Cool Off After Coachella At These 3 Desert Oases

Coachella’s music, scenery, and summer camp vibe makes it easy to escape from almost every aspect of reality—except, of course, for the desert heat. Around every day at 3:00 PM, it starts to feel like someone is personally taking a hot blow-dryer to your face. By the end of the weekend, most folks are a little sunburnt and totally fried. Fortunately, there’s an easy way to recover: set aside an extra day to relax, unwind, and cool off at one of these serene spots near Palm Springs.

Visit Palm Springs Surf Club

When you think of Palm Springs, a few images come to mind: the tall Moroccan palm trees, the bright painted doors, and the mid-century modern architecture, to name a few. But surfing? Introducing the Palm Springs Surf Club.

The family-friendly Palm Springs Surf Club stands as a testament to the history and culture of the city. It first started as Oasis Water Park, which was built in 1986 and has since been acquired and rebranded several times, but in 2019, it found its current owners—and a new purpose.

The club’s main attraction is the high-tech wave pool, which allows surfers to pursue an otherworldly dream of surfing in the middle of the desert. The pool is capable of producing 200 types of waves at different sizes and intervals, so it’s easy to find the right surf to match your skill set. Around this time of year, Palm Springs’ temperature can soar up to 100 degrees, but the temperature of the wave pool is in the chilling 60s, making it easy to stay cool no matter the time of day.

The club itself is an experiential affair with slides, a lazy river, and plenty of food and cold drinks, says Massey Pitts, Palm Spring Surf Club’s vice president of marketing. Whether you’re looking to surf all day or just lounge at the cabanas and watch the pros shred, the Palm Springs Surf Club has something for everyone in your party.

Go Boating on Big Bear Lake

You may have heard of Big Bear’s famous ski resort, which is only two hours from Los Angeles, but in the summer, its namesake lake is a major draw for Californians looking for a change of scenery. After spending days soaking up the desert heat and dust, a lake escape at Big Bear is a quick adventure away that promises the ultimate relaxing experience.

One of our favorite ways to explore Big Bear Lake in its entirety is by boat. Thanks to the multiple marinas, there are plenty of options for activities to match your adventure style. You can waterski, wakeboard, jet ski, paddle, or fish (the lake is famed for its rainbow trout). Too busy nursing a hangover? Cool off in the water with some good tunes and a cold beverage—the perfect cure, in our book.

SUP or Kayak The Salton Sea

If you’re looking for peace and quiet after the Coachella crowds, head to the town of Bombay Beach on the edge of the Salton Sea. Once a ritzy 1950s Hollywood getaway, it’s now an artist’s enclave and the lowest-elevation community in the U.S. at 223 feet below sea level.

The Salton Sea is massive, covering more than 340 square miles, and its high salt content makes it perfect for serene kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding tours. Glide across the glass-like surface of the lake and revel in feeling like you’re on another planet.

Good news for bird watchers: the Salton Sea is also home to the Sonny Bono National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge has recorded 400 different species and offers an exclusive glimpse into rare vagrant species, birds that stray outside their expected breeding, wintering, or migrating range.

Whether you’re a history buff, looking for a transcendental experience, or a true birder, the Salton Sea is an off-the-beaten-path destination that gives you a special glimpse into California’s distinctive environment.