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Greater Palm Springs stands as a refined desert oasis, where natural beauty meets exhilarating adventure.
Horesback Ride, Credit- Visit Greater Palm Springs
Bathed in 300 days of sun, Greater Palm Springs stands as a refined desert oasis, where natural beauty meets exhilarating adventure. Scale world-renowned boulders in Joshua Tree National Park, hike the palm-fringed serenity of Andreas Canyon Trail, ride horseback through the sweeping vistas of Morongo Valley, or take the wheel for off-road thrills in Ocotillo Wells. From curated ATV desert excursions to stargazing beneath pristine skies, every experience is framed by exceptional weather and iconic landscapes. For the discerning traveller, this is the great outdoors but elevated.
Hiking
Greater Palm Springs offers more than 100 hiking trails for hikers of all levels and age groups. The casual, two-mile hike amid Palm Springs’ historic Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians tribal grounds counts among the most unique in the region. Part of the Indian Canyons’ 60 miles of hiking trails, Andreas Canyon Trail’s adjoining stream gives rise to bountiful vegetation, which starkly contrasts the texture of the canyon’s rocky routing. Just six miles from Old Town La Quinta, the 710-acre park at the foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains offers a great outdoors family day with its easily-accessible hikes, coupled with a host of recreational selections ranging from shore fishing to horseback riding.
Rock Climbing and Bouldering
Greater Palm Springs boasts thousands of rock climbing and bouldering routes, which offer breathtaking views of the desert landscape. Just outside Greater Palm Springs lies an otherworldly park featuring striking rock formations and twisted tree trunks sculpted by wind, water, and the dry heat of the high desert. Joshua Tree National Park, a 1,250-square-mile expanse of wilderness, provides plenty of opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, and camping, not to mention some of the best stargazing you will ever see.
Horseback-Riding and Polo
From horseback riding in Palm Springs to polo matches at Indio’s famed polo clubs, this oasis offers plenty of ways to enjoy equestrian sports. In fact, the first mayor of Palm Springs, Frank Bogert, arrived in Greater Palm Springs in 1927 on horseback. Today, you can follow in his four-legged footsteps for a close-up view of the natural beauty of the oasis. Guided horseback rides depart daily from the historic Smoke Tree Stables in Palm Springs and lead you across gentle mountain streams to cool, palm tree oases in the Indian Canyons. Crazy
Horse Ranch and Coyote Ridge Stable both channel the wind-swept romance of old westerns with moonlit horseback-riding excursions through Morongo Valley (a perfect date night!) and adventurous daytime trails through mountain terrain. If you would rather watch than ride, the Eldorado Polo Club hosts weekly polo matches on select Sundays from January to April. Pack a picnic lunch and pop a little bubbly while watching the ponies and their players race up and down the fields from the sidelines.
ATV and Off-Road Rentals
ATV and off-road excursions are the perfect way to explore the farthest reaches of Greater Palm Springs. Whether you are a seasoned driver or a newbie to the world of off-roading, you will discover something new, and maybe even bizarre, around every dune and narrow canyon. A favourite spot to hit the dirt trails is Ocotillo Wells State Vehicle Recreation Area, home to 85,000 acres of action-packed terrain. The geology here is otherworldly thanks to millennia of tectonic plates moving deep beneath the surface. Here you can see a 200-foot-tall decomposing mountain, fossilised oyster shells buried into an ancient reef, large gas bubbles rising out of the desert floor, and an oasis fed by natural underground springs. Some places even offer private obstacle courses and practice areas. Bring the whole family and spend the day cruising the sand.
Motorbike Rentals
From giant windmills to architectural gems, sightseeing in Greater Palm Springs is always full of wonder, and there is no better way to explore the destination’s inspiring arts and culture, unique culinary scene, and natural beauty than on a rented motorbike. Whether you rent one for a few hours or ride the whole day, book a guided tour, or venture out on your own. Soak in the sunshine and enjoy the fresh air while cruising down palm-tree lined streets and past colourful front doors. Refuel with a quick stop at one of several Greater Palm Springs restaurants known for locally grown, farm-fresh fare. Then travel back in time on a ride through the historic, mid-century modern neighbourhoods of Palm Springs, where many a Hollywood starlet has stayed, and see for yourself why this oasis is known for its perfect blend of modern taste and vintage charm.
Our life needs a bit of style to get the perfect zing in the daily routine. News18 Lifestyle is one-stop destination for everything you need to know about the world of fashion, food, health, travel, relationshi…Read More
Our life needs a bit of style to get the perfect zing in the daily routine. News18 Lifestyle is one-stop destination for everything you need to know about the world of fashion, food, health, travel, relationshi… Read More
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