With palm trees gently swaying and glorious sunshine throughout the year, Palm Springs is the ideal holiday destination for anyone looking to get away from the daily grind. The area sits in the shadow of the San Jacinto Mountains and is surrounded by Colorado desert, but with its immaculate streets, flower-filled walkways and emerald golf courses Palm Springs has become a second home to many of Hollywood's leading celebrities. The sun blazes in the summer months and temperatures remain mild throughout the winter, with little rainfall. Palm Springs does have its own international airport, but connecting flights from Californian destinations are more frequent from the UK.
| the trendy, fashionable nightlife will attract elite partygoers... |
Best for...
Rest, relaxation, star-spotting and people-watching - Palm Springs has it all...
Palm Springs has appeal for all ages and types of holidaymaker thanks to its quiet and charming persona and unhurried pace. It's an ideal destination for rest and relaxation, while there are plenty of modern attractions to keep children happy. With the opportunity to run into some true A-list celebrities, the trendy, fashionable nightlife will attract elite partygoers, while Palm Springs will also appeal to business travellers who want to take advantage of the many excellent golf courses.
What to do...
Palm Springs is split into many districts each with its own unique ambience. A great starting point is downtown Palm Springs with its fantastic shopping and dining options, as well as being a great place to watch the 'beautiful people' of California go by. The downtown area has a buzzing night vibe with many fashionable clubs and bars, while the more culturally keen might prefer to spend the evening at the famous Plaza Theatre, which is the home of the Palm Springs Follies who are all aged between 56 and 83.
Above all else, Palm Springs is a golfing haven with an array of world-class courses. Palm Desert is known as the area "where the sun shines a little brighter" and is both a golfing and shopping centre. The deluxe shopping region of El Paseo has many fine stores offering art, clothing, crystal and more, while the neighbouring Indian Wells resort is one of the most popular golfing destinations in the world.
La Quinta has earned the name the 'gem of the dessert' and is home to the PGA West. However, there's a lot more than golf in this region with its own arts festival and a number of intimate restaurants.
Much like Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs has warm water bubbling out of the earth at temperatures as high as 200°F. Much of this water has been channelled to heat the thermal wells of the hotel spas. It is said to have curative effects and makes the hotels in the area among the most popular in the state including the Miracle Springs Hotel and Spa, the Two Bunch Palms Resort and Spa and the Desert Hot Springs Spa Hotel.
Though it is very much a young and emerging area, Palm Springs has a number of entertainment options including cultural museums and upscale shopping districts. The sculpture gardens at Palm Springs Desert Museum, the historic aircraft at Palm Springs Air Museum and the interactive features of the children's museum all make worthwhile alternatives to another day at the beach or on the golf course. Children will also love Knott's Soak City with its slide and tube rides, the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens and the Palm Springs Aerial Tram will appeal to all ages offering a gentle 15 minute journey through five climatic zones to the Mountain Station with its bar, cafeteria and observation area. This is also one of the most popular skiing areas during the winter.
Restaurant Row in Rancho Mirage is the leading light when dusk falls thanks to the many luxurious dishes available including Japanese and seafood specialities. Muriel's is another favourite, featuring cabaret dancers and performers, while Del Rio's Taqueria really tests the tastebuds with its hot sauce and margaritas.
