Will be in Palm Springs CA November 14-29, 2015
 

We will be in Palm Springs November 14-29th of this year. We have a condo in the Mesquite Country Club Area and will be fully mobile, renting a car when we arrive in Ontario.

I have been to PS several times, mainly for conferences where I spend a few extra days, and once for a girls weekend. I love the area, and am happy to be going back.

We generally look to be doing things outdoors. DH is an avid birdwatcher, and although this isn't prime season, I imagine he'll see something. I just like being outdoors, generally enjoying some hiking, flowers and gardens, butterflies, etc.

DH is an artsy fartsy guy, so will also visit art museum. I think he will be interested in the Palm Springs Air Museum. He is not a foodie, I am. I'll cook a lot at the condo, but we will eat out some. I already have some personal favorites, but am always interested to hear of yours.

I am not an advanced hiker (not great at scrambling over rocks!), and but I like to take hikes/walks. I've got my trekking sticks and used them for the first time last year in Indian Canyons and liked using them.

Here is my current list, in no particular order. Some places I have not been, some places I have been.

1. Indian Canyons (have been before,hiked a few different trails)
2. Joshua Tree (have been once, last year, but was by myself and didn't feel comfortable hiking much alone. Hoping t venture further with DH along so would like to hear your suggestions)
3. Salton Sea
4. Coachella Valley Preserve (have been before)
5. Aerial Tramway (have not done)
6. Palm Springs Art Museum (have been before)
7. Village Fest (have been before)
8. Tahquitz Canyon (have not been)
9. The Palm Springs Air Museum (have not been)
10. Anza Boreggo State Park (have not been)
11. Living Desert Zoo and Garden (have not been, and I'm unsure about this. I think I read some negative comments on Yelp? Or Trip Advisor? Would love to know your thoughts)
12. Moorten Botanical Gardens (have not been)
13. Sunnyland Center and Gardens (have not been)
14. Big Morongo Canyon Preserve (have not been)

I feel no obligation to go to all of these places. Joshua Tree and Salton See are probably for sure day trips. I figure I'll be back :-)

So, your thoughts/ideas?

I was in Palm Springs in March for a few days and really enjoyed my stay. We ate mostly at our hotel (Hyatt Indian Wells Resort) as DH was at a conference there.

On our 2 days of freedom we hired a car and visited Joshua Tree NP. The Hidden Valley Trail is a circular loop of about a mile and it was quite stunning. Very sunny with no shade in parts as we were there close to mid day.
Loved the rock formations.. I think 1 was called the grand burrito and we named some of the lesser ones along the same lines (little taco, etc).

We managed to spend about 4 or 5 hours in the park and carried picnic lunch.
Plenty to do for a whole day (Cholla Garden was interesting, took about 20 mins).
All the sights/hikes are mentioned on the park map and the ranger was very helpful picking out a few things that would most appeal to us.

Day 2 with car we visited the Coachella Valley Festival which was fun.

Apart from that we mostly lounged around by the pool or pottered around the shops downtown.

Aerial Tramway was on my list but didn't make it this time... will have to go back!

Thank you sassycat. I walked around the Cholla Garden on my own last time, very interesting. Thank you for your input on the Hidden Valley Trail. I always like to hear from people who have actually walked the different trails!

We will defiintely be packing in our lunch and water! I do need to remember to stop at the ranger station and ask questions.

I hope to do some pool lounging myself :-)

I've changed my profile photo to Skull Rock which is just by the roadside in Joshua Tree NP.
Don't know why Fodors has turned the image on it's side though! :/

All the wild flowers were out in March and the park was very pretty. We saw several hummingbirds too.

The ranger station/shop sold water if you don't have enough. I remember thinking it was great that they weren't charging 'Disney' prices ;)

Have a lovely trip!

The Living Desert is a wonderful place.

It used to be that docents operated the tram and gave excellent information about the place. When we were there a few months ago, the tram was just a tram. Workers driving the tram were not helpful. Therefore, take one of the tours.

The Salton Sea amounts to less and less every year, but we love The Anza-Boreggo Desert. I especially enjoy the drive into and out of the desert on Highway S22 and the drive into Palm Desert on Highway 74. In Borrego Springs we like to have lunch at Carlee's Place, which is where the locals go.

If Salton Sea is a must do, drive to Boreggo Springs via Highway 86 and then back to Palm Springs on Highways S22, 79, 371, and 74 into Palm Desert.

HTtY

sassycat, I don't know how Fodors loads those pictures, those are so odd. I vaguely remember passing by the sign for Skull Rock but didn't stop there. My trip was basically a drive through, in early March. Some wildflowers, and I got a straight shot at a Costa's hummingbird, but it sounds like it was more in bloom and busier with the hummingbirds when you were there. I'm not sure what to expect in November, I need to look that up.

HTTY, thanks so much for the information about the Living Desert. That helps.
Thanks also for the tips on Anza Boreggo. Also on the driving.

Salton Sea is just a place that has intrigued me for many years. We also have a friend from Denmark who loves waterbirds and loves going there, and I know this sounds ridiculous, but we feel like he will be very disappointed in us if we don't go! I know that is a silly reason to go.

I'm noting your advice on the drive.

That should say a great shot!

Not straight shot. Darn I wish we could edit our own pots.

Yes, editing pots is always good.

Dang it!

To edit or just proofread your post, hit preview and fix it before hitting submit.

LOL sylvia3, yes, I know. Previewing is the step I don't do, clearly.

We went out to one of the date farms, Oasis, and had date cake etc. we farm, so we drove around some of the date groves. Saw a road runner. Cool.

Thank you MichelleY, I will check into that.

sassycat, HTTY and MichelleY, I thought I might report back.

Sassycat, we had a great day in Joshua Tree. We took the short hike out to Barker Dam, as well as the HIdden Valley trail you went on. We also went up to Keys View which was a pretty fantastic view.

The next day I drove up a Fodorite who happend to be in town for a conference and had the afternoon free. It was pretty much a drive through but we again made stops at the Cholla Garden, Keys View, and stopped and walked up to Skull Rock.

HTTY, the stuff I wanted to see at the Salton Sea was all on the East side and we had a very interesting day doing so, stopping at the recreation area, Bombay Beach, Salvation Mountain, The Slabs, and Dos Palmas on the return. Then we stopped at the International Banana Museum at North Shore!

We took a whole separate day to go to Anza-Borrego and really loved it. One day did not do it justice, by a long shot. I can imagine the drive you suggested would be fantastic and would love to do it another time but the banana musuem and the chocolate banana milkshakes beckoned and we went back the same way we came.

I started a trip report but had trouble with some of the Fodor site glitches so reverted to my blog if you want more details or to see a few pictures.

www.merrirv.blogspot.com

Thank you again for your input!

Great! Always good to hear things went well.
We're heading back out west soon but opted for Death Valley this time. Looking forward to some December sunshine ;)

There is so much to explore in this area!

Someone posted about the flooding in Death Valley (I think).

I will have to explore on another trip out here.

Yes I know about the flooding. It may have been ziggypops thread.
I have the link to the website for updates but currently it looks OK for the roads we intend to use. :)

I do think it was ziggypops!

Have a fab time.