When it comes to holidays, we're often compelled to focus on one interest at the expense of another. City slickers, for instance, are pretty unlikely to want to leave their creature comforts behind - but that doesn't necessarily mean they aren't drawn to adventures in the great outdoors. Sound like you? If so, we have the perfect destination for you - Palm Springs in California.This truly is, in our opinion, a resort city like no other. Surrounded on three sides by mountain ranges and bordered by desert, it stands as an oasis-like paradise offering absolutely everything a holidaymaker could want. You see, while being famous for its luxurious hotels, golf courses, designer shopping and fantastic restaurants, it's also within a stone's throw of some of the most spectacular natural attractions you're ever likely to see. Intrigued? You should be. (Photo "Palm Trees in Palm Springs" by dynamix)
Get Back to Nature in Indian Canyons
You can find out more about planning a full west coast holiday itinerary on this website - but no matter how long you decide to be away for, which hotel you pick and how many days you devote to exploring the great outdoors, we think you shouldn't miss the Indian Canyons. What's remarkable about these - like several of Palm Springs' natural wonders - is that they're just minutes from the city.
What particularly appeals to us about this place, though, is just how undisturbed it is, despite it being so close to the hustle and bustle of the metropolis. Located on Agua Caliente tribal land, Indian Canyons is actually made up of three canyons which are perfect for hiking and relaxing picnics. At around 15 miles long, Palm Canyon is home to stunning plants and wildlife, and you can visit the Trading Post to find detailed hiking maps. Andreas Canyon, meanwhile, is home to the tranquil Andreas Creek, while Murray Canyon to the south is great for spotting wildlife.
Go Off-Road in the San Andreas Fault Zone
If it's mind-blowing natural wonders you're after, a trip to the San Andreas Fault Zone is an absolute must. Arguably the most famous natural attraction in Palm Springs, this vast scar on the landscape spans more than 800 miles and is made up of twisted canyon sides, lively little streams and unusual sandstone formations. Thought to be approximately 28 million years old, this fault line is a real slice of history. (Photo "Palm Trees in Palm Springs" by dynamix)
You can explore it with a 4x4 adventure, which are readily available from Palm Springs. It takes around 30 minutes to drive out to the fault zone, and once you arrive your guide will not only show you some of the line's weirdest and most wonderful features, but will also tell you all about how it was formed.
Fly High with Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
We mentioned earlier that Palm Springs is almost entirely surrounded by mountain ranges - so you may have already guessed that these will offer some of the city's best natural playgrounds. Board the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and you can be whisked thousands of feet up the San Jacinto mountain. Starting at the Valley Station, this journey, which scales the spectacular sheer cliffs of Chino Canyon, takes just ten minutes.
Disembarking at the Mountain Station you'll find far more than great views alone (though you'll certainly get those!); indeed, you'll be greeted by a wealth of things to see and do, from mountaintop dining to hiking. We particularly like the fact that what exactly you can do here changes from season to season, since it means you can experience different things depending on when you visit. In the summer, for instance, you can go on independent hikes or fun guided nature walks, while in the winter you can strap on some skis or snowshoes and play in the snow.
Explore Joshua Tree National Park
Our final suggestion is Joshua Tree National Park, which you'll find around an hour from Palm Springs. This desert park, which is where the Mojave and Lower Colorado deserts meet, is definitely one of the best places to come to if you want to see unusual landscapes. As an added bonus, it's home to some pretty amazing wildlife as well.
In fact, the scenery here is so impressive that there are no less than 12 self-guided nature trails you can follow (which you can found out more about at one of the visitors centres), as well as a host of organised hikes. There are too many incredible plants and animals to mention, but we think the Joshua Tree, for which the park is named, is a particular highlight as it looks like something stolen straight from the pages of a Dr Seuss book! The endangered desert tortoise is another amazing find - and you'd be extremely lucky to see one.
Think these attractions sound good? Well, one of the amazing things about Palm Springs is the variety of activities available - this list has introduced you to some of the highlights, but trust us, there's much more just waiting to be discovered.
