Palm Springs City Guide 2013 / 2014 2013 / 2014 | Page 50

WHAT TO DO? WHAT TO DO? For many residents and visitors to Palm Springs, just breathing the air and staring at the stunning mountains are enough to remove the tension from their busy Indian Canyon lives. Some will sit by the pool sipping Margaritas to unwind. But once newcomers experience the energy field that surrounds this area, they want to learn more about it, and the best place to start is the Indian Canyons that are accessed at the southern end of Palm Canyon Drive. The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians settled in this area centuries ago and the canyons are on their tribal land, which is unsullied and perfect for hiking. The beautiful Palm Canyon is 15 miles long, and there’s a paved foot path winding down to a stream. Tahquitz Canyon, which has an entry fee of $12.50 for adults and $6.00 for kids, has a magnificent 60 foot waterfall, rock art, ancient irrigation systems and artifacts, and self-guided hikes or Ranger-led hikes are available. Scenic Andreas Canyon contains more than 150 species of plants within a half-mile radius. Murray Canyon is an easy hike south from Andreas Canyon and hikers often see groups of endangered Peninsular Big Horn Sheep and other critters. indian-canyons.com Equally adventuresome folks might prefer to go to the top of Mt. San Jacinto in the world’s largest rotating Aerial Tram that takes you up almost Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to the top via Chino Canyon in 10 minutes. The mountain, 10,834 feet (3,302 m) high, is one of the most topographically prominent peaks in the U.S., and a hiking paradise. Once you’re up there, along with the spectacular views you’ll find a natural history museum, Peaks Restaurant, Pines Café, and a gift shop along with the hiking trails. pstramway.com If high-altitude exploration doesn’t interest you, you’ll get a different perspective of our desert at the Moorten Botanical Garden, a living museum of desert lore that was established in 1938 by Chester “Cactus Slim” Moorten and his wife, Patricia. Now their son Clark is in charge. It’s a collection of more than 3,000 varieties of plants designed in concentrated habitats along a natural trail. You can tour the garden, learn about desert plants and animals, and purchase nursery-grown plants for your own garden. In addition to desert plants, you’ll see glistening crystals, colorful rocks, ancient fossils, and pioneer and gold-mine. moortengarden.com Southern California and the Coachella Valley are known for their agricultural bounty, and Palm Springs has a fabulous Certified Farmers Market, seasonally every Saturday from 8 am to 12:30 pm. It’s adjacent to the Camelot Theatres at 2300 E. Baristo, and the people watching is as nourishing as all of those fresh-picked organic fruits and vegetables. Many of the restaurant chefs in Palm Springs use local Farmers Market products exclusively, which is the best seal of approval around. If you’re looking for cultural inspiration, you don’t want to miss the Palm Springs Art Museum. It was founded in 1938 as the Palm Springs Desert Museum, focusing on Native American artifacts, the natural sciences, and the environment of the Coachella Valley. In 2005, after considerable research, the museum changed its name to reflect its new emphasis on the visual and performing arts. It has 28 galleries, two sculpture gardens, four classrooms/resource centers, an artists’ center, five storage vaults, a 85-seat lecture hall, a 433-seat theater, a 1,000 square-foot store, and a locally popular café. Its art collection includes works from Marc Chagall, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Donald Judd, Louise Bourgeois, Alexander Calder, Henry Moore, Robert Rauschenberg, Antony Gormley and Ansel Adams. psmuseum.org The Palm Springs Air Museum delivers more history than you can fully absorb in one visit. Filled with one of the world’s largest collecThe Palm Springs Air Museum tions of flyable World War II airplanes, and using docents who are WWII veterans, the museum delivers history in a thoughtful way. They even let you touch the planes! Active Duty Military & Families are admitted Free. palmspringsairmuseum.org Home of Palm Springs Gold Crushed Rock • Building Stone • Landscape Boulders Boulder Placement • Natural Thin Veneer • Landscape Materials Masonry Supplies • Xeripave Pervious Pavers • Fireplaces • BBQ's Gas Log Sets • Pizza Ovens • Fountains • Statuary • Pottery, Etc. 48 whitewater-rock.com 760.325.2747 Toll-Free 1.800.266.2747 Fax 760.327.5495 58645 Old Hwy 60 • Whitewater, CA 92282 Interstate 10 • Whitewater Off Ramp Open to the Public: Mon–Fri 7–4:30 and Sat 7–3 If you want some light exercise to burn a few calories, spend some time strolling through the Palm Springs Walk of Stars. It was founded in 1992 and honors individuals in the categories of Show Business, Literary, Pioneers/Civic, Humanitarian, Sports, and Military fields with a Golden Palm Earle Strebe sells 1st ticket at Star embedded on Plaza Theatre to Annette 1936 the sidewalks of Palm Springs. Honorees must have, by their presence in the area, contributed to the charm, worldwide prominence and name recognition of Greater Palm Springs. The first stars were awarded to Earle C. Strebe, William Powell, Ruby Keeler, Charlie Farrell and Ralph Bellamy. Simply walk up and down Palm Canyon Drive, Tahquitz Canyon Way, La Plaza Court and Museum Drive to read all of the names. palmspringswalkofstars.com If you enjoyed exploring the Walk of Stars, you may want to see how many sculptures you can find that are depicting famous celebriFrank Bogert sculpture ties, politicians and pioneers associated with Palm Springs. One of the first sculptures you’re likely to come across is that of former Palm Springs Mayor, Sonny Bono. He’s Gene Autry sculpture sitting on the edge of the fountain on Palm Canyon Drive in front of the Mercado Plaza. Others include Lucille Ball, sitting on a bench on Tahquitz Canyon Way, former Mayor Frank Bogert on his horse in front of City Hall and the singing cowboy, Gene Autry, looking toward Palm Springs International Airport from the corner of Ramon Road and Gene Autry Trail. Many of these installations are the result of the efforts of the Public Arts Commission. The Commission’s purpose is to implement a visual Public Arts Program for the residents and visitors of Palm Springs; to add to the economic viability of the community; and to enhance the environment and unique character of Palm Springs by providing for the acquisition and maintenance of quality works of art. The art is not limited to famous people. Many wonderful works can be found throughout the city, and new installations are included with most new development and remodel projects.