Palm Springs: An Oasis In The California Desert
With its magnificent natural landscapes, deserts, and the city of San Diego as a gateway, Southern California is one of the most spectacular destinations in the United States. In this region bordered to the west by the Pacific Ocean and to the south by the border with Mexico, the surroundings of Palm Springs stand out as an oasis in the desert. Here are three good reasons to visit this city.
1- To enjoy a lush oasis
The city of Palm Springs is a must-stop for all travelers planning a road trip in Southern California. From the city of San Diego, which is only about twenty kilometers from the Mexican border, you need to take Route 78, which crosses the Anza Borrego Desert.
Your destination is located 219 km east of San Diego and 179 km east of Los Angeles. Along the way, you can admire the American West in all its splendor, with its straight roads, ocher-colored canyons, and desert landscapes composed of sand and cacti...
Suddenly, the first palm trees appear and the green carpet of Greater Palm Springs unfolds before your eyes. A true oasis in the desert, Greater Palm Springs refers to the region nestled in the Coachella Valley, between the Joshua Tree Desert and the mountains. It includes 9 cities: Desert Hot Springs, Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio, and Coachella.
2- To admire modernist architecture
In Palm Springs, the city's quaint and verdant neighborhoods contrast with the harsh and strange landscapes of the surrounding desert. You could almost forget that you are in southern California and near the Mexican border if the temperatures weren't so high.
On hot days, a good plan is to hop on the rotating cable cars of the Aerial Tramway to reach the lookout point at Mount San Jacinto, at an altitude of 2595 meters. Not only is it cooler up there, but you can also enjoy a magnificent view of the city!
In the city itself, art and architecture enthusiasts will also find their happiness. Just stroll down Palm Canyon Drive, the main thoroughfare, to discover numerous art galleries. A visit to the Palm Springs Art Museum will allow you to learn more about the modernist era.
Moreover, another cultural attraction not to be missed is the Modern Tour guided tour, which invites you to admire buildings representative of 1950s modernist architecture. The Greater Palm Springs area has more per hectare than anywhere else in the world!
3- To practice golf and other adventure sports
Golf is the last of the three good reasons to visit Palm Springs in Southern California. In this renowned resort, you are never far from a golf course or a hot spring.
The Greater Palm Springs area is the golf capital of the entire Western United States. It boasts more than 100 golf courses in total, and you could spend whole days playing this sport.
However, if you enjoy outdoor sports, I also recommend taking advantage of the many hiking trails that crisscross this spectacular region. The Joshua Tree National Park is a fantastic playground for adventure lovers, with its 200,000 hectares of wilderness. There, you can go rock climbing or book a jeep tour led by a naturalist guide.
And if you are looking for an even more incredible way to discover the Palm Springs area and its surroundings, know that it is possible to board a hot air balloon for a breathtaking view of the Coachella Valley!
