Hi Everyone - I just won a trip through my company for a few days in Palm Desert. I believe we're staying at the JW Mariott Palm Desert. I am not a golfer and I know there is a big golf area.

What else is there to do in Palm Desert or nearby? I believe the area is big for spas as well, so I will definitely partake in that Any recommendations? Also, how far is it from LA? I am just starting to do my research on this, but Fodors is always where I start!

Thanks everyone!! - Laura

OK this may not suit but we always take our kids to the Living Desert zoo. And I like shopping at El Paseo.

You could take a ride to Joshua Tree National Park. I think it is about 2 hours away. It is an interesting place!

They re-did the spa at the JW Marriott - I prefer to sit by the pool there as opposed to the large one by the hotel (it is a bit of a night club atmosphere in a pool).

They have great group exercise classes as well.

Regarding what else there is to do? I do not usually do a whole lot else while there - shop, spa, exercise, read...

In addition to Joshua Tree NP and the Living Desert, there is a tram that takes you into the San Jacinto Mountains. www.pstramway.com There are hiking trails at the top.

There is a large outlet mall in nearby Cabazon. There are also several casinos in the area, if that interests you at all.

The drive to LA is about 2 hours.

Lunch and shopping on El Paseo. There is also a factory outlet mall on the freeway toward LA.

You are close enough to LA to go into the Getty Museum or ? San Diego (up and over the mountain) is just a couple of hours away.

There isn't much to do besides relax, eat, spa. But I wanted to tell you that for some reason the beds there are the most comfortable (for me) of any on earth. I didn't ever want to get up! Not sure if it's the linens, the mattress - have no idea exactly. But I hope you sleep well!

If you enjoy desert hiking (me, I enjoy hiking ANYWHERE), check out

www.hiking-in-ps.com

for hiking in nearby Palm Springs

Palm Desert is about 120 miles from LA--mostly on a super-highway.

There is loads to do in LA and environs. Since your hotel in Palm Desert is free, you might want to spring for a night or two in LA at your own expense.

You only have a few days.

Lots of good recommendations

I am not a spa expert but yes there are a lot of them.

The Living Desert is a wonderful little zoo/botanic garden that focuses on desert areas around the world. There are also hiking trails inside the attraction, and a Bighorn Sheep viewing area.

The outlet mall in Cabazon is a pretty good one, maybe has more high end designers that some others thruout the US.

There's an Imax theatre on Hwy 111 in Cathedral City.

Weekend outdoor market at the College of the Desert in Palm Desert.

Lots of free live music. Get a copy of the Desert Post Weekly or the local paper (Desert Sun).

As mentioned, Vegas-style casinos. The closest one to the Marriott would be the Agua Caliente at Bob Hope and the freeway.

In addition to Joshua Tree (which requires a National Park entry fee), the Coachella Valley Fringe toed lizard preserve has some easy trails although you probably won't see any lizards, and is free.

I don't need more to do than be in some warm weather and sunshine, relax around a nice hotel pool, and fit in a little spa time. Sounds like heaven.

I'm with suze. There is no way I would consider going to LA if the trip is to Palm Desert. You'll spend all your time on the road.

ditto with Suze and DM - not gonna happen. That drive can be brutal. Undoing all the relaxing the spa did!

Tennis? ;-) If I could ever break away from the golf course long enough, I'd love to take a hot air balloon ride. Or, my wife said she enjoyed watching a polo match when we were there last month.

"A few days in Palm Desert" does not warrant a trip out of the Coachella Valley. Why would you drive 2 hours away from a resort community to spend a couple of hours just to drive two hours back?! I drive PS to San Diego once a week now and it is NOT a vacation! The Living Desert (the outdoor zoo with a distinctive desert theme), the Morongo Casino, The Palm Springs Follies (all senior citizen showgirls and guys), shopping on El Paseo (the desert's answer to Rodeo Dr.). The tram to the cold top of San Jacinto (in PS) for a short easy nature trail and a hot cocoa, Palm Canyon or one of the other Indian Canyons for an easy and beautiful hike. If you enjoy architecture, visit some of the areas model homes, the weekend flea market at the College of the Desert. The Marriott is it's own destination. You may not have to leave the property to enjoy yourself.

IMHO, Nevisian has given you the perfect answer. We're in the desert once a year, and except for once going up the tram, once going to Idyllwild and once to the Cabazon outlet stores, we're pretty content to stay in the Palm Desert area. When we have the energy (!), we shop on Rodeo Drive, and look at model homes. Sometimes we go to the driving range. Most often, we get up late, sit at the pool (me in the shade) until late afternoon, do something like Rodeo Dr., then eat out. For us, that's what a desert vacation is for -- total relaxation.

Sorry, I reread my post, and I should clarify -- we don't do those sightseeing things once a year, we've done them once EVER.

Rodeo Dr. is in Beverly Hills.

El Paseo Dr. is in Palm Desert (and its sometimes called the Rodeo Dr. of the desert).

A much closer place to hike than Joshua Tree is Tahquitz Canyon. At the end of the canyon is a waterfall which should have a lot of water since its rained recently. The waterfall was filmed by Frank Capra in Lost Horizon.

Randy's for breakfast (Hwy 111 in Palm Desert). Great food; fun experience with Randy.
Keedy's (Palm Desert)for lunch (great burgers and MALTS-a place with the soda fountain feel)
La Quinta Inn-have a drink-one of the most gorgeous places; the flowers are spectacular.
Old memorabilia - Bing Crosby's restaurant.
The Nest-locals place with a piano player-lots of fun.
Upstairs bar at Tommy Bahama on El Paseo-great for coconut shrimp and a cocktail (kinda pricey).
JW Marriott has a fun grass putting course (I know you said you weren't a golfer) but this is like putt-putt.
Favorite lunch spot: Cafe des Beaux-Arts on El Paseo (wonderful shrimp Louis salad).
Favorite dinner: The bar at Ruth's Chris for the open face steak sandwich with Bernaise ($18). So Yummy....
Have fun

Sorry, I meant El Paseo, not Rodeo.