There’s something special about Palm Springs, California, and it’s not just the sunny 80-degree weather in late January. There’s a mellow spirit here. Palm Springs is built on Agua Caliente land. The 500-member Native American Cahuilla band traces its roots to the base of nearly 11,000-foot Mount San Jacinto, where the people have lived for thousands of years. They were a peaceful group, and that peace is felt just south of the city in Palm Canyon, the largest natural palm oasis in the world, with more than 3,000 California palms—Washingtonia filifera—reaching more than six stories tall and up to 20 feet wide. Palm Canyon is part of the Indian Canyons, which offer some of the most scenic hiking in California. Most trails begin at the cozy trading post at the top of the canyon.
After enjoying the peaceful hot-water stream and giant palms, we headed back to downtown Palm Springs to learn more about the original inhabitants of this lovely place with a visit to the spectacular new Agua Caliente Cultural Center, built atop the Cahuilla’s hot springs mecca. The twelve-minute “origin story” video, presented in surround sound, is worth the price of the modest admission to this fabulous museum.
No visit to Palm Springs would be complete without a drive to Joshua Tree National Park, about 75 minutes from downtown Palm Springs. The best and easiest way to enter the park from Palm Springs is through the town of Joshua Tree at the visitor center. About 30 minutes into the park, you’ll come to Cap Rock, a short and easy loop trail with unique rock formations and diverse flora—including, of course, the amazing, otherworldly Joshua trees.
During our five-day visit to Palm Springs, we stayed at the 30-room historic Ingleside Estate, originally built in 1922 for the heirs of the Pierce-Arrow Motor Company. The lushly landscaped property has a rich history intertwined with Hollywood glamour and luxury hospitality. We stayed in the best room in the house—Room 15, with a private patio. This was reportedly Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver’s favorite room during their many visits to Palm Springs.
We traveled by American Airlines from Tucson to the convenient in-town Palm Springs International Airport via Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. Flying time from Phoenix to Palm Springs is just 45 minutes.
For more information about Palm Springs, checkout visitgreaterpalmsprings.com.
BB Travel Tip
There’s a fun street fair in downtown Palm Springs, which is clean and safe. While you’re there, stop in at the Blue Coyote Bar and Grill for amazing blue corn enchiladas.
