Study Weeks in the Desert and City : Elderhostelers can choose between college programs near Beaumont or in San Diego.

Southern California Elderhostel, local division of the large, nonprofit, Boston-based organization, has come up with more close-to-home study weeks for travelers 60 and over.

Mt. San Jacinto College in San Jacinto, in cooperation with neighboring Edward Dean Museum, is offering six Sunday-to-Friday programs this fall, with accommodations provided at the well-known Highland Springs Resort & Conference Center in Cherry Valley, near Beaumont.

Classes--which take place at the resort and require no tests or strenuous study--will include:

* The early railroad history of California.

* Asian decorative arts, with field trips to the Dean Museum.

* The story of Gen. George Patton, who 50 years ago trained his armored division in Southern California deserts for its subsequent North African battles.

Elderhostelers will have access to the extensive recreational facilities of Highland Springs Resort, including an Olympic-size pool, tennis, nearby golf, spa and more. There will be free time to visit the Oak Glen apple country or shop at nearby discount and outlet shops.

The Elderhostel price of $315 per person, double occupancy, includes a week’s accommodations, all meals, classes and field trips--everything but transportation. You must get to and from Highland Springs, which is about 90 miles east of Los Angeles, 28 miles west of Palm Springs, on your own. Starting dates are Oct. 15, Nov. 1, 8 and 15, and Dec. 6 and 17.

A second and larger program is offered at San Diego State University, where fall Elderhostel classes begin on campus Oct. 4 and run through Dec. 12. A variety of classes will focus on election-year politics, computers, drama, astronomy, yoga and even “clownology”--from applying face makeup to learning balloon sculpture and pantomime.

San Diego’s programs also begin on Sundays, but last six nights instead of the five at Highland Springs. The all-inclusive cost of $340 per person, double occupancy, includes accommodations in apartment-style campus housing, plus use of the university’s cultural, social and recreational facilities, and free time to enjoy San Diego’s many attractions. Again, transportation is on your own.

For more information on these two programs, write Jiggs Gallagher, Director, Southern California Elderhostel, Library South 3078, 5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles 90032, or call (213) 343-4722 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For information on national and international programs offered by Elderhostel, contact Elderhostel, 75 Federal St., Boston, Mass. 02110-1941, (617) 426-8056.