Karenackermann

Have come up with another idea of where to spend Christmas in California. We live near Boston and our son is attend a college near LA. We usually travel somewhere warm to spend Christmas. This year instead of him coming home, I'm was thinking of the family renting a house on one of the Orange County beaches and spending Christmas there.
Now I wondering about Joshua Tree, Coachella Valley Preserve, or Indian Canyons. I found some very interesting houses on VRBO apparently just outside of Joshua Tree. I don't know much about the area and I wondered if two weeks there would be too isolated. Any suggestions on which area to look for houses? We aren't golfers so I'm not sure about Palm Springs.
I know it gets cold at night but are the days good for hikes? Thanks!

deedeedee

You didn't mention your budget. Orange county beaches are really nice. You could rent a house on the beach in Newport. I don't know the attraction to Joshua Tree. You should really research that area as far as what there is to do there.

Juldie

I thought I would reply to you since last Christmas I was in San Diego for a week (in a timeshare) and then went to Desert Hot Springs and Joshua Tree. There isn't too much to do at Joshua Tree besides the national park. My husband and I really liked it and we are very glad to have experienced it but I wouldn't want to be there a week. It is interesting and unique with the beautiful boulder/rock formations and of course the joshua trees are so cool and beautiful. The night sky there is a sight to take in. It was very chilly around new years since it is the dessert. If you are looking for more warm spring type weather the coast is where you want to be.

I knew I wanted to experience the dessert while out in that part of the country. I knew I wanted to not spend all of my time in southern california and we are so glad we split it up. We had a really special time in Desert Hot Springs (about an hour from Joshua Tree). We went to Two Bunch Palms and will never forget it. It is a low key, whisper resort on natural hot springs. They have pools of healing mineral pools in the most beautiful environment. The room we stayed in was perfect. The beauty, the waters, the relaxation, ahhh.
www.twobunchpalms.com

mlgb

Joshua Tree would be a place you could visit from the Palm Springs area. There is a pass into the park from east of Indio, it's a place to go for great hiking that time of year.

Lots of non-golfers stay in the PS area. There would be more restaurants, movies, entertainment,galleries, shopping, etc.
Check the website www.visitpalmsprings.com for things to do.

Nick4

I have spent several weekends hiking and climbing in Joshua Tree. The rock formations are beautiful. But I'd be bored after three days. Two weeks- no way. I second spending a few days in Palm Springs and making Joshua Tree a day trip. Take the aerial tram from P.S. for great views of the desert from the high forest.

There is much more to do in and around Orange County.

Gardyloo

I think you'd find plenty to do in the Coachella Valley (which comprises several towns including Palm Springs) for a couple of weeks, except... beach. Joshua Tree is a great day trip from PS or any of the towns in the valley; there are long or short hikes, great nature walks, some decent historical sites - much of interest.

PS itself is not very much about golf at all. Palm Desert and other towns in the valley moreso, but there's plenty of shopping, some terrific restaurants, fabulous mid-century architecture, the great Palm Springs art museum... again, boredom is not really an option.

Maybe spend a couple of days on either end closer to the coast before heading inland to PS? Get a hotel room in say Manhattan Beach or Hermosa Beach; have breakfast at Martha's in HB then spend the morning walking along the Strand up to the MB pier, deciding which house facing the beach you'd sell your soul to buy. Or head into Hollywood/Beverly Hills where some of the last-minute Oscar contenders will be having their mandatory 2011 live audience screenings (in order to qualify) with a decent chance of Hollywood types in attendance.

Then over the hills to PS, hit the pool, find some great Mexican food down in Indio... fab.