What We Missed: The Death Valley National Park Loop Forced to cut three days from our original itinerary, we had to eliminate the 500-mile loop north from Ontario International Airport (A) to Death Valley National Park and a one-night stay at the historic Furnace Creek Resort (C).

The Itinerary: 800 Miles Through the Deserts of Southern California (A and N) Start and finish, Los Angeles International Airport; *(B) Apollo Campers, Hawthorne; (C) Ontario International Airport; (D) Country Hills RV Park, Beaumont; (E) Emerald Desert RV Resort, Palm Desert; (F) Hemet; (G) Falkner Winery, Temecula; (H and L) Escondido RV Resort; (I) Julian Pie Company, Julian; (J) Borrego Springs; (K) Palomar Observatory, Palomar Mountain; (M) San Diego RV Resort, La Mesa.

It’s the biggest vehicle ever tested by Automotive Traveler, a 34-foot-long Georgetown motorhome from Forrest River. Courtesy of Apollo Campers, this is Richard Truesdell’s home for the next two weeks. Join him as he uses his insider’s knowledge to explore the deserts of Southern California and the city of San Diego.