Ultimate Travel Guide: Palm Springs
I did not like the traffic, activities, or culture of LA. Period.
So, I followed many of the Hollywood socialites of escaping the city to Palm Springs. Quintessential Palm Springs activities like sunbathing, drinking and shopping top our list of the best things to do in Palm Springs.
For museum wanders, I enjoyed eating my way through the downtown, enjoying a beverage, and then walking the Palm Springs Art Museum. I’d start with walking to enjoy the public art before then visiting the museum behind the “Forever Marilyn” exhibit and some of the David Cerny (famous edgy artist from Czech Republic).
The Palm Springs Air Museum features many Korean and Vietnam-era combat aircraft with more than 40 flyable planes across three warehouses including B-17 flying fortress, C-47 Skytrain, P-51 Mustang, and even an Rolls-Royce engine!
For a hike, I’d highly recommend Indian Canyons to experience a contrast between rocky gorges, barren desert lands, and California Fan Palms. There are two hikes that are operated on this Cahuilla Indian lands. Andreas Canyon is an easy 1 mile loop with more than 150 specifies of plants within this lush oasis. Afterwards, go to the Murray Canyon for a 4 mile easy to moderate hike that is less visited and possible to see Big Horn Sheep, Mule Deer, and varieties of birds. ($12.50 for admission and closed surprisingly early at 5PM)
For a National Park, Craggy peaks, climbable boulders and those beloved yuccas are barely an hour car ride away at Joshua Tree National Park. I especially enjoyed the two Dr. Seuss-like features of the Joshua Trees and the Cholla Cactus Garden and Ocotillo Patch. The Hidden Valley Nature Trail is an enjoyable one-mile loop. Unlike other rock formations, Skull Rock is fairly obvious and located besides the road for a quick photo next to the skull shape peering from the boulder-strewn rubble.
Other notable activities would include the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway ($29, was closed due to COVID but re-open) and Living Desert Zoo & Gardens.
