7 things to do and learn on your Palm Springs Vacation
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.