Jim, here is my list. I go out there all the time. Be sure to go to Sunnylands. You must make reservations and buy your tickets now. Also I have enjoyed the tour of famous homes in palm springs. Indian Canyons is also a great place for photos and hiking. I was just there again last week. Its only about 20 minutes from the resort. Tons of good places to eat. Other have suggested many of them on my list.
Hiking:
Araby Trail right off the main highway 111 - Its about 20 minutes from the resort - can be done in about an hour to however far you want to go. This hike gives you a nice view of the valley and it goes right by Bob Hopes house which is unique and makes this hike worth it. I usually stop slightly above his house but the trail goes on and on. If you take it just to his house its about 1 - 1.5 hours round trip. Bring a water bottle. Great view of the valley.
Indian Canyons - this is about 30 minutes from the resort in Palm Springs. Great place with lots of places to hike. Its on an Indian reservation so there is an admission charge. Its pretty unique and worth seeing. You can spend as long as you like there. I would say a minimum of 2-3 hours. They do have a concession stand inside, or you could pack a lunch and bring in. Plenty of trails to hike. First when you enter go to the canyon on the right. There is a nice stream you will follow along the trail which is shaded for half of it. After that easy 30 minute hike drive to the other main canyon. There is a snack/gift shop there. Take the path down to see the canyon with all the palm trees and walk/hike from there.
Joshua National Park - about 1 hour from resort. Its huge and becomes an all day event. Take lunch with you and drinks/cooler. No food sold in Park; outside they have some fast food places miles from main areas of the park. Very unique for a National Park. Enter park from main entrance. That is the side where fast food restaurants, gas, & concessions. There is nothing near the south entrance except desert.
Palm Spring Tram - in December- February likely to have snow at top. Check weather before you go. About 30 degress cooler at top. All day event. In Palm Springs area. Steep tram ride to top. Fantastic view from top and lots of easy trails to hike at top. Also they have a restaurant where you can eat. Once you get to top your in the forest. Its interesting going from desert to mountain forest in about 20 minutes.
You can get additional information on all these hikes & places on-line. The front desk may also have information on them.
Other things to see and do:
· Sat & Sun they have a flea market at the College of the Desert in Rancho Mirage. During the summer its very limited due to the heat.
· On Thursday nights they have a Villagefest on the main drag in Palm Springs; Arts, crafts, entertainment. Interesting way to spend a couple hours walking around in the evening.
· The Living Desert – good for kids; a zoo with the desert animals. Avoid on hot days in summer.
· The McCallum Theater – check the schedule to see who/what is playing; they have all sorts of entertainment, nice place to go see an event. Very casual dress.
· Indian Casinos’ – there are a few Indian Casinos that offer gambling. There is a nice one right off the freeway in Rancho Mirage and another large one in downtown Palm Springs. There are a few others.
· Shopping – On El Paseo there are high end shopping stores. Nice to walk around and restaurants in that area. There is also a Costco and Walmart near the resort.
· Outlet Mall in Cabazon. You will drive by the outlet mall on your way into Palm Desert from Los Angeles. Its about 25 miles before you get there. You will see it. Lots of shops by all the major retailers. Lots of deals. If your into shopping you could spend most the day here. Not my favorite place.
· Sunnylands Annenberg Estate – check out on internet. Huge estate/retreat. Many Presidents have stayed here. Reservations are needed for tour. Historical place. Very interesting and would highly recommend. However tough to get into without reservations way in advance. Its close to the Marriott in Rancho Mirage.
· Tour of Movie Stars Homes in Palm Springs – did this tour and really enjoyed it. There are a couple of companies that offer this bus tour.
· GOLF-There are two golf courses at Desert Springs. There maybe a special rate if your staying there. If you call they can tell you that. Shadow Ridge which is about 2 miles away has a 18 hole course. There are many big tournaments played at the courses in the desert. Check out
http://www.palmsprings.com/golfyou can see all the courses and pricing. Its a golfers paradise. PGA West has six championship courses where big tournaments are played in March.
· Tennis – There are several courts at DSV for tennis. I believe DSV I is no charge. If you’re a tennis fan be sure to drive by on Hwy111 & Washington the stadium where the BNP Baribas Tennis Tournament is played in March. It the 5thlargest ranked tennis tournament in the world. In fact the owner, Larry Ellison of Oracle, wants to make it one of the four majors or the fifth. Already it draws more than Australian and French Opens. And the stadium is the second largest tennis stadium in the world. Only second to Arthur Ash stadium at the US Open in New York.
· Pickleball – fastest growing sport in the country. No pickleball at the JW yet, just a matter of time. Pickleball Nationals will be played at Indian Wells tennis facility (see above) beginning in November 2018 and for the next 5 years to start. Construction of pickleball courts to begin in 2018 after tennis tournament concludes. It should be a real winner and the nicest facility in the country. Can’t wait to see it.
· Movie theaters – there are lots of movie theaters in the area with all the current releases playing. Also an artsy theater at the mall (Monterey and Highway 111) near the resort with movies. There is also an international film festival in Palm Springs in January.
Favorite restaurants
Guerrimos at El Paseo (Palm Desert)- nice mexican food; best in the desert in my opinion, and I love Mexican food. Get Carnitas About $20 a person; best Carnitas ever. They also have a rolled shrimp ring which is excellent and unique. Don’t recall the exact name of it, but ask, its popular. Excellent Margaritas and guacamole and chips. Order either of those and you wont go wrong.
Las Casuelas – they have three Mexican restaurants in the desert areas. If you eat at the one in Rancho Mirage eat outside on the patio. There is one in downtown Palm Springs that gets a lot of people activity. Food is ok, typical California Mexican food.
Jackalope Ranch in Indio - eat at the bar area outside on patio....worth seeing; Your going here for the great atmosphere sitting outside. If you eat inside the restaurant is more expensive; go for the outside bar area you can pretty much get same food just a lot less expensive. Food is good; December could be a little too cool for the patio. They have misters in the warmer months. Summer too hot for sitting outside but you can sit in the bar area inside.
Babes barbecue at the River (Entertainment Center) in Rancho Mirage - excellent barbecue; get the baby back or beef ribs; Many other good restaurants also at the River, such as Cheesecake Factory, Yardhouse, and Flemings.
Gorilla Burger - great hamburgers - on Country Club very close to resort. Same strip mall as Pa Pa Dans & Shermans. As seen on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives (DDD) in 2017.
Papa Dans Italian - good Italian reasonably priced; excellent pizza. Same shopping center as Gorilla Burger. They also will deliver to the resort; We have had pizza delivered when we don't want to go out. Also nice to eat there. Reasonably priced.
Sherman’s Deli; been here for lunch but they also serve breakfast and dinner. NY style deli. Excellent pastrami and roast beef. Worth going to. Pricey for sandwiches but excellent. They also have a location in Palm Springs. Also on DDD in 2017.
Tylers in Palm Springs – great hamburger place in downtown Palm Springs. A favorite of locals and tourists. Right in the heart of downtown. Open for lunch. Be sure to have some potatoe salad.
Zobo and Meesters – breakfast and lunch place located in Cathederal City. Excellent barbeque on weekend. Recently on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives in 2017
Wilma and Freedas – great breakfast and lunch place on El Paseo. Also on DDD in 2017. Always seems to have a long wait. Go at off times to avoid wait. Great food and bakery.
Outback Steak House - chain restaurant on Highway 111. Steaks reasonably priced.
Bills pizza in Palm Desert on Hwy 111 and Palm Springs. Excellent pizza, get one of their specialty pizzas.
Castelli’s – great Italian in Palm Desert on Hwy 111. Lots of locals go here. More pricy than Papa Dan’s.
Si Bon – my favorite new restaurant as of last week (3/18). Great Belgin food. Close to resort at corner of Country Club and Monterey next to Albertsons. Really good. Look up on Yelp for more info. Probably highest rated in desert.
If you want high end; there is Ruth Chris, Mortons, Maestos, Flemings, and many other high end chain steak houses. In addition they have a few unique to the desert such as LG’s, Chop House & Sullivans. Been to Sullivans several times, my favorite is the rib eye and banana foster.
We went to LGs (12/17) for New Years and were really impressed (La Quinta) We had a party of 8 and everyone loved it. Steaks were fantastic and the restaurant had lots of rooms with great seating. Its now our favorite steak restaurant in the desert.
I think you will really like Palm Desert and the surrounding area...Its a great place. Let me know if you have any other questions.
We go there for a couple of weeks at least once a year and sometimes twice.