Planning a Trip: Palm Springs
It's freezing outside for a lot of us this time of year, so now is the perfect time to plan a trip to somewhere warm. Somewhere that I discovered last year was this lovely retirement-esque place known to many as Palm Springs. With the aging population of 65+ and few younger people, it's a really great place to get away and relax with friends by the pool, hiking in the Joshua Tree National Park, or visiting the many interesting places that the area has to offer.
If you like hiking and an active vacation:
Try visiting The Joshua Tree National Park, Taquitz Canyon or the Indian Canyons. There are a tons of 2-3 hour and 5-6 hour hikes that you can start early in the morning and finish by noon.
One of the easier hikes takes you into Andreas Canyon past a desert oasis. Slightly longer is the Palm Canyon hike. If you're prepared to drive a bit outside of the city, just under an hour drive can have you in Joshua Tree National Park which has Cottonwood Spring, Keys View or Skull Rock to visit.
Do not attempt to start and stop a hike in the afternoon. The hot weather makes it dangerous to be out there, and even with a full waterbottle, it's better to spend those hours inside or by the pool. If you start when the parks open, you can be one of the first to be there and get to experience some of the trails on your own.
If you like relaxing and recharging:
Check out the Seguaro, the most beautiful place to be on a weekend and the best pool parties. This isn't a Las Vegas pool party though, so it won't be a dirty lukewarm pool. It's the perfect place to be on a Saturday to sit and lounge with your friends and listen to good music. I highly recommend staying elsewhere, the Seguaro can set you back a couple hundred a night depending on the season you travel. Instead, visit during the day and grab a pink towel when you walk in. They welcome guests, but they may ask that you pay a drop-in fee. The area feels very old school Palm Springs, and the colourful hotel rooms make everything feel bright and summery.
Also if you're lucky enough to stay somewhere where there is a pool, just sit and relax there. Palm Springs is such a laid back city, you're just fine to sit back and enjoy to day by the pool everyday if you want. There are a few spas in the area that you can also book yourself into. They aren't the most inexpensive however, so perhaps you and your friends can get the supplies from the store and DIY at home.
If you like to see the sights:
Palm Springs has a few interesting places to go and things to do, but just outside of Palm Springs is the Salton Sea. Once a hopping resort town, the sea has become an abandoned wasteland. As a note, please don't go swimming, the quality of the water isn't well known and it will only take one look at the hundreds of fish skeletons to get you to stay away. The little town is a great representation of what the area used to be with abandoned pools, buildings and the remnants of a settlement with a few trailers still parked by the beaches. I find these sorts of places fascinating, and the photos that you can get of the desolate and broken down are quite amazing.
Another cool place to visit is the Palm Springs Walk of Stars. You can find some of your favourites here like you would in LA, and if you want to spend the time, you can go find Frank Sinatra's grave.
Other cool things to see in Palm Springs
Door Tours in Palm Springs. There are so many to see and the colours are beautiful.
Salvation Mountain is right near to the Salton Sea.
Villagefest every Thursday evening are great to find one of a kind items.
Bike Tours pretty much anywhere are a great way to spend the early evenings.
Palm Springs Walk of Stars
The Moorten Botanical Garden
Places to Stay
Wherever you choose to go or stay, just make sure they have a beautiful view of the palm trees and a pool nearby. Here are a few places that come highly recommended in addition to the Seguaro:
THE PARKER
ARRIVE PALM SPRINGS
ACE HOTEL AND SWIM CLUB
Is anyone headed to Palm Springs in the next little while or looking to book a trip? Let us know if you have any questions or are looking for any other recommendations.
Love, E