Planning a Trip: Palm Springs Part 2
Two years after writing and visiting Palm Springs, I’m headed back! I’ve been there a few times since with work, but it’s never quite the same, and you spend the time lamenting the hot sun rather than soaking in it.
I love Palm Springs. Maybe it’s the chill atmosphere, maybe it’s the hiking, maybe the plethora (yes I mean it) of Targets and Marshalls, or maybe it’s just because I love living in summer weather and spending my time getting Vitamin D.
After spending 6 months in Asia, I learned to love the heat, and cherish every moment. As I write this post, it’s -25 C and snowing, and I’m not exaggerating. I don’t do well in this weather but I do thrive in the warmth and sun. The only thing Palm Springs doesn’t have is an ocean, but they do have lots of pools and other places to cool off and beat the heat. In a continuation of my last Palm Springs post, here are some of my favourite things to do and see when I’m there.
Joshua Tree National Park
It’s a little bit farther than some of the hikes and walks around Palm Springs, but it is worth the drive to check out and see what this place has to offer. You can google “What to do in Joshua Tree Park” and there will be a ton of different places that you can go and things to see. Some of the highlights include:
Skull Rock
Barker Dam
Keys View
Cholla Cactus Garden (sounds boring, but it’s rather cool!)
There are lots of cool places to visit, but there are also great camping spots for those that are a bit more adventurous and want to spend the evening watching the endless starry sky. This place has to be a must see when you go visit.
Moorten Botanical Gardens
I named this as one of the places to visit last time, but I truthfully still have not been! All I’ve heard is how amazing the gardens are, and if you’re a plant lover (I am), It’s a great place to check out all of the cacti and the succulents. It’s also very Instagram worthy, and a great place to hit mid-afternoon when the sun gets too strong and you need to get out of the heat.
Go for a bike ride in old Palm Springs
One of my favourite things to do is take a pedal bike and ride around the streets of old Palm Springs and look at the beautiful homes. I love how unique some of the houses are down there, and the architecture amazes me every time. It’s also a great activity to do at dusk, when you have sunset hues and the beginning of stars to follow you home. I’m a morning person, so I love getting up early, grabbing my bike and taking it for a quick spin to go get a coffee along the main strip of Old PS. There are quite a few GF friendly places to also grab a bite to eat.
Go for a hike in the Indian Canyons
I made the mistake the first time I went here to go on a hike in the mid-afternoon. I don’t think I’ve ever been so close to heatstroke, and that’s saying a lot after my 6 months in Asia temperatures. Make sure to make this an early morning excursion and hit the trails with your friends and family. Bring plenty of water and $9 USD to pay the entrance to the area. There are lots of different hikes, 6 I believe, and you can choose what you feel comfortable with that day. I’ve hiked Andreas and Murray Canyon (first photo) that I loved. Here are a few of the most popular with their length and difficulties:
ANDREAS (1.2 MILES) EASY
MURRAY CANYON (4.7 MILES) MODERATE
VICTOR (2.7 MILES) MODERATE
HAHN BUENA VISTA (12.3 MILES) DIFFICULT
There are lots of other hikes that are available in that area with Taquitz Canyon (photo above) being another one of my favourites. My dad and I did this hike when I went to PS the first time, and it’s so refreshing to have a waterfall at the end of a sweaty hike. Just make sure you bring a change of socks, you still have to make it on the way back!
Check out the Living Desert and Zoo in Palm Desert
I went here for the first time here on this trip and I’m so glad I did. I got to experience giraffe’s, see animals that are from all over the African plane, and get to know creatures from my own North America better. This place has Camels, Lynx, Bobcats, Eagles, Wolves, Gazelles and so much more including a Butterfly Garden. I highly recommend going when it’s less busy, and not terribly hot. Keep in mind, you pay for the day (around $25 USD) and you could easily spend 3-4 hours here just taking a look at everyone. They have experiences and talks throughout the day that you can take part in, or just wander on your own and pick up a milkshake at the village.
Stop in at La Saguaro
This is my favourite place in Palm Springs. Maybe it’s the brightly coloured rooms and cabanas, or maybe it’s the hot pink towels, or perhaps the great music they have playing, but I love it here. Don’t tell, but I usually sneak in like I am staying there already, grab a towel, and have a pool day listening to music and hoping one day my bachelorette party lands me here.
Wander
There are so many cool places and things to see in Palm Springs. All you have to do is wander down the Main Street of Palm Canyon, or pop into the Movie Colony District, or explore a cute ice cream shop to find something new and interesting. There are so many things to see and do, you won’t have time for it all. You’ll just have to go back!
Let me know if you have any questions about planning a trip to Palm Springs or the surrounding area. I’ve been there enough I have a ton of answers!
Have a great trip!
-E