We're a 30ish couple thinking about going to golf school this year and have narrowed it down to one in Scottsdale and one in Palm Desert. Neither of us have been to either of these locations - any suggestions?
We don't need nightlife but like interesting scenery, comfortable accomodations and non-commercialized locals.
Thanks in advance.

There are high end resorts scattered all over both S and PS. Both feel very 'commercialized' to me, unless you're staying at a resort out of the metro areas (available in both S and PS). The restaurants and shopping are similar in both. The weather is similar.
The biggest difference IMO is that there are more varied day trips from S than PS if you're seeking natural beauty and varied landscapes. I doubt you'll be disappointed by either place, though.

In MY opinion, Palm Desert (and the other surrounding desert communities) is more glitzy, glamorous and preferable to Scottsdale. Palm Desert has a "famous" glitzy street full of upscale shops similar to Rodeo Drive but the name currently escapes me (Paseo del Mar?).

But Alan, from jane's not it sounds like they want something the opposite of glitzy and commercialized.

To say there is a "metro area" in the Coachella Valley ("Palm Springs") is misleading. The population of the entire valley (9 cities and the unincorp. Riverside County area) is around 280,000. This is in a geographic region spanning over 50 miles long by 20 miles wide. Scottsdale, on the other hand, is part of the Phoenix metropolitan area, a sprawling expanse of urbanization well over a million in population.

The Palm Springs area feels a lot more quaint and "village-like" than Scottsdale to me.

Relative to day trips, you can get to Anza Borrego, Julian, Joshua Tree National Park, the San Jacinto Wilderness, Santa Rosa national Monument, Big Bear and Arrowhead Lakes etc etc in two hours or under. You can also get to the San Diego or Orange County coastlines in about the same. In other words, you can cover about six different climate zones from the sea to mountains rising to 11,000 feet. So I have to disagree with the comment about more varied landscapes and natural beauty.

The "glitzy street" the other poster refers to is El Paseo, in Palm Desert. On the other hand, downtown Palm Springs is a much more historic, pedestrian oriented environment. Lots of low-key local type restaurants and shops all over the valley.

$0.02.

PS L

Jane-
Go to Scottsdale. Particularly if you are coming from very far away. I'd be sorry to spend a lot of money to go west and just go to PS. If you're there as a destination resort and are happy with just that - great. It's a nice town, but just doesn't have as much to off in variety as Scottsdale. I lived in Scottsdale 30 years and now go back at least 4 times a year. Then I moved to CA not too far from PS for 10 years and have been there many times. Here is my opinion based on that: Both areas depend on tourists so the locals expect you. What does non-commercialized locals mean? Both are homes to regular people with regular lives so they will plug along and you are welcome to blend in. You might find PS with a slightly older population than Scotts. Lots of young families in both, but Scotts feels younger. What time of the year? There is tons to do in Scottsdale and the surrounding areas. I doubt you can find anything in PS that you will not find in Scottsdale except the tram up the mountain. I think PS local had some good info, but I do not agree that all those areas are so easy to access in such a short time. Lots of driving - freeways and a "couple of hours" can be many hours if you hit traffic. From Scottsdale you can see lots of desert beauty and if you do have a day to get out of town the mountains are literally a couple of hours out of town. I'd pick Scottsdale - you will not be sorry.

Scottsdale is drab and boring, while the Palm Springs area, as one poster mentioned above, is so much more quaint and "village-like." As for the comment about freeway traffic, that's absurd! Just stay on Palm Canyon Drive and drive through ALL the wonderful, little communities! No need to ever get on a freeway at all!

I would have to beg to differ with those who would say Scottsdale is not worth coming to. This is one of the most interesting places you could visit. Yes, it is a suburb of Phoenix, but it is well worth the people to enjoy the different sights it has to offer.

The Mexican and Indiam heritage is previlent everywhere, and for those who disscussed different climates, well Sedona is only two hours away and is well worth the trip to see, as well as, only a four hour drive to the Painted Desert and Patrified forest. The same distance it would be to go to San Diego from Palm Desert, oceans are fairly easy to come by, buth these landmarks are one in a million.

And for Scottsdale being borning, blah, blah, to that. For things to do there is obviously plenty of golf, hiking, tennis,horse back riding and for those shoppers there is Scottsdale Fashion Square and Biltmore Fashion Park which are both ranked as two of the most enjoyable shopping centers to visit in the entire United States. Old Town Scottsdale is full of Indian craft shops, fine resturants and if you would like there are several nice bars and clubs to visit.

Scottsdale is wonderful, and since I have lived in both areas I would highly recommend you and your wife come to Scottsdale.

Scottsdale always struck me as a "Stepford Wives" kind of place. One thing's for sure though..obviously, some people that have lived there can't spell to save their lives!

I vote for Palm Springs too.

I vote for Scottsdale !

I vote for Palm S....Scotts....Pal....Scot....
arrrgghhh!!
I can't take this any more!

Think you've gotten lots of good advice. Having been to both several times, I would choose Scottsdale just because I think it feels younger and more exciting. However, since you going to attend golf school, why not get some critiques about the two schools you're considering? Sounds like either of the two locations would satisfy you.

I'd have to put in my vote for Palm Desert. I've spent a lot of time in both areas and just prefer the Palm Springs/Palm Desert area. Scottsdale is nice, but has started to blend too much into Phoenix and all of the negatives that come with the "big city". Palm Springs/Desert has retained more of the charm.

palm springs...beautiful scenary as you sit around your pool, joshua national park is just outside and great for day hikes, drive to san diego (2 hours & 15 minutes) away and enjoy the coast.

ttt

Why don't you give your choices for the golf schools so the expert golfers can give you a better answer?

I took a niklaus/flick 3 day golf school 5 years ago and enjoyed it immensely; we were at the biltmore and I had to drive 45 minutes north on Scottsdale road to get there, can't remember the name of the resort where it was held, it was about 15 minutes from the Boulders. It helped my golf game immensely !!

I've vacationed in Palm Springs (la Quinta) and Scottsdale (Phoenician) in the past; I have to agree that Palm Springs is prettier and more authentic looking; Scottsdale is wonderful but strikes me more as a city with palm trees; I live in Quebec so of course,
anywhere where it's warm in march is paradise to me.

Paseo drive is a wonderful area in Palm Springs with privately owned shops and many fun restaurants.

I think both places will be good for you so I
would suggest you look into the golf school availability first, since the various schools offer a calendar of locations and dates that might limit you.