When road trips resume again, many people will probably be looking for a more relaxing escape into nature. Palm Springs is a desert paradise about two hours outside of Los Angeles and is the perfect place to get away from it all.
Indian Canyons
A true oasis in the middle of, well, an actual oasis, Indian Canyon is the perfect place to enjoy some outdoor recreation. There’s Palm Canyon, Andreas Canyon, and Murray Canyon, and each offers something a bit different, depending on what you’re looking for.
Palm Springs Art Museum
This 150,000 square-foot space is beautiful on the inside and out—in addition to rotating exhibits, the permanent collection houses 3,000 paintings, prints, and sculptures, 2,000 photos, 40,000 negatives, and more.
Moorten Botanical Garden
Explore the natural beauty of the area at this privately-owned arboretum, living museum, and “cactarium.” There are more than 3,000 varieties of plants, and a nursery with varieties you can take home with you as a souvenir.
San Jacinto Peak
Head out for a hike at the highest peak in the San Jacinto Mountains. It holds several distinctions, including that of the most prominent peak in the contiguous United States. Many trails head up to the summit, but the most popular one is accessible from the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Established in 1970, this wonderland of flora and fauna is fun for the whole family. The zoo features many interactive experiences, including feeding giraffes, grooming camels, and a hummingbird and butterfly garden.
Cabazon Dinosaurs
Roadside attraction lovers will love this oddity off of I-10, just west of Palm Springs. Two giant steel and concrete dinos named Mr. Rex and Dinny are the major draws, but there are more than 50 others just designed for photo ops that stand along with them. The dinosaurs also had their 15 minutes of fame in movies like The Wizard and Pee Wee’s Big Adventure.
