Palm Springs, California, Family Vacation

Long the playground for Hollywood celebrities, the Palm Springs area holds infinite possibilities for family fun. The perennially sunny skies and clean air lure active families outdoors for unparalleled golfing on one of the area's 118 courses, biking through stunning canyons, horseback riding among blooming spring flowers, rock climbing on Joshua Tree's geologic wonders, and more. Families seeking a more relaxed retreat bask in the ease of a stay at one of the area's full-service resorts, leisurely frolicking in pristine swimming pools, dining in gourmet restaurants, and soaking in the area's renowned healing mineral waters after a day at the spa. Either way, the desert itself will be the biggest draw, fascinating visitors young and old.

Spring is the most popular time to visit Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley, when travelers are rewarded with comfortably warm days that are perfect for outdoor recreation and the desert flowers bloom in a truly glorious display. However, resort rates are at their peak and hotels are often booked during the spring, so planning ahead is critical. Fall is the second most popular time to visit, followed closely by winter. Some travelers will dismiss the idea of a summertime visit, but it's one of the best times to experience Palm Springs -- bargain hunters will find steep discounts on everything from tours to resort rates to souvenirs.

Summer is unquestionably hot -- very hot. High temperatures average over 100 degrees in the months of June through September, dropping to the low to mid-70s after the sun goes down. The mercury lowers and activity levels rise during the fall, when visitors can expect daytime temperatures in the 80s and nighttime temperatures in the 60s. The winter months attract snowbirds from all over the country, when the desert averages high temperatures in the 60s and 70s and lows in the 40s. Spring temperatures are pleasant, with highs in the mid-80s and lows in the mid-50s.

Located just minutes from many area hotels, the Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) provides visitors with non-stop and connecting service. At just over one hour away, Ontario International Airport (ONT) is also a viable option for Coachella Valley visitors; Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) [] and San Diego International Airport (SAN) are each about a two-hour's drive from the heart of Palm Springs. Amtrak and Greyhound provide service to the area; interstate 10 serves as the main artery for travelers by car.

Although it is possible to spend an entire vacation in the heart of downtown Palm Springs without need of a car, most families will find that a car is necessary to fully explore the area. (However, many tour companies, including Desert Adventures and Big Wheel Bike Tours, do provide hotel pick-up services.) At just six miles wide (north to south) and 25 miles long (east to west), the area is compact and easily navigable, but driving between points on city streets can take considerably longer than expected. Taxis are readily available; the SunBus provides limited bus service.

• January: Palm Springs International Film Festival
• January: Red, White, and Blue Polo and Balloon Festival
• February: Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival
• April: Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
• April: Indian Wells Arts Festival
• May: Stagecoach Country Music Festival
• May: Joshua Tree Music Festival
• November/December: WildLights at the Living Desert

The Palm Springs Desert Resort Communities Convention and Visitors Authority maintains www.PalmSpringsUSA.com, which offers extensive information about things to do, places to stay (including a tool for finding available hotel rooms), and a calendar of events for the Coachella Valley. Visit www.palm-springs.org (maintained by the Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism) for similar, but not quite as comprehensive, information about the city of Palm Springs.

Check the Hot Deals sections of Palmspringsusa.com and Palm-Springs.org for reduced rates on hotels and tours. Many hotel and resort websites also list discounts and special offers.

• The Coachella Valley produces approximately 95 percent of the dates sold in the United States. Other top crops include table grapes, citrus fruits, bell peppers, and alfalfa sprouts.
• The San Gorgonio Pass (which visitors heading east on interstate 10 pass through) is one of the windiest places on earth. The San Gorgonio Pass Wind Farm harnesses that energy with thousands of wind turbines.
• Palm Springs was known to the Spanish as Agua Caliente as early as 1774 because of its hot springs.
• Archaeological evidence has shown that the Cahuilla Indians have lived in the area for the past 350-500 years.
• The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway utilizes the world's largest rotating tram cars.