Journey into the mesmerizing Mojave Desert

Started by Luis Ramallo and his wife Susana Ramallo in 2000, Alien Fresh Jerky has become one of the most popular jerky spots in all of the United States. With a wide selection of jerky snacks and other healthy options, Alien Fresh Jerky has created quite the following. The quirky vibe, along with UFO touches and goofy flavor names, will have you wanting to sample everything. Definitely give the "BBQ On The Moon" jerky a try... it's out of this world. Plus, need we remind you that jerky is the perfect road trip snack?

The 1.6 million acre Mojave Nation Preserve gives you a diverse taste of everything California has to offer. It's a special ecosystem that's unlike anything anywhere else. Whether you want to check out the ever-changing sand dunes, get lost among forests of gnarled Joshua trees, explore otherworldly volcanic cinder cones, or admire the canyons and abandoned mines, the Mojave National Preserve will keep you busy for days if you let it. Camp, hike, explore... the choice is yours. In addition to the amazing views you won't get anywhere else, the Mojave National Preserve is also heavily focused on building an environmentally friendly planet for all those who inhabit it, making it essential for wildlife and ecological studies and research.

Located directly between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, the Barstow/Calico KOA campground brings just what you'd expect from other KOA properties, and then some. Whether you're traveling by RV, you want to spoil yourself with a night in a deluxe cabin, or you prefer to give one of their aesthetically-unique safari tents a try, there are options for everyone. Try your hand at archery, blow off some steam on the jump pad, or take a nap in one of the hammocks when you're not exploring the surrounding area. The KOA even offers a shuttle to Calico Ghost Town--a former 1880s silver mining town- turned living history museum--and hiking at nearby Mule Canyon!

Amboy Crater is the remains of a cinder cone volcano that is estimated to be over 6,000 years old. But don't worry! You won't be seeing lava anytime soon, as the Amboy Crater is considered inactive. In fact, depending on availability and weather, you're able to walk down in the crater yourself and experience what it's like being in the heart of a volcano. Given its size and historical impact, the Amboy Crater is a National Natural Landmark in the Eastern Mojave Desert. Make sure to check this out, and don't forget your camera!

Located just outside Palm Springs, CA, and less than an hour from Joshua Tree National Park, the Palm Springs/Joshua Tree KOA gives you easy access to some of the best Southern California has to offer. Whether you want to explore trails, go shopping at some stellar vintage and antique stores, or test your luck at the casinos, Palm Springs/Joshua Tree KOA puts you in the middle of it all. Right nearby, you can explore fifty miles of hiking trails in nearby San Jacinto Wilderness, as well as the sacred Indian Canyons. For those in the group who want to take it easy and lounge by the pool (not that there's anything wrong with that), this KOA offers plenty of opportunities to kick back and relax, whether that be in the campground's pool or with a visit to Desert Hot Springs. Palm Springs/Joshua Tree KOA can accommodate you regardless of your travel preferences. All RV sites are full hook-ups, and you can rent a tent or stay in a deluxe cabin.

Great service, and delicious shakes? Yeah, we can get behind that too. This little joint is consistently rated as one of the best places in the country to get a milkshake. With dozens of delicious flavors, from our favorite (buttered pecan) to a Southern California classic date-walnut concoction, you won't go home disappointed. Pretty much any flavor combo you can dream up is on the menu. Did we mention all shakes come with a delicious homemade mini donut? Yum! It's the perfect treat to enjoy after miles and miles of driving.

Formerly known as Claude Bell's Dinosaurs, the Cabazon Dinosaurs are one of the most popular roadside attractions in the United States. Originally created as a way to attracts guests to Claude K. Bell's diner, the Wheel Inn Restaurant, the Cabazon Dinosaurs have grown into a pop culture phenomenon. The two giant dinosaurs, named Dinny and Mr. Rex, have made numerous TV and film appearances.

Mr. Rex is over 150 foot long; Dinny stands at 65 feet tall, and both can be seen from the freeway. It's not often you can see two larger-than-life prehistoric beasts on the side of the road, so you'll definitely want to pull over for a photo. And if you know that you've seen them before, but can't exactly put your finger on it, you might be delighted to know that these are the dinos from "Pee Wee's Big Adventure!”