Palm Springs, California

Palm Springs has always catered to those wanting a taste of luxury, a chance to swim or soak, and a view of the dramatic bare mountains. This city's hotel owners are aware that most visitors want deluxe accommodations, thus an establishment called a 'motel' here is mysteriously designated a 'hotel', even if it is just an eight-room courtyard wrapped around a streetside swimming pool. Meanwhile, small motels, which have not been renovated since they were built in the 1950s, are now proudly celebrating their kitschy decor and advertising their 'authentic retro' furnishings. True hotels are then inevitably called 'resorts', so this term can mean anything from a self-contained, 300-room, multi-pool paradise with a private golf course to a twenty-room, two-story hotel with a single Jacuzzi. Finally, numerous resorts, not to be outdone, advertise themselves as "spas," with the most luxurious ones offering state-of-the-art gyms, therapeutic specialists, aromatherapy, personal exercise coaching and much more.

The high season in Palm Springs begins in December and runs through March. Exact dates of high season prices vary among accommodations. Room rates drop to half or less off these high season prices during the months of June, July and August, when the city's temperature soars into the low hundreds Fahrenheit. Hotels at the southern end of town enjoy the greatest protection from strong winds, which buffet the north side—an area known as "Nature's Greatest Wind Tunnel."

Downtown Palm Springs

Palm Springs is laid out in a patchwork of golf courses and resort complexes, with less-expensive lodgings sprinkled throughout. Many small, inexpensive accommodations are near Palm Canyon Drive, which at its southern end becomes the prime shopping and dining district of the city known as 'The Loop'. Early garden court retreats, such as the Orchid Tree Inn, give a glimpse of the shady solitude Palm Springs offered its first visitors.

Many early establishments can legitimately claim various legendary stars were clients. The classic Ingleside Inn states 'Garbo Slept Here', as well as John Travolta, Goldie Hawn and many other contemporary stars.

Right on Palm Canyon Drive, the Hyatt Regency boasts an ideal location in the heart of the downtown area, close to dozens of restaurants, nightclubs and shops. Meanwhile, the Riviera Resort offers an 18-hole putting course and nine tennis courts on twenty-four acres of palm-shaded grounds.

Good value resort choices in Palm Springs include the 255-room Ramada Resort Inn & Conference Center and the Holiday Inn Palm Mountain Resort. Slightly more expensive choices include the Wyndham Palm Springs Hotel and the Hilton Palm Springs Resort. All of these hotels offer some spa facilities, meeting space, pools and spacious rooms along with full hotel services.

At the intersection of Tahquitz Canyon and Indian trails, the Agua Caliente band of the Cahuilla Indians hosts a glitzy, Las Vegas-style hotel casino called the Spa Hotel Casino. Just a block away from the Palm Canyon dining and shopping district, this centrally-located, 230-room hotel offers something for everyone, from excellent spa amenities to entertainment, dining and high-energy gambling at both tables and slot banks.

In recent years, Palm Springs has become a top destination for the local and international gay and lesbian traveler, and dozens of small hotels cater to either an all-male or all-female clientele. Camp Palm Springs is a legendary destination for gay men, and the Bee Charmer Inn and Casitas Laquita are both women-only retreats.

The warm, dry climate also favors clothing-optional resorts, both gay and straight. Several of these are located in the heart of Palm Springs. One of the largest is the Desert Shadows Inn Resort and Villas, which operates year-round as a naturist hotel.

South Palm Springs

Past the shopping area on South Palm Canyon Drive, there is a cluster of low-range to moderate lodgings including the Vagabond Inn, the Travelodge, Royal Sun and Best Western. All of these establishments offer reasonable prices, pools and good views of the mountains from many rooms.

Also, in South Palm Springs, talk host celebrity Merv Griffin has put his name to the Grecian-style Merv Griffin Resort and Givenchy Spa, where guests receive a European spa experience under the Givenchy brand name. In a town filled with spas, this one is considered to be one of the most worthwhile.

Cathedral City

If staying in Palm Springs itself does not appeal to you, lodging prices drop by about twenty percent in nearby Cathedral City, where much of the everyday business of Palm Springs is accomplished. The thrifty traveler will find budget chains such as Super 8 and a small Travelodge.

Rancho Mirage

Farther along Highway 111, Rancho Mirage is one of the fastest-growing communities in the desert. The deluxe Ritz Carlton is an upscale traveler's paradise, providing European-style guest care in a beautiful environment, with all the comforts and special attention that have become synonymous with the Ritz-Carlton name.

Wherever you choose to stay in the Palm Springs area, you will enjoy some of the Northern hemisphere's finest autumn and winter weather, with warm days, slightly cooler nights, and clear, sparkling skies.

Palm Springs draws numerous tourists from around the globe year after year. What keeps these visitors coming back to this desert haven? Most guests praise the world-championship golf courses, although others rave about the shopping, restaurants and shows offered in Palm Springs. Whatever your preference, you will find a variety of pleasurable attractions along these tours of Coachella Valley.

Tour One: Downtown Palm Springs

Begin your tour on Highway 111, after exiting from Interstate-10. Continue along Highway 111 until you reach North Palm Canyon Drive. Charming eateries are found along North Palm Canyon Drive. Consider stopping at Crosswalk Café, a casual venue with fresh baked breads and goodies. Meanwhile, Hamburger Hamlet is an ideal lunchtime spot for families.

Once you reach the intersection of North Palm Canyon Drive and Tahquitz Canyon Way, take a brief detour westward to find Museum Drive. Along this strip, visit Palm Springs Desert Museum with its exquisite sculpture gardens, and Annenberg Theater where traditional opera and ballet concerts are performed.

Back along Palm Canyon Drive (which becomes South Palm Canyon Drive after the Tahquitz Canyon Way intersection), visit the Plaza Theater, a 1930s movie house that has been transformed into a modern-day theater facility. The theater hosts scores of popular attractions including the Palm Springs Follies, a wildly popular show starring only folks over 50 years of age. Near the theater, The Blue Guitar draws large nighttime crowds with blues music and a hardwood dance floor.

Slightly further south, visitors will enjoy a stretch of historical landmarks. The Agua Caliente Cultural Museum showcases artifacts from early Native American tribes. In addition, the McCallum Adobe and Ruddy's General Store, two of Palm Springs' earliest establishments, both now serve as museums.

Palm Canyon Drive eventually turns eastbound, newly dubbed East Palm Canyon Drive. Merv Griffin's Givenchy Spa & Resort is located along this stretch of land. One of the most exclusive and luxurious resorts in Coachella Valley, this establishment hosts Fashions at Merv's Place, a monthly show featuring the latest trends of upscale Palm Springs boutiques.

When East Palm Canyon Drive meets Gene Autry Trail, turn north to find Palm Springs Air Museum, an incredible display of historic planes, highlighting an extensive collection of World War II aircraft.

Tour Two: Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert

While Palm Springs offers countless attractions, its surrounding desert cities also feature notable tourist spots. After visiting the sites along the Downtown Palm Springs tour, simply drive eastbound along East Palm Canyon Drive into Cathedral City where you will find popular attractions for families. The Desert IMAX Theater shows 3-D movies on a screen that spans six stories in height. Cathedral City also features top-notch public golf courses including the Cimarron Golf Resort and Cathedral Canyon Country Club.

Once you enter Rancho Mirage, visit this community's popular museum for youngsters. The Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert offers dozens of interactive exhibits for kids including an archaeological dig.

Nearby Palm Desert features the most popular attractions on this tour, found along the famed El Paseo Avenue, also called “the Rodeo Drive of the desert.” The Gardens on El Paseo is an elaborate shopping center offering everything from clothing and luggage to pottery. Meanwhile, Coda Gallery features contemporary works of art including paintings, sculptures and glass masterpieces.

While El Paseo reigns supreme among the Palm Desert venues, the city hosts a few other notable attractions. The Living Desert is a delightful display of flora and fauna accompanied by a vast range of wild animal species. In addition, McCallum Theater is located in Palm Desert, showcasing cultural and musical events.

Tour Three: Eastern Desert Cities

While Palm Springs and its surrounding desert cities boast a variety of attractions, many tourists come simply to play golf. An abundance of golf courses dominate Coachella Valley. Some of the finest courses are found along PGA Boulevard in La Quinta where the PGA West Resort Courses are located. Tee off on a course designed by Jack Nicklaus or other top-name golfers. In addition, view world-famous golf tournaments such as the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, which is hosted by the Arnold Palmer Course.

Golfing action continues in the community of Indio. While this town is significantly less upscale than La Quinta, the community has earned a favorable reputation for quality public courses. In fact, Indio's Landmark Golf Club hosted the prestigious 1999 Skins Game, an annual professional tournament broadcast on network television. In addition to public golf courses, Indio also hosts the annual Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival.

Whether you are looking to tee off on a world championship golf course or simply browse through upscale shopping boutiques, select a tour through Palm Springs and its surrounding cities. Each tour offers different highlights, but you will always find variety and sunshine along these tours of the Coachella Valley.