Palm Springs / Desert Hot Springs CA

[GravitySucks]

Planning a trip to Palm Springs / Hot Springs CA. and probably Joshua Tree Park.

Are there any hot springs on public lands or low cost springs on private land in this area that would not be to hard a hike? Any resorts that are a good value?

Anything that is a must see in the area?

 

[rodi]

Joshua tree is amazing. I assume you'll have a car. Set aside a full day for Joshua tree and do a big loop - head up to the north side of the park. Lots of short hikes and cool vistas. Head south and you'll see a dramatic change in the landscape - almost like you're on the moon. It dumps you into I-10 at the bottom and you can head back west to PS.

I am a big fan of taking the tram up Mt. San Jacinto. Take note of the cool mid-century/space age former gas station that is now a tourist bureau. Cool architecture. BRING WARM CLOTHES AND HIKING SHOES. This time of year there WILL be snow up at the top of the tram. I've been highly amused by tourists with flip flops who can't leave the tramway center at the top of the tramway because they weren't expecting snow. We have been known to bring sleds up - spend a morning playing in the snow... then go back down to the valley and hang out poolside in 80+ degree heat. There are some very nice hikes at the top of the tram... and if you're ambitious and get an EARLY start you could climb to the top of the peak. But it's a push and you need to be in good shape and not get hit too hard by altitude.

Since we've always had kids with us - we've stayed at the Embassy Suites in Palm Dessert - the free breakfast, kitchen, slightly more living space worked for us. (Not to mention the managers special of well drinks and snacks every night!!!)

There is some nice hiking in Taquitz canyon - but you have to pay the entrance to the indian reservation.

 

[big-papa]

Joshua tree is amazing. I assume you'll have a car. Set aside a full day for Joshua tree and do a big loop - head up to the north side of the park. Lots of short hikes and cool vistas. Head south and you'll see a dramatic change in the landscape - almost like you're on the moon. It dumps you into I-10 at the bottom and you can head back west to PS.

I am a big fan of taking the tram up Mt. San Jacinto. Take note of the cool mid-century/space age former gas station that is now a tourist bureau. Cool architecture. BRING WARM CLOTHES AND HIKING SHOES. This time of year there WILL be snow up at the top of the tram. I've been highly amused by tourists with flip flops who can't leave the tramway center at the top of the tramway because they weren't expecting snow. We have been known to bring sleds up - spend a morning playing in the snow... then go back down to the valley and hang out poolside in 80+ degree heat. There are some very nice hikes at the top of the tram... and if you're ambitious and get an EARLY start you could climb to the top of the peak. But it's a push and you need to be in good shape and not get hit too hard by altitude.

Since we've always had kids with us - we've stayed at the Embassy Suites in Palm Dessert - the free breakfast, kitchen, slightly more living space worked for us. (Not to mention the managers special of well drinks and snacks every night!!!)

There is some nice hiking in Taquitz canyon - but you have to pay the entrance to the indian reservation.

+1 on the Joshua tree suggestion. We recorded 114F on the car thermometer when driving the loop. We started at the south and exited at the north end, though.

 

[GravitySucks]

Thanks for the suggestions Rodi.

The tram shows up as the most popular thing to do on Trip Advisor too. I'll defiantly check it out. DGF is really looking forward to Joshua Tree.

I'm coming from Syracuse, so no desire to play in the snow more than I do now. ;-)

 

[ElizabethT]

Palm Springs is a fun place to visit, I'm sure you'll enjoy.

Top To-do recommendations: 1) Walking tour with Palm Springs Historical Society. About seven different walking tours to choose from, 2) A tour of the Annenburg Gardens, which has a most impressive history you will likely find fascinating, 3) Solar windmill farms tour, which is fabulous, 4) Thursday night Street Faire. Start at the Palm Springs Art Museum, where admission is free after 4pm on Thursdays, then have dinner at Las Casuelas, then finally enjoy the multi block long Street Faire, all within walking distance of each other.

 

[calmloki]

All the above are great suggestions. You might also take a little loop up to Pioneer Town and Pappy & Harriets - could be someone famous doing a set, and the drive up from Yucca is great if you like big rocks. Gotta throw in a pitch for a turn around the Salton Sea and driving through Salton City, Bombay Beach, Niland - and visiting Salvation Mountain and Slab City - some serious desert desperadoes and real apocalyptic architecture there.

 

[Chuckanut]

You have to love the waiting area t at the Palm Springs airport It's a big open air tent with fans to keep people cool on the warmer days. Walls? Palm Spring has no need for walls to keep out bad weather. Hey, we're Palm Springs.

 

[BBQ-Nut]

There is some nice hiking in Taquitz canyon - but you have to pay the entrance to the indian reservation.

I'd recommend this hike even with the entrance fee.

With the recent rains, the waterfall at the top of the hike would be incredible.

We did this a couple of years back and enjoyed the hike along the creek to the waterfall.

There are some other very nice hikes in Indian Canyons
INDIAN CANYONS

 

[GravitySucks]

Thanks all. Great suggestions. I'll splurge on the hiking entrance fee.
Hope the rains will pop the wild flower blooms a bit early.

Anyone know about the various springs and spas?

 

[stepford]

Are you going more for the country club experience or the desert wilderness experience? If the latter I can recommend a bunch of trails in JTree, Coachella Valley Preserve and, further afield, down in Borrego.

One thing to note: There's quite a diversity of elevation and ecosystem in the area. Palm Springs itself and much of the surrounding area are near (or even below) sea level and are very much a low desert environment. As a result, spring wildflowers will occur in these areas first. Higher desert environments like the northern part of Joshua Tree typically won't have much exciting plant or animal life to look at until later in March/April.

 

[Big_Hitter]

stayed in a very nice hotel in palm desert during a nerd conference about 15 years ago - awesome golf

 

[TimSF]

I second the suggestions for Joshua Tree and for Mt Jacinto (tram). I love Palm Springs area and try to return there for a visit every other year. For an off day, if you like shopping, check out the outlet stores about 10 miles west of PS, and/or the nearby casino.

 

[GravitySucks]

Are you going more for the country club experience or the desert wilderness experience? If the latter I can recommend a bunch of trails in JTree, Coachella Valley Preserve and, further afield, down in Borrego.

One thing to note: There's quite a diversity of elevation and ecosystem in the area. Palm Springs itself and much of the surrounding area are near (or even below) sea level and are very much a low desert environment. As a result, spring wildflowers will occur in these areas first. Higher desert environments like the northern part of Joshua Tree typically won't have much exciting plant or animal life to look at until later in March/April.

Hoping for some outside adventures, but this is not going to be a camping trip. Can you suggest an easy trails in Joshua Tree?

 

[rodi]

Hoping for some outside adventures, but this is not going to be a camping trip. Can you suggest an easy trails in Joshua Tree?

Here's a list of the trails/hikes.
Nature Trails - Joshua Tree National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

I think we've done them all.

Be aware of Chollas - also known as "jumping cactus". If you brush these cactus at all - the cactus ball detaches and climbs your legs... I've had to tweeze out many a cholla prickle from my jeans, legs, boots, socks... Ouchie.

 

[stepford]

Here's a list of the trails/hikes.
Nature Trails - Joshua Tree National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

I think we've done them all.

Be aware of Chollas - also known as "jumping cactus". If you brush these cactus at all - the cactus ball detaches and climbs your legs... I've had to tweeze out many a cholla prickle from my jeans, legs, boots, socks... Ouchie.

But the first time visitor may as well embrace the Cholla experience (but not the Cholla!) by exploring the Cholla garden right along the main Pinto Basin road in Joshua Tree.

In the lower park right near the Cottonwood visitor center you can try the Mastodon Peak Trail (reasonably quick couple of miles). Even in January/February it can get surprisingly warm in the lower desert so bring plenty of fluids. In the upper park an easy walk that may be nice in the early season is the Barker Dam Trail and a nice drive is the Geology Loop road.

Even closer to Palm Springs the Coachella Valley Preserve has some nice low desert hikes. Probably the easiest (shortest and flattest) is McCallum Grove trail right out of the visitor center. Lots of lizards and other desert reptile life in this area by March/April, but the critters may still be hibernating in February.

A bit further away, but I think worth the trip, is the Anza Borrego desert. On the right weekend the desert floor will be carpeted in wildflowers (though this bloom often only lasts a week or so) and the lovely Ocotillo will be in bloom. Stop at the visitor center to see which trails are open and have the best flowers. Even just a driving tour around here can be pretty neat.

 

[GravitySucks]

Thanks everyone.
This place is my favorite forum of the whole internet.

 

[hesperus]

Love Palm Springs and it's environs. All good suggestions above. I've been going to the area for 40 years, since the family has always had a winter home near there (Indian Wells). Great outdoor activities, restaurants, history & architecture, and for us that live in colorado - warmth in the winter.

 

[GravitySucks]

Well DGF found a nice B&B out near Indio that has soaking pools and a hot well. It was run by an elderly couple and was very nice. We also stayed at an old springs resort in Desert Hot Springs and a night in Palm Springs in a regular motel.
Joshua Tree was nice though not the most impressive national park we've been to, and the tram up Mt. San Joaquan was impressive. We couldn't get to the Annenberg Gardens as we were told they were closed due to the President visiting.
Defiantly a nice place to visit. Not one bad meal all week and pretty good shopping for DGF.