Self-Driving Windmill Tours with Palm Springs Windmill Tours
Difficulty
easy
Duration
1.5 hours
Fitness Level
Minimal physical fitness required; suitable for individuals comfortable sitting and driving.
Overview
Take the wheel and discover Southern California’s pioneering commercial wind farm with Palm Springs Windmill Tours. This self-guided audio drive offers a hands-on look at renewable energy set against the desert’s vast open space.
Self-Driving Tours
1.5 Hours • Kids under 12 free. Senior & Military Discounts.
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Adventure Photos
About This Adventure
Explore the first commercial wind farm in Southern California on a self-guided audio tour! Discover historical artifacts, towering wind turbines, and the Indigo Energy Facility. This unique experience offers a deep dive into renewable energy, allowing you to learn and capture stunning photos along the way. Enjoy an unforgettable journey!
Tour the first commercial wind farm in Southern California!
Duration
1.5 Hours
About
You will need your own vehicle for this tour. The tour is curated by audio through an APP, guiding you along marked destinations throughout the first commercial wind farm in Southern California. We only accept Sprinter or similar vans 28 feet or less.
Once booked, an email confirmation is sent along with a map, instructions, and APP download instructions.
The tour starts with a display yard of historical artifacts from the 1980s, including successful and failed wind turbine designs. You then continue through the wind farm to see more artifacts, large blades, and operating wind turbines over 400 feet tall, where you can get up close and take pictures. The tour ends with a stop at the Indigo Energy Facility, a natural gas peaker electrical power plant. You then exit from 19th Avenue to Indian Canyon Drive, knowing much more about renewable energy!
The tour takes approximately one hour and depends on your pace. Enjoy!
- Price includes 2 adults per car
- Ages 12 and under are free
- Additional fee per additional adult
- Senior Discount Available - 62+
- Military Discounts (Must Show ID).
Adventure Tips
Bring a fully charged phone
You'll need your phone to run the audio guide app throughout the tour, so start fully charged and consider a car charger.
Drive carefully near turbines
Some stops involve roadways close to operating turbines—stay alert and respect safety barriers.
Plan for desert temperatures
Bring water and sun protection, especially during summer when heat can be intense even in the car.
Avoid large vehicles
Only vehicles 28 feet or less are allowed for this tour; Sprinter vans and similar fit best.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Desert cottontail rabbits
- Common roadside lizards
History
Southern California's first commercial wind farm broke ground in the early 1980s, marking a regional commitment to renewable energy.
Conservation
The tour highlights renewable power's role in reducing carbon emissions and encourages visitors to appreciate sustainable energy's desert impact.
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Adventure Hotspots in Palm Springs
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Smartphone or tablet
Required for accessing the audio tour app and maps throughout the drive.
Sunglasses
Protects your eyes from bright desert sun during the tour.
summer specific
Car charger
Ensures your device maintains charge while running the audio guide.
Water bottle
Staying hydrated is crucial in the dry desert environment.
summer specific