Itineraries: Palm Springs and the Desert

The Palm Springs area is paradise for many. Most go for more than a good tan or to play golf on championship courses. Expect fabulous and funky spas, a dog-friendly atmosphere, and sparkling stars at night.

Day 1: Palm Springs

(Just over 2 hours by car from LAX, without traffic.)

Somehow in harmony with the harsh environment, mid-century-modern homes and businesses with clean, low-slung lines define the Palm Springs style. Although the desert cities comprise a trendy destination with beautiful hotels, fabulous multicultural food, abundant nightlife, and plenty of culture, a quiet atmosphere prevails. The city seems far away when you hike in hushed Tahquitz or Indian Canyon; cliffs and palm trees shelter rock art, irrigation works, and other remnants of Agua Caliente culture. If your boots aren't made for walking, you can always practice your golf game or indulge in some sublime or funky spa treatments at an area resort instead. Embrace the Palm Springs vibe and park yourself at the retro Orbit In Hotel or the legendary Parker Palm Springs. Alternatively, base yourself at the desert oasis, La Quinta Resort, about 40 minutes outside of downtown Palm Springs.

Day 2: Explore Palm Springs

(The Aerial Tram is 15 minutes by car from central Palm Springs. Plan at least a half-day for the excursion.)

If riding a tram up an 8,516-foot mountain for a stroll or even a snowball fight above the desert sounds like fun to you, then show up at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway before the first morning tram leaves (later, the line can get discouragingly long). Afterward stroll through the Palm Springs Art Museum where you can see a shimmering display of contemporary studio glass, an array of enormous Native American baskets, and significant works of 20th-century sculpture by Henry Moore and others. After all that walking you may be ready for an early dinner. Nearly every restaurant in Palm Springs offers a happy hour, when you can sip a cocktail and nosh on a light entrée, usually for half price. Using your hotel as a base, take a few day-trips to discover the natural beauty of the desert.

Day 3: Joshua Tree National Park

(1 hour by car from Palm Springs.)

Due to its proximity to Los Angeles and the highway between Las Vegas and coastal cities, Joshua Tree is one of the most popular and accessible of the national parks. You can see most of it in a day, entering the park at the town of Joshua Tree, exploring sites along Park Boulevard, and exiting at Twentynine Palms. With its signature trees, piles of rocks, glorious spring wildflowers, starlit skies, and colorful pioneer history, the experience is a bit more like the Wild West than Sahara sand dunes.

Day 4: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and the Salton Sea

(About 2 hours by car from Palm Springs.)

The Salton Sea, about 60 miles south of Palm Springs via I–10 and Highway 86S, is one of the largest inland seas on earth. A new sea, formed by the flooding of the Colorado River in 1905, it attracts thousands of migrating birds and bird-watchers every fall. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is the largest state park in California, with 600,000 acres of mostly untouched wilderness; it offers one of the best spring-wildflower displays in California and also displays a large collection of life-size bronze sculpture of animals that roamed this space millions of years ago. Borrego Springs, a tiny hamlet, lies in the center of it all. The desert is home to an archeological site, where scientists continue to uncover remnants of prehistoric animals ranging from mastodons to horses.

Day 5: Return to L.A.

(LAX is just over 2 hours by car from Palm Springs without traffic, but the drive often takes significantly more time. Allow plenty of extra time if catching a flight.)

If you intend to depart from LAX, plan for a full day of driving from the desert to the airport. Be prepared for heavy traffic at any time of day or night. If possible, opt to fly out of Palm Springs International or LA/Ontario International Airport instead.