Palm Springs

Palm Springs is a sunny desert resort city in California, about 110 miles north of Los Angeles. The city is known as ‘the playground of the stars’ since it became a popular filming spot for many Hollywood movies. Many famous people have lived in the area and spotting them was a common occurrence. Palm Springs has a warm and welcoming spirit, with plenty of attractions and activities drawing in many visitors each year. The warm weather provides many opportunities for outdoor activities, hiking, horseback riding and bike riding to name a few. You can also enjoy some astounding scenery, including that of the nearby Indian Canyons. With excellent shops, restaurants and attractions, there is something for everyone in Palm Springs.

Attractions

The Indian Canyons are located on Agua Caliente tribal land, which used to be occupied by Agua Caliente Cahuilla Indians many centuries ago. There are four canyons in the area, all with stunning natural beauty that is quite a contrast from the barren desert that lies beyond. Guided tours of the canyons are offered every two hours on weekends. The canyons are filled with paved footpaths, streams and various animals and plants. It is a popular place for a picnic, hiking, climbing, bird watching, photography and much more.

In the heart of Palm Springs lies the Pavilion Theatre. The theatre itself is of a modern architectural design and is very attractive. Located inside the building is the performance area, lobby and seating for an audience of up to 1000 people. The beautiful lighting, futuristic style and excellent performances of the Pavilion Theatre are not to be missed.

An excellent choice for a fun filled day out is Knott’s Soak City USA. This is a deluxe water park with over 18 major slides and attractions. One of the most exciting and popular features is the 800,000-gallon Rip Tide Reef wave pool. As well as fantastic water rides; the park also has shopping and food facilities that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

Take a trip on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway up the cliffs of Chino Canyon where you can enjoy spectacular scenery and outdoor activities. During the winter, you can take part in activities such as skiing and sledging. During the summer you can take guided tours and camp in the region. At the top of the canyon there is a restaurant where you can eat lunch and enjoy the beautiful desert view.

There are more than 24 historic inns in Palm Springs; over the decades they have attracted visitors, including stars such as Doris Day and Frank Sinatra. The inns are located in the quiet hills of Palm Springs and most are within walking distance to the centre. There is an annual Inn Walk organised each year just after thanksgiving. Each Inn offers a festive gift, such as a cup of hot cider or homemade cookies, in return they ask for a toy donation that goes to charity.

Shopping

Palm Springs has some of the best shopping in California with many top brand stores, shopping centres and boutiques. You can do some world class shopping at the Desert Hills Premium Outlets in Cabazon. There are about 120 shops in this Spanish-style centre with top brand products from famous designers. El Paseo is another great place to shop with many gift shops, boutiques, galleries and antique shops. Here you have many opportunities to find what you’re looking for as there are over one hundred shops in this area. There are many restaurants in El Paseo where you can enjoy a meal or get a quick bite on your shopping trip. You could also visit the Gardens in the area and enjoy beautiful greenery, sculptures and fountains.

Nightlife and Eating Out

For many years, the main menu at Palm Springs consisted mainly of Italian food, meat and potatoes. These types of cuisine are still popular in the area, but now you can also enjoy a variety of foods from all over the world. Restaurants in Palm Springs serve a wide range of cuisine such as American, Mexican, French, Indian and much more. There are even ice cream and yoghurt restaurants. A popular dining area is Las Casuelas Terraza, they serve first-rate Mexican food and often have live music. The venue has a late night bar and a heated dance floor, so the festivities can continue into the early hours of the morning. For five-star service and the finest cuisine around, Le Vallauris is the place to go. It serves French-Californian food and the place beautifully decorated to give a perfect French country patio atmosphere.

Palm Springs has numerous nightclubs, pubs and bars where you can dance, listen to live bands or just relax with your friends. The nightlife in the city is abundant and diverse, with something to suit everyone. You could visit jazz bars, piano bars and pubs such as the Ale House and Village Pub on Palm Canyon Drive. Palm Springs also hosts many art festivals throughout the year, where you can enjoy creative designs and a colourful atmosphere. For details on all the nightlife in Palm Springs, check out the Palm Springs Life magazine, it is available in most hotels and information centres.

Tourist Information

• Palm Springs City Tourism, 777 N Palm Canyon Dr # 201, Palm Springs, CA
• Telephone: +1 760 7788415

• Palm Springs Visitors Center, 2901 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA
• Telephone: +1 760 7788418

• Visitors Information, 69930 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, CA
• Telephone: +1 760 7709000

Airport

Palm Springs International Airport is located about 2 miles from the centre. Many airlines operate in Palm Springs including Alaska, America West, American, Continental, Delta, Northwest and United airlines. The airport can be easily reached by car, taxi or bus. There is also a train line that runs between Florida, Los Angeles, Palm Springs and Indio.