After a hike through the Painted Ladder Canyon, or a day exploring the “Other Desert Cities” I-10 signage advertises at the I-10/ Highway 111 junction, you might find yourself driving along Highway 111 through a town called Thermal. There, you might find a series of signs advertising date-themed food items like date shakes. Do not ignore the signs. Follow the highway to the Oasis Date Garden. You’ll see large date trees (which look a lot like palm trees) and patches of green grass, a true oasis in the dry desert dust.

Oasis Date Garden was established in 1912 by Ben and Lucy Laffin, and has since been acquired by Woodspur Farms. In their store you can buy their dates, and in their café you can buy their date shake, made with their dates and flavored syrup (if you so choose, which you should, especially if you choose Mocha).

Enjoy your preferably Mocha flavored date shake in the stiff green grass, or at a picnic table under a date tree, or inside the café. They also offer salads, burgers, and sandwiches. They’re open seven days a week (except Sundays in the summer) and serve food from 9am through 3pm.

59-111 Grapefruit Blvd, Thermal, CA 92274