1 to 2 Day trips out of Palm Springs

[timdalefan]

Hi, I've been reading this forum for a couple months now and seen as I have just booked flights for my first trip to the States I might aswell start posting.

I'm Tim, 24, from England and the long-term plan is a cross country trip across the US next summer but in the mean time my girlfriend (Jen) and I are coming over in september this year (8th - 21st) for a concert in San Diego whilst staying with family in Palm Springs.

We fly into LA via Charlotte, NC and pick up a rental car for the fortnight. Other than the trip out to San Diego (17th-18th, any good routes appreciated!) we have no firm plans other than to lounge around in the sun (probably in the shade for me).

We are both into nature and wildlife and would love to hear of any suggestions that we could drive out and see as it would be a shame to go all that way and not explore. I'd like to see the grand canyon or the meteor crater but would they be feasible in 2 days as I wouldn't like to just dump our stuff at Jen's Uncle's house and then disappear for most of the holiday!

Thanks for reading and I look forward to reading any replies

Tim