route 66, windmills, winter hiking and a few detours on the way to Palm Springs.
- The journey is half the fun: Strategic stops, like the California Botanic Garden, a windmill farm and the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, turn a short drive into a memorable mini-adventure.
- Timing (and routing) matters: Drive smart to avoid LA and Palm Springs traffic, travel October–April for ideal weather and consider whether flying into LAX or Palm Springs best fits your plans.
- Palm Springs blends old-school glamour with modern ease: From Hollywood history and desert hiking to EV-friendly infrastructure, the destination punches well above its size.
Gathering up a far-flung family gets harder as our kids have jobs, partners and separate adult lives. But we recently convened our three grown daughters in Los Angeles for a family reunion on my husband’s side and added a road trip to Palm Springs.
Editor’s Note: The writer was hosted at several attractions and Audi provided the A6 Sportback e-tron for use.
Why Palm Springs?
Palm Springs developed as a Hollywood getaway, just 100 miles from LA and close enough that movie stars could return to studios quickly. We go because my brother-in-law lives there. And though Palm Springs has an adorable airport, it doesn’t offer many nonstop options from the East Coast.
The warm weather, great hiking trails and new bike lanes are all draws now, plus the restaurants and spas. But visit Palm Springs October – April, unless you like a steady diet of 100+ degree days.
Are you ready to explore more? Let us inspire you!
On the Road
Those 100 miles can take anywhere from two hours (our well-timed drive BACK to LA) or over four hours. Or you can plan stops along the way to make a day of it.
Because this is California, with strong anti-pollution laws, it is common to see electric charging stations everywhere. With a 392-mile range, we could have made it to Palm Springs and back in the 2025 Audi A6 Sportback e-tron without recharging, but we used my brother-in-law’s garage plug to top off the luxury sedan.
Out in the Wilds
Since we have been stuck in a particularly brutal winter in NYC, we were eager to stop somewhere scenic to stretch our legs and enjoy the sunshine. This doesn’t include the beach, since it’s in the opposite direction. But a botanic garden? Yes!
Historic Route 66
Just a 5-minute detour on our route, the California Botanic Garden, near Pomona College, has paths and trails.
We got to incorporate a little history lesson, too – we drove on historic Route 66. This highway celebrates its 100th birthday this year, but unless you want to spend even more time on the road, you will opt out of the scenic route and stick to freeways using Google Maps.
California Botanic Garden
The California Botanic Garden focuses on California native plants; think cacti, redwoods and Joshua trees. Native plants like Hummingbird Sage, California lilacs and Bay Laurel bloom in winter. A loop around the garden on the main path takes about an hour, but if you want to explore the trails and secondary paths, plan to spend at least 2 or 3 hours.
Bring a snack; the botanic garden doesn’t have a cafe. But there are water fountains, so carry your reusable bottle.
Almost in (or out of) Palm Springs
For years, we have passed the Palm Springs Windmill Tours, about 20 minutes from downtown Palm Springs. This time, we decided to take a self-guided tour to see the wind turbines that power much of Southern California. You watch 2 short videos, then follow the tour by app.
This is best done on your way back to Los Angeles, as the tours run daily from 9:30 am to 2 pm. It seemed natural to drive the Audi A6 Sportback e-tron around the Windmill Farm. You can also take a group tour by electric golf cart.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Another great stop, on the way into Palm Springs, the Aerial Tramway up Mount San Jacinto helps you avoid traffic through downtown. Palm Springs punches above its weight in traffic. So stop at the tram; it’s open year-round until 8 pm (9 pm on summer weekends) and avoid the PS rush. Eat at the restaurant up at the top of the Aerial Tramway.
The Tram in Winter
We love to stop on the way in from Los Angeles because we have our winter clothes with us. It can be 90 degrees in Palm Springs, and 30 at the top of the tram. You even need hats and gloves!
The parking lot also has electric charging.
Why You Should Fly to LAX
- Fun stops along the way
- Better flight options
- Cheaper flights
- Cheaper car rental
Why You Should Fly to Palm Springs
- YOU AVOID LA TRAFFIC
- Minutes from downtown
- The small airport has lots of outdoor seating
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