San Andreas Fault Jeep Tour from Palm Springs
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
Only Red Jeep Tours can take you to Metate Ranch, located in the heart of the San Andreas Fault Zone.
On this awe-inspiring OPEN-AIR Jeep Tour, you will travel deep into the heart of California’s world-famous San Andreas Fault and witness the forces of nature that have created amazing, steep-walled canyons and the most twisted and tormented landscapes on Earth!
You will be awestruck by the spectacular scenery as your Jeep winds its way through the bones of the earth. During your adventure, you will stop several times for short nature walks, including a short hike through a slot canyon, if desired.
This tour also stops at a natural palm oasis, where water bubbles up from the ground year-round. Here you will learn about how the Cahuilla Indians used desert plants to survive in this inhospitable environment.
A final highlight is a guided tour of our recreated Cahuilla Indian Village that showcases the lifestyle and culture of the Cahuilla people.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
As desert temperatures may vary, dressing in layers would be advised
Please call the reservation's desk a day or two before your tour to confirm your pickup time and location. Failure to call, however, will NOT result in cancellation of the tour.
Closed-toe shoes, a hat and sunscreen are strongly advised
A minimum of 2 guests per booking is required
Guests with neck or back problems or pregnant women in their 2nd or 3rd trimester should consult with their doctor before taking a Jeep Tour.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
San Andreas Fault
Experience the twisted and tortured landscape of an active earthquake fault system as your guide describes the geology of the area and you explore the bones of the earth. Don't forget your camera - the photo opportunities are endless! Take a walk between the steep walls of deep canyons created by the powerful forces of plate tectonics, water, wind, and time. Explore a natural palm oasis where crystal clear water bubbles up from the underground aquifer year round. Learn about the culture and lifestyle of the Cahuilla Indians and how they used the desert’s plants for food, medicine, tools, weapons, shelter, and more as you tour a recreated Cahuilla Indian Village. Learn about the plants and animals of the California desert and take in spectacular views as your guide describes the geologic forces and local history that shaped the Coachella Valley.
What‘s Included
Bottled water
Naturalist guided open-air Jeep eco-tour
Granola snacks
Land Use Fees
Food and drink (unless otherwise specified)
Gratuities
Hotel Transfers
Options
Public Tour - PM
Duration: 3 hours: Tours are 3 hours from Metate Ranch (Indio, CA)
Granola Bar & Bottled Water
Open-air Jeep with shade top: Our vehicles are classic Jeep Scramblers (CJ-8's) and they hold up to 7 guests plus your driver / guide.
Reviews
113 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing tour and very knowledgeable tour guide!
Marilou M,,Dec 22, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was an excellent desert adventures. Very educational and the tour guide, Don was very knowledgeable and patient. Our favorite was the slot canyon hikes. The hike to the top gave is amazing view of the Coachella valley. Definitely highly recommending this tour!
Fault line
Julie P,,Dec 14, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It was so interesting & our guide Jennifer was fabulous! Patient, knowledgeable & fun. She answered all our questions.
Great
eileenao2021,,Oct 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great. Leroy was the perfect guide. He was a good driver, historian and storyteller. Weather was pretty darn nice too!🌞
Our guide was very...
George G,,Oct 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide was very knowledgeable about the history of the area and the San Andreas Fault. Glad we booked it.
Red Jeep Tour
Rose C,,Oct 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Super informative. Great views. Very warm. Go in the morning. Do not take a purse or bage. No need for binoculars. They did provide water. I took my own
Really fun
wekall,,May 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00We really enjoyed this tour. Travis is very knowledgeable and made it interesting. My husband thinks it’s one of the best tours we’ve been on
Red Jeep is Wonderful
GraceOgden,,Mar 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Paul was an excellent guide and educator. We all enjoyed the comfort and ease of the experience and the professionalism and humor of our guide.
Our guide Rick, was a...
Mary F,,Mar 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide Rick, was a fountain on information! Answered every question and then some. Time went quickly and we felt like we saw many things and learned a lot. Felt comfortable and safe throughout.
What an adventure with Travis and Red Jeep Tours!
donnapV1960LL,,Mar 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were on the 2pm tour Sunday March 2nd. We got a call Saturday night asking if we wanted to switch to the morning tour because of the windy afternoon forecast. We ended up having a private tour, because some wusses feared the forecast. It was gorgeous out! I can’t say enough good things about how much fun we had, and all the things we learned from our super wonderful guide, Travis. He was so knowledgeable about the geology, flora, fauna, and native peoples of the area. He took us to collect rocks. We tasted plants. We scrambled through narrow slot canyons. He made a walking stick for one of our group and showed us how the native people used all parts of that plant. It was an amazing adventure, and it was the highlight of our visit to Palm Springs! I hope this review is shared with Travis, so he knows how much fun we had and how much we appreciated his guiding. Here’s a couple of photos of our adventure.
So glad we took this tour!
Mark W,,Feb 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We found this tour extremely worthwhile. Our guide was very knowledgeable about the geology, flora and fauna. We learned a lot about how the Indians lived and thrived in this challenging landscape. The highlight was hiking up through a slot canyon.
From US$175.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
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Operated by Desert Adventures - Palm Springs