Palm Springs and the Desert Resorts Travel Guide

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Many millions of years ago, the Southern Desert was the bottom of a vast sea. By 10 million years ago, the waters had receded and the climate was hospitable to prehistoric mastodons, zebras, and camels. The first human inhabitants of record were the Agua Caliente, part of the Cahuilla people, who settled in and around the Coachella Valley about 1,000 years ago. Lake Cahuilla dried up about 300 years ago, but by then the Agua Caliente had discovered the area's hot springs and were making use of their healing properties during winter visits to the desert. The springs became a tourist attraction in 1871, when the tribe built a bathhouse (on a site near the current Spa Resort Casino in Palm Springs) to serve passengers on a pioneer stage highway. The Agua Caliente still own about 32,000 acres of desert, 6,700 of which lie within the city limits of Palm Springs.

Hotels

Palm Springs and the Desert Resorts Hotels

In general you can find the widest choice of lodgings in Palm Springs, ranging from tiny B&Bs and chain motels to business and resort hotels. All-inclusive...read more

Restaurants

Palm Springs and the Desert Resorts Restaurants

During the season, restaurants can be busy, as many locals and visitors dine out every night, and some for every meal. An influx of talented young chefs...read more

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Things To Do

Things To Do in Palm Springs and the Desert Resorts

Explore the best sights, entertainment, and shopping with our top choices and insider tips.

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Palm Springs and the Desert Resorts Experiences

  • Top Reasons to Go

    Fun in the sun: The Palm Springs area has 350 days of sun each year, and the weather's usually perfect for playing one of the area's more than... Read more

  • Palm Springs Modernism

    Some of the world's most forward-looking architects designed and constructed buildings around Palm Springs between 1940 and 1970, and modernism... Read more

  • Spa Life, Desert-Style

    These days, taking the waters at a spa in Palm Springs is massively different from the experience imagined by the Cahuilla Indians when they... Read more

  • Palm Springs Pampers Pooches

    If you're hitting the road with your best friend, you'll be happy to find Palm Springs is a particularly pet-friendly place. Dogs are welcome... Read more

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