PALM SPRINGS
Area: California
Country: United States of America


Location:
Towards the W coast of the United States, in the S part of California State, nearly 100 mls inland from the Pacific Ocean. 130 mls N of San Diego; 117 mls E of Los Angeles and its airport. 3 mls from Palm Springs International Airport.

Telephone code from UK:
1 760

Website:
http://www.palm-springs.org

Position:
In S California's upper Colorado Desert, on the W edge of the Coachella Valley. At the foot of 10,831-ft San Jacinto Peak, with the San Jacinto Mountains to the W, the Little San Bernardino Mountains to the N and the majestic Santa Rosa Mountains to the S.

Description:
Palm Springs became popular in the 1920s and 1930s with Hollywood stars, many of whom bought and built homes here. The allure is obvious: this exclusive, verdant desert resort is blessed with a fine, warm, dry climate (an average of 354 days of sunshine each year), stunning mountain and desert scenery and a relaxed atmosphere. As such, Palm Springs is popular with outdoor types, many of whom keep busy at the resort's 600 tennis courts and 93 golf courses (several national tournaments are held here), various mineral springs and a couple of annual international film festivals. Central Palm Springs, which measures approximately 3 by 4 mls, has shops, boutiques, galleries and cafes as well as an attractive mix of architectural styles. Winter is the most popular season with tourists, and their numbers easily cause the resort's population of 40,200 to double; summer is not considered the best time to visit, as temperatures can exceed 100 ?F (38 ?C). Though the area remains popular with celebrity types, they now favour the more remote desert areas, where they build their extensive, walled estates. NB: tour operators often include under the name of "Palm Springs" accommodation located in the neighbouring communities of Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert (the retail centre of the Coachella Valley), Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio, Desert Hot Springs, Thousand Palms and Bermuda Dunes, some of which are up to 25 mls away.

Suitability:
Wide choice of outdoor activities will appeal to active types. Popular with senior citizens.

Accommodation:
Lodging ranges from huge upmarket hotels loaded with facilities (golf, tennis, dining, souvenir, shopping, etc) to historic inns with just a few rooms. Family-orientated chains are also well represented.

Shopping:
The main shopping in downtown Palm Springs is located on Palm Canyon Drive. Palm Desert town centre and Desert Fashion Plaza are the area's main shopping centres.

Entertainments:
Daytime: golf; tennis; bicycling (including off-road trails). Hiking; spas. Horse riding; mule rides. Hot-air ballooning. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway ascends to 8,516 ft. Indian Canyons (tribal lands of the Agua Caliente Indians), with hiking trails and spectacular rock formations. Living Desert Wildlife and Botanical Park. Moorten's Botanical Gardens. Palm Springs Air Museum (World War II aircraft). Knotts' Oasis Water Park. Palm Springs Desert Museum. Nortel Palm Springs International Film Festival (January); Palm Springs International Short Film Festival (July). Spectator sports such as polo, tennis matches and golf tournaments. Cross-country skiing (winter). Nightlife: several theatres, including McCallum Theatre (aka The Bob Hope Cultural Center), which often features Broadway road shows; Annenberg Theater; and the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies. Various nightclubs and coffee houses. Casino.

Eating:
Restaurants vary from formal to casual, poolside or surrounded by lavish decor. Cuisines range from French, Mexican and Italian to seafood and California-style bistros. Prices range from moderate to very expensive.

Public-transport:
A rental car is highly recommended since attractions and restaurants are spread out. The public bus system _ SunBus _ is cheap with a set fare; day passes are available. Over a dozen taxi, shuttle and limousine companies. Spa Resort Casino runs a regular free shuttle to/from selected hotels.

Local-excursions:
Tours to movie stars' homes, country clubs, date farms. Desert eco-jeep tours. Joshua Tree National Park. Helicopter and plane trips over mountains, canyons and waterfalls. Half-a-dozen companies offering hot-air balloon rides, hiking and bicycle tours. Covered wagon tours near Thousand Palms.