About Palm Springs, Palm Desert
And The Surrounding Communities

Sunny days, crystal clear skies, and warm desert temperatures come together and embrace your spirit when you visit Palm Springs and its surrounding communities of Palm Desert, Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, La Quinta and Rancho Mirage They are the legendary, year-round desert playground to celebrities, politicians, retirees, artists, students, golf enthusiasts, brides and grooms, and everyone in between.

With its snow-capped mountains gracing the palm tree studded desert landscape, Palm Springs has captured the mind’s eye of America. Upscale, yet accessible, Palms Springs has something for everyone. When you travel here, you are traveling to a world all its own.

From hiking and enjoying the spectacular desert scenery to world-class golf, shopping, fine dining, and nightlife, there’s never a dull moment. Your vacation days will be filled with the lively ambiance and glamour that has made its mark on this enchanting desert oasis.

Palm Springs became a tourist travel destination over one hundred years ago when the Southern Pacific Railroad sliced through the desert, revealing a land of palm trees, natural mineral springs, and waterfalls, all nestled up against rugged mountains. A combination of the health benefits from soaking in the hot mineral springs and entrepreneurial spirit captured the imagination of the early vacationers.

Soon after, Hollywood’s celebrities discovered Palm Springs and chose the area as their playground where they could enjoy privacy from tabloids and maintain their high lifestyle.

When you travel here, you too can enjoy that high life. Stay at one of the many lavish Palm Springs resorts, one of its numerous historic inns, a vacation rental, or even park your motorhome at one of the RV parks. Lodging ranges from pure luxury to a variety of outdoor camping options. If you can’t find what you’re looking for here, travel to a nearby community such as Cathedral City, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage, Desert Hot Springs, Indio, Indian Wells, or Palm Desert. Each of these towns has come into their own as charming travel destinations. These eight towns are collectively known as the Palm Springs Desert Resorts.

Among the many attractions the area offers, you don’t want to miss the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The tram was recently renovated a few years ago. The world’s largest rotating tramcar offers 360 degree views unlike any you’ve seen before. Plan for drastic weather changes because you’ll board the tram on the desert floor and take a breathtaking climb up the rugged cliffs to an elevation of over 8500 feet. If you go in the winter, you’ll go from a warm, summer-like day at the bottom and end up in snow conditions. The ten minute ride to the top is exhilarating. You can get off and enjoy the mountain amenities, go cross-country skiing or snow-shoeing, or have a meal at Peaks Restaurant.

Frank Sinatra, Doris Day, and Bob Hope are among the many celebrities who made a lasting impression on the area. The charm of a bygone era is still alive and well on the streets of Palm Springs. From streets bearing their names, golf events, and the historic establishments they frequented, the glamour of their era is ever present.

Art and culture have shaped the area as well. You can enjoy a lively night with the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies or stroll the streets quietly taking in the art galleries and museums. In fact, the Palm Springs Art Museum incorporates both art and theatre. You can view its permanent fine art collections, galleries, sculpture gardens, and some of the nation’s top touring exhibitions, or take in a show at its Annenberg Theatre.

Moorten Botanical Gardens is world famous and is loaded with nature trails, succulents, flowers and over 3,000 varieties of cacti.

The Living Desert is a 1,200 acre interpretive center filled with mountain lions, bobcats, javalinas, and golden eagles. While you might expect to see animals such as these in the desert areas and mountains nearby, you’ll also see more exotic animals here too. You’ll see zebras, giraffes, leopards, wolves and cheetahs.

In the desert, water is precious. However, water play is abundant in Palm Springs. The kids will love spending their days at Knott’s Soak City USA. This wet and wild playground features eighteen water slides and an 800,000 gallon wave pool. Just about all of the major resorts and hotels feature fabulous pools. You’ll enjoy spending your Palm Springs vacation in and out of the water.

Native Americans have made their mark on Palm Springs too. Today, you can visit the sacred Indian Canyons that are home to the world’s largest Fan Palm oasis. Cool shade, running water, and spectacular scenery reward you when you visit. These canyons, Tahquitz Canyon and three southern canyons, are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The Palm Springs area, also known as the "Golf Capital of the World", is home to over one hundred beautiful golf courses. You’ve seen Bob Hope, Tiger Woods, Dinah Shore, and many others golf these spectacular courses on TV. Now, you can travel to Palm Springs and enjoy a dream golf vacation.

There’s always a party going on in Palm Springs. If nightlife is what you are after, you’ll find it here. From intimate lounges, to trendy nightclubs, and Indian casinos, a night on the town is yours for the taking.

Dining choices are abundant with close to seven hundred restaurants to choose from in and around Palm Springs. Famous culinary delights await you with cuisines as varied as Mexican, French, California Bistro, Japanese, Italian, steakhouses, seafood, and so much more. Ambiance ranges from elegant to casual in the eateries of the desert towns. No matter what your mood, you’ll find a dining option to match.

Gay and lesbian visitors from around the world have found a warm welcome when on vacation here. Events such as the White Party a are annual highlights in the gay and lesbian community.

Palm Springs is a fantastic area to plan your wedding or honeymoon. Stunning locations, both indoors and out, make the perfect backdrop for your nuptials. Guests can easily travel here by flying into the Palm Springs International Airport. In fact, Palm Springs is such a well known travel destination that you can expect plenty of RSVPs.

The desert communities around Palm Springs have long attracted vacationers seeking sun and warmth. With natural mineral hot springs, these desert resorts offer a unique amenity unlike any found elsewhere. Numerous resorts and spas cater to those who wish to pamper themselves. You’ll find a wide range of spa services from day spas to exclusive getaways, you’re sure to rejuvenate yourself while on vacation.

Welcome to the Palm Springs, California area where the folks of Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, Desert Hot Springs, Cathredal City, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage and Thousand Palms CA will show you the absolute best vacation experience.

The Palm Springs Desert Resort cities include Palm Springs, Palm Desert,
Cathedral City, Indian Wells, Indio, Desert Hot Springs, La Quinta and
Rancho Mirage. Abbreviations for California include CA, Calif. and Cal.