We are planning on attending a wedding in Palm Springs on Feb. 18th. We have not visited this area and are interested in staying about 2 weeks.

We enjoy visiting National Parks and hiking. I was looking at possibly flying open jaw but one way car rentals are really pricey. Any suggestions about places of scenic beauty that would be nearby or about a 4-6 hour drive away that would be nice to visit in the winter?

My husband enjoys golfing so I know we will spend a few days in Palm Springs. I don't think we would want to spend the whole 2 weeks there.

I don't really know much about Joshua Tree National Park--or is it a National Monument? We will probably do some hiking there since it is so close.

Would love to hear from any Fodorites who visit the area.

Joshua Tree is now a national park with an admission fee.
http://www.nps.gov/jotr/

Other areas around Palm Springs for hiking include the Indian Canyons, Fringe toe lizard preserve (free, I think), and the Living Desert Museum. The top of the tram will be a snow zone in February!

There are some hiking clubs in the Coachella Valley, here's one. They don't have the February schedule posted yet but there is lots of information.
http://cvhikingclub.net/

Why not spend a day or two in Joshua Tree, then head to Death Valley. There is a golf course in DV, the lowest one in the US(i think). We really enjoyed a winter trip there a few years ago.

I would agree with spiro, go to DV too, nice hiking, very interesting geology/scenery.

Linda,

You could easily include a nice trip up to the Santa Barbara area in your two weeks. Do some wine tasting and enjoy the beautiful coastal area and the Santa Inez Valley.

Santa Barbara would be about a 5-6 hour drive from Palm Springs. You might be able to fly, if you wanted.

Thanks for the suggestions. I would have never thought of visiting Death Valley. I remember as a child driving through Death Valley at night (in July and our car didn't have air conditioning). That may be interesting. I have also heard great things about Santa Barbara so you all have gotten my planning started.