13 Must-See Stops On Your SoCal To EDC Las Vegas Road Trip

Headed to EDC from SoCal? Let’s make the journey just as epic as the destination. Sure, you could power through the I-15 in one straight shot—but where’s the fun in that?
From alien jerky in the middle of nowhere to wild desert art and stunning viewpoints, there’s a lot more between palm trees and party lights than you might expect. I’ve mapped out some must-see stops that add personality (and maybe a little weirdness) to your road trip.
Ever climbed a staircase in the desert? Or seen a ghost town turned photo shoot backdrop? Get ready—because this ride isn’t just about getting to Vegas. It’s about starting the festival vibes the moment you leave the driveway.
1. The Iconic Cabazon Dinosaurs

Standing tall against the desert sky, these massive dinosaur sculptures have been stopping traffic since the 1960s. You might recognize them from movies like “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” – they’re total Hollywood stars!
The 150-foot-long Apatosaurus and T-Rex are perfect for stretching your legs and snagging that first road trip selfie. While the T-Rex houses a quirky gift shop in its belly, the real magic happens outside with the desert breeze and these prehistoric giants towering above you.
Pro tip: Visit early morning to avoid crowds and get the best lighting for photos.
2. Joshua Tree National Park’s Cholla Cactus Garden

Magical doesn’t begin to describe this otherworldly landscape where hundreds of fuzzy-looking cacti create a golden glow during sunrise and sunset. The Cholla Cactus Garden sits at the meeting point of two distinct desert ecosystems.
Walking the quarter-mile loop trail feels like stepping onto another planet. These deceptively soft-looking plants (nicknamed “jumping chollas”) deserve respect – their barbed spines can attach to clothing or skin with the slightest touch!
Morning visits offer cooler temperatures and that dreamy golden light photographers chase. This quick detour gives you a taste of Joshua Tree’s magic without spending your entire day there.
3. Salvation Mountain’s Colorful Canvas

Hidden near the Salton Sea stands a vibrant monument to love and faith that will blow your mind! This hand-built mountain of adobe clay, hay, and thousands of gallons of paint was created by local artist Leonard Knight as his testament to love.
The rainbow-colored hill covered in biblical verses and hearts feels like stepping into a Dr. Seuss book. Every inch is painted in eye-popping colors that pop perfectly against the stark desert landscape.
Though Knight passed away in 2014, volunteers maintain his masterpiece. The mountain sits in a free-spirited community called Slab City, giving you a glimpse into desert counterculture that feels worlds away from EDC’s neon playground.
4. Pioneertown’s Wild West Time Capsule

Ever wanted to step back into an old Western movie set? Pioneertown lets you do exactly that! Built in the 1940s as an actual working movie set, this place hosted over 50 films and TV shows, including The Cisco Kid.
What makes it special is that it was designed as a real town where actors could live while filming. Today, you can stroll down Mane Street (yep, that’s really its name) past the saloon, jail, and bank, all preserved in their vintage glory.
Don’t miss Pappy & Harriet’s, a legendary honky-tonk that’s hosted surprise shows from Paul McCartney and Robert Plant. Their mesquite BBQ makes for the perfect pre-festival fuel!
5. Seven Magic Mountains’ Desert Art Installation

Just 10 miles south of Las Vegas, these seven towers of stacked, neon-colored boulders rise dramatically from the desert floor. Created by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone, each tower stands over 30 feet tall and weighs a massive 40,000 pounds!
The fluorescent colors against the muted desert create a mind-bending contrast that’s perfect for social media. Originally planned as a temporary installation, these stone rainbows became so popular they’re now a permanent fixture.
If you’re coming from LA, this marks your final approach to Vegas. The vibrant towers serve as the perfect transition from natural landscapes to the electric atmosphere of EDC – like the desert is starting to party with you!
6. Kelso Dunes’ Sound-Making Sand

Want to experience something truly weird and wonderful? The Kelso Dunes in Mojave National Preserve hide an acoustic marvel – they sing! When conditions are right and you slide down these massive sand mountains, they emit a deep, resonant booming sound unlike anything you’ve heard before.
Rising nearly 700 feet, these are among the tallest dunes in America. The hike up is challenging but rewarding – once at the top, you’ll enjoy panoramic desert views stretching for miles.
Morning visits are best to avoid scorching temperatures. The otherworldly landscape creates the perfect contrast to EDC’s manufactured wonderland, reminding you that Mother Nature creates her own kind of magic show.
7. Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch

A forest made entirely of bottles? Yep, that’s what you’ll find at this quirky roadside attraction on old Route 66. Hundreds of metal “trees” decorated with colorful glass bottles create a tinkling symphony when the desert breeze blows through.
Created by Elmer Long using bottles collected over decades, this folk art wonderland feels like stepping into someone’s beautiful obsession. Sunlight streams through the colored glass, casting kaleidoscopic patterns on the ground beneath your feet.
Though Elmer passed away in 2019, his family keeps the ranch open to visitors. It’s completely free to visit (though donations are appreciated), making it the perfect quick stop for festival-goers on a budget.
8. Calico Ghost Town’s Mining History

Time travel just off I-15 at this perfectly preserved silver mining town from the 1880s. Unlike many roadside attractions, Calico was a real boomtown where over 500 mines produced $20 million in silver ore!
When silver lost its value in the 1890s, Calico became a ghost town until Walter Knott (of Knott’s Berry Farm fame) restored it in the 1950s. Today, you can explore original and reconstructed buildings, ride the narrow-gauge railroad, or even pan for gold.
The town sits dramatically against rust-colored mountains that give it its name. With temperatures often exceeding 100°F in summer, the shops selling ice cream and cold drinks become true oases before you continue your desert journey.
9. Baker’s World’s Tallest Thermometer

Rising 134 feet into the desert sky, this massive electric thermometer commemorates the highest temperature ever recorded in the United States (134°F in nearby Death Valley). Located in Baker, California – the gateway to Death Valley – this quirky landmark has become an essential photo op for road-trippers.
After nearly being demolished in 2014, the thermometer was restored to its full glory and now accurately displays the current temperature. The gift shop at its base offers thermometer-shaped souvenirs and much-needed cold drinks.
Baker is also home to The Mad Greek, a legendary road food stop serving both Greek and American classics. Their strawberry shakes and gyros provide the perfect energy boost before tackling the final stretch to Vegas.
10. Zzyzx Road’s Mysterious Desert Oasis

Possibly the strangest-named exit on Interstate 15, Zzyzx Road (pronounced “zye-zicks”) leads to a bizarre desert history lesson. Originally named Soda Springs, this site was renamed in the 1940s by radio evangelist Curtis Howe Springer, who claimed it would be “the last word in health.”
Springer built a health spa here, complete with mineral baths, church, and private airstrip – all without actually owning the land! The government eventually caught on and evicted him.
Today, the site houses the Desert Studies Center run by California State University. You can still see the palm-lined entrance boulevard and crumbling spa buildings. The surreal lake amid barren desert creates a mirage-like effect that perfectly matches the road’s alien-sounding name.
11. Red Rock Canyon’s Scenic Loop

Just 20 minutes from the Vegas Strip lies a crimson wonderland that feels like driving on Mars! Red Rock Canyon’s 13-mile scenic drive winds through formations where vibrant rust-colored rocks jut dramatically against blue skies.
If time allows, pull over at Calico Hills viewpoint where the most intensely colored rocks create a photographer’s paradise. Even a quick drive-through gives you a complete reset from highway monotony before diving into festival madness.
The visitor center features exhibits on local geology and wildlife, including desert tortoises. With temperatures often exceeding 100°F in summer, this is a morning stop – hit it early before continuing to Vegas to avoid both heat and crowds.
12. The Neon Museum’s Vintage Vegas

Before diving into EDC’s cutting-edge light shows, pay homage to the original Las Vegas light masters at this “neon boneyard.” Home to over 200 rescued vintage signs, this outdoor museum preserves the glowing history of Sin City.
Wandering among towering Stardust letters and the giant Sahara camel transports you through decades of Vegas evolution. The museum especially dazzles after sunset when many restored signs illuminate in their full glory.
Tours sell out quickly, especially during festival weekends, so book well in advance! If you can’t get tickets, their gift shop is still worth visiting for unique Vegas mementos that go beyond typical casino souvenirs. This historical perspective makes the modern light spectacle of EDC even more meaningful.
13. The Mob Museum’s Underworld Stories

Vegas wouldn’t exist without the mob, and this museum housed in an actual 1933 courthouse tells the fascinating, gritty story of organized crime in America. Located downtown in historic Las Vegas, it provides the perfect counterbalance to the glossy Strip experience.
Interactive exhibits let you fire a Tommy gun simulator, sit in a recreated electric chair, or explore a Prohibition-era speakeasy. The actual wall from the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, complete with bullet holes, sends chills down your spine.
The basement speakeasy serves Prohibition-era cocktails in a setting that feels straight from the 1920s. This museum offers a deeper understanding of how Las Vegas evolved from a desert outpost to the entertainment capital where EDC now reigns.