Tag Archives: Death Valley

Hotels & Resorts, National Parks, Uncategorized

May The Fourth Be With You: Death Valley Doubles for a Galaxy Far, Far Away

In celebration of the epic tale and Hollywood franchise, “Star Wars,” The Oasis at Death Valley hyper-spaced an exclusive map for guests leading them to the filming locations that are easily accessible via car © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfaranadnear.com

DEATH VALLEY, Calif. – May The Fourth – (April 2023, on Earth) –Lights, Camera, Vacation! While set-jetting may be one of the biggest trends this year, movie fans have been vacationing at The Oasis at Death Valley for decades on a quest to visit location sites “a galaxy far, far, away” from the 1977 movie Star Wars.  These visits start inevitable tales of when the movie’s director came to this true American Oasis in 3.4 million square miles of desert, oasis and mountain national park to film and transport people to another galaxy. 

In celebration of the epic tale and Hollywood franchise, “Star Wars,” The Oasis at Death Valley hyper-spaced an exclusive map for guests leading them to the filming locations that are easily accessible via car.  
 
Past generations of employees have shared stories with newer generations and certainly know where the movie locations are. These include the breathtakingly and picturesque locations throughout Death Valley National Park including Dante’s View, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Desolations Canyon, Artist’s Drive and Golden Canyon – all just a quick 20-to-40-minute drive from the Resort – the only resort in Death Valley National Park.
 
Just two hours from Las Vegas through the desert and more than four hours from Los Angeles, the nearest town or pretty much anything is at least an hour’s drive at a high-speed limit and no traffic lights.
 
And if you want to explore the universe, this is the place – it’s one of the only gold-tier designated International Dark Sky Parks in the United States where stargazers can see the Milky Way with the naked eye.
 
While Death Valley may seem like another universe to vacationers, those in the know have also found an “oasis-like planet” that is the luxurious AAA Four-Diamond The Inn at Death Valley and the family-friendly The Ranch at Death Valley both part of the recent $150 million renaissance at the Oasis at Death Valley. Death Valley is usually sunny (there is almost no rain). There are few bugs. It’s also beautiful and the Oasis boasts massive swimming pools, gardens, golf, tennis, horseback riding, numerous restaurants, a date palm grove, a general store, post office and ample lush lawns to run and play or do just nothing but take in the stunning scenery during the day and stars at night. There is a resort, a hotel, private casitas, and 80 new cottages.
 
For more information and reservations, visit oasisatdeathvalley.com.

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Hotels & Resorts

Ranch at The Oasis at Death Valley, Calif. Reopens

Ranch at The Oasis at Death Valley, California

DEATH VALLEY, Calif. – For those looking for sun, heat, stunning natural beauty both day and night and lots of space, the most unique resort destination in the US may well be The Oasis at Death Valley.  61 miles from the nearest town (with nothing in between), and an official population of 320 people, Death Valley is located in Inyo County, Calif. one of the least populated counties in the state with about 1.8 people per square mile.  If you need more space just ponder that this historic resort, ranch and golf course sits in Death Valley National Park, the largest national park in the Lower 48 States on more than 3.4 million acres (about 710 acres per staff and guest).  Social distancing, for that matter civilization distancing, is one of its main features.

The Oasis at Death Valley is just that, where ancient waters bubble up to the surface to create a real American oasis with gardens, date palm trees, bubbling brooks, nature fed outdoor swimming pools, and even an 18-hole USGA golf course – the lowest golf course on the planet.  Death Valley is known for its stunning beauty and exceptionally dark skies where the Milky Way can be seen with the naked eye.  Besides hiking and sightseeing, outdoor enthusiasts will also find tennis, cycling, horseback riding (seasonal) and jeep tours (seasonal).

Down at The Ranch at Death Valley, all guest rooms open directly to the outdoors (no hallways, elevators or large public spaces) and guest park directly in front of their accommodations.  The spacious lawns, massive pool and abundant open green space is an ideal environment to relax and escape the rushing, crowded world.

The The Ranch at Death Valley will awaken to guests on June 18 and while initial offerings may be somewhat limited, there is plenty to keep guests engaged and entertained.   This is where Clark Gable would escape Hollywood, as did Ronald Reagan and numerous movies were in part filmed, including Star Wars.

Please check the website for the most up-to-date information and news, as well as, explore The Ranch’s 10-20-30 Deal where the longer you stay, the more you save:

  • Stay one night, receive a 10% discount with promo code STAY1.
  • Stay two nights, receive a 20% discount with promo code STAY2.
  • Stay three nights, receive a 30% discount with promo code STAY3.

For additional information and updates on The Inn at Death Valley’s October reopening, visit oasisatdeathvalley.com.

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Active Travel, National Parks

Xanterra Has Rare Availability at National Parks; Offering 30% Savings For Limited Time

View from South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Vacationers can stay on the south rim of the majestic Grand Canyon in the renowned and historic El Tovar hotel and receive 30 percent off from Xanterra for a limited time. © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

“There is rare availability in the national parks this summer,” observes Betsy O’Rourke, the Chief Marketing Officer for Xanterra, the company that runs the concessions, lodging and many of the activities in national parks including Death Valley, Grand Canyon (South Rim), Zion.  There are even the occasional cancellations, and thus availability of lodging in Glacier and Yellowstone.
 
“The fact is, people come from all over the world to experience the U.S. national parks, and with limited air travel and closed borders this year, those vacationers are not able to come, freeing up rooms in some of the greatest outdoor places on earth.”  Now that parks are officially opening, for a limited time savvy travelers can book and save up to 30%.
   
For example, vacationers can stay on the south rim of the majestic Grand Canyon in the renowned and historic El Tovar hotel and receive 30 percent off for a limited time.  Even the legendary Grand Canyon Railway that runs from Williams, Arizona on Route 66 to within footsteps of El Tovar and the South Rim of Grand Canyon is 30 percent off.  The same is true at The Oasis in Death Valley, a true American oasis with water bursting from the ground (the resort even has a golf course, the lowest on earth) and bask in a 30 percent savings.  And Zion Lodge is also offering 30% off for a limited time.

For information about what’s open, what services will be available, reservations as well as any travel guidelines in this post-quarantine world, access www.xanterra.com.
 
So, pick your park, save up to 30 percent and take advantage of what nature has to offer, and rare summer openings when the skies are quiet and we’re all looking for someplace great to go that’s outdoors, beautiful and happens to be the trip of a lifetime.   Visit www.xanterra.com
for reservations and information.

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National Parks, Space travel and astronomy, star gazing trips

Celestial Centennial and MarsFest Symposium, April 8 – 10 in Death Valley National Park

The Celestial Centennial and MarsFest Symposium is hosted by the SETI Institute, NASA Ames Research Center, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA Astrobiology Institute, National Park Service and Death Valley Natural History Association. Visitors of all ages are invited to attend (photo by Robert Fulton).
The Celestial Centennial and MarsFest Symposium is hosted by the SETI Institute, NASA Ames Research Center, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA Astrobiology Institute, National Park Service and Death Valley Natural History Association. Visitors of all ages are invited to attend (photo by Robert Fulton).

DEATH VALLEY –For decades, the remarkable terrain of Death Valley has been one of scientists’ favorite stand-ins for Mars due to its arid climate and unique geology: Death Valley. Now the public has a chance to explore the region’s alien-like landscape and experience what life on Mars might be like with the Celestial Centennial and MarsFest Symposium 2016, a three-day, free public festival that will be held April 8-10, 2016 in Death Valley National Park.

The Celestial Centennial and MarsFest Symposium is a night sky and space festival that brings together educators, scientists, the public and National Park enthusiasts looking to learn more about Earth, Mars and the rest of the solar system. Participants will enjoy guided field trips to Death Valley’s rugged, otherworldly terrain that serves as researching and testing sites for places on Mars, such as Mars Hill, the Ubehebe Crater, and Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America. Other weekend events include panel discussions and lectures about current research and exploration; a Day Time Expo for visitors to experience what is happening in the cosmos; a Night Time Expo complete with telescopes to view the universe and beyond; a campfire program and stargazing event; and numerous family-friendly, hands-on events and activities.

The Celestial Centennial and MarsFest Symposium is hosted by the SETI Institute, NASA Ames Research Center, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA Astrobiology Institute, National Park Service and Death Valley Natural History Association. Visitors of all ages are invited to attend, with more information, a schedule of events, and details on how to register available at www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/celestial-centennial.htm.

With Celestial Centennial and MarsFest events centered around Furnace Creek, the ideal place to stay is the oasis at Furnace Creek Resort, including the family-friendly Ranch at Furnace Creek, with its towering palm trees and true oasis atmosphere situated on the desert floor, and the more sophisticated and refined Inn at Furnace Creek. Fed by natural spring waters, The Ranch boasts a large pool, golf course (the lowest on Earth), post office, general store, casual dining restaurants, horseback riding and 224 rooms.  The romantic, historic AAA Four Diamond, Inn at Furnace Creek, nestled into the mountainside where the spring bubbles forth, was built in the late 1920s by the Borax Company and features 66 elegant rooms, fine dining, verandas with sweeping views of Death Valley, opulent gardens, a stunning spring-fed pool, tennis courts and pool-side massages.

Rates begin at $239 for The Ranch and $449 for The Inn, are subject to availability and do not include taxes and resort fees.

Furnace Creek Resort is two hours west of Las Vegas by car and a four-hour drive from Los Angeles.

For additional information, call 800-236-7916 or visit www.furnacecreekresort.com.

 

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