Page 79 - 2022-2023 Travel Guide to California

savored in stores selling the stunning art,
fashion and interior décor that infuses the
sun-worshiping local lifestyle.
Rich in Tribal Heritage
Palm Springs is named for the city’s healing
hot springs and serene palm-studded
canyon oases. Its native Agua Caliente Band
of Cahuilla Indians’ ancestral mineral
springs are downtown. Look for the new
Cultural Plaza to be opening late 2022,
which will include a new spa and museum.
The tribe’s peaceful Indian Canyons, on the
edge of town, are a haven for hikers and
wildlife. Its downtown Agua Caliente
Casino Palm Springs adds 24-hour excite-
ment with its live entertainment.
by western, contemporary and glass artists,
and features temporary exhibitions from
internationally acclaimed artists. Bonus:
it’s free every Thursday with VillageFest,
but check times as it can change.
For the aviation and historical buffs, the
Palm Springs Air Museum offers an extra-
ordinary collection that pays homage to the
aircraft and aviators of two World Wars,
plus the Korean and Vietnam Wars. You can
even exult in flying demos, and in exhila-
rating Warbird rides that include a P-51
Mustang fighter of “Tuskegee Airmen”
fame. Just opened is the new F-117
Nighthawk Pavilion.
Discover the Museums
Considered one of California’s finest
regional museums, the Palm Springs Art
Museum is located in downtown Palm
Springs. The museum’s extensive perma-
nent collection includes significant works
Tramway to Another World
To truly appreciate Palm Springs’ beauty
and scale, thrill to a sensational cacti-to-
clouds ride aboard the Palm Springs Aerial
Tramway. The world’s largest rotating tram
car will deposit you at 8,516 feet near the
top of Mt. San Jacinto. Here, the Peaks
Restaurant has the ultimate table with a
view. The easy Desert View Trail also
rewards hikers with sensational views over
the city, while more challenging mountain
trails include the option for snowshoeing
and cross-country skiing in winter.
Get Out and Play
Palm Springs is also nirvana for outdoor
activities, especially during the fall and
winter. Along with many hiking trails
throughout the mountain range to capture
the valley views, cycling is also a great way
to see the city. There’s tennis at dusk. Plus,
the Palm Springs calendar is packed year-
round with festive events. And every
Thursday evening, the downtown Palm
Canyon Drive transforms into VillageFest,
a traffic-free street fair that includes great
entertainment.
Come As You Are
Palm Springs prides itself on its welcoming
hospitality. No matter one’s persuasion or
preference, it’s the diversity of the com-
munity and visitors that gives Palm Springs
its special character.
2022-23 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA 77