2024-25 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA 63
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JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK Spanning 1,240
square miles, this park protects one of the most spectacularly
scenic of desert regions and is named for the peculiarly-shaped
Joshua trees, which grow here in abundance. Fantastical rock
formations draw climbers, and a spiderweb of hiking and
mountain bike trails lace the park. Be sure to call in at the Visitor
Center and Keys View, a lookout with panoramic views over
Coachella Valley, with the San Andreas Fault clearly visible below.
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nps.gov/jotr
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PALM SPRINGS AERIAL TRAMWAY Whisking you to
another world as it revolves through 360 degrees, the tram
climbs two and a half miles to the mountain station at an
elevation of 8,516 feet. Go for the sensational ride, or to escape
the summer heat and hike the pleasantly cool pine forest. In
winter the mountain is usually swathed in snow—perfect for
exploring on cross-country skis or snowshoes. The mountain
station's gourmet restaurant tempts you to linger for a candlelit
dinner overlooking the sparkling lights of the valley far below.
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pstramway.com
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PALM SPRINGS MODERN The city claims one of the
most important concentrations of mid-20
th
-century Modernist
architecture in the world. For a fascinating insight into how
Palm Springs became Modernism's place in the sun, explore
with the Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture & Design
Center. The curated tour will explain the inspiration for such
icons as the Steel Houses, the "House of Tomorrow" and the
Ronchamp-inspired Bank of America building. Plus, you get to
see inside several celebrity homes.
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moderntour.com
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PALM SPRINGS ART MUSEUM Acclaimed as one of
California's top regional art venues, the museum houses a
stunning collection spanning pre-Columbian and Native
American art to works by classic western American masters,
plein air art on a desert theme, and contemporary California
artists. Much of the artwork was donated by local residents, such
as author Sidney Sheldon and actor Kirk Douglas. It occupies a
striking Modernist building with a sunken sculpture garden.
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psmuseum.org
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LIVING DESERT ZOO/GARDENS Despite the sizzling
heat and lack of water, wildlife abounds in the desert. Most
desert denizens hide by day, especially in summer. To see them,
head to Living Desert Zoo & Park, which displays fauna from
arid environments around the world. Local critters include
desert tortoise, mountain lion and desert bighorn sheep, while
exotic wildlife include oryx, giraffes and Mexican wolves. More
than four miles of interpretive trails weave through the
surrounding wilderness.
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livingdesert.org
PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Jan. 4-14,
Palm Springs psfilmfest.org
THE AMERICAN EXPRESS GOLF TOURNAMENT Jan. 15-21, PGA West,
La Quinta theamexgolf.com
MODERNISM WEEK Feb. 15-25, Greater Palm Springs modernismweek.com
RIVERSIDE COUNTY FAIR AND NATIONAL DATE FESTIVAL Feb 16-25,
Indio datefest.org
LA QUINTA ART CELEBRATION Feb. 29-March 3, La Quinta
laquintaartcelebration.org
BNP PARIBAS OPEN March 3-17, Indian Wells bnpparibasopen.com
FASHION WEEK March 15-21, Palm Desert fashionweekelpaseo.com
WHITE PARTY GLOBAL March 29-31, Palm Springs whitepartyglobal.com
COACHELLA VALLEY MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL April 12-14, 19-21,
Indio coachella.com
STAGECOACH COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL April 26-28, Indio
stagecoachfestival.com
JOSHUA TREE MUSIC FESTIVAL May 16-19, Joshua Tree
joshuatreemusicfestival.com
BORREGO DAYS DESERT FESTIVAL Oct. 19-20, Borrego Springs
borregodays.com
GREATER PALM SPRINGS PRIDE Nov. 3-5, Palm Springs pspride.org
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS PARADE Dec. 7, Palm Springs psfestivaloflights.com
IRONMAN 70.3 INDIAN WELLS-LA QUINTA Dec. 8, La Quinta
ironman.com/im703-indian-wells
PALM DESERT, Coachella Valley, opposite.
Sports and Active Adventures
You might be forgiven for thinking that a desert offers little to do and that
it's just too darn hot to do it in any event. Wrong on both counts! The
region is replete with exciting recreational activities.
There's no more quintessential image of the Palm Springs region than an
emerald greensward studded by palms and framed by boulder-strewn moun-
tains gloriously snowcapped in winter. In fact, the Coachella Valley has
earned the distinction of "Winter Golf Capital of the World," with more golf
courses than you can shake a 4-iron at. Millions of visitors come annually to
play golf on more than 110 courses. Almost as many arrive to explore the palm
groves, alpine summits or spectacular desert landscapes of Anza-Borrego
Desert State Park and Joshua Tree National Park, where boulder formations
prove an exciting challenge for climbers.
MUST
DO
SEE,
SPECIAL EVENTS 2024
