37 / 100
IntervalWorld.com INTERVAL WORLD Summer 2013
35
The Palm Springs and Palm Desert area
in Southern California is yet another vaca-
tion destination in the Western U.S. that
offers wide-ranging outdoor activities,
more shopping and dining than you’d
probably expect, and friendly local folks.
The vibe here is a little different than Park
City, though. It’s more resort casual than
Old West, so if you prefer your hikes with
a martini chaser and your shops collected
on a boulevard known as the Rodeo Drive
of the Desert, this is the place for your
next trip. Check out the following regional
highlights to start planning today.
Desert Diversions
Summertime temperatures here are serious business — regularly
going north of 100°F — but if you want to be outdoors
and
enjoy a
little respite from the valley heat, simply head to higher ground.
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, an attraction all on its own with
the largest rotating tramcars in the world, transports visitors from an
elevation of 2,643 feet above sea level to 8,516 feet high in
roughly 10 minutes, where temperatures are routinely 30 degrees
cooler than below.
Once you arrive at the top of Chino Canyon — and maybe even
after you put on a long-sleeve shirt or light jacket — you’re standing
at the doorstep of Mount San Jacinto State Park, and 54 miles of
wilderness paths. The Desert View Trail is a relatively easy 1 1/2-
mile loop that meanders through the forest and features multiple
panoramic stops. Serious trekkers should consider a San Jacinto
Peak summit attempt. It’s a gorgeous walk, through mountain
meadows and lodgepole pine timberlands, but the beauty comes
with a real challenge: The trail is 5 1/2 miles one way, and has an
elevation gain of approximately 2,300 feet.
More
O
u
t
W
e
s
t
:
Palm Springs and Palm Desert
Take in the natural beauty of Chino Canyon aboard the Palm Springs
Aerial Tramway — the largest rotating tramcar in the world.