Outdoor Adventures
Hiking
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park is about a 45 minute drive and offers both excellent hiking and world-class rock climbing. The nearly 800,000 acre park encompasses some of the most interesting geologic displays found in California’s deserts. Arroyos, playas, alluvial fans, bajadas, pediments, desert varnish, granites, aplite, and gneiss interact to form a giant desert mosaic of immense beauty and complexity. 74485 National Monument Drive, Twenty Nine Palms, CA 92277. For more information call (760) 367-5500.
Adventure Hummer Tours
Adventure Hummer Tours offers a unique experience on a variety of exciting open air H1 Hummers as well as luxury H2 Hummers. Enjoy breathtaking tours of Joshua Tree National Park, the Salton Sea and the Canyons of the San Andreas Fault. Tours run daily and can be booked online at www.adventurehummer.com.
Desert Safari/Trail Discovery
Be amazed on eco-tours and guided hikes of Indian Canyon, Joshua Tree and the mountains beyond the Tram. Two hours to full day. Full-moon night expeditions. Runners welcome. For more informatio call (760) 325-HIKE (4453), (888) 324-HIKE or www.desertsafari.com
Want to know more about hiking in Palm Springs?
In a special to The Globe and Mail, Lisa Fitterman trades spa slippers for hiking boots and goes Off the beaten path in Palm Springs to explore the area’s cactus-spiked trails.
Palm Springs Tram
- For Restaurant Reservations Call: (760) 327-1590
- Tram Information and Tickets: (888) 515-TRAM.
Tennis
Palm Springs Tennis Club
Located conveniently just around the corner, in our historic “Tennis Club” neighborhood, as a guest at a neighboring historic hotel, you can reserve court time here for $25 a day, based on availability. Take a break for lunch at Spencer’s outdoor courtyard, with a view of the courts!
- Lessons available: $60 Hour or $35 for a half-hour
- For court reservations call: (760) 325-1441
Plaza Racquet Club
Conveniently located near downtown (a 10 minute bike ride from the hotel), with nine outdoor lit courts, incredible views and a mid-century modern club lounge. Private lessons, group clinics and game arranging for single or double players, from beginner to tournament players welcome. Ball Machine & Rental equipment available. Located at 1300 Baristo Road, Palm Springs.
- Court Fee: Day: $12 per court/Hr, Night: $15 per court/Hr
- For Reservations call: (760) 323-8997
- Kurt Haggstrom, Tennis Director
Bicycling
The Orbit In
The Orbit In provides cruiser-style bikes, along with helmets and locks for each bike, that can be checked out with our concierge. These three-speed wonders are great for pedaling around town and taking in the surrounding neighborhood’s modern architectural scenery.
Big Horn Bicycle Adventures
If guests desire mountain bikes for longer and more strenuous rides, we recommend this local mountain bike shop that can help you with rental equipment, mountain biking locations and a variety of mountain bike adventures to choose from. Located at 302 N. Palm Canyon Drive. For more information call (760) 325-3367.
Gardens and Wildlife
Moorten Botanical Gardens
Internationally famous living museum with nature trails, 3,000 varieties of cacti, succulents and flowers. Located at 1701 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. For more information call 760-327-6555.
- Adults $2.50, Children $1
- Open 9 am – 4:40 pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm Sunday
The Living Desert Gardens and Zoo
Stroll, hike, dine and shop amid 1200 acres of scenic trails and exhibits. See beautiful botanical gardens, native and exotic desert wildlife, and learn all about the desert of the world.
- 47-900 Portola Avenue, Palm Desert, CA 92260
- (760) 346-5694
Golf Palm Springs
Indian Canyons Golf Resort
Golf 2-18 Hole Championship Courses.
- Located at 1097 E. Murray Canyon Drive, Palm Springs CA
- (760) 327-6550
Website: www.IndianCanyonsGolf.com
Mesquite Golf and Country Club
Golf 18 holes.
- Located at 2700 E. Mesquite Avenue, Palm Springs CA
- (760) 323-9377
Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort
Golf 36 holes.
- Located at 1885 Golf Club Drive, Palm Springs CA
- (760) 328-1005
Escena Golf Club
- 1100 Clubhouse View Drive Palm Springs CA 92262
- 760-778-2737