Palm Springs Recommendations

Old Mar 8th, 2003, 03:29 PM
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Palm Springs Recommendations

Will be in Palm Springs for a week, leaving next Saturday, and would greatly appreciate personal recommendations for things to do (excluding golf or tennis), restaurants (in the $30 per person range or lower) and spas.

Anyone have any experience with a place called Tropical Spa, about 30 mins. from PS in Yucca Valley? Prices are so reasonable, I'm wondering if there are any downsides.

Thanks in advance!
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Old Mar 9th, 2003, 08:49 AM
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I had a great meal at The Yard House last April. Chilean Sea Bass and it was under $30 per person for apps, drinks, and dinner.
 
Old Mar 9th, 2003, 10:59 AM
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I would not recommend staying in Yucca Valley---huge downside is that it is too far from the Palm Springs area and not even close to the ambiance. You should be able to find more reasonably priced accommodations in the area. Check the non-resort communities for some better rates, i.e. Comfort Suites in Cathedral City or the Best Western in Indio. You might also look at the Comfort Suites in Rancho Mirage and/or the Holiday Inn Mtn. Shadows Resort in Palm Springs for comparison.

Things to do: balloon rides at sunset/sunrise, about $150 for an hour ride; hiking in Indian Canyons, $6 entry fee for each adult; Desert Hot Springs-various resorts will let you soak in their geothermally heated pools for the day for pretty cheap, less than $10. Jeep tours of the desert, $50-$100/person; The Living Desert--ecological interpretative park. FYI, the PS Aerial Tram is closed right now for unscheduled repairs, so don't know if they will reopen very soon.

Spas--suggest the La Quinta Resort if you want to go high end. Otherwise, there are more reasonable spa services available from places like Spa de Jour in PS or the Spa Hotel.

Restaurants---$30, without wine/drinks

Tylers in PS--great burger place; Thai Smile in PS; Elmer's Pancake House in PS; The Deck, PS; Al Dente Pasta, PS; Sandbar, La Quinta; Baja Fresh, The River, Rancho Mirage;

Could think of lots more on the higher end if you want. Have fun.

PS Chilean Sea Bass is being pushed to the brink of extinction by overfishing.
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Old Mar 9th, 2003, 12:31 PM
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Thanks for the wonderful suggestions - I've written them down and will take them with me!

To PS Local, do you have any specific places you'd recommend for the desert hot springs? That sounds like a unique experience that we surely don't have here in NYC!

As a side note, we're staying at a private home in PS so the spa in Yucca Valley would simply involve a drive there and back. Their ad says it's a 30 minute drive, but your message sounds like it might be further away - can you clarify?

Thanks again.
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Old Mar 9th, 2003, 07:24 PM
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Hello L2t.

Sorry, I misunderstood and thought the place you mentioned in YV was for accommodations. I don't know the property as far as spa services. Could be great, could be ??? The only comment I would make is that Yucca Valley is not widely known for its upscale qualities...But here is what I would suggest much closer to Palm Springs, like within 10-15 minutes:

Reasonable:

Desert Hot Springs Spa Hotel-an older property, but kept up. Family oriented. Great value.

http://www.dhsspa.com/

More deluxe (as featured in Tim Robbins movie, "The Player"):

Two Bunch Palms-really cool spot with celeb sightings possible and great treatments.

http://www.twobunchpalms.com/

Another couple restaurant thoughts. Massimo, an Italian place in Rancho Mirage that would not kill your budget. Pacifica at the Gardens at El Paseo, Palm Desert. The latter has great fresh fish, but will begin to test your $30 budget.

ciao.
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Old Mar 9th, 2003, 08:41 PM
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Two Bunch Palms in Desert Hot Springs was fabulous. It is high end, but low key at the same time. Definitely a splurge. I did a day package which included a massage, facial, manicure/pedicure, spa lunch (you can dine in your spa robe!). Everything was top rate. And you are free to use the grounds for the day. I lounged in the mineral pools (several at different temps), then read a book by the pond. There are also walking/jogging trails, but I didn't have any more time. I went to some of the other "Spas" in DHS, but they were very pale in comparison, and a huge dissapointment by any standards. I can't remember the name (I think it was something like "Desert Hot Springs Spa," but it was the large one on the left at the end of the main drag (going uphill away from the freeway). I also ate at the Yard House and had a fun time. There was a 1/2 of appetizers happy hour with buckets of beer. I've always wanted to go to Taquitz Canyon, but haven't made it yet. I have friends that love it and go hiking there whenever they're in town. I also like the hike (no name that I know of) if you walk down Taquitz canyon toward the hill just past downtown. You will see a public building (it is a performance hall I think). You make a right in front of it and walk in front then around the building to the left to the small parking area. YOu will see a fence (I think) with a dirt trail. That's the start of the hike all switchback uphill. It's a good workout, with beautiful views of the desert and hills. I've done it when the wildflowers are blooming. You want to take water on that one, and only do it when the weather is mild, and not too hot. If you want cheap, but good "Spa" services, just walk toward the end of the downtown section of Palm Canyon Drive (if you were coming from the airport on Taquitz Canyon Drive, you make a right). There are a lot of cheap salons. Nothing like the "Spa" ambience like "Two Bunch," but you will love the cheapness. I used to pay about $10 for a GOOD manicure including a very vigorous hand & arm massage! Sorry, about the sort of vaque references, but I was a flight attendent and used to layover in Palm Springs; I didn't read books or always know names of streets....just wandered around. It's one of my favorite places to be in the winter!
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Old Mar 11th, 2003, 12:33 PM
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Wyndham Palm Springs is an excellent family location. Largest pool in the vicinity. Desert Springs Marriott had a lot of younger, out of control types when we were there last year. In fact, it's such a beautiful place, I was so annoyed with their behavior, that we ended up checking out early.
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