GREETINGS EARTHLING ……Welcome to my travel diary. Let’s start from home and a place I continue to enjoy and adore. Yep, it gets hot in the Summer but that’s a perfect time to get in the car and explore. If you’re an early riser then a bike ride at sunrise will reveal so much of the beauty in this valley. The three months of hot weather are brief and there are 9 months of the year with gorgeous weather for walking, bicycling, scooter, and jogging.
To entice you to enjoy being outside CV Link is a 40 mile bike route across the Coachella Valley (CV). It is still under construction but is a valuable route for bicyclists and pedestrians. Various cities across the CV are developing more bicycle and pedestrian friendly pathways. There are two things that Greater Palm Springs is noted for golf and tennis. Be sure to check out the Indian Wells Tennis Garden during the BNP Paribas Open. In addition Pickle Ball has really surged in the last few years. DeMuth Park has free local courts. update 2022: Acrisure Arena is now open and we have a hockey team – the Coachella Valley Firebirds – and another great music venue. Make sure to dress warmly for any event within the arena – it is kept cold to preserve the icy floor and what a nice break from the heat.
Palm Springs Tramway is one of the first things you see when entering Palm Springs via Highway 111 from I-10. I highly recommend this adventure. See my post on this page in my blog. Not only is the Tram ride spectacular offering views of our San Jacinto Mountain it rotates 360 twice on the 15 minute ride to the top for a valley view beyond compare. The mountain top station is 8,560 ft above sea level and there is a 30 to 40 degree temperature difference from the valley below. Be sure to check the web site for temperatures and weather conditions before your trip and dress accordingly. During tourist season please make sure you have a reservation and purchase tickets early. If you visit often there is an annual or a Summer pass that grants free parking (usually $12) and a discount on other tickets purchased.
Here is an evolving list of PALM SPRINGS THINGS TO DO
Scott’s recommendations for affordable or free fun, historical and interactive things to do.
- Greater Palm Springs Pride is the first weekend of November [small town – BIG celebration]
- Palm Springs Art Museum and the Architecture museum on Palm Canyon Free Thursday
- Palm Springs Village Fest Free Thursday nights N Palm Canyon Drive
- Modernism Week Palm Springs is the epicenter of modernism architecture and design
- The Living Desert Zoo (Palm Desert – in Summer months open only in the morning)
- Sunnylands Center & Gardens
- Palm Springs Air Museum
- Aqua Caliente Cultural Plaza (under construction)
- Idyllwild (mountain town resort village)
- Coachella Valley Museum
- Agua Caliente Casinos 3 sites in the CV
- Fantasy Springs Casino
- Spotlight 29 Casino
- Cabot Pueblo Desert Hot Springs
- HIKING sites for the Greater Palm Springs – see my post on this page of my blog.
- Joshua Tree National Park – see my post on this page of my blog
Music venues and Jazz:
- Jazzville Cascade Lounge – Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs
- The Purple Room – excellent bar and supper club with great entertainment
- V Wine Lounge
- Palm Springs Cultural Center (@ 5pm 2nd floor: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday)
- Melvyn’s @ Ingleside Inn (Sunday afternoons free)
- Oscar’s
- Agua Caliente Casinos 3 sites in the CV
- Fantasy Springs Casino
- Spotlight 29 Casino
Check out these web sites for a bigger picture of the Valley’s culture, events and fun things to do. Interested in more music venues? Check out…. Coachella Valley Independent A great list of weekly things to do in the Greater Palm Springs Area is at….. Gay Desert Guide
Don’t forget two of the biggest music festivals in the country are here in the CV – both based in Indio.
Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
Mojave Desert/High Desert via Route 62 (29 Palms Highway)
- Pioneertown
- Pappy and Harriet’s (Pioneertown)
- Mon Petit Mojave – seasonal drive-in concert series
- The Integraton – Sound bath
- Hi-Desert Nature Museum
- Noah Purifoy Outdoor Museum of Assemblage Sculpture – (see my post on this page)
- Joshua Tree National Park (see my post on this page of my blog – use southern entrance)
When exploring the desert – either high desert (Mojave) or the low desert (Colorado/Sonoran) – take precautions. Here’s a highlight article by Ken Layne who is well known for the Desert Oracle podcast (found on many sources) and magazine. I listen to his podcast and learn a lot about living in the desert, the lifestyles of the residents both sane and not so sane, UFOs, and the paranormal. I suggest starting with episode one and enjoy the quirky commentary and stories about our desert life.
Imperial County (not the IE but close enough)
Salton Sea – see my post on this page of my blog
- The Bat Caves or Buttes: Park at the border of Riverside and Imperial County lines then hike up.
- Oasis dates: While at the Salton Sea stop by for a date shake – one of the best IMHO.
- The Republic of Slowjamastan (see my post on this page of my blog)
#iedaytripper
