San Andreas Fault Offroad Tour in Palm Springs, United States
Palm Springs, United States

San Andreas Fault Offroad Tour

Outty Ranking 83 4.9 · 339 traveler reviews4 hoursFrom $209
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Outty Ranking

83/100

Exceptional. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.9/5

Based on 339 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is San Andreas Fault Offroad Tour worth booking?

San Andreas Fault Offroad Tour is a 4-hour experience in Palm Springs, United States, from $209 per person. It scores 83 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 339 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
83 / 100
Rating
4.9/5 (339)
Duration
4 hours
From
$209 per person

Small group Jeep/SUV tours of the San Andreas Fault zone.  Colorful canyons and tortured landscape make this tour a memorable once in a lifetime adventure. Also enjoy the area's agriculture, views of the Salton Sea. This is a group tour. This activity has a 2 person requirement for the tour to run. If you are a single rider, please call first.

What you get

    About this experience

    Small group Jeep/SUV tours of the San Andreas Fault zone.  Colorful canyons and tortured landscape make this tour a memorable once in a lifetime adventure. Also enjoy the area's agriculture, views of the Salton Sea. This is a group tour. This activity has a 2 person requirement for the tour to run. If you are a single rider, please call first.

    What's included

    Included

    • Professional guide
    • Bottled water
    • Hotel drop-off (selected hotels only)
    • Snacks

    Not included

    • Food and drinks, unless specified

    What you'll see and do

    1. Salton Sea

      Great vistas of the largest body of water in the state of California

      Pass by without stopping

    2. San Andreas Fault

      Guests will get into the heart of what geologists have called "the most tortured landscape on earth". Several off road trails provide our access to the incredible and otherworldly San Andreas Fault zone.

      120 minutes here

    3. Painted Canyon

      Spectacular colors and narrow slot canyons make for an otherworldly experience in the heart of the San Andreas Fault

      30 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Palm Springs

    Ample parking on the block in front our Palm Desert store available. Restrooms available as well.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Ample parking on the block in front our Palm Desert store available. Restrooms available as well.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Big Wheel Tours, Inc.

    Know before you go

    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Age limit is 6 years old

    Photos

    Guests can choose a Jeep or SUV to explore the San Andreas Fault, San Andreas Fault Offroad Tour in Palm SpringsNarrow slot canyons in the San Andreas Fault, San Andreas Fault Offroad Tour in Palm SpringsSan Andreas Fault Offroad Tour in Palm Springs, photo 4San Andreas Fault Offroad Tour in Palm Springs, photo 5San Andreas Fault Offroad Tour in Palm Springs, photo 6San Andreas Fault Offroad Tour in Palm Springs, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 335 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    8 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    The guide

    7 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Photo opportunities

    4 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Value for money

    2 mentions

    Travelers feel they got more than they paid for.

    Physical effort

    2 mentions

    Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.

    Traveler reviews

    335 verified traveler reviews for San Andreas Fault Offroad Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    317
    4 star
    6
    3 star
    8
    2 star
    4
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    jasonsB6531SI · September 2026

    Great experience

    We enjoyed ourselves on this tour. Our guide Jeff had a great personality and explained everything in detail and gave us ample photo opportunities.

    Response from the operator: Thank you Jason! Jeff is terrific and we are proud to have him on our team.

    via Tripadvisor

    Brian_M · September 2026

    Our excursion to the San Andres Fault by Big Wheel Tours.

    Our excursion to the San Andres Fault by Big Wheel Tours. It was an awesome experience. Our guide was very knowledgeable and we shared the the trip with an older couple from Chicago. It was hot yesterday it got up to 114° with humidity at 42, I was sweating like crazy. The walls of canyon were mostly sandstone and could be quite brittle if you were to try climb them. Deeper onto the canyon showed more pronounced stone formations that could handle rock climbers. There were a couple of birds running on ground like a pair road runners from the cartoon and anteater type of squirrel. I can't recall their names. We saw a lot Cayote dung on ground as we hiked through the canyon on a couple stops during the tour. Being in the canyon with all the geological activity felt like we were on another planet. I felt like I was on the set of Star Trek episode where Kirk fights the Gorn. Our tour guide also mentioned a lot of western shows were shot there during 50's thru 70's. Overall, my fiancee and I had an awesome experience and look forward to doing it again in the future. One other suggestion, bring extra water with you as snacks are provided by the tour.

    Response from the operator: Awesome review...thank you so much! Good thing for our climate controlled vehicles...yowza...114! I like to use that line....like going to another planet!

    via Viator

    melanite · September 2026

    Beautiful Vistas and Very Educational

    We had a great time with our guide. He gave us a very detailed overview of the geology and the fault. Great views on the trip and the hike. We enjoyed the hike up to see the Salton Sea the most.

    Response from the operator: Thank you! The view from that vista is remarkable. Badlands, agriculture, the Salton Sea! We appreciate your kind words.

    via Tripadvisor

    Gary_S · August 2026

    Our guide was so nice! He...

    Our guide was so nice! He was very informative and we could tell he knew a lot about the area/landscape. Our 1st stop was breathtaking. It took about 20 minutes to get to the top but oh so worth it. My daughter is not a hiker and she had a few moments of anxiety but our guide walked slowly so her and I could catch up. Our 2nd stop was super cool and a much easier walk. By our 3rd stop we were ready to see the San Andreas Fault, to which it did not disappoint. The history of it was amazing! Our scheduled tour was to take 4 hours, but we were closer to 5 hours (which was fine with us). It is a bumpy ride but so totally worth it!

    Response from the operator: Thank you Gary! Yes, our local landscape is awe inspiring and our guides really bring it to life with all of their knowledge. So glad you enjoyed it!

    via Viator

    barb_p · May 2026

    Sublime times on the San Andreas

    It is well worth the time to do this. It was hot but manageable Captain Ron brought the entire fault zone to life

    Response from the operator: Thank you for the kind review, Barb!

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    4 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    119
    Verdict
    Exceptional

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Big Wheel Tours, Inc., who run 7 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 79.5.

    See everything Big Wheel Tours, Inc. runs

    Why this scores 83

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)92
    Review evidence (18% weight)87
    Booking momentum (14% weight)85
    Value for money (12% weight)65
    Listing quality (10% weight)68
    Local standing (8% weight)65
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    San Andreas Fault Offroad Tour: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Palm Springs.

    How much does San Andreas Fault Offroad Tour cost?

    +

    Prices start at $209 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Palm Springs usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does San Andreas Fault Offroad Tour take?

    +

    Plan for about 4 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Palm Springs is not rushed.

    Is San Andreas Fault Offroad Tour worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 83 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 339 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Palm Springs, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule San Andreas Fault Offroad Tour?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is San Andreas Fault Offroad Tour suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book San Andreas Fault Offroad Tour?

    +

    Around 119 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Palm Springs can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Palm Springs and add a light layer if any part of the 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does San Andreas Fault Offroad Tour start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Palm Springs within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Palm Springs?

    +

    Palm Springs sells architecture tours through midcentury neighbourhoods, Aerial Tramway trips up San Jacinto, Indian Canyons hikes, Joshua Tree stargazing and windmill farm runs. Shade, water and pickup points separate a good desert tour from a rough one. On Outty we rank every Palm Springs experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Palm Springs Modernism Architecture & History Bike Tour, Bank Heist Escape Room Game for Private Group, Vampire's Lair Escape Room Game for Private Group. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Palm Springs?

    +

    November to April. Book dawn or evening slots in summer. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Palm Springs?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    What is included in San Andreas Fault Offroad Tour?

    +

    Included: Professional guide; Bottled water; Hotel drop-off (selected hotels only); and Snacks. Not included: Food and drinks, unless specified. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Where is the meeting point for San Andreas Fault Offroad Tour?

    +

    Ample parking on the block in front our Palm Desert store available. Restrooms available as well. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

    What languages is San Andreas Fault Offroad Tour offered in?

    +

    It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for San Andreas Fault Offroad Tour?

    +

    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    What happens to San Andreas Fault Offroad Tour if the weather is bad?

    +

    This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

    What do travelers say about San Andreas Fault Offroad Tour?

    +

    Across 339 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, photo opportunities. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted. One thing to know: Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.

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