Palm Springs - Center of the Universe!

How does this sound - golf or tennis in the morning, a dip in the pool, a trip up the mountain tram for some hiking and spectacular scenery, and back to town for a romantic dinner on an outdoor patio? And the best part is that you can wear your shorts (but take a sweater up on the tram!) almost everyday of the year!

Quick Tips:

Stop at the Visitors Bureau and pick up a map and some coupons. Also, look for weekly/monthly desert entertainment guides (free) in most shops and restaurants.

Best Way To Get Around:

There is a wide variety of accommodations available in the desert area. You can choose from simple hotels (Quality Inn, Best Western) or go for the luxury resorts (Ritz, La Quinta). My friend recently stayed at the Doral Resort in nearby Cathedral City and raved about the luxurious "classy" feeling. There are also many bed and breakfast rooms available. The easiest way to access the information you need is to call ahead to several hotels, or better yet, use the Internet to find price, location, ammenities, etc. before choosing your destination.

One of my favorite places to dine is the Village Pub. Located at the southern end of Palm Canyon Drive, it is a casual place to go for appetizers or a complete meal. They have outdoor seating (with large heaters for those chilly nights) and live music every night. There are many restaurants in the downtown area. If you want to "window shop" for dinner, just park your car and stroll down the main avenue.

Steakhouses, pizza, Oriental, Mexican - you name it and we probably have it within easy walking distance. If you enjoy Thai food, do not miss going to Thai Kitchen on East Palm Canyon in Cathedral City - it's a bit off the beaten track but the food is superb and the service is always great. You will find every restaurant chain in the valley if you don't mind driving a bit - Outback Steakhouse, TGIF, Bakers Square, and our local chain of excellent Mexican food named Las Casuelas. Don't be afraid to ask a local where they like to eat, we will be glad to guide you to a great dining experience.

The Living Desert is a fantastic place to experience the desert environment. It is an outdoor animal park, with easily navigated trails taking you from one animal group to the next. There is a viewing area for native Bighorn Sheep, Village Watutu (dedicated to African wildlife), a lovely enclosure with several varieties of big cats, and of course a large amount of desert flora to enjoy. Those adventurous souls can extend their hike another 2 to 10 miles into the desert area behind the preserve - for a view of the San Andreas fault line, encounters with "critters" (very small and harmless!), or just some peace and quiet away from the crowds of families at the park.

Although it is small in size, the Desert Museum is big in "heart". There are natural history exhibits, sculptures and, of course, all types of art to explore while visiting the museum. Be sure to check ahead since hours may vary throughout the year. If you are staying in downtown Palm Springs, it is a short walk to the museum. I would highly suggest a visit - even just an hour or two to enjoy this wonderful place.

You will be in biking heaven here in Palm Springs. The fabulous weather, along with the abundance of trails and scenic routes, will satisfy most everyone. There are pedestrian/bike trails on many of the golf courses, along with clearly marked trails that take you to other parts of town. It is generally quite flat here, which makes for easy riding. You will see everyone here on a bike, from toddlers to 80 year olds. Just wear your helmet and obey the traffic laws - and be aware that people here, as everywhere, will occasionally drive like idiots, so be very careful if accessing the busier streets.

Palm Springs (from now on to be known as PS) is a remarkable place. Clean air, blue skies, snow-topped mountain peaks to the west and sunshine almost every day of the year. The activities here are first-class: golfing, biking, hiking, shopping, desert Jeep adventures, tours of the stars homes, dining, casino activities, spa treatments, street/art fairs, music, dancing and so much more. PS really does have it all although many locals will complain about the traffic and congestion during "season" (winter, when all the visitors come to play). Having lived in big cities much of my life, I can promise you that our "traffic" problem is quite small in comparison. PS is only a few hours away from the beaches and activities of LA and San Diego, yet I find myself staying put in my desert hideaway for months on end, not even wanting to leave the valley. I guess everything I need is right here - what a wonderful way to live!!! Yes, I even feel that way in August, when the temperatures rise into the 110-115 range. I don't suggest anyone make their vacation plans for that time of year, but for me it really doesn't matter. I am a "desert rat", and I do whatever it takes to "survive" the heat. One last thing - when those hot days give way to darkness, there is nothing like floating in the swimming pool, surrounded by silence, watching a meteor shower overhead. I am very fortunate to be able to live here, and I can't imagine a finer place to come for vacation.