Lordy

Hi there,
as part of our trip to the US, we will be calling into Palm Springs for a couple of nights.
We will be visiting in December and are wondering what the must sees and dos are???
We will be hiring a car and as well as the casinos and shopping,would like to see the sights.
What do you recommend?
Thanks in advance
Donna

stumpworks73

Palm Springs is mostly a golf, sunshine/warm weather and spa visit. You should find plenty of shopping as well.

You are nearby Southern California where the list of activities is larger than the internet.

People go to Palm Springs to sit by the pool.

Orlando_Vic

Agree with stumpworks73.

There really are no "sights", as such. However, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway <http://www.pstramway.com/> is worthwhile.

Ida101

Indeed do the aerial tramway. Also maybe the "Palm to Pines" scenic route, that brings you to Idylwild, nice little place in the mountains..
Also Yoshua Tree NP is possible for the day.
Near Cabazon is an outletmall. Highscale shops in Palm Desert.

aliced

Palm Springs -- sit at pool, eat, drink and golf -- but what the name of that wild hippie town up in the mountains not too far out? Also great outlet shopping just west out of town. That's about it.

dmlove

That "wild hippie town" IS Idyllwild. I don't know what's so wild about it, but it's a nice little town - wander for a few hours, have a cup of coffee, browse a few art/jewelry galleries kind of place.

Be aware that Palm Springs is nice in December, but not really pool weather. Also, it will be FREEZING at the top of the tram (it's cold up there even when it's hot on the valley floor).

Oh, and in case you're trying to do an internet search, its "Joshua Tree".

FainaAgain

Living Desert.

Are the Thursday markets in summer only? Or in December too?

Will the Follies be there in December?

jbass

Whoops--Replied to the wrong message:
Here we go again:
The Living Desert is a wonderful little zoo/botanic garden.
Imax theatre on Hwy 111 in Cathedral City.
Palm Desert -- College of the Desert weekend outdoor flea market.
Lots of free live music.
Joshua Tree (requires a National Park entry fee),
Check out the Desert Sun. http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage

Restaurants we enjoy:
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 golf memorabilia-Arnold Palmer's food is just okay.
Bing Crosby's restaurant--fun and has music
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.
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....

Orcas

There are many tourist adventures in Palm Springs that resemble tours available on cruise ships. Someone has already pointed out the aerial tramway. We went on a tectonic plates tour in a jeep and it was very interesting. We not only learned about the San Andreas fault, but about the history of Palm Springs and current concerns.

http://www.red-jeep.com/jeep_tours.html

This group also takes tours to Joshua Tree, though, if you rent a car, you can do this for yourselves.

I also believe you can take a tour of some of the homes in Palm Springs that were owned by celebrities.

You can also go bicycle riding through the desert, or around and about. This group offers bike tours as well as jeep and other tours:

http://www.bwbtours.com/PalmSprings.html


There is plenty to do.

Lordy

Thank you for all of your great, detailed suggestions. I really appreciate your thoughts.
We have 4 days to get from Lake Arrowhead to Vegas and thought Palm Springs would be one of the places we visit.
It sounds like there is plenty to do .
Thanks again.
I will check out all the sites.
Donna