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Palm Springs Holidays
Located 120 miles east of Los Angeles on Interstate 10, Palm Springs is a desert community famous for its luxury hotels, golf resorts and warm year round weather. The best times to take holidays to Palm Springs California are between October and May when temperatures are more tolerable. The weather in Palm Springs is hot during the summer months, often exceeding 110F (43C), so visit off-season to avoid the heat!
Palm Springs is a beautiful resort destination in the heart of the California desert with smart restaurants and outdoor cafes. There's plenty of nightlife with an excellent choice of bars, pubs and nightclubs. Palm Springs has a thriving gay scene too, click here for a list of popular gay venues.
When taking a California holiday during early Spring, Los Angeles can be wet and cool. During these times, the Palm Springs weather is often much warmer with temperatures in the low 70's and more sunshine. Even during the winter months, temperatures can be in the 60's.
The driving distance to Palm Springs from Los Angeles is 120 miles on Interstate 10 (I-10), which takes around 2 - 2.5 hours. Frequent traffic problems occur on the I-10 Freeway around Riverside, so allow plenty of time for your journey back to LAX!
You can obtain quotes for cheap holidays to Palm Springs, California and the entire USA west coast from Expedia or build your own fly drive with accommodation and flights to suit your own itinerary.
Coachella Valley Resort Hotels
Finding affordable Palm Springs and Coachella Valley resort hotels can be a challenge, especially during peak golf season which is around Spring break. Many luxury resort hotels can also be found in Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert and Indian Wells along Highway 111 into the Coachella Valley if accommodation is fully booked.
Our favourite budget accommodation is the Indian Wells Resort Hotel - a 3 star property which adjoins the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic golf course. This Indian Wells hotel offers cheap golf packages and affordable accommodation with mountain views, convenient for Palm Springs area attractions and the many restaurants of Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert.
The Coachella Valley has a magnificent mountain backdrop provided by the San Jacinto and San Gorgonio mountains which lie to the west. During the early spring, the snow capped mountain peaks (towering over 11,500 feet) add to the beauty of both Indian Wells and Palm Springs.
Palm Springs Area Attractions
Aerial Tram
Take Tramway Road Chino Canyon off Highway 111 to experience the world's largest rotating tramcars travelling 2.5 miles up into the Mt. San Jacinto State Park providing a 360 degree view of the valley floor. Rising from 2,643 feet at the tramcar valley station to 8,516 feet.
At the top, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway provides access to the 14,000 acre Mt. San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness area with its 54 miles of hiking trails, ranger station and campgrounds. The Aerial tram mountain station offers viewpoints, 2 restaurants plus a Natural history Museum and Theatre. There's an adventure centre too, which is open mid November through mid April for cross country ski rentals.
More information on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway can be found at: http://www.pstramway.com.
The Living Desert
Set in 1,200 acres, the Living Desert, Coachella Valley's top tourist destination provides a fascinating insight into 450 desert animals. More than 150 species are present including Hummingbirds, Giraffe, Coyotes, Bighorn Sheep, Oryx, Zebras, Cheetahs and Meerkats.
Botanical gardens represent 12 different ecosystems. From the south west of the USA and Mexico to East Africa and Madagascar. The Living Desert has knowledgeable staff who offer interactive demonstrations and hands on exhibits. In addition, look out for a wild Roadrunner whilst walking around Living Desert!
This is a great kids attraction for adults and children of all ages. Due to the desert heat, it is best to visit during the Spring or Winter season.
More information on the Living Desert can be found at http://www.livingdesert.org.
City of Palm Springs
Holidays to Palm Springs California are popular particularly during the Winter and Spring months. Both luxury resort hotels and budget accommodation is available, with prices reflecting the season. Palm Springs is both affluent and vibrant with an excellent atmosphere and a wide choice of fine dining restaurants, bars and nightclubs. There's even an English pub!
Considering Palm Springs is in the middle of a desert, you'll be amazed by the green, well kept gardens and fauna even during summer - giving rise to it being called an "oasis in the desert".
Joshua Tree National Park
The entrance of The Joshua Tree National Park is about 90 minutes drive (70 miles) from Palm Springs accessed via Highway 62. This makes an interesting day trip, especially for photography.
Motel accommodation for the Joshua Tree National Park is available at Joshua Tree village or Twentynine Palms. Get cheap deals to the Coachella Valley area with .
Keys View Overlook provides far reaching views of the Coachella Valley and west to the San Gorgonio Mountains. Unfortunately, visibility is often restricted by smog from the LA basin being blown through the San Gorgonio Pass at Cabazon. The Joshua Tree National Park is home to a variety of desert wildlife including Bobcats, Coyotes, Jackrabbits, Roadrunners and Golden Eagles.
Joshua Trees only grow above 3000 feet in the Mojave Desert. In fact Joshua Tree National Park has two distinctly different types of desert - the Mojave and Colorado desert. The Colorado desert has Cholla cactus and Ocotillo plants together with Yucca trees and the Mojave desert has an abundance of Joshua Trees.
Coachella Valley Preserve
Situated just north of Interstate 10 at Thousand Palms CA, the Coachella Valley Preserve is home to some of the finest examples of Washingtonia Fan Palms. The short self-guides trails offer a chance to see many endanged desert plant and animal species. These include The Flat Tailed Horned Lizard, The Fringe Toed Lizard, The Round Tailed Ground Squirrel and several rare desert birds like Hooded Orioles, Phaineopepla and Gambel's Quail.
The Mission Creek branch of the San Andreas Fault passes right through the Coachella Valley Preserve and the fault creates an underground dam where water reaches the surface, sustaining the Fan Palms and unique wildlife.
The Coachella Valley Preserve is unique and has something of interest for adults and children alike, during your Palm Springs, California holiday.
More information about visiting this attraction is available on the Coachella Valley Preserve website.
