Shopping If you've come to the modernist mecca of Palm Springs for the architecture, don't miss the flourishing design district along Palm Canyon Drive between Tamarisk Road and Tachevah Drive.
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Hiking If you are a hiker, you may want to do some research on the area, since you are coming to a hiking mecca. Here are two worthwhile books on the subject:Day and Overnight Hikes: Palm Springs by Laura Randall - Mensaha Ridge Press "A popular outdoor destination for the 7 million residents of Los Angeles, Palm Springs offers stunning day and overnight hiking opportunities. With Joshua Tree National Monument to the east, the San Bernardino National Forest to the north and south, and the storied Pacific Crest Trail passing nearby, hiking expert Laura Randall has chosen 30 of the best day and overnight hikes. A gorgeously designed book, Day and Overnight Hikes Palm Springs contains detailed narrative filled with history, flora and fauna, and uses an active guiding voice to ease readers from their vehicles and onto the trails. This book is loaded with details to supplement the descriptive narrative, such as UTM and latitude/longitude coordinates for each trailhead, ratings for scenery and difficulty, a detailed trail map, and a handy elevation profile. Palm Springs has long been known by Los Angeles residents for its beautiful hiking trails. With the Joshua Tree National Monument to the east, the San Bernardino National Forest north and south, and the Pacific Crest Trail not far away, this area is rife with wonderful outdoor opportunities. This book collects each of them and offers detailed ratings and maps for use out on the trail, providing an invaluable resource for hikers of all levels. 120 Great Hikes in and Near Palm Springs Phillip Ferranti has hiked the western United States for over 30 years. He founded the Coachella Valley Hiking Club in 1992 and has written nine books, including Hiking! The Ultimate Natural Prescription for Health and Wellness." Hiking Suggestions There are amazing hikes in Palm Springs that many people don't even know exist. You don't have to be a serious hiker to enjoy these beautiful natural treasures. Here are our favorite nearby hikes. Please remember to take plenty of water with you!!!Tahquitz Canyon This incredibly scenic canyon features the waterfall filmed for the classic movie Lost Horizon. The Agua Caliente tribe offers 2-hour ranger-led hikes into their most spiritual and beautiful place or you can go it alone. The canyon is open daily from 8am to 5pm, with hikes departing daily at 8am, 10am, noon, and 2pm (reservations are recommended). The 2-mile round-trip hike is of moderate difficulty. The fee is $13 for adults, $6 for children ages 6 to 12. 500 W. Mesquite, west of Palm Canyon Drive (760) 416-7044Indian Canyons The Indian Canyons are the ancestral home of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. You can see remnants of their ancient life: rock art, house pits and foundations, irrigation ditches, bedrock mortars, pictographs, and stone houses and shelters built atop high cliff walls. Palm Canyon's 15-mile long stand of Washingtonia palms makes it the world largest palm oasis. Murray Canyon, known for its high cliffs and flowing waters, including the Seven Sisters waterfalls, is home to Peninsula bighorn sheep and a herd of wild ponies. Andreas Canyon trail winds through huge beautifully shaded canyon walls lined with sycamore, cottonwood and palm trees among the sharp rock formations.The canyons are closed to visitors from late June to early September. The canyons are open 8am to 5pm, and guided hiking tours and ranger lectures are also available. The fee of $8 per adult, $6 for students, seniors, and military, and $4 for kids ages 6 to 12 grants entrance to all the canyons.
Located at the end of South Palm Canyon Drive (760) 325-3400 Joshua Tree National Park Just a 40-minute drive away is Joshua Tree National Park, a desert wonderland with a wealth of things to see and do. The park encompasses 800,000 acres and is home to a fascinating variety of plants and animals. The park's famous Joshua trees and huge boulder piles have made it a climber’s paradise. The West entrance is located 5 miles south of the junction of Highway 62 and Park Boulevard. The North entrance is in Twentynine Palms, 3 miles south of the junction of Highway 62 and Utah Trail. (760) 367-5500 Joshua Tree Site
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Biking Because of its modest size, Palm Springs can easily be experienced over a couple days, or even a few hours. Start your trip with a self-guided bike tour. Big Wheel Tours (760-802-2236; www.bwbtours.com) rents bicycles starting at $30 a day (plus $25 for pickup and delivery; bike and hiking tours are available). Free maps are available at the Palm Springs Visitors Center (777 North Palm Canyon Drive; 760-778-8418; www.palm-springs.org). To scope out the dramatic terrain and local hot spots, pedal the Downtown Loop, which can be done in less than an hour, or the 10-mile Citywide Loop that takes you past the Moorten Botanical Gardens.Tennis The Plaza Racquet Club1300 E. Baristo Road Palm Springs Phone: 760-323-8997 Ladies' Day: Friday Mens' Days: Wednesday and Thursday Ongoing day and evening clinics for adults, juniors, seniors. USPTA pros, ball machines, and 9 courts. Mesquite Golf & Country Club 2700 E. Mesquite AvenuePalm Springs Phone:760-323-1502 Tennis: 8 courts (private). Racquetball: 2 courts Ruth Hardy Park Located in central Palm Springs at 700 Tamarisk Way, this local classic park boasts 22 acres and very nice public tennis courts - 8 lighted. Free to public. Swimming Palm Springs Swim Center The beautiful Palm Springs Public Pool and Swim Center is an outdoor Olympic size pool. It is open year round - 7 days a week. Admission is $3.50 for adults. Located in Sunrise Park by the Palm Springs Leisure Center on Pavilion Way. Open on holidays but special hours apply. Phone(760)323-8278. Recreation Links |
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