Page 93 - 2018 Travel Guide to California

PLAYING GOLF AT MISSION HILLS COUNTRY CLUB,
Rancho Mirage, opposite.
SPECIAL
»
EVENTS 2018
PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Jan. 2-15, Palm
Springs psfilmfest.org
PGA CAREERBUILDER CHALLENGE Jan. 17-21, La Quinta,
careerbuilderchallenge.com
PALM SPRINGS MODERNISM WEEK Feb. 15-25, Greater Palm Springs,
modernismweek.com
RIVERSIDE COUNTY FAIR AND NATIONAL DATE FESTIVAL Feb. 16-25,
Indio datefest.org
BNP PARIBAS OPEN March 5-18, Indian Wells bnpparibasopen.com
FASHION WEEK March 17-24, Palm Desert fashionweekelpaseo.com
COACHELLA MUSIC FESTIVAL April 13-15, 20-22, Indio coachella.com
STAGECOACH COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL April 27-29, Indio
stagecoachfestival.com
JOSHUA TREE MUSIC FESTIVAL May 17-20, Oct. 4-7, Joshua Tree
joshuatreemusicfestival.com
53RD ANNUAL BORREGO DAYS DESERT FESTIVAL Oct. 19-21, Borrego
Springs borregodays.com
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS PARADE Dec. 1, Palm Springs psfestivaloflights.com
SINATRA CLASSIC AT BIGHORN Dec., Palm Desert
barbarasinatrachildrenscenter.org
film and arts festivals are world-renowned, as is the city’s hip trademark
mid-century architecture.
Sports and Active Adventures
You might be forgiven for thinking that a desert offers little to do and that
it’s just too darn hot to do it in any event. Wrong on both counts! The
region is replete with exciting recreational activities.
There’s no more quintessential image of the Palm Springs region than
an emerald greensward studded by palms and framed by boulder-strewn
mountains gloriously snowcapped in winter. In fact, the Coachella Valley
has earned the distinction of “Golf Capital of the World,” with more golf
courses than you can shake a 4-iron at. More than two million visitors
come annually to play golf on more than one hundred courses. Almost as
many arrive to explore the palm groves, alpine summits or spectacular
»
MUS
T
SEE,
DO
» Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Whisking you to another
world as it revolves through 360 degrees, the tram climbs more
than two miles to the mountain station at 8,516 feet elevation. Go
for the sensational ride, or to escape the summer heat and hike
the pleasantly cool pine forest. In winter the mountain is usually
swathed in snow—perfect for exploring on cross-country skis or
snowshoes. The mountain station’s gourmet restaurant tempts
you to linger for a candlelit dinner overlooking the sparkling lights
of the valley far below.
› pstramway.com
» Palm Springs Modern The city claims one of the most
important concentrations of mid-20th-century Modernist architecture
in the world. For a fascinating insight into how Palm Springs
became Modernism’s place in the sun, explore with expert guide
Robert Imber, who will explain the inspiration for such icons as
the Steel Houses, the “House of Tomorrow” and the Romchamp-
inspired Bank of America building. He may even take you inside
one or two celebrity homes.
› palmspringsmodern.com
» Palm Springs Art Museum Acclaimed as one of California’s
top regional art venues, the museum houses a stunning collection
spanning pre-Columbian and Native American art to works by
classic western American masters, plein air art on a desert theme,
and contemporary California artists. Much of the artwork was
donated by local residents such as author Sidney Sheldon and
actor Kirk Douglas. It occupies a striking Modernist building with
a sunken sculpture garden.
› psmuseum.org
» Joshua Tree National Park Spanning 1,240 square miles,
this park protects one of the most spectacularly scenic of desert
regions and is named for the peculiarly-shaped Joshua trees,
which grow here in abundance. Fantastical rock formations draw
climbers, and a spiderweb of hiking and mountain bike trails lace
the park. Be sure to call in at the Visitor Center and Keys West, a
lookout with panoramic views over Coachella Valley, with the San
Andreas Fault clearly visible below.
› nps.gov/jotr
» Living Desert Despite the sizzling heat and lack of water,
wildlife abounds in the desert. Most desert denizens hide by day,
especially in summer. To see them, head to Living Desert Zoo &
Park, which displays fauna from arid environments around the
world. Local critters include desert tortoise, mountain lion and
bighorn sheep, while exotic wildlife include oryx, giraffes and
Mexican wolves. More than four miles of interpretive trails weave
through the surrounding wilderness.
› livingdesert.org
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