Palm Springs or Scottsdale?
 

Hello everyone,

I have to decide on a timeshare the last week of May, I can either do a week in Palm Springs (Cathedral City) or in Scottsdale.
I'd be going with a friend, we are both in our early thirties, and want to just relax and do a little bit of sightseeing.

Which would you do?

With Scottsdale I guess we can do day trips to Sedona and the Grand Canyon, plus shopping.

Palm Springs seems to be situated midway a little on the eastern end between LA and San Diego. Not sure if day trips can be made.

Any advice to help me and my friend lean one way over the other is appreciated!

Tonia

i haven't been to scottsdale so can't really comment. sedona is lovely though.
i love palm springs and it is so relaxing there. there is joshua tree national park close by. you can take the tram up the mountain. san diego is about 2 1/4 hours away. i'd done day trips many times. if you don't mind driving, it's not too bad. then you could have a day at a beach or visit the wild animal park which is outside of san diego, visit the zoo, go to sea world, waunder around coronado.

Palm Springs would have to get my vote.

I have a place in Palm Desert but I think for your age, I would chose Scottsdale...although you don't mention the timeshare name. The Palm Springs area is more beautiful to me; but I think there are more things to do in the Scottsdale/Phoenix area -- it's more of a city. I am also not as fond of Cathedral City. You might want to check the flights - it's much easier (and I think less $$$) to get in and out of Phoenix. ;;)

True, it is more expensive to go in and out of Palm Springs, and Scottsdale may be a little too quiet for us. Another timeshare just became available for Ramona, in San Diego county, and that seems like the best bet out of all three options, so I hope my friend agrees and we can catch it before someone else snatches it up!

Thanks for your suggestions so far.

Just to let you know-Ramona is a fairly small town out in the country. Although it's not that bad of a drive to and from San Diego, it's not where I would stay if I wanted nightlife. Ramona closes up early and after dinner and a few drinks in SD, I wouldn't want to be driving back to Ramona.

Scottsdale, as you can do/visit more places if you want.
Drive Apache Trial (or partly), Phoenix, Gr. Canyon, Sedona, Tucson etc.

Ramona--I don't think that's the spot-I'd take Cathedral City before Ramona. Paula1470 is correct.

I feel another post coming on..."Booked a timeshare in Ramona-what should we do?" b(

I like both places but would pick Scottsdale. Google Ramona and you will find there isn't much there. I can't imagine the timeshare being all that nice out there, either. It is not a high tourist destination.

It's gonna be hot in both places, but maybe just a little less so in Scottsdale. I suppose you could make day trips to LA or San Diego from Palm Springs, but in the several times I've been there, I've never thought it practical. So I think I'd choose Scottsdale for the variety of activites/sightseeing options.

Ramona has the upscale San Diego Country Estates with Equestrian/Golf/Tennis and that is probably where the timeshare is but I would go with Palm Springs..I will be there last week of May for the big blow-out celebration of Memorial Day and its the last hurrah before the town shuts down so its got a lot of activity..very busy too..
Scottsdale is nice and love going to Sedona and other fun things to do in AZ but since you are doing the last week in May, I would chose PS..

Paul 1470 and Jbass, thanks for the "warning" re: Ramona. It turns out that timeshare has been taken. So maybe it was divine intervention :)

So it's back to between Scottsdale and Palm Springs. My hope was to be able to see some of the attractions in San Diego county, such as Temecula Wine country which I visited in October 2006 (it seems fairly close - maybe an hour's drive from Palm Springs), and the beaches, but maybe this isnt very practical, and a separate trip in the future a better idea. Scottsadale's attractions seem to be closer.

It will be decided this weekend. My friend will be driving, me the GPS system, so it depends on her as well.

Thanks for your great input, keep 'em coming!

Depending on what you're looking for, Scottsdale really has a happening dining and night life. The resorts are great with wonderful bars, restarants and spas. Since it's getting warmer, the prices are going down.

I'd choose Scottsdale.

You can get from Cathedral City to Temecula in a little over an hour if you use Highway 79 going over the top of a mountain. However, there is no way I would drive that road after winetasting!!

Palm Springs area would be nice for just relaxing and a little shopping. However, I think I would pick Scottsdale as you can do Sedona, Grand Canyon, etc.

My preference would be Scottsdale. I find the AZ desert to be alot more attractive than the desert around Palm Springs.

I dont know scotsdale but i think if you're in your early 30s and 2 single people looking for a vacation you will die of boredom in palm springs unless you happen to be gay, then you woudl have a blast. Otherwise its full of old people and although there is some nightlife and restaurants there is not a huge amount to do. I know because I live there.

Yes, that's why they call Palm Springs the "gay 90s" - either you are gay or in your nineties :-)
But if you are into art and into hiking, climbing, etc. go to Joshua Tree north of Palm Springs. Really a cool place now!
Karin - who lives there

I agree the Sonoran Desert is much more scenic than the Mojave Desert around Palm Springs, although the top of Mt. San Jacinto and Idyllwild are both really nice areas.

Don't forget that it will be at or around 100F during the day in both locations. But it's a dry heat...

Those who say the Mohave Desert isn't beautiful must never have driven from Las Vegas to Palm Springs via Cima, Kelso, Amboy, and Twentynine Palms.

Hi happytrails. Did you ever get to see any wildflowers on your latest trip?

I'll actually be in PS next week..why does everyone who recommends Scottsdale actually talk about visiting places that aren't there but "nearby?"

Hi lvk, While driving through the desert we saw only two or three white blossoms (I don't know what they were). Fortunately, at The Living Desert (in Palm Desert) we saw a variety of desert habitats in full bloom--it was great. HTTY

"why does everyone who recommends Scottsdale actually talk about visiting places that aren't there but "nearby?"


And why do the people who prefer Palm Springs like to talk about visiting Temecula, San Diego, Joshua Tree or LA. It's all the same. There are interesting places to visit "nearby" both towns.