Things to do in Palm Springs
The McCallum Theatre season kicks off in October and runs fully through April. There are special events hosted here year round. Some highlights for the 2006 - 2007 season include: Riverdance, Kathy Griffin, Colors of Christmas and Woody Allen and His New Orleans Jazz Band. The McCallum Theatre is less than 10 minutes from our Palm Desert vacation rental.
The Palm Springs Aerial Tram is a short drive west of Palm Springs. This unique experience takes you high above the Coachella Valley desert floor into the San Jacinto mountains. A trip to the top and include skiing, hiking, and dining, and is a must when it comes to things to do in Palm Springs California. 760-325-1391
College of the Desert Street Fair in Palm Desert is an open air market that takes place every Saturday and Sunday throughout the year. Just of few minutes from our Palm Desert rental condo. This is a fine way to spend the morning when you will be golfing later in the day or when you want a unique gift for the person who is pet or house sitting for you.
Experience the desert up close and personal by taking an award winning jeep tour. Open air jeeps can take you to explore the famed San Andreas fault, or mysterious Joshua Tree National Park. Voted Top Desert Attraction! 760-324-5337
Always wanted to float above the earth? Here is your chance to balloon above the desert . Soar over the rugged terrain surrounding Palm Springs: vineyards, polo fields, golf courses - the breeze determines your trip. There are several operators in the Palm Springs area: 800-342-8506 Balloon Above the Desert at Fantasy Balloon Flights is another: 800-GO-ABOVE. Ask about champagne celebrations, photos of your balloon trip, and complimentary shuttle service.
Desert Hill Premium Outlets 48400 Seminole Drive, Cabazon, 909-849-5018. Stop and shop on your way to or from Los Angeles - about 20 minutes from our Palm Desert vacation rentals.
El Paseo is known as the Rodeo Drive of the desert. Here you will find all your favorite designers in the city of Palm Desert, just a few minutes from our luxury vacation rental.
Palm Springs Follies - at the historic Plaza Theatre 128 Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs, CA. The "fabulous follies" feature the music and doance of the 30s and 40s with a cast old enought to have lived it. The season runs October through May and the shows are approximately 3 hours in length. Tickets are available online. This season featres guest stars Gogi Grant, Gloria Loring, and Mimi Hines. This one is a favorite with the over 50 crowd as all perfomers range in age from 53 to 83!
Cirque Dreams - The Journey Continues. This is a family friendly show akin to other Cirque type shows. Playing at the Pal Springs Pavilion Theatre from Nov. 8, 2006 to April 7, 2007. Call 800-233-3123 or reserve online for tickets.
Century Theatres at The River
71-800 Highway 111
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270-4425
(760) 862-9997
When you want to make dinner and a movie a romantic experience or something special this is the place to go. The River is an open air specialty shopping and casual fine dining experience.
The Westfield Shopping Center is in Palm Desert and includes teen favorites: Hollister, Anchor Blue and Aeropostale, just a short drive from our place at Palm Valley Country Club.
Joshua Tree National Park has long been a personal favorite. This park is a favorite of rock climbers, rock lovers, campers, and desert lovers, in addition to folks just looking for fun things to do in Palm Springs and the deserts of California.
Tulip Hill Winery Tasting Room Located at The River in Rancho Mirage. Enjoy a touch of wine country without the drive.
Moorten's Botanical Gardens - Internationally famous arboretum in Palm Springs 1701 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
El Dorado Polo Grounds - Indio
Shields Date Garden -Don't leave the desert without having a famous "Date Shake or Ice Cream". 80-225 US Hwy 111, Indio, CA 760-347-7768
The Indian Canyons:
Thaquitz Canyon 500 W. Mesquite is just west of Palm Canyon Drive in downtown Palm Springs. Sprectacular 60 foot waterfall, rock art, wildlife. 2 hour walking tour available. 760-416-7044
Palm Canyon - 15 miles long
Murray Canyon
Andreas Conyon are all oaccess from South Palm Canyon Drive. 760-5673
Art Galleries and Museums in Palm Springs California Area
Free Docent-Guided Art Tours Palm Desert art tours are held on the second Saturday of each month through June. The tours are one hour long and include the renowned city of Palm Desert public art collection indlucing: the El Paseo eshibition, Civic Center Park, and the Palm Desert Public Library. Held 10-11am. Groups of 4 or more may schedule private tours by calling 760-346-0611 x525Palm Springs Art Museum - in downtown Palm Springs houses 28 galleries, 2 sculpture gardens, a theater, giant museum store, and popular museum cafe. Features classic western American art, 20th century contemporary art, native american art, and more. 101 Museum Drive, Pal Springs. 760-325-7186
Art Scene in Palm Springs Area Listings and locations of art galleries and museums in Palm Springs.
La Quinta Sculpture Park - La Quinta
Coachella Valley Museum & Cultural Center- is an old adobe building in Indio. Exhibits include historical objects, photos, antique farm equipment, and an authentic Japanese garden. 82-616 Miles Ave., Indio. 760-342-6651
Cabazon cultural Museum - across from fantasy Springs Casino. Featuring hands on exhibits of the past, present, and future Cahuilla culture. Free. 245 Indio Springs Pkwy. 760-238-5770
Adagio Galleries - collection of Southwest American Art including a large collection of R.C. Gorman. 193 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 760-320-2230
allan pitchko galleries at the Atrium - high end antiques, 18th, 19th, and early 20th century fine art by European and American artists. 69930 Hwy 11, Rancho Mirage, CA 760-770-5005
Thomas Kinkade Signature Gallery - in Palm Springs Vineyard at 245 S. Palm Canyon Drive A3, Palm Springs, CA 760-320-1188
Tours, Trips, and Outings from Palm Springs Area
La Quinta Tours 1-800-541-3581, fax: 760-278-9469 - Tours from Palm Springs for resort and hotel guests change weekly. Featured tours include: Temecula Wine Tour, Universal Studios Hollywood, TV tapings and rehearsals (American Idol, Dr. Phil are a few samples), San Diego sightseeing, and Palm Springs Celebrity Tour. Tours sell out quickly, require advance reservations, and change weekly. Costs range from $60-$120.
Celebrity Tours Local tours, LA, Tijuana, or just transportation.
Robert’s Towncar Service (TCP 8071) Office: 760-323-1057 Towncar: 760-219-5671 Provides ground transportation, meet and greet services, transfers and tours.
Kids Things to do in Palm Springs
Desert Imax
68-150 East Palm Canyon Drive
Cathedral City, CA 92234
760-324-7333
Knotts Soak City Water Park This is a small, uncrowded, relatively tame water park. Great for younger kids; not an all day event for experienced water park visitors - but a good summer diversion. Many discount coupons are available - usually at our Palm Desert rental condo . Open seasonally only (summer) - check park schedule before going.
Living Desert Zoo and GardensThe Living Desert is both a zoo and a botanical garden. Featured at this unique zoo are desert animals from both Africa and North America. The gardens at the Living Desert are as varied as the flora of the desert itself. Here you can learn about what lives in the seem ingly dead desert and enjoy another of the fun kids things to do in Palm Springs. Located in the Palm Desert / Indian Wells area. Butterflies Alive begins October 6 and runs through April 2007. 760-346-5694 47-900 Portola Avenue, Palm Desert, CA
Children's Discovery Museum - Features over 50 hands on exhibits for children and families. 76-701 Gerald Ford Drive, Rancho, Mirage, CA 760-321-0602
The Palm Springs Air Museum is dedicated to the people and planes that made the victories of World War II possible. This unique museum houses one of the world's largest collections of flying World War II warplanes, combat photography and murals, as well as uniforms, and artifacts interesting to the casual tourist and World War II scholar alike.
Signature Theatres Rancho Mirage Stadium 16
1672-777 Dinah Shore Drive
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
(760) 322-3456
Festivals in IndioThe City of Festivals has something for everyone. Check out the schedule from the Indio Chamber of Commerce.
Casinos Near Palm Springs
Agua Caliente Casino 32230 Bob Hope Dr., Rancho Mirage, 866-858-3600
Augustine Casino 84001 Avenue 54, Coachella, 888-PLAY2WIN
Fantasy Springs Casino 84245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio, 800-827-2946
Spa Resort Casino 100 N. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 800-258-2WIN
Trump 29 Casino - 46200 Harrison Place, Coachella, 866-TRUMP29
Golf in the Desert
- Cimarron Golf Resort, Cathedral City, 18 regulation, 18 executive, 760-770-6060
- Desert Dunes Golf Club, Desert Hot Springs, 18 regulation, par 72, 760-251-5366
- Desert Willow Golf Resort, Palm Desert, 36 regulation, par 72, 760-346-0015
- Emerald Desert Country Club, Palm Desert,9 executive, par 31, 760-345-4770
- Heritage Palms, Indio, 18 regulation, par 72, 760-772-7334
- Indian Palms Country Club, Indio, 27 hole, par 72, 760-775-4444
- Indio Municipal Golf Course, Indio, 18 executive, par 54, 760-347-9156
- Mesquite Golf & Country Club, Palm Springs, 18 regulation, par 72, 760-323-1502
- Palm Desert Resort Country Club, Palm Desert, 18 regulation, par 72, 760-345-1502
- Palm Royale Country Club, La Quinta, 18 par 3, par 54, 760-345-9701
- Thaquitz Creek Golf Resort, Palm Springs, 36 regulation, par 72, 760-328-1005
- Tommy Jacobs' Bel Air Greens, Palm Springs, 9 executive, par 32, 760-322-6062
- Golf Resort at Indian Wells, Palm Desert, 36 regulation, par 72, 760-346-4653
- La Quinta Resort, La Quinta, Dunes Course: 18 regulation, par 72; Mountain Course, 18 regulation, par 72, 760-564-4111
- Marriott's Desert Springs Resort, Palm Desert, 36 regulation, par 72, 760-341-1756
- Cathedral Canyon Country Club, Cathedral City, 27 regulation, par 72, 760-328-6571
- Mission Lakes Country Club, Desert Hot Springs, 18 regulation, par 72, 760-329-8061
- PGA West Resort, Nicklaus and Stadium, La Quinta, 36 regulation, par 72, 760-564-6666
Public Golf Courses in the Palm Springs Area:
Palm Springs Resorts Open to the Public for Golf:
Semi Private Palm Springs Area Golf Courses Open to the Public:
Suggested Reading
Peaks, Palms, & Picnics: Day Journeys in the Mountains & Deserts of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley of Southern California, by Linda McMillan Pyle
120 Great Hikes in and near Palm Springs, by Philip Ferranti with Hank Koenig
Palm Springs: The Landscape, the History, the Lore, by Mary Jo Churchill