Adventures, cultural wonders, indulgent gastronomy and luxury golf and spa experiences all come together in Greater Palm Springs; a welcoming oasis in the Californian desert.
At the foot of the San Jacinto Mountains, visitors will find their own oasis among the lush palm groves, natural hot mineral springs, 100-plus verdant golf courses and mid-century modern architecture.
For the fastest route from the UK, clients can fly via San Francisco, or alternatively travel through Denver or New York, among others. Once they touch down, it’s just five minutes’ drive from the airport to downtown Palm Springs.
There’s much more to explore beyond Palm Springs city itself too. Visitors can make their way around the resort cities of Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio and Coachella – each boasting their own highlights.
ROAD TRIPPING
Inspire clients with a twist on a classic California road trip. For those keen to take the wheel, suggest an itinerary travelling through Greater Palm Springs. Located in between high-octane Las Vegas and beachside San Diego, clients can spend time in each city soaking up the contrasting vibes.
Covering around 360 miles, the journey normally takes six hours of driving, if clients choose the scenic route. It’s well worth opting for the longer trip so they can stop at Joshua Tree National Park where the Mojave and Colorado deserts collide. With its landscape sculpted by powerful weather and dark night skies perfect for stargazing, alongside an intriguing variety of flora and fauna, this haven of natural beauty will leave clients with memories to last a lifetime.
FAMOUS FOOTSTEPS
A hotspot for the glitterati in the 1950s and 60s, including Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra, Greater Palm Springs continues to offer visitors a luxurious and enthralling playground today.
Wellness fans can soak in hot springs harnessed by the area’s original settlers, the Cahuilla Indians, while golfers will find myriad courses to choose from in the region, with many designed by some of the world’s top golf architects and pros.
Clients keen on culture can marvel at the city’s modern mid-century architecture, immerse themselves in the history of the Cahuilla Indians or feel the beat of a vibrant music scene, anchored by the popular annual Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival. And adventurous types will find hundreds of miles of hiking trails to explore, winding through incredible landscapes dotted with cacti and palm tree oases.
BOOK IT: Audley Travel has a 12-day Desert to Coast: Southwest USA self-drive tour including Las Vegas, Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National Park and San Diego from £4,800pp, audleytravel.com
