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Fabulous winter weather spells nirvana for hikers, rock-climbers, cyclists and other outdoorsy folk. Incising the slopes of the San Jacinto Mountains, the three Indian Canyons tempt hikers with 30 miles of trails and picnic sites. Fed by natural springs, stands of desert fan palms crowd the canyon floors, providing sheltering oases for kit fox, bighorn sheep and coyotes. Ancient petro- glyphs can be seen while hiking Andreas Canyon and Tahquitz Canyon, with its spec- tacular 60-foot-tall waterfall. Cultural Connections Culture vultures delight to find the desert is far from dry. The Native American Agua Caliente occupied the Palm Springs region long before Europeans arrived. A new cul- tural attraction, the Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza, is expected to open sometime this year. It is comprised of a museum, gathering plaza, lush gardens, and an immersive walking trail as well as The Spa at Séc-he, restoring under- ground access to the Agua Caliente Hot Mineral Springs. History buffs also delight in the Palm Springs Air Museum, replete with World War II-era warplanes from a P-51 Mus- tang to a B-17 Flying Fortress. The monied elite that pours into Palm Springs for the winter is a huge patron of the arts. Hollywood star and long-time resident Kirk Douglas was a major donor to the Palm Springs Art Museum, one of California's top regional art venues. Its plein air, Mesoamerican and con- temporary glass collections are outstanding. Down valley, more than 150 unique works of art decorate the streets of Palm Desert, grouped for four self-guided tours. Colorful murals grace historic downtown Indio, painting a big picture of the city's past. And visitors can explore the vast Sun- nylands Estate in Rancho Mirage, where billionaires Walter and Leonore Annenberg hosted President Richard Nixon after he resigned in 1974, and President Ronald Reagan on a score of New Year's Eves. Festivals to Casinos Palm Springs has festivals to please every taste. The season kicks off in January with the Palm Springs International Film Fes- tival, when Hollywood's finest hit town. In March, the world-class Indian Wells Tennis Garden fills to overflowing for the annual BNP Paribas Open. And in April, be there or be square for the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, hosted in the warm open air of neighboring Indio. Over 150 star performers rock, which is sure to be one hot ticket. Higher culture? Palm Desert's McCallum Theater resounds to laughter and cheers of delight with a lineup that can range from Itzhak Perlman to Rosanne Cash and jazz trumpeter Chris Botti. Since the valley's Cahuilla Indian terri- tory is a sovereign nation, it's exempt from California's state ban on gambling. Try your hand with Lady Luck at any of half a dozen casinos. And shopaholics are in for a treat; Art galleries, haute couturiers and boutique stores specializing in retro modernist décor offer a dash of retail therapy between your spa treatments. Natural Wonders Brimming with the glories of nature, the desert is a paradise for anyone who appre- ciates stupendous landscapes. The scenery is far more diverse than you might imagine, 64 2024-25 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA SOCIAL CYCLE—a 16-passenger, pedal-powered cycle steered by a pro- fessional guide—lets you tour Palm Springs while partying and without fear of losing your license. It plies a route through downtown with stops at a selection of top bars and restaurants. You can hop on a public tour or reserve it for you and a group of friends. Two- hour tours depart Friday-Sunday; departure times vary by day. socialcycleca.com MELVIN SANDELIN/SHUTTERSTOCK ; SCALIA MEDIA/SHUTTERSTOCK . OPPOSITE: R OSAMAR/SHUTTERSTOCK ; JMIGUEL NORIEGA/CREATIVE COMMONS/FLICKR JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK, top; wild coyotes, Death Valley National Park, above; vintage car show during Modernism Week in Palm Springs, opposite upper; metal sculptures of prehistoric grasshopper and scorpion at Anza-Borrego Desert SP, opposite lower. INSIDER'S TIP