Palm Desert, CA info

My wife and I will be in Palm Desert a few days for work at the beginning of December. There will be a few hours of down time each day.

Anyone have any "gotta do's" for this area? From what I've seen online, the place is stunning.

Thanks!

Here's my most recent article on the desert for Alaska Airlines Magazine. Flip to page 98 of the digital archive:

Desert Oasis

It's a roundup, hitting some of the highlights of the seven main desert cities (sorry, Desert Hot Springs). If interested I can send you links to other pieces, roundups and features, that I've done for Alaska/Horizon and various other pubs over the years. And my desert guidebook is available at brick/mortar and online.

If you have specific interests please send me a PM and I'll see if I can shed some light.

Although not exactly in Palm Desert, you can take a ride to;

1. Visit Joshua Tree State Forest.

2. The top of a nearby mountain that gives a great view of Palm Springs below.

3. Check out Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Base (BTW, Happy Birthday [Nov.10] U.S.M.C.)


........ and you're right, "the place is stunning".



Rick

In his few hours not much he could do at Joshua Tree National Park. Access is severely limited at 29 Palms. Been out there with my pops and it ain't long on tourist attractions exactly, either, though the town is funky. Too far, though.

Well then he can ride by Bob Hope's mushroom shaped house high up on a hill.


Rick

Gate-guarded. Though you can hike right by it on the Araby Trail.

On your hilltop suggestion, yes. If there's not enough time to do the tram, just drive up to the lookout on Palms-to-Pines Scenic Byway (Hwy 74) just a few miles south o' Palm Desert and there's a nice view of the mid-valley, Indio Hills and Little Berdoos. Farther up you can turn off and look east/southeast out over Deep Canyon and catch the Salton Sea.

Come over to my house. I make this place awesome.