Places to go Things to do
1st SATURDAY OF DECEMBER. 5:45PM
Palm Springs lighted Christmas Parade downtown on Palm Canyon Dr.
WIND FARM TOURS
Reservations (760) 320-1365. 19125 N. 19th (Corner of N. Indian and 19th, north of I-10). Senior and group discounts. Wed. thru Sat. $23 for seniors.
PALM SPRINGS TRAM (760) 325-1391
Take Tramway Rd., Palm Springs. The Tram takes you from the Desert to a beautiful alpine forest in just 15 minutes giving breathtaking views. You may purchase a tram only ticket or a tram/meal and dine in the Alpine Restaurant. Take a sweater- tempratures can be 30 degrees cooler up there. Take walking shoes for a trail walk. The Pacific Crest Trail crosses up there.
PALM SPRINGS STREET FAIR
Each Thursday from 6-9:00 p.m. downtown on Palm Canyon Drive. There are crafts, food, baked goods, fresh produce, and entertainment.
THE LIVING DESERT (760) 346-5694
47-900 Portola Ave., Palm Desert. 1200 acres of rare and exotic wildlife, scenic wilderness, animal shows, huge outdoor model train display with an unbelievable trestle, botanical gardens,
and Indian culture. Don’t miss the December evening creative lights.
PALM SPRINGS DESERT MUSEUM
(760) 325-7186.
101 Museum Drive, down town Palm Springs 1 blk. West of Palm Canyon Dr. Art exhibits, sculpture gardens, nature exhibits,
special monthly exhibits. Also check events at their Annenberg Theatre. Call for a variety of available
guide field trips. Open daily except Monday. Each Thurs. from noon to 8:00 p.m.
the museum is free.
PALM SPRINGS INDIAN CANYONS
Tahquitz Canyon Visitor’s Center
(760) 323-6018 S. Palm Canyon Dr. in Palm Springs. Indian Canyons are known for their beautiful scenery. Hiking, picnicking. Call for entrance rate.
PALM SPRINGS FOLLIES (760) 327-0225
128 S. Palm Canyon Dr. in Palm Springs. Music and dance of the 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s. Featuring vaudeville performers over the age of 50.
PALM SPRINGS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (760) 325-1577.
For event information. For tickets to the USMC annual early Dec. band concert, call the Recreation Dept. at (760) 323-8272 You must pick up your free ticket by mid November.
PALM SPRINGS TOURISM OFFICE (Visitor’s Center) (760) 778 8418
COD - COLLEGE OF THE DESERT SWAP MEET
43-500 Monterey, Palm Desert (south of COSTCO 2-3 miles). A large street fair on the college campus. Sat. and Sun. 7:00-2:00. Free entrance and parking.
JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK.
(760) 367-5500. East of Desert Hot Springs on either I-10 or via Yucca. A beautiful day’s journey, picnic areas (and 9 campgrounds), lookout to the Coachella Valley and Salton Sea on clear days. Short and not very strenuous hikes. Wild flowers usually out first of April.
OAK GLEN (North of Beaumont).
Apple orchards and cider press in the fall. Early fall raspberries are available. Picturesque area.
PAINTED GORGE HIKE
Somewhat strenuous, but wonderful hike up Ladder Canyon and the earthquake fault. Near Mecca. Get instructions (print out) from the Activities Office before going. Take water. Cell phones don’t work in that area.
COACHELLA VALLEY PRESERVE (760) 343-2733
Drive east on Dillon Rd. a few miles beyond Sky Valley resort, turn right on Thousand Palms Canyon Rd. and drive about 2 miles. Small museum, many old huge 100 yr. old palms, hiking trail along oasis stream and pond. Picnic area. Donations accepted. A bird watching class can be arranged. Plan to spend 1-3 hours in this wonderful preserve. Open 8-4:00, 11-3:00 Sundays.
MCCALLUM THEATER FOR PERFORMING ARTS (760) 340-2787
73000 Fred Waring Dr. Palm Desert.
PALM SPRINGS AIR MUSEUM
10:00-5:00
(760) 778-6262. 745 N. Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs. Fine collection of WWII planes and many others.
CABOT’S OLD INDIAN PUEBLEO
9:00-4:00
(760) 329-7610. 67616 Desert View Ave Desert Hot Springs. Museum, art gallery, trading post. Call for tour information in the very interesting pueblo home.
BIG LEAGUE DREAMS SPORTS PARK
6:00-11:00 pm
(760) 324-5600. 33370 Date Palm Dr. at Dinah Shore. Cathedral City. Weekend softball tournaments; special events held all year. $3 a game.
GUBLER ORCHID GROWERS
800-482-5377 or (760) 364-2282. 2200 Belfield Blvd. Landers, CA. Take Hwy 62 to Yucca Valley. Take Hwy 247 N. 10 miles, turn right on Reche Rd. for 2 miles, left on Belfield Blvd. for 1 mile. Wear tennis shoes (they won’t let you in with sandals). Open Mon-Sat. 10-3:30. No charge. Orchids are available for purchase. This is one of the largest orchid growers in the U.S.