Desert life (Palm Springs)

Member Name: poppy29

Product:	Palm Springs
Date:	08/02/01 (47 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good weather, lots to see

Disadvantages: Can get very hot

Driving from Phoenix to Palm Springs was an education: there's nothing in between the two places apart from a few small towns and a lot of desert.

Palm Springs and the associated resort of Indian Wells is a brilliant place to spend a few days if you want to get away from the big cities close by (like Phoenix, LA or San Diego). It's a cosmopolitan, chic resort, with a high percentage of older retirees - but despite the less-than-thrilling nightlife, it's worth checking out.

We stayed at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort in Indian Wells - a beautiful hotel with three pools, two golf courses and a spa/gym. It's also perfectly positioned for shopping on Palm Canyon Drive - the equivalent of Rodeo Drive.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway was one of the highlights of our visit - and the ideal way to cool off away from the heat of the desert (80degrees in October). A 9,000 foot ascent to the top of Mt San Jacinto lets you visit the top of a mountain - and get terrific views over the desert below.

The Living Desert zoo is also a great place - it's not a zoo in the traditional sense of the word, but more like a desert safari park. My fave animals were the meercats and it was lovely to walk along the desert floor, seeing cacti and other rare plants.

The College of the Desert also has a wonderful craft/flea/antique market during the weekend - perfect to wander through when you're tired of living the high life!!

We spent a wonderful three days here and I would recommend a trip to Palm Springs to anyone.

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