As a trip to the USA is on my list for 2018, I am searching the web for information. We are planning a camper roadtrip in California and the last few days of our vacation we want to spend in a nice hotel or villa to take a rest before we get back to reality. That’s how I ended up in Palm Springs.
General info on Palm Springs
Palm Springs is a desert resort city in California. It’s about 170 km from Los Angeles, 800 km from San Francisco and 500 km from Las Vegas. With 240 km² is’t the largest city in the county.
Palm Springs has a dry and hot desert climate and therefore became a fashionable resort for health seekers in the 1900s. Today many Hollywood stars have a house over here.
In summertime it’s far too hot for me, but from November till April the weather is perfect.
Where to stay in Palm Springs?
There are over 130 hotels and numerous B&B’s but I think the best option are the villas of Palm Springs. Must be great to rent one of the luxurious villas and feel like a Hollywood star for a few days. There are a lot of airbnb's in Palm Springs so it won't be a problem to find the perfect villa for you.
Do you prefer a hotel? There are a lot of cool boutique hotels in Palm Springs.
What to do in Palm Springs?
Biking, golf, hiking, horseback riding, swimming, and tennis are only a few of the sports you can practice over here. Culture seekers will love the mid-century modern architecture of downtown Palm Springs.
1. Moorten Botanical Garden
The Moorten Botanical Garden and Cactarium is situated downtown Palm Springs. Here you will find a large variety of cactuses and desert plants.
2. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
A ride with the Aerial Tramway is a must. Hop on at the western edge of Palm Springs and enjoy the amazing scenery while it takes you all the way up through the Chino Canyon.
3. Palm Springs Art Museum
The Palm Springs Art Museum has permanent exhibits about modern, Mesoamerican, and Native American art. Other collections focus on photography, contemporary glass, and architecture and design.
4. Adventure Hummer Tours
For the adventure seekers, a Hummer Tour is the perfect way to explore the desert. They take you all the way tot he canyons of the San Andreas Fault and the huge trees of Joshua Tree National Park.
5. Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert
In case you travel with children you should not miss the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert. This interactive museum teaches your kids everything about the desert in a fun way.
6. Brandini Toffee Factory
Fun for young and old: a tour of the Brandini Toffee Factory. See how these sweet delicacies are produced and ofcourse try some at the end of the tour.
7. Palm Springs Air Museum
The museum is located close to Palm Springs International Airport and hosts an enormous collection of aircrafts from World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Try the computer flight simulators and learn how to fligh.
8. Coachella Valley Preserve
The Coachella Valley Preserve, AKA the Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve, east of Palm Springs offers hiking trails and wildlife observation in a beautiful pristine desert environment.
9. Five Star Adventures Legends and Icons Tour
As I mentioned before, Palm Springs is home to the rich and famous. If you want to know where Leonardo DiCaprio (and many others) lives, you have to take this tour.
10. Smoke Tree Stables
A horseback ride through the desert must be amazing. The stables offers rides for an hour up to a full day.
11. Palm Springs Historical Society Walking Tours
The Palm Springs Historical Society offers interesting guided walking tours around town. Learn all about the rich history, beautiful architecture, artwork or the homes of celebrities.
12. Magic Adventure Balloon Rides
I love helicopter flights, but at Palm Springs you have to see the Coachella Valley by hot air balloon. Hot air balloon flights take off just before sunrise or late in the day just before sunset. Enjoy the thrill of a lifetime. This romantic adventure includes champagne, snacks and photos.
13. Palm Springs VillageFest
This street fair is held every Thursday night on Palm Canyon Drive in downtown Palm Springs. It features art, entertainment, food, and shopping. Merchants on Palm Canyon Drive keep their shops open late during the VillageFest.
14. Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway
The Alexander Estate is also called the House of Tomorrow. This mid-century icon of modernism is famous for its architecture but most visitores come to see where Elvis Presley and his wife Priscilla spent their honeymoon. They loved the place so much that they lived here for a few years. There are special events on their weddinganniversary and on Elvis’ birthday. You can also rent the house for your own wedding!
15. Windmill Tours
Palm Springs Windmill Tours takes visitors on a windmill farm tour. Your guide tells you on a two hour tour all you ever wanted to know about this environmental friendly source of energy that provides enough power for Palms Springs and the Coachella Valley. The first windmill was built in Palm Springs in 1982. Today, there are over 4,000 windmills.
The region offers so many nice things to do that you might consider spending your entire holiday in the villas of Palm Springs.
Have your ever been to Palm Springs? Let us know what you liked the most.
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