Twentynine Palms

The Living Desert is a botanical garden and zoo dedicated to eradicating the image of the desert as anything less than vibrant. Each garden is dedicated to a separate biome, from the local Sonoran desert to the Sahara, and animals on the property include zebras, snakes, giraffes, mountain lions, warthogs, ostriches and more. The property totals 1,200 acres, a full 12 times larger than the San Diego Zoo. This means that the animals actually exist in massive open enclosures that simulate their natural environment, which should do much to satisfy even the most rabid PETA supporter.

The Living Desert offers activities such as camel rides and giraffe feeding, and even runs a nursery for visitors to buy exotic desert plants.