Santa Catalina Island Catalina Island is located just offshore from Los Angeles- on a clear day, you can easily see it from the area beaches. The island has one little town, Avalon, where you can stay. The island has many hiking trails and beaches, and from January through March whale watching cruises are available. Desert The Mojave Desert begins north of the San Gabriel mountains and is most easily reached from Palmdale or Lancaster. Hot in summer and moderate in winter, this terrain is not a barren, Sahara-like expanse, but is covered by sparse vegetation ranging from tiny desert flowers to Joshua trees.
Spring brings colorful displays of wildflowers.
It has a natural oasis and palm grove and amazing wildflowers in the Spring. East of LA and Palm Springs, and close enough for a weekend trip. It has Joshua trees in its central part and the southern part has a cactus garden. Go to the top, Keys View, because you'll have a breathtaking view of the desert from there. If you like to rock-climb, Joshua Tree Monument has wonderful and fun formations.