1 Hike the canyons of Palm Springs
Palm Springs is a hiker's paradise, which is evident by
the many hiking trails mapped out in and around its numerous scenic
canyons and gorges. Here the diversity of wildlife is as contrasting as
the breathtaking landscape. From catching a glimpse of the rare and
endangered Bighorn Sheep to watching the clever antics of the smallest
desert creatures, the canyons of Palm Springs are a must see for any
visitor to the area.
Tahquitz Canyon is situated on the Agua Caliente
Reservation and is one of the most beautiful desert attractions to be
found in Palm Springs. Boasting of a spectacular 60-foot waterfall,
rock art, ancient irrigation systems, abundant native wildlife and
plants, a hike through this unique and diverse canyon will not be
forgotten any time soon.
Palm Canyon features fifteen miles of mapped trails that
gives hikers an intimate glimpse of the area's indigenous flora and
fauna situated against a contrasting, rugged landscape of rocky red and
gold gorges and the barren desert lands in the distance. Here you can
hike, explore, picnic and horseback ride against the breathtaking
canyon backdrop.
2 Tour the oases of Palm Springs
A beautiful contrast to the barren desert landscape are
the many lush oases of Palm Springs. Consisting mainly of tall Fan
Palms, the oases offer more than just respite from the extreme desert
temperatures, which descend upon the area daily.
The oases of Palm Springs are intricate ecosystems
boasting of numerous different kinds of plant and animal life including
snakes, rodents, lizards and spiders.
Thousand Palms Oasis is situated on the Coachella Valley
Preserve and straddles the San Andreas Fault line. Consisting of
emerald green undergrowth, soaring Fan Palms and the endangered Valley
Fringe-toed Lizard, the Thousand Palms Oasis is the perfect place to
start your tour of the Oases of Palm Springs.
The Oasis of Mara, formerly known as Twentynine Palms
Oasis, is located in the Joshua Tree National Park. Once revered as an
“Oasis of Fertility” by the natives, this oasis is indeed a fertile
ground for many types of flora, fauna and wildlife.
3 Entertain your whole family in Palm Springs
What once has been known as a Mecca for the retired, the
rich and golf enthusiasts, Palm Springs is beginning to show its inner
child. From museums and amusement parks to miniature golf and arcades,
there is no end to the family-friendly attractions to be found in Palm
Springs.
Located on East Palm Canyon, Camelot Park boasts of
activities and entertainment to keep the whole family occupied for
hours. At the center of this whimsical attraction is a fantastical
castle surrounded by video games, miniature golf, go-carts, bumper
boats and much, much more.
The Living Desert Wildlife and Botanical Park is located
on Portola Avenue, and is full of amazing wildlife and creatures that
will be sure to amuse the adults and children alike.
Featuring species such as coyotes, the endangered
bighorn sheep, cheetahs and meerkats, the Living Desert is a must-see
attraction in the Palm Springs area. The park also boats of a discovery
center where children can watch demonstrations and have hands-on
interactions with small creatures such as snakes, turtles and
tarantulas.
4 Tour Palm Springs by bike
There is no better way to get up close and personal with
an exotic destination like Palm Springs than by leisurely strolling
through the many lush oases and barren landscapes typical of this
desert paradise. But hoofing it through the miles and miles of desert
attractions in and around Palm Springs can take a great deal of time
and energy. That is why it has become very popular to tour Palm Springs
by bike, and there are several mapped bike tours and guides dedicated
to this popular activity.
One of the most popular bike tour agencies in Palm
Springs is Big Wheel Bike Tours. They offer several different courses
which range in difficulty from beginner to Advanced and can vary in
length from a couple of hours to a full day. Many of the courses
meander through breathtaking landscapes and popular tourist
attractions.
5 Palm Springs Casinos
Boasting a handful of casinos all featuring low and
high-stakes gambling, fine dining and other luxurious attractions, Palm
Springs is prepared to take care of all of your gambling wants and
needs. In fact, the only hindrance that you may find when it comes to
Palm Springs casinos is deciding exactly in which casino you want to
place your bets.
No matter what your gaming preference or budget, there
is a gaming facility in Palm Springs to meet your every need. From
high-stakes Poker and slot machines to Bingo and Blackjack among
others, you will find plenty to keep your gambling hand occupied during
your stay in Palm Springs. Some of the many casinos in the area include
the Palm Springs Spa Resort Casino, the Agua Caliente Casino, the
Fantasy Springs Casino and the Trump 29 Spotlight Casino.
6 The Native Americans of Palm Springs
Palm Springs is a desert paradise with sparkling waters,
tree-lined canyons and bubbling hot springs. This rich, desert oasis
has been the site of civilization for thousands of years beginning with
the native inhabitants of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.
For centuries, this band of Native Americans lived off of the bounty to
be had in this unique desert, ecosystem.
The region was ideal for habitation, and the Agua
Caliente took advantage of the resources in the area and survived by
living off of the land. They used multitudes of desert plants for food,
clothes, medicine and hunted game such as deer, bighorn sheep, rabbits
and other small animals. They also used an elaborate irrigation system
to aid in the production of crops that were brought by the Spanish
including corn, squash, beans and melons.
Sadly, in 1862 a small pox epidemic brought about by the
influx of whites into the area almost completely wiped out the Agua
Caliente altogether. In 1925, only 50 Agua Caliente remained. Today,
there are 240. They still hold the majority of the land in the Palm
Springs area and run successful casinos and other tourist attractions
in the area.
7 How Palm Springs was named
The first non-Native American to settle in the Palm
Springs area was Judge John Guthrie McCallum. Arriving in Palm Springs
in 1884 from San Francisco with family in tow, McCallum worked
alongside the Native Americans to build a 19 mile stone-lined ditch
from the Whitewater River Springs to irrigate the dryer parts of the
area.
Continuing throughout the 19th century, numerous
explorers, colonizers and soldiers came through the desert and remarked
on the lush oasis to be found in the Coachella Valley, but no formal
name had been given to the site. Often referred to as Palm Springs,
Agua Caliente or Palm Valley, it wasn't until 1890 when Harry McCallum
wrote his address as Palm Springs that the region came to be known
under those terms.
