Palm Desert vs Hawaii

[easyrider]

I was wondering why people choose Palm Desert over Hawaii. I haven't been to the Palm Desert area for any length of time and usually head to Hawaii and Mexico every year to get out of the cold. Palm Desert will be cooler temps in the winter than Hawaii from what I can tell. Palm Desert seems to have many things to do regarding activities so it might be fun.

Those of you that have been to both areas in the winter, please chime in.

Thanks

Bill

 

[DeniseM]

I was wondering why people choose Palm Desert over Hawaii.

I think it's because Palm Desert is a drive to location. Hawaii requires expensive airfare.

But Palm Desert is much cooler in the winter - the low for this week is supposed to be 46 degrees. The record low is 13 degrees - won't get that in Hawaii.

 

[Travel1]

I like both. Hawaii is always nice, but as Denise states, expensive to get there.

Palms Springs is nice when its easy to get there and your want to relax. Stayed there a few winters ago just after Christmas...first took the kids to Disneyland, then headed to the Palm Springs area to relax afterwards - it was the last week of Dec and temperatures were very warm for swimming.

 

[VacationForever]

We love the whole Palm Desert area and go there for about a month in winter every year. This week we are in Scottsdale and we are having regrets that we are not in Palm Desert instead.

Of course we love Hawaii but it is expensive and a hassle to get there. It also rains in Hawaii alot more than in the Palm Desert area in winter.

 

[dougp26364]

Generally speaking, we can only afford to go to Hawaii EOY. Hawaii is generally a March week when we go. In the off years we look fir someplace with moderate temperatures, are relaxing and have activities we enjoy. In a few weeks we’ll make our second trip to Palm Desert.

It’s not that it’s better than Hawaii. It’s just more convenient and affordable

 

[easyrider]

Yes, flying to Hawaii has become very monotonous for us. This last trip we missed our connection home due to Airplane problems. Flying to Mexico seems like a drag anymore as well.

Palm Desert is about an eight-teen hour drive for us. Some areas in-between home and there are places that we would like to see but haven't visited. We have plenty of choices for timeshares in the area. Maybe Palm Desert next winter.

Bill

 

[Luanne]

For us at this point it's probably just as much of a hassle to get to Palm Desert as to get to Hawaii. I've been to Palm Springs and Palm Desert enough over my lifetime to feel I don't ever need to go back. I haven't gotten to that point with Hawaii. And of course there's the beach, and the water. Hawaii, hands down.

 

[VacationForever]

Another thing is if you golf, you can still find reasonable prices for a round of golf in the Palm Desert area. Golf in Hawaii is crazy expensive. Plus rain in Hawaii in winter is no fun, it is dry almost every day in the Palm Desert area.

 

[bobpark56]

Snorkeling seems to be better in Hawaii...if you know where to go.

 

[easyrider]

Snorkeling seems to be better in Hawaii...if you know where to go.

lol, that is true !!! And I do !!!

Bill

 

[SmithOp]

Several casinos in Palm Desert with baby boomer artists and bands in the twilight of their careers.

The number 1 place out of state where Hawaiians go to vacation? Vegas.


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[BJRSanDiego]

I like Hawaii but I also like Palm Desert. But I'm only 2 hours away (by car), so it is much more accessible and much less expensive to get there.

I find that the hassle of flying ANYWHERE with only a small carry-on to be a non-satisfying for me. Also, going through security is a PITA. What could be more fun, than unpacking my carry-on to take out the liquids, the computer, etc., emptying my pockets, putting my wallet on a tray that disappears as I'm in line, taking off my shoes, and taking off my belt (and being told to hold my hands above my head as I go through their scanner (hey, what is holding up my pants - - I had to take off my belt). And then repacking everything. Yikes.

I like being able to take a lot more stuff and drive my car. Like my bluetooth sound system, some good wine, and things that I don't want to shop for when I arrive. So we travel to places like Phoenix, Palm Desert, Newport Coast, Vegas, Tahoe, Napa, Carmel, Ventura, Tucson, Paso Robles, etc.

So it is hard to compare Hawaii with Palm Desert. Both are fun. Both have their place. If you are going to anyplace on the mainland in Feb or March, you have the best chance of having nice weather in either Phoenix or Palm Desert. But Hawaii weather is more predictable.

 

[WalnutBaron]

The biggest reason I much prefer Hawaii over Palm Springs is the sheer variety of things to do there. Palm Springs/Palm Desert is nice, but unless you just want a golf vacation, you can run out of things to do there if you've been there often enough. Like Luanne said, I never tire of Hawaii and its lush natural beauty. And even when it rains, most of the time they're passing showers and the sun comes back out and all is well. The biggest obvious difference is the stark contrast in the landscapes of each (unless you're on the Kona side of the Big Island driving through the lava fields, which can be just as stark as the desert landscape of the surrounding area near Palm Springs); I know there are people who are just drawn to the minimalist beauty of the desert, but I'm not one of them. Give me the whole of nature just bursting out in lush greens accented with the vivid fluorescent florals of the Islands and the rushing waterfalls and sunlit rainbows anyday.

 

[mjm1]

Several casinos in Palm Desert with baby boomer artists and bands in the twilight of their careers.

The number 1 place out of state where Hawaiians go to vacation? Vegas.


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Hawaiians call Vegas the “ninth island.” There are quite a few people from Hawaii living here as well as those who vacation here.

We love both Hawaii and Palm Desert, but still prefer Hawaii not withstanding the extra cost of getting there.

Best regards.

Mike

 

[cgeidl]

I was wondering why people choose Palm Desert over Hawaii. I haven't been to the Palm Desert area for any length of time and usually head to Hawaii and Mexico every year to get out of the cold. Palm Desert will be cooler temps in the winter than Hawaii from what I can tell. Palm Desert seems to have many things to do regarding activities so it might be fun.

Those of you that have been to both areas in the winter, please chime in.

Thanks

Bill

Palm Desert Lots of Sand No Water
Hawaii Lots of Sand and Lots of Water
been to palm Desert area three time sin winter and don't care to go back. Hawaii about 20 times and want to go back. Hope Elon Musks fast flight of about 5 minutes in premium economy class prices come soon. We don't like the airport/airplane experience.

 

[Jayco29D]

Someone made this point about traveling in CA, AZ and NV but this only applies to those of us close enough to drive: "I like being able to take a lot more stuff and drive my car. Like my bluetooth sound system, some good wine, and things that I don't want to shop for when I arrive. So we travel to places like Phoenix, Palm Desert, Newport Coast, Vegas, Tahoe, Napa, Carmel, Ventura, Tucson, Paso Robles, etc." We do local travel like this every month since we live in NorCal esp Tahoe, Pismo Beach and SoCal but we need to get away. Local travel in CA, NV and AZ does not feel like a vacation. I think anywhere I can get a non-stop flight and swim in the ocean would beat driving for vacation.

 

[easyrider]

It looks like we are going to find out for ourselves. We booked Palm Springs and Lake Havasu for one of our winter trips. I'm reading that the bass fishing is decent in Lake Havasu. Plenty of hiking and walking opportunities in both areas. Both areas are warmer than home is the real draw.

The cost isn't too much higher than going to Hawaii after all is considered. Maybe $900 less depending on how many activities we pay for. Being that our main activity is checking things out it will be nice to explore in a new area. Hopefully traffic isn't too bad.

Bill

 

[1Kflyerguy]

We visited Palm Desert for the first time last month. The weather was decent, and there was a lot more to do in the area than i had expected. We were only there for three nights, and easily ran out of time before we ran out of stuff to do.

I love Hawaii, but will definitely go back to Palm Desert. Might try for a little later in the year than January next time. We used the pools, but i can't say that it was hot...

Living in Northern Ca, we flew since we were just down for a long weekend.

 

[mjm1]

It looks like we are going to find out for ourselves. We booked Palm Springs and Lake Havasu for one of our winter trips. I'm reading that the bass fishing is decent in Lake Havasu. Plenty of hiking and walking opportunities in both areas. Both areas are warmer than home is the real draw.

The cost isn't too much higher than going to Hawaii after all is considered. Maybe $900 less depending on how many activities we pay for. Being that our main activity is checking things out it will be nice to explore in a new area. Hopefully traffic isn't too bad.

Bill

We visited Palm Desert for the first time last month. The weather was decent, and there was a lot more to do in the area than i had expected. We were only there for three nights, and easily ran out of time before we ran out of stuff to do.

I love Hawaii, but will definitely go back to Palm Desert. Might try for a little later in the year than January next time. We used the pools, but i can't say that it was hot...

Living in Northern Ca, we flew since we were just down for a long weekend.

You may want to consider flying into the Ontario airport rather than Palm Springs if you are flying down in the future. The difference in airfare can be significant and Ontario is only about an hour away.

Best regards.

Mike

 

[BJRSanDiego]

It looks like we are going to find out for ourselves. We booked Palm Springs and Lake Havasu for one of our winter trips. I'm reading that the bass fishing is decent in Lake Havasu. Plenty of hiking and walking opportunities in both areas. Both areas are warmer than home is the real draw.

The cost isn't too much higher than going to Hawaii after all is considered. Maybe $900 less depending on how many activities we pay for. Being that our main activity is checking things out it will be nice to explore in a new area. Hopefully traffic isn't too bad.

Bill

Easy Rider,
I live in San Diego but I haven't gone to Lake Havasu. I've been told by others that have been there that you may find activities for a few days but a week may prove a little long. But I suppose that depends on your own interests. Also, in Lake Havasu I think that all of the resorts are neither gold nor silver rated. So they are a bit more basic. Whereas in Palm Desert there are at least 6 or 7 elite rated resorts.

Please come back and report how you liked each location.

 

[1Kflyerguy]

You may want to consider flying into the Ontario airport rather than Palm Springs if you are flying down in the future. The difference in airfare can be significant and Ontario is only about an hour away.

Best regards.

Mike

Thanks, that an excellent tip, and exactly what we did. Its been a while since i bought the tickets, but i think we paid $150 each on Southwest from San Jose to Ontario, and I think United was between $400 and $500 each flying San Francisco to Palm Springs. Since we live in San Jose, that was an easy choice.. Not entirely sure, but would be surprised to find the rental cars cheaper at ONT as well.

 

[easyrider]

Thanks for the heads up BRJ. Thanks for the airport advice Mike. Thanks everyone that posted !!!

Bill

 

[taterhed]

I like Hawaii but I also like Palm Desert. But I'm only 2 hours away (by car), so it is much more accessible and much less expensive to get there.

I find that the hassle of flying ANYWHERE with only a small carry-on to be a non-satisfying for me. Also, going through security is a PITA. What could be more fun, than unpacking my carry-on to take out the liquids, the computer, etc., emptying my pockets, putting my wallet on a tray that disappears as I'm in line, taking off my shoes, and taking off my belt (and being told to hold my hands above my head as I go through their scanner (hey, what is holding up my pants - - I had to take off my belt). And then repacking everything. Yikes.

I like being able to take a lot more stuff and drive my car. Like my bluetooth sound system, some good wine, and things that I don't want to shop for when I arrive. So we travel to places like Phoenix, Palm Desert, Newport Coast, Vegas, Tahoe, Napa, Carmel, Ventura, Tucson, Paso Robles, etc.

So it is hard to compare Hawaii with Palm Desert. Both are fun. Both have their place. If you are going to anyplace on the mainland in Feb or March, you have the best chance of having nice weather in either Phoenix or Palm Desert. But Hawaii weather is more predictable.

You, my friend, need 3 things: A backpack (1 personal item, Costco), a better carry-on 22" suitcase (1 carry-on, Costco), and TSA pre-check. Then, when you land, hit Costco and buy the rest.

I can carry everything I need for a fun-filled and very chilled week in a TS in my 22" roll-on and gi-normous Costco computer back-pack. Tablets, chargers, BT speaker, computer, headphones and more. (Wine Aerator) I find that vacuum bags really help to organize and shrink the suitcase. Plus, if the TSA does want to look in the bag, there are only a few loose items and several vac-bags to go thru when repacking/checking.

Funny post, but traveling by air with carry-ons isn't THAT bad. Besides? how much clothing do you really need in the dessert?

 

[taterhed]

Hawaiians call Vegas the “ninth island.” There are quite a few people from Hawaii living here as well as those who vacation here.

We love both Hawaii and Palm Desert, but still prefer Hawaii not withstanding the extra cost of getting there.

Best regards.

Mike

More like 'Ninth Planet'

But hey, what happens in Vegas....

 

[BJRSanDiego]

You, my friend, need 3 things: A backpack (1 personal item, Costco), a better carry-on 22" suitcase (1 carry-on, Costco), and TSA pre-check. Then, when you land, hit Costco and buy the rest.

I can carry everything I need for a fun-filled and very chilled week in a TS in my 22" roll-on and gi-normous Costco computer back-pack. Tablets, chargers, BT speaker, computer, headphones and more. (Wine Aerator) I find that vacuum bags really help to organize and shrink the suitcase. Plus, if the TSA does want to look in the bag, there are only a few loose items and several vac-bags to go thru when repacking/checking.

Funny post, but traveling by air with carry-ons isn't THAT bad. Besides? how much clothing do you really need in the dessert?

Thanks for sharing your ideas, Taterhead.

When I'm flying I use my 22" carry-on, I am old enough that I typically get TSA pre-check, and I carry a bit computer bag - - probably similar to the backpack. When I go to Hawaii, I DO hit Costco. So, we are pretty much in synch.

But I still find it a PITA to fly. It is so much easier to just load up one of my vehicles and drive.

BTW, I got a kick out of your comment abt. the wine aerator. We use one at home but haven't carried one with us. (Yet). I find that when in Costco, that there are some decent wines. I snap pictures of the labels and use Vivino to give me a wine rating. I works very well.