Sure, the posh resorts in Palm Springs are unrivaled, but sometimes that poolside mojito is sweeter after a good hike or bike ride. Get in touch with the city’s active side by exploring the desert’s rugged charms.
Desert Detox
Walk through the native palm groves of Murray Canyon, one of the four Indian Canyons, and you'll see why Palm Springs is famous for being a place of spiritual rejuvenation. This 4-mile (round-trip) out-and-back hike begins in a sandy desert before delving into a lush canyon (the traverse is on land once inhabited by ancestors of the Agua Caliente Cahuilla Indians). The path hugs a tree-lined stream that doesn’t skimp on mini-waterfalls and cold, refreshing pools. Keep a lookout for bighorn sheep, occasionally spotted in the area. A gradual uphill grade leads to three-tiered Seven Sisters, a series of stone pools connected by small cascades. (You’ll need to scramble up some large boulders to get an up-close look at this oasis.) On the return leg, soak up the shade furnished by the nearly one thousand palm trees growing here before re-entering the bright and sunny desert.
HIGH ON YOUR HORSE: Take in the area’s scenery from a whole new vantage point, on horseback! The friendly guides at nearby Smoke Tree Stables lead the way through deserts and canyons, spotting awkward roadrunners, jackrabbits, and shiny Phainopepla birds that look like bluish-black cardinals. On a two-hour ride you’ll see the fan palms of Andreas Canyon, next door to Murray.
Directions to the trailhead: Drive south on Palm Canyon Dr. and take the right fork for S. Palm Canyon Dr. Go 2.8 miles, and then turn right at the sign for the Indian Canyons. The Murray Canyon trailhead is located in Andreas Canyon, 1 mile beyond the entrance booth. Admission is $9. No dogs. Smoke Tree Stables is at 2500 Toledo Ave., (760) 327-1372. One-hour desert rides begin at $50/person; a two-hour canyon ride is $100/person.
Activity: Hike ,Relax
Region: Points Beyond
Above and Beyond
Wanna take your hiking to a higher level, pronto? From an elevation of 2,643 feet to 8,615 feet, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway whisks high-altitude explorers from desert to alpine wilderness in 10 minutes. The windowed, revolving tramcar smoothly cruises up to Mount San Jacinto State Park, getting up-close-and-personal with Chino Canyon’s jagged cliffs. The temperature drops 30 degrees by the top, and palm trees are a thing of the past. Soaring Jeffrey pines and colossal granite boulders mark the landscape here. Crunch across pine needles on the 1.5-mile Desert View Trail loop that opens up to five viewpoints called notches. Coachella Valley spreads like a quilt below, punctuated by the sharp mountain ranges of the Coachella Valley Preserve and Joshua Tree National Park. Go at sunset and find a boulder perch to watch the valley get doused in soft yellows and pinks. Tramtastic.
BONUS: For an extra dose of mountain air, hike to Round Valley, a tree-lined alpine meadow about 2 miles from Mountain Station (aka the top of the tram) making it a 4-mile out-and-back journey. When you return to Mountain Station, savor a cocktail at the Lookout Lounge, where Palm Springs’ city lights sparkle at night.
From I-10, exit at Highway 111 toward Palm Springs. Drive 9 miles south on Highway 111 to Tramway Rd., then turn right and drive 3.8 miles to the parking area. At the top of the tram, take the concrete path downhill and then turn left, following signs for Desert View Trail. For Round Valley Trail, continue straight to the Long Valley Ranger Station to purchase a $5 permit before continuing on the trail. The tram costs $24. No dogs.
Activity: Hike ,Relax
Region: Points Beyond
Palm Springs Smoothie
Cruise up to Palm Springs’ popular downtown spots on two-wheels. The city’s flat, well-maintained roads make for short and sweet bike rides, including a 3-mile loop that bypasses the traffic. (See bike rental information below.) At Palm Canyon and Tahquitz Canyon Way, snap down the kickstand to gawk at the 26-foot-tall sculpture of Marilyn Monroe, whose white dress is forever billowing. Just one street over is the Palm Springs Art Museum. (On exhibit until April 6 is “Secrets of the Sun: Stephen H. Willard Photographs of the West.”) At the midpoint, take a short detour off the loop to refuel at Lulu (200 S. Palm Canyon Dr.), a new open-air California bistro with a 12-hour happy hour (that’s not a typo!). The end of the ride comes quickly, but for those who want to keep going, Tahquitz Bikeway offers additional miles. Soaring parallel palm trees line this road (pictured) in iconic Palm Springs style.
STAY: Inspired by the colors of the flowers that grow in the local desert, The Saguaro (1800 E. Palm Canyon Dr.) is saturated in off-the-wall color: pinks, greens, blues, purples. The vibe here is as bold and fun as the hues. The Saguaro loans out cruiser bikes for free and offers complimentary yoga every morning. But best of all is the poolside bar.
Check out a map of the Downtown Palm Springs Bike Loop. Tahquitz Bikeway begins at the Palm Springs Art Museum and extends east for 3.5 miles. Bike Palm Springs (194 S. Indian Canyon Dr.) offers an array of bike rental options, from mountain bikes to cruisers to tandems. A standard bike costs $20/half-day or $25/full day. The Saguaro is dog friendly!
Activity: Bike ,Overnights ,Dog-friendly
Region: Points Beyond
Snow or No, Yosemite's a Go!
Does this weather have you perplexed about winter adventures? Yosemite’s warmer-than-usual weather comes with a big advantage: Many of the hiking and biking trails are open, without the massive summer crowds! Now’s the time to see Mirror Lake’s crisp reflection of Half Dome—a seasonal wonder whose magic-mirror powers exist only in winter and spring. And right under the shadow of Half Dome is the awesome outdoor Ice Skating Rink at Curry Village. Après-skate, head to the five-star Ahwahnee Hotel and enjoy a warming beverage on the fireside couch in the Great Lounge (the hotel is also currently hosting its annual Chefs' Holiday series). This warmer weather means that even bike rentals are rolling right now. Pedal an easy 10-mile loop in the Valley that takes in all of Yosemite's icons for a unique winter exploration on wheels. And if it happens to snow, strap on the snowshoes or cross-country skis and explore. Yosemite’s Glacier Point Ski Hut—famous for one of the grandest views in the world—can be accessed via a beginner-friendly ski trail or a more strenuous hike-in option on the rarely-open-in-winter-but-open-now Four Mile Trail. Snow or no snow, Yosemite is wintertime-go!
YOSEMITE'S BEST LODGING DEALS: Find awesome winter rates and packages at quaint bed and breakfast inns, rustic resorts and cabins, and vacation rentals, as well as at traditional hotels and motels. For ski- or hike-in Glacier Point Hut reservations, call (209) 372-8444.