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.