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When you’re considering planning an unforgettable trip to Southern California, the desert may not be on your mind.
You’re probably thinking of Los Angeles, San Diego, or perhaps some of the sleepy beach towns along Orange County’s pristine coastline.
But there’s one oasis two hours from San Diego that doesn’t get enough hype. Unless you catch Coachella.
Palm Springs is one of California’s best getaways for winter sun and offers so much more than overcrowded music festivals and Joshua Tree National Park, as wonderful as it is to explore.
With year-round t-shirt weather and stylish hotels, consider a SoCal trip away from the beach.
Instead, imagine yourself gazing out at the palm trees and mountains from a luxury resort pool.
Palm Springs: a desert retreat where everyone is someone
Ever driven through the desert? It can be an amazing road trip or a nerve-wracking experience. Honestly,
I’m not sure I’ve ever been more panicked than when the dreaded “add coolant” light came on in the middle of nowhere on a 100+ degree day.
But hey, that’s a summer problem.
Winter is a great time to visit Palm Springs because temperatures in the 80s are much more bearable than the 110-degree days of summer.
A visit now through February is more than warm enough to enjoy scenic walks, gleaming hotel pools and trendy restaurant patios.
Palm Springs is home to a variety of hotels, from dingy roadside inns and vintage classics to swanky five-star resorts that will make you forget all about the Golden State’s oceanfront bliss.
A popular “staycation” hotspot, Palm Springs welcomes all walks of life and has become an incredibly welcoming city to the LGBTQ+ community over the years.
It would be hard to find a bad word about Palm Springs in general. Well, except for the scorching summer temperatures…
Palm Springs has only about 45,000 residents, but it’s busy enough to have its own airport (PSP) with plentiful flights across the US.
But many opt for a road trip, especially if they’re coming from big cities like San Diego, Los Angeles and Phoenix, for a nice escape from the bustling city life to the relaxing atmosphere of Palm Springs, nestled in the San Jacinto Mountains.
Wide range of great places to stay: there’s something for everyone
There’s a reason why Palm Springs sees the same faces year after year.
One of the favorite hideaways of Californians and Arizonans, this desert oasis is home to some true treasures for spending sunny days poolside, surfing the links, and wining and dining.
For a relatively small place there is a wide variety of places to choose from. What used to be a common celebrity getaway, you can stay in some of your idols’ favorite spots if you like a vintage vibe.
Celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe once made Palms Springs their retreat.
Even global icons like Albert Einstein fled to Palm Springs before the more modern ones rose to fame as the home of Coachella.
Here are the top 3 vintage, celebrity-influenced properties in Palm Springs:
- Willows’ historic Palm Springs Inn (Albert Einstein)
- The Parker Palm Springs (Gene Autry)
- L’Horizon Palm Springs (Marilyn Monroe and President Nixon)
For more upscale stays, there are also plenty in this category, including The Parker above:
- The Ritz Carlton, Rancho Mirage
- Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs
- JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
The latter is perhaps the best choice for the ultimate relaxing getaway. This winter JW Marriotts Spa desert springs want to melt your stress away with their unique Spaliday massage package that combines cinnamon, clove, and fig oils, creating a blissful holiday essence that gets you ready for the “most wonderful time of the year.”
Who needs Christmas markets anyway?
Palm Springs Unparalleled Attractions
Whether you plan to spend your time outdoors or browsing the city’s vibrant food scene, there are some unmissable attractions you should definitely visit.
The Daily Herald recently reported ‘Six reasons‘ to visit Palm Springs, two of which stand out from the rest.
With deep native roots you can find the Agua Caliente Cultural Squarerecently named one of the greatest places in the world by TIME.
Home to an intriguing museum with one of the world’s ‘largest indigenous archaeological projects’ and 22 world-class hot springs Spa in Sec-hethis famous site built by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.
Next is the Palm Springs Aerial Tram for those who don’t like walking. A trip through the mountains without a visit is a disservice to yourself, and taking the tram is definitely worth it $35 ticket.
Then of course there is popular Joshua Boom ($15 -$30 admission) with landscapes unlike any other National Park and just an hour’s drive from downtown Palm Springs.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
