Page 166 - 2014 Travel Guide to California

DESERTS
Fertile ground for artists, adventurers,
star-gazers, golfers and spa lovers
TOP CITIES
Palm Springs, Palm Desert, La Quinta, Barstow,
Indian Wells, Needles, Salton Sea, Mojave
INTERNATIONAL GATEWAY
Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), 10 minutes
from downtown Palm Springs, 44 miles (71 km) from
Anza-Borrego State Park
TOURISM WEBSITES
ci.palm-springs.ca.us
palm-desert.org
la-quinta.org
barstowca.org
indio.org
Anza-Borrego SP: parks.ca.gov/?page_id=638
Death Valley NP: nps.gov/deva
Joshua Tree NP: nps.gov/jotr
POPULATION
750,000
DESERTS
164 2014 T R AV E L G U I D E T O C A L I F O R N I A
B Y J A N R O D R I C K S
One of the most enduring myths about the California desert
is that it is lifeless. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Just ask the thousands of visitors each year who flock to the
resort towns of Palm Springs, Palm Desert, La Quinta and others to
indulge in spa culture, superb golf, fine dining and spirited nightlife.
And, of course, brilliant weather.
Set at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains, the oasis of Palm
Springs is the ancestral home of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla
Native Americans. This band remains active in local affairs, operating
two hotels, two casinos, a golf resort with two courses (Indian
Canyons Golf Resort) and an entertainment venue. Visitors can learn
about the Agua Caliente through ranger-led tours of ancient palm
groves and along streams and waterfalls of neighboring Tahquitz and
Indian canyons, and at the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum in down-
town Palm Springs.
Palm Springs is the getaway destination for many athletes and Hol-
lywood stars; architectural tours offer a look at some of their amazing
homes (and pools!). Palm Desert, also in the Coachella Valley, is another
popular resort for snowbirds and golfers, with world-class golf courses,
the excellent Palm Springs Art Museum and the always popular Living
Desert Zoo & Gardens. The Coachella Valley also hosts one of the
country’s great music festivals, the Coachella Valley Music & Arts
PHOTOGOLFER/SHUTTERSTOCK. OPPOSITE: PHOTOS COURTESY OF PALM SPRINGS BUREAU OF TOURISM