Patrice

I'll be in Palm Springs for 3-4 days the end of Februrary, and would appreciate any help/suggestions on the following:

1. I don't drive! I'm a native New Yorker now in Philly, and have always lived & worked in big cities with good public transit. I finally got my learners permit last month. I was probably the only 30+ year old there. My husband does drive and will probably rent a car, but he's going to be working most of the time. His company's conference is why we are there. I read on a web site that cab fare is incredibly expensive in the area. Something I read me seemed shockingly high to me and mind you I'm used to NYC prices. I know there is a bus line and I found route and schedule info is on the net.

I'll be going from Rancho Mirage (where our hotel is) to Indian Canyons, the Tram, Living Dessert, the PS Dessert Museum, plus places to eat.

Is this doable without a car? Are cabs for these little trips really that expensive? The bus lines look good along palm canyon drive but some of the sites are 1-3 miles from the main road. Not too bad - or am I crazy to think about busing & walking?

2. I --really-- want to see Joshua Park. Does anyone know of tours that go there? None of the tours I've found so far go to Joshua. One says "contact us for arrangements to Joshua for parties of 5 or more". Doesn't really help me, but I'll be call anyhow.

3. Also any general "must see" or "pass this one" advice is appreciated!

Thanks!

Patrick

I loved Joshua Tree but can't imagine it without your own car. I never saw any bus tours there, but that doesn't mean they don't exist. But I'd think all those other places around Palm Springs would be fine by taxi or local bus.

Tina

Visited Palm Springs during Thanksgiving. Saw the Living Desert & also did the Tram ride up the mountain. Which by the way, the Tram thing is SO cool --- both literally & figuratively. End up about 8,000 feet up & consequently, the flora & fauna is completely different from what you left on the desert below (it was about 40 degrees on top, so don't forget to bring a sweater/jacket on the trip).

As for transportation, it's California and you really do need a car. However it's very flat & fairly straight and not as hectic as either NY or Philadelphia, so I don't think you'll have any difficulty driving around even as a beginner driver. I'd suggest that you drop off your husband and then use the rent car for your explorations.

patrice

Thanks for the feedback - am really looking forward to the tram.

I - really can not drive though. Technically (I think) its illegal to drive alone with just a permit, or out of your state with the permit. That wouldn't bother me - the problem is I really can not drive, as in it's not actually possible. I've been in the car twice since I got the permit. A total of not even 4 hours. So far I've learned how to pop the clutch and stall. I'm not even good enough with automatic. I'm never -forced- to use a car (I walk to and from work) and I'm not going to have enough time to get comfortable or confident enough.

I'm hoping cabs and the bus (and some picking up and dropping off by my husban)will suffice. But if anyone knows details (cost of cab fare? frequency of bus runs) that'd be great.

pslocal

Hi:

Sad, but true, we are very reliant on car transportation in CA and in the PS area. That said, I have to say the Sunline Transit (bus) system is pretty decent for getting around in the Valley. Certainly you could get the bus from several locations along Highway 111 in Rancho Mirage. It may take longer to get somewhere, but it is reliable, safe and cheap.

As far as Joshua Tree, wow, that is a tougher proposition. Some of the jeep tour outfits *may* have outings up there. It takes about an hour to drive up there via Hwy 62. Worth it, though.

Don't use the cabs to get around. You will spend a fortune!

Gary

Patrice:

I would bet money there are van tours to Joshua Tree from Palm Springs hotels. In fact, I know there exists such a tour for the Aerial Tram. After making a reservation, a van picks up the client at the hotel and takes a group up the mountain. There is another outfit offering tours of the windmill farms northwest of Palm Springs. Here are some links you might not have seen:

tram tour:
http://www.desertsafari.com/toursair.htm

bus routes:
http://www.palmsprings.com/bus.html

windmill tour:
http://www.windmilltours.com/index.htm

Tina

Patrice -

Okay, you said that you and your husband will be in Palm Springs for his company's conference -- Any chance that you could hook up with other wives of his co-workers that will be attending this conference? Maybe there's a traveler in the group who would enjoy the companionship and not only join you in these outings, but help with the transportion? Offer to pay for their gas & be the 'designated map reader' ?

Tina

A restaurant suggestion for you & your hubby is "Cedar Creek Inn". It's where my family ate Thanksgiving dinner when we all gathered in Palm Springs. I think my brother-in-law got a personal recommendation (they live in Southern CA.) and believe the restaurant also has a good review in Zagat's.

Address: 1555 South Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92264.
Tel: (760) 325-7300
Fax: (760) 325-2592
Website: cedarcreekinnps.com and e-mail is [email protected]

xxx

Las Casuelas in Rancho Mirage or the downtown Palm Springs location for Mexican food.

mexican food

My own recent experience with Las Casuelas Terraza (downtown PS) as a local is that the food was VERY average, if not a bit worse. It is long on ambiance but falls short in the food area IMO. If it were me, I would have a drink at the palapa bar there, but go to El Mirasol for food.

shirley

Patrice,
First on the subject of food, we love the Blue Coyote for mexican food. The have a location in downtown Palm Springs and in Palm Desert. There really is no shortage of great dining experiences in the Palm Springs area.

As for Joshua Tree, I really hope you can make it up here as we are quite proud of the beauty of our Park. I'm really stuck about how to get up here if you're not driving, but the idea of joining up with others at the conference is a good one. You might try contacting someone at The Park Center in Joshua Tree ([email protected]) as they may know who provides van tours through the park. While you're in the area you should treat yourself to a self-guided tour of the outdoor murals in Twentynine Palms.

patrice

Many thanks all. The suggestion to check with other spouses/etc is excellent! And I did get a lead from one of the tour agencies: [email protected]. It sounded to me from my reading that Joshua Park is really worth the trouble, and I'm glad to have that opinion seconded by you real folk. One way or another I'll figure out how to get there. I'm looking forward to the trip and expect I will have a great time.

Gary

Patrice:

One more thing...
When you do make it to Joshua Tree, you will receive a pamphlet at the entrance that includes a map. In my opinion, the best place for a first-timer to stop is Hidden Valley--a large site near the main highway. The area has a gentle, well-marked trail that includes great views of both desert vegetation and the incredible rock formations that Joshua Tree is known for. Two necessities: a jacket (it can be very windy in February) and a camera--the trees alone are worth a roll of film.