Dos Palmas Preserve
Phone: (760)251-4800
This oasis with its hundreds of swaying fan palms offers sanctuary in the midst of the dry Colorado Desert. Pools fed by artesian springs and seepage from the nearby Coachella Canal form a lush wetland area. The exceptional habitat shelters a variety of both threatened or endangered and more common animal species. In thick stands of cattails, the elusive and endangered Yuma clapper rail builds its nest, while in the warm waters of the pools swims the desert pupfish, a relic species from the Pleistocene era. The preserve is also home to the endangered orocopia sage plant.The 1,400-acre Dos Palmas Preserve is at the heart of the 20,000-acre Salt Creek Area of Critical Environmental Concern, created to protect important biological resources. The BLM has worked with partners such as The Nature Conservancy and California Department of Fish and Game to acquire and manage this sensitive habitat, and with Ducks Unlimited to design wetland restoration projects.
Directions
From Interstate 10 at Indio, take the Dillon Road offramp and turn south. At the first stoplight, just over the railroad tracks, turn left (southeast) onto Highway 111 for about 25 miles. Along the way: stay on Highway 111 at its junction with Highway 86, by taking the left fork (toward Nyland). Proceed on Highway 111 through the towns of Coachella, Theral and Mecca, to the Salton Sea. About 10 miles southeast of Mecca, look for the Park Headquarters for the Salton Sea State Recreation Area on your right. Opposite park headquarters: turn left onto Parkside Drive. Take Parkside to the end (about 2 miles) and turn right onto Desert Aire. Follow Desert Aire to its end, then turn left onto the unnamed dirt road. Take the next left fork and stay on the dirt road to Rancho Dos Palmas.
More info at http://www.ca.blm.gov/caso/wf-dospalm.html
California
- $109: 3-star Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles Torrance/Palos Verdes + Rate includes breakfast, Book Anytime
- $110: 3-star Comfort Inn Los Angeles + Stay 2 Nights, Save 10%, Book by 12/31/2008
- $111: 3-star Wilshire Plaza Hotel Los Angeles + 25% off 4 nights or more, Book by 10/01/2008
- $112: 3-star Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown Hotel + Save 20% per night, Book by 06/30/2008
- $134: 3-star Hotel Beverly Terrace + Book Now & Save! Stay 3 Nights & Get 10% OFF!, Book by 12/31/2008
- $161: 4-star The Westin Pasadena + Save 10% per night, Book by 06/30/2008
- $169: 3-star Grafton on Sunset + Save 20% off breakfast in our restaurant - BOA, Book by 06/01/2008
- $170: 3-star Sheraton Universal Hotel + Save 15% per night, Book by 06/30/2008
- $189: 3-star Marina del Rey Marriott + Rate includes breakfast, Book Anytime
- $195: 4-star Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa + Rate includes breakfast, Book Anytime
California State Park
California State Parks
Sale Price: $12.79*
Retail: $17.95 (29% off!)
(Overstock Books)
Merchant: Overstock Books
Grizzly Park (DVD)
Sale Price: $20.47*
Retail: $29.98 (32% off!)
(Overstock DVD)
Troubled pasts aren`t the only danger for the eight teens in this classically styled horror film. Their sentences of community service send them to California state park, where they are stalked by two killers: a serial murderer and a lethal creature ...
Merchant: Overstock DVD
California's State Parks
Sale Price: $11.36*
Retail: $15.95 (29% off!)
(Overstock Books)
Merchant: Overstock Books