Friday, January 15, 2010

Palm Springs Road Trip

Greetings from Palm SpringsPalm Springs, California is the perfect destination for a road trip for California residents, Arizona residents, or if you're on your way to Las Vegas. Located about 95 miles east of Los Angeles, the Coachella Valley region which contains the famous desert community of Palm Springs is easily accessible via Interstate 10. From I-10, Highway 111 forms a convenient belt loop around the biggest towns of the valley. Here are some of the towns located in the valley:

Palm Springs:
The glue that holds the valley together, Palm Springs is the hub of Coachella Valley, but located furthest east and closest to Mount San Jacinto. Home to many famous celebrites in the 50's, 60's and up until today, the town features a star studded sidewalk of Hollywood stars (much like Hollywood Boulevard, but much safer). Palm trees line the streets of the beautiful desert homes in this town, and are even available for rent by some of the owners.

Further down Palm Canyon Drive, you'll come across the Indian Canyons. These natural surroundings are an oasis of palms set against the backdrop of the beautiful San Jacinto Mountains. Hiking trails lead you through the 3 major canyons, Andreas, Palm and Murray Canyon. The Agua Caliente tribe is the largest land owner in the town of Palm Springs.

Further down the road on Highway 111, you'll find the following towns:
* Rancho Mirage
* Cathedral City
* Palm Desert
* Indian Wells
* La Quinta
* Idyllwild (this town is actually located not on Highway 111, but further up the mountains on Pines to Palms Highway)

La Quinta Golf Course, California, USA


Palm Springs and Palm Desert are the largest resort communities within the Coachella Valley area. Palm Desert seems a bit more updated, while downtown Palm Springs has an old school, 40s/50s/60s feel to it. If you're headed to Palm Springs, the heat is considered unbearable by some in the peak summer, being in the high 90s to even 110 F and up. In the winter, temperatures are much more mild, in the 70s and 80s during the day. Nights all year round are much cooler.