Downtown Palm Springs. Spend your days shopping and dining at several fine shops, and restaurants. In downtown Palm Springs, Palm Canyon Drive - the city's main one-way strip - is lined with antique shops, art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, night clubs and the Walk of Stars. Every Thursday night, it becomes a festive pedestrian only marketplace. Many annual festivals and parades are stages on this popular downtown drag. The Palm Springs International Film Festival, in its 11th year, features 100 international film screenings from many countries.

Palm Springs Recreation. The sunshine and temperate climate of Palm Springs is perfect for outdoor activities, such as golf, tennis, hiking and horseback riding. Palm Springs offers several parks and recreational facilities, a municipal golf course, tennis courts, a public Olympic-size pool, a dog park, a baseball stadium, hiking trails, bicycle routes, a water park and horseback riding stables. Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway up Mt. San Jacinto, or experience the serenity and beauty of the Indian Canyons. Horse lovers can take a guided ride on desert trails among wildflowers, smoke trees, ocotillo, unusual rock formations and towering palms. The adventurous can rent beach cruisers, mountain bikes, Harley-Davidson motorcycles or enjoy a desert jeep tour. Visit the Palm Springs Desert Museum, or enjoy a show at the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies. 

Palm Springs Attractions

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway - The world-famous Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, ascends 8,500 feet up the side of Mt. San Jacinto in rotating tram cars. Starting in Chino Canyon, the tram takes passengers from Valley Station at 2,643 feet elevation to Mountain Station on the edge of the Wilderness, elevation 8,516 feet - a breathtaking 15-minute journey up the sheer cliffs of Chino Canyon. The Mountain Station features a restaurant, gift shop, snack bar, and the Mount San Jacinto State Park Visitor Center. Mountain hiking trails wind among lush pine trees in the spring and summer, and the snow is perfect for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowtubing in winter. In summer, camping, hiking and guided tours are available. Enjoy spectacular views of the desert below and sumptuous food from Top of the Tram Restaurant. In Long Valley, a short walk from the station, you will find the Long Valley Ranger Station, a picnic area with barbecue stoves, a ski center, a nature trail, and Desert View Trail which offers panoramas of the high country and access to the hiking trail system. The tram operates year-round, departing every half hour. Call (760) 325-1391 or visit www.pstramway.com 

Palm Canyon Drive - Palm Canyon Drive is the cultural artery that pulses through the historic heart of Palm Springs. Beautifully lined with majestic palm trees continuously lit in a wrapping of sparkling lights, Palm Canyon Drive is a goldmine of shops, restaurants, art galleries, pubs and every kind of boutique.

Palm Springs Follies - Celebrating its 15th season, the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies is a three-hour, razzle-dazzle, song and dance vaudeville-style extravaganza showcasing the music and dance of the 30s and 40s with cast members that are 56 to 87 years young. A Palm Springs favorite, the Follies features internationally known stars, hilarious variety acts and the legendary line of glamorous, long-legged chorus girls, an audience favorite and a Follies trademark, who are all 56 - 86 years young. The Follies runs from November through May. For upcoming shows and tickets, visit www.psfollies.com 

McCallum Theatre - Named for a pioneer Palm Springs family, the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert is one of the country's finest presenting theatres, presenting a entertaining variety of concerts, ballet, theater and holiday shows, such as the Nutcracker. Upcoming musicians include Barry Manilow, Vince Gill and John Tesh. Visit www.mccallumtheatre.com 

Palm Springs Walk of Stars - The ever-growing "Walk of Stars" on Palm Canyon Drive honors the city's pioneers, benefactors, and celebrities who have contributed to the growth and charisma of the village of Palm Springs.

Palm Springs Villagefest - The brainstorm of the late Sonny Bono, the Palm Springs Villagefest is held year-round every Thursday evening from 6 - 10 p.m. From Amado Road to Baristo, Palm Canyon Drive becomes a walker's paradise of fresh fruit stands, restaurant samplings, live music and the best Palm Spring's artists and craftsmen. Visitors come here for the fantastic deals that are reminiscent of a 1950's flea market. Call (760) 320-3781 or (760) 323-8272.

Annenberg Theater - Located at the Palm Springs Art Museum, Annenberg Theater is a state-of-the-art, 433-seat theater with perfect acoustics that is home to vibrant performances of jazz, dance, comedy, classical and contemporary vocal groups,and chamber ensembles.

El Paseo Shops - Stroll along El Paseo, a unique shopper's paradise located in the heart of Palm Desert, and find over 300 delightful discoveries and treasures, including fashion, accessories, dining, home furnishings, jewelry and art.

Indian Wells - Indian Wells is a fabulously wealthy desert community 17 miles from Palm Springs, with world-class golf courses, luxury resorts, and 350 days of sunshine.

Cathedral City - Coachella Valley's third largest city, Cathedral City embodies the essence of Southern California living. Located adjacent to Palm Springs, it is a destination of pleasant neighborhoods, championship golf courses, luxuriant country clubs, and diverse shopping. One of Cathedral City's major attractions is the Fountain of Life.

Mount San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness - The summit of Mount San Jacinto stands 10,804 feet, the highest point in the San Jacinto Range and second highest in Southern California. Towering above Palm Springs, the mountain's granite peaks, sub-alpine forests, and fern-bordered meadows offer a unique opportunity to explore a scenic, high-country Wilderness. Most of park's wilderness areas are enjoyed by hikers, climbers, and backpackers. 

Two Bunch Palms - This desert oasis in Desert Hot Springs not only houses artesian hot mineral springs favored by tired-out celebs, but also housed Al Capone when the Feds closed in on him. If the water here can melt gangster stress, it should be good for you too.

Joshua Tree National Park - Considered a refuge for the human spirit, Joshua Tree National Park's 794,000 acres offer clear skies, clean air, peace and tranquility. The Joshua Tree park is an immense and fragile land, shaped by two deserts and two ecosystems. Below 3,000 feet, the Colorado Desert is dominated by bush and cactus. The higher, cooler, and wetter Mojave Desert is the habitat of the undisciplined Joshua trees, extensive stands of which occur in the western park. A dramatic contrast, Six fan palm oases dot the park where water occurs. The park encompasses interesting geologic displays of rugged mountains of twisted rock and exposed granite monoliths. Arroyos, playas, alluvial fans, bajadas, pediments, desert varnish, granites, aplite, and gneiss form a giant mosaic of immense beauty and complexity.

Tahquitz Canyon - One of the most beautiful and cultural areas of the Agua Caliente Reservation, Tahquitz Canyon is in the National Register of Historic Places. Tahquitz Canyon is home to a spectacular 60-foot waterfall, rock art, ancient irrigation systems, native wildlife and plants. The Visitor Center offers cultural exhibits, hiking tours, an observation deck, a garden, picnic area and a DVD theater. The Canyon Hiking Tour - 8:00am - 3:00pm - lasts 2 hours and departs hourly. Check out the new Agua Caliente Cultural Museum. Visit www.tahquitzcanyon.com 

Indian Canyons - Located on tribal land, the Indian Canyons' undisturbed natural beauty is within easy access to downtown Palm Springs. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the canyons are sacred to Caliente Indians, scientists and nature lovers. Fifteen miles long, Palm Canyon is one of North America's great beauty spots with abundant palm trees in breathtaking contrast to rocky gorges and barren deserts. A paved path winds through the canyon for picnicking near a stream, hiking and horseback riding. Andreas Canyon, where the green fan palms and 150 species of plants beckon travelers to a lush oasis, is a tranquil setting for photography, bird-watching and picnics. A scenic trail passes groves of skirted palms, unusual rock formations and the perennial Andreas Creek, where you can see bedrock mortars and metates. More secluded, Murray Canyon offers foot and equestrian trails to recreation areas among the palm trees. Visit www.www.indian-canyons.com 

Agua Caliente Indian Reservation - Agua Caliente Indian Reservation - 52,000 acres deeded to the Caliente people in 1876 - are located in Palm Springs and fan across the desert and mountains outside of the city. Centuries ago, the Agua Caliente Cahuilla Indians thrived in the Palm Springs area with a reputation for independence, integrity, and peace. Remains of Cahuilla society - rock art, house pits and foundations, irrigation ditches, dams, reservoirs, trails, and food preparation areas - still exist in the canyons.

Palm Springs Festivals & Events

Palm Springs Film Festival - The Palm Springs International Film Festival, January 5 - 16, 2006, celebrates cinema at venues around Palm Springs. It occurs early every year and is therefore something of an Academy Awards springboard. Refreshingly though, the event concentrates on foreign films and is the place in the US to see the best that international cinema has to offer. 

Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival - Feb 2006 (annual) A small gathering to celebrate the date harvest in 1921 became what is today known as the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival. The ten-day tribute to this little fruit has continued to grow and annually attracts around 250,000 people to the Riverside County Fairgrounds.

The Ramona Outdoor Play - A unique annual pageant, The Ramona Outdoor Play at the Ramona Bowl in Hemet portrays the lives of 19th-century Native Americans and Hispanics in an early Californian love story, adapted from Helen Hunt Jackson's famous 1884 novel, Ramona. Held weekends in April, 2006.

Coachella Festival - The annual Coachella Festival (April - May 2006) returns to the Empire Polo Field in Indio, California, with another excellent line-up. The two-day live music event has grown in stature steadily since it first set down roots in 2000, annually attracting thousands to performances by top musical acts spread across two main stages and several tents.

Palm Springs Family Recreation

Boomers! Family Fun Center - Boomers! Family Fun Center is a family recreation facility with three wacky and colorful, 18-hole miniature golf courses, bumper boats, go carts, batting cages, and a 10,000-square-foot gaming pavilion with 200 video and sports games. Visit www.boomersparks.com 

Knott's Soak City USA - A deluxe, 16-acre oasis of fun, Knott's Soak City USA is a family-oriented water playground with 18 major water slides and attractions, including the 800,000-gallon Rip Tide Reef wave pool. Open daily March through Labor Day, weekends through October. Visit www.soakcityusa.com 

Big League Dreams - If you've ever dreamed of playing in a major league stadium, Big League Dreams is for you. Located in Cathedral City, Big League Dreams Sports Park is a world-class sports and recreational facility that features minor league baseball, softball, soccer, flag football, hockey, basketball, volleyball and batting cages. Playing fields are built as scaled down replicas of major league stadiums, such as Fenway Park. Visit www.bigleaguedreams.com 

Living Desert - Experience a fun and fascinating journey into the deserts of the world and discover why The Living Desert is truly a zoo, only better. See magnificent cats, howling wolves, and breathtaking botanical gardens. Stroll, hike, dine and shop amid 1,200 acres of scenic trails and exhibits in Pam Desert.

Living Desert Zoo & Gardens - The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens is one of the most unique tourist attractions in Palm Springs, giving visitors a complete introduction to the desert's indigenous animals and plants. Let your family see and touch small desert animals, tortoises, snakes and birds. 

Mary Pickford Theater - A children's pick, the Mary Pickford Theater in Cathedral City presents new release movies, Viewer's Choice flicks, special holiday events, and parties for the whole family. For showtimes, visit www.marypickfordtheatre.com 

Rancho Mirage/Palm Springs Golf Courses

Cathedral Canyon Country Club - Considered by locals one of the best in the area, Cathedral Canyon Country Club offers three nine-hole courses played in three 18-hole combinations, flat to moderately rolling, medium-wide nonparallel fairways, strategically positioned bunkers and over 20 lakes. The newly-opened Resort Course is a Scottish-links style course, with rough bordering all the fairways, slightly sloped greens and ponds that play into a few holes. The Lakeview Course is a target course, forcing the golfer to hit over numerous hazards to small landing areas on every hole. Call (866) 465-3914.

Rancho Mirage Country Club - One of the best secrets in the desert, the Rancho Mirage Country Club features a rolling 18-hole course, narrow fairways, small Bermuda greens, and wonderful views of the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa mountains. Water comes into play on nine holes and higher handicappers enjoy the forgiving fairways. Call (866) 465.3914.

Shadow Ridge Golf Course - Set against the backdrop of the snow-capped Santa Rosa Mountains in Rancho Mirage, Shadow Ridge Golf Course draws inspiration from the great sand-belt courses of Australia. Palm Springs' hottest course offers generous fairways, bold bunkers and undulating greens that reward and encourage a variety of approach shots. The facility has a pro shop, clubhouse, club rentals, practice areas and instruction. Call (866) 465-3914. 

Mission Hills Country Club - The Pete Dye Course at Mission Hills is the site of the Nabisco Dinah Shore LPGA Tournament. The unique and scenic course features long lakes, rolling fairways, large and severely contoured greens, deep pot bunkers and the use of railroad ties for boundaries. The prestigious Mission Hills attracts worldwide golfers looking forward to playing the challenging and beautiful Dinah Shore Tournament Course, rated No.1 in Coachella Valley. 

Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort - Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort consists of two spectacular 18-hole golf courses, offering gorgeous views of Palm Springs. Golf Digest rated Tahquitz Creek as "one of the best places to play"! A Palm Springs favorite, the Legend course is a traditional layout with 6,600 yards of tree lined fairways, over 40 challenging new bunkers, and sloped greens. The Resort course, opened in 1995, is a desert links style course with rolling terrain, well-placed bunkers, wonderful waterscapes and mountain views. Call 760.328.1005 or visit www.tahquitzcreek.com 

Cimarron Golf Resort - Cimarrón Golf Resort is an upscale 36-hole golf facility located in Palm Springs. Cimarrón features two championship layouts - the Par 71 Long Course and the Par 56 Short Course - highlighted by creative contours, emerald fairways and brilliant white steep-faced bunkers in a beautiful desert setting. Combining desert golf with elements of Scottish links style, Cimarrón was named one of the 2002/2003 "Best Places to Play" by Golf Digest. Call (760) 770-6060 or visit www.cimarrongolf.com 

Mesquite Golf & Country Club - Mesquite Golf and Country Club is one of Palm Springs' top public courses. Cut out among a grove of mesquite trees, this exquisite course offers an abundance of beauty and challenges. Moderately rolling with mature trees and spectacular mountain views, this 18-hole, 6,400-yard course is well bunkered with eight small lakes and palm trees. Mesquite has hosted PGA and Golden State Tour events. On many of the par fours it's best to use a long iron.

Escena Golf Club - Set amidst panoramic desert mountains, Escena Golf Club features a public 18-hole championship golf course by Nicklaus Design that portrays the great oasis in the Southern California desert. Formerly the Palm Springs Classic, the Escena Golf Club features a 7,233-yard, par 72, championship public golf course built upon 172 acres accentuated by landscaped native areas and multiple water features - a challenge for golfers at all levels. Call (866) 465.3914. 

Indian Canyons Golf Resort - Surrounded by picturesque mountain vistas and nestled at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains at the entrance to Indian Canyons is the Indian Canyons Golf Resort. A desert jewel, Indian Canyons offers an unrivaled golf experience in the Palm Springs Area. The lush 18-hole, par 72, 6,550 yard championship course has four large lakes, 5 extraordinary five par holes, rolling mounds, and Palm-lines fairways. Call (866) 465-3914.

Palm Springs Casinos

Agua Caliente Casino - The Agua Caliente Casino, a development of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, is a full-amenity casino in Rancho Mirage. The casino features 45,000 square feet of gaming excitement with over 1,000 state-of-the-art coin slots, video poker machines, 46 gaming tables, a high-limit Club Paradise Player's Club, six restaurants, a cabaret-style lounge, and a first-class video poker bar. The Cahuilla Showroom presents top entertainment and championship heavyweight boxing matches. Call (888) 999-1995 or visit www.hotwatercasino.com 

Spa Resort Casino - The all-new Spa Resort Casino is Palm Springs' only full-service resort offering casino, spa and hotel amenities. Spa Resort Casino is situated on nine acres in the heart of beautiful and historic downtown Palm Springs - walking distance of Palm Canyon Drive. The Casino features over 1,000 of the latest slots, 40 table games, the exclusive Salon Prive for frequent players, a 150-seat lounge, and a restaurant.

Augustine Casino - Tucked away among equestrian ranches and polo fields east of PGA West, Augustine Casino, in neighboring Coachella, offers unique gaming, dining and entertainment with a variety of coin-less slot machines and blackjack games.

Fantasy Springs Casino - Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio offers 1,500 coin-operated and EZ pay slots, 21 gaming tables, two restaurants, three snack bars, Club Fantasy Player's Club, and the 420-seat Fantasy Lounge for music, concerts and dinner shows. 

Trump 29 Casino - Trump 29 Casino, operated by the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians, features 2,000 slot machines, 35 table games, two restaurants, a food court, the 2,300 seat Spotlight Showroom for headline acts, and Blue Bar lounge for live weekend entertainment. [

Palm Springs Museums

Palm Springs Art Museum - The 125,000-square-foot Palm Springs Art Museum's permanent collections include 20th-century modern and contemporary art, Western American and Native American art, Mesoamerican artifacts, miniatures, two sculpture gardens with an international collection of 20th-century sculpture, and the Stephen H. Willard Photography Collection & Archives.

Palm Springs Air Museum - This inspiring collection features propeller-driven World War II aircraft in flying conditions, the 60-seat Buddy Rogers Theatre of the Air, a restoration center, photographs and memorabilia. The Palm Springs Air Museum is open daily and offers group tours. 

Palm Springs Desert Museum - The Palm Springs Desert Museum is an art and natural science museum, featuring fine permanent collections and top touring exhibitions, galleries, sculpture gardens, the Annenberg Theater, and the Toor Gallery Cafe. Open Tuesday - Sunday except major holidays. Visit www.psmuseum.org 

Agua Caliente Cultural Museum - The Agua Caliente Cultural Museum inspires people through exhibitions, collections, research, and educational programs that interpret the history and culture of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and other Native cultures. Every March, the museum presents the Palm Springs Native American Film Festival & Cultural Weekend with innovative feature, documentary, and short film screenings that delight audiences from throughout Southern California. Opening and closing receptions offer a chance to rub elbows with filmmakers and celebrities. Visit www.accmuseum.org 

Palm Springs Restaurants & Lounges

• Black Angus -Dinner: 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM Denny's - Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner -
  12:00 AM to 12:00 AM
• Las Casuelas Nuevas - Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner - 11:00 AM to 2:00 AM
• Marie Calenders - Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner - 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM
• Micolinos Italian Restaurant-Lunch/Dinner-11:00 AM to 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM to
  10:00 PM