Page 181 - 2015 Travel Guide to California

PALM TREES ALLEY, Palm Springs, opposite; artist Ricardo A. Breceda has
added a 350-foot long serpent sculpture to the collection of prehistoric
animals on display at Galetta Meadows, Borrego Springs, below.
An easy 90-minute drive from Los Angeles, “Palm Springs” is under-
stood as the entire Coachella Valley, comprising eight “desert resort
communities” clustered at the foot of the San Jacinto Mountains. They
merge into one another along Highway 111—one of California’s great urban
drives. The physical setting is out of this world. Majestic mountains soar
on three sides, glistening with snow in the winter sunshine.
SPECIAL
»
EVENTS 2015
PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Jan. 2-12, Palm Springs psfilmfest.org
RIVERSIDE COUNTY FAIR AND NATIONAL DATE FESTIVAL
Feb. 13-22, Indio datefest.org
BNP PARIBAS OPEN March 9-22, Indian Wells bnpparibasopen.com
FASHION WEEK March 21-28, Palm Desert fashionweekelpaseo.com
COACHELLA MUSIC FESTIVAL April 10-12, 17-19 Indio coachella.com
STAGECOACH COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL
April 24-26, Indio stagecoachfestival.com
JOSHUA TREE MUSIC FESTIVAL
May 14-17, Oct. 8-11, Joshua Tree joshuatreemusicfestival.com
50TH ANNUAL BORREGO DAYS DESERT FESTIVAL
Oct. 23-25, Borrego Springs borregospringschamber.com
DEATH VALLEY 49ERS ENCAMPMENT
Nov. 11-15, Death Valley deathvalley49ers.org
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS PARADE Dec. 6, Palm Springs psfestivaloflights.com
»
MUST
SEE,
DO
» Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Revolving through 360
degrees as it climbs more than two miles to the mountain station at
8,516 feet elevation, this tram whisks you to another world. It’s a
sensational ride, perfect for escaping the heat of summer to hike
amid pine forest where the temperatures are pleasantly cool. Or
head up to the snows in winter to explore by snowshoe or on cross-
country skis. The mountain station has a gourmet restaurant—great
for a candlelit dinner with the lights of the valley sparkling far below.
› pstramway.com
» Palm Springs Museums To satisfy cultural yearnings, start
at the Palm Springs Arts Museum. Considered one of California’s
finest regional museums, this world-class venue is notable for its
contemporary art and astounding glass art in the Denney Western
American Art Wing. Its Mesoamerican collection includes basketry,
pottery and other artifacts by local Amerindian tribes. The Palm
Springs Air Museum is one of the world’s foremost museums
dedicated to WWII aircraft, displayed in two hangars replicating the
European and Pacific theaters.
› palmspringsairmuseum.org
› psmuseum.org
» Animals Galore Wildlife abounds in the desert, but for the
most part you’d never know it—critters hide by day, especially in
summer. It’s easy, however, to get close to desert flora and fauna at
Living Desert Zoo & Park, which displays animals from arid
environments around the world. Local denizens include bighorn
sheep, rattlesnakes and coyotes. Africa is well represented with
giraffes, hyenas, cheetahs, leopards and zebras, among others. Next,
hike the Indian Canyons to spot mule deer and other creatures.
› livingdesert.org
» Sample Local Food Palm Springs is hardly a desert for
dining. In fact, you’d expect a place that draws the Hollywood set to
boast fantastic restaurants. Chic Citron, at the Viceroy Palm Springs
hotel, is a great place to dine alongside the stars. Start your day at
Rick’s, a classic American diner that’s the most popular lunch spot
in town. Fresh seafood is flown in daily to Fisherman’s Market,
which has its own fishing fleet and a menu that includes fish ’n’
chips. And the city’s Thursday night Villagefest is a trove for locally
grown dates, nuts and fruit plus food stall treats.
› palmspringsvillagefest.com
» Valley Vistas To truly appreciate the desert’s beauty and
scale, get up high. Look to the horizon from the Coachella Valley
Vista Point, on Highway 74, five miles uphill from Palm Desert. The
Bump and Grind trail rewards hikers with sensational views over
Palm Springs, as does the Peaks Restaurant at the Palm Springs
Aerial Tram’s Mountain Station. And hauling yourself out of bed
early for the pre-dawn drive to Dante’s View is well worth it to
watch Death Valley, far below, unveiled at sunrise.
› nps.gov/deva/index.htm
2015 T R AV E L G U I D E TO C A L I F O R N I A 179