So, I am flying into LAX on Saturday morning and had my plan all set. My wife and I were going to make the drive to Palm Springs where we were staying for the weekend and do some easy, afternoon hiking or similar outdoor activity. Nothing too strenuous since it is our travel day... just enjoying the outdoors after this brutal Boston winter we've endured.

Checked the weather. It looks like rain showers for LA and Palm Springs on Saturday.

So.... since we likely won't be too active outdoors in the cool rain... what are your suggestions for fun/interesting activities indoors?

We'd like to get to Palm Springs as early as possible and spend the afternoon there, so indoor activities or adventures in Palm Springs area are preferred.

If there is nothing there, however, and indoor LA suggestion is welcome too. We'll be in LA again at the end of our trip, however, so seeing it on Saturday is not a priority.

Thanks, in advance, for helping with our last minute adjustments! Still crossing my fingers that the weather experts are wrong and we'll be dry! =)

... and, yes, I know the "indoor fun" topic is just begging for a multitude of punchlines. ;-)

I'm sure there are better answers for Palm Springs but when the weather is bad we just head to shopping (outlets in Desert Hills premium outlets in Cabazon) and the movies. If you plan to hike in PS, check weather carefully and be mindful of flash floods during and after rains particularly in the canyons.

In LA, you could go to LACMA (art museum) and Petersen Automotive Museum. Relatively close to each other and a nice afternoon.

Alternatively, you could head out to Pasadena and visit the Norton Simon Museum, Asia Pacific Museum and/or tour Gamble House then continue on your way to Palm Springs. I love the Huntington Museum and Gardens but there is a fair amount of walking between buildings so depends on how much you care about getting wet. I might also consider spending some of the afternoon at the Huntington hotel - a little time at the spa or salon followed by a traditional afternoon tea for some old world elegance.

Hi,

Have to say when rain is forecast in the desert, it's usually iffy at best. The current forecast for Saturday calls for 70% chance of rain in L.A. and 40% chance of showers in the desert. The clouds and rain generally stop like magic around Cabezon at the mouth of the San Gorgonio Pass. Usually, we believe it when we see it (rain)! Believe me, after what you've been through in MA this winter this should be a huge treat.

We are a pretty outdoorsy kinda place, so indoor stuff may be a bit limited. A couple ideas are the PS Desert Museum or Cabot's Museum in DHS.

I bet your chances of staying dry are good. If that's the case, I'd recommend the Indian Canyons for some easy/moderate hiking. My favorites are Andreas and Murray Canyons. Tahquitz Canyon is a guided hike with an interesting visitor's center.

Good luck!

PSL

PS, if it's raining in L.A. when you get in, drive carefully! People in S. CA are not known for their best driving in rain and on the freeways typically go too fast for wet road conditions...

The second storm could bring significant widespread rain and mountain snow Friday night and Saturday, with scattered showers into Sunday, according to the most recent forecast.

The two museums above, the IMAX theater in Cathedral City, regular movie theaters, the casinos.

I probably would not recommend any hiking nor the Cabazon outlets (the Banning pass is no fun in bad weather and the shopping center is not enclosed).