Activities

The greater Coachella Valley area provides a wealth of year-round attractions [make hotlink to beginning of attractions] and events [make hotlink to beginning of events], both indoor and outdoor, that will appeal to any mood or taste. From one-of-a-kind museum exhibits illustrating the unique desert environment and early Native American cultures, to hot air balloon excursions that reveal the wonders of the desert landscape, to landmarks which relate to the social history of the area as a playground for golfers and wealthy Hollywood celebrities. You will marvel at the number and scope of attractions to choose from in a community which makes such a quiet and uneventful first impression. The desert hides a lot of beautiful surprises from the untrained eye. The Coachella Valley has hundreds of interesting attractions. You will be sure to discover many more than we have listed in whatever direction you happen to wander. Ask the Indian Waters RV Resort office staff for more information.

Area Attractions

Aerial Tramway
Ride the largest rotating tramcar in the world to the top of Chino Canyon, and have a meal at the Top of the Tram restaurant, where you will have a spectacular view of the area from over 8,000 feet high.
End of Tramway Road, northwest of downtown. (760) 325-1449.

Air Museum
Restored and preserved World War II propeller-driven aircraft are featured here, where you can tour the restoration area and view informative programs in the Buddy Rogers Theatre of the Air.
745 North Gene Autry Trail. (760) 778-6262.

BT West Palm Springs Celebrity Tours
A variety of tours and touring options are available for exploring all of the local noteworthy sites, as well as a special tour that focuses on homes and haunts of the celebrities.
4741 East Palm Canyon Drive, Suite F, Palm Springs. (760) 770-2700.

Cabot's Old Indian Pueblo Museum
Explore Southwestern history at this Hopi-style adobe structure that took over 20 years to build.
67-616 East Desert View Avenue, Desert Hot Springs. (760) 329-7610.

Date Gardens
Several date groves in the Coachella Valley area, "date capital of the world" since the late 1800s, offer tours, gift shipping anywhere in the world and serve samples of date products, including date shakes.
Indio Orchards, 80-521 Highway 111, Indio. (760) 347-7534
Oasis Date Gardens, 59-111 Highway 111, Thermal. (760) 399-5665
Shields Date Gardens, 80-225 Highway 111, Indio. (760) 347-0996.

Desert Adventures Jeep Eco Tours
Experience the real desert with Desert Adventures, the original and largest adventure company in Palm Springs. Tours to the San

Andreas Fault and Joshua Tree National Park.
Desert Adventures, 74-794 Lennon Place, Suite A, Palm Desert. (760) 340-2345 or (888) 440-5337.

Desert Museum
A sculpture gardens and cafe, regional art, natural history of the area and the Annenburg Theatre are featured at this nationally accredited museum.
101 Museum Drive. (760) 325-7186.

General Patton Memorial Museum
World War II memorabilia are on display at this unique museum next door to Camp Young.
I-10, thirty minutes east of Indio, exit Chiriaco. (760) 227-3483.

Hot Air Balloon Rides
Start your unforgettable aerial exploration of the Coachella Valley with a tasting at a local vineyard in Temecula wine country and Perris Lake. (760) 568-0997.

Indian Canyons
A few minutes drive from the center of Palm Springs on South Palm Canyon Drive will bring you to land belonging to the Agua Caliente tribe of Cahuilla Indians and the breathtaking natural beauty that has remained untouched for centuries in the Palm, Andreas, Murray and Tahquitz Canyons. (760) 325-3400.

Joshua Tree National Park
Horseback riding, hiking, or just examining the unusual desert flora and wildlife are popular activities at this national preserve comprised of part of the Mojave Desert and southern Colorado.
Joshua Tree, CA (about an hour outside of Palm Springs). (760) 367-5500.

Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Get a good look at local desert wildlife and flora from the comfort of a shady and misty 1,200-acre park, which also features an African wildlife, hiking trails, a cafe, gift shop and picnic areas.
47-900 Portola Avenue, Palm Desert / Indian Wells. (760) 346-5694.

Moorten Botanical Garden
The rare and unusual flora of the Mojave Desert are featured at the south end of Palm Springs at this indoor and outdoor museum, formerly the Moorten family private estate, where they flourish as they do in the wild
1701 South Palm Canyon Drive. (760) 327-6555.

Palapas of Araby Cove
With the Santa Rosa mountains in the background, this artists' colony in a canyon of tropical foliage and waterfalls is a beautiful place for exploration and spiritual renewal.
3255 East Palm Canyon Drive. (760) 416-1818.

Uprising Outdoor Activities Center
Enjoy rock climbing where beginners lessons are offered to children ages 6 and older, right next door to Knott's Soak City USA.
1500 South Gene Autry Trail. (760) 320-6630.

Windmill Tours
Get a good look at these wind turbine blades, which catch the wind of San Gorgonio Pass and sweep half the length of a football field, as they supply a clean and quiet source of power to the area, on a 1- hour tour of this part of the Sonoran Desert. (877) 449-WIND.

Local Area Events

November

Art Affaire
Local and regional artists display their work at Whitewater Park in Rancho Mirage accompanied by popular jazz musicians. Held in early November. For more information, call (760) 324-4511 or (760) 568-9351.

Palm Springs Pride
The Palm Springs Stadium hosts the Palm Springs Pride organization and friends as they prepare for the coming visitor season in early November. Festival and parade in Palm Springs and the greater Coachella Valley area. Call (760) 416-8711 for more information.
Golf Cart Parade
Decorated golf carts, marching bands and costumed characters parade along El Paseo in Palm Desert at this family event in early November. Call (760) 346-6111 for more information.

December

International Tamale Festival
See and sample all kinds of tamales in Indio's Old Town, and enjoy live entertainment featuring a parade, mariachis, a carnival and fireworks at this all-day festival. Usually held in early December. Call (760) 342-6532 for more information.

Holiday Concert
The City of Palm Springs sponsors a performance by the Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Band at the Palm Springs Convention Center. Usually held in early December. Call (760) 323-8272 for more information.

January

Annual Desert Plein Air / La Quinta Arts Foundation
This annual art exhibit showcases paintings by Plein Air painters, painters that paint outdoors in the open air. Usually the third week in January. Call 760-564-1244 for more information.

International Film Festival
View hundreds of new films from around the world at certain theaters in Palm Springs. This is one of the country's largest film festivals. Don't be surprised if you see notable attendees from the Los Angeles area. Usually in mid January. Call 760-322-2930 for more information.

Palm Springs Art Festival
In mid to late January, view the works, and meet hundreds of the finest traditional and contemporary artists from throughout the West and Southwest. A wide variety of both fine art and quality craft will be exhibited. Held at Palm Springs Market Place, Festival Grounds, Crossley Street at Ramon Road. Call (866) 611-8617 for more information.

Bob Hope Chrysler Classic
This famous golf tournament is hosted by several area golf courses, with proceeds to benefit charities. Usually the third week in January. Call (760) 346-8184 for more information.

February

Verizon Tour de Palm Springs Bike Event
Participants enjoy a bicycle race through Palm Springs and on several different courses of various lengths all for a good cause. A portion of the entry fees and the pledges collected by the riders benefit local charities. In early February. Call (760) 568-2800 for more information.

National Date Festival and County Fair
The Riverside County Fairgrounds in Indio hosts an annual celebration of the area's Arabian heritage with a date festival, camel racing, a carnival midway and expositions of local livestock and desert produce. In mid-February. Call (800) 811-FAIR for more information.

Frank Sinatra Celebrity Golf Tournament
The Renaissance Esmeralda Resort in Indian Wells hosts this famous tournament to benefit the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center. In mid-February.Call (760) 674-8447 for more information.

Palm Springs Indian Market
In mid to late February, Native American artists and jewelers selected by the juries of the Autry Museum Indian Market, Heard Museum and The Gathering shows display their works at the Palm Springs Market Place, Festival Grounds, Crossley Street at Ramon Road. Call (866) 611-8617 for more information.

Palm Desert Greek Fest
At the end of February, beginning of March, enjoy the sounds and tastes of Greece. Incredible, fresh, handmade Greek foods, delectable honey drenched pastries and that world famous Baklava. Lamb, gyros, Greek salads, specialty Greek wines and beers, Greek coffee and much more. Live Greek music and dancing, vendors from around the globe, kids' area, Greek groceries and religious items. 74-109 Larrea Street at Lantana Street, Palm Desert. Call (760) 568-9901 for more information.

March

K-Swiss Desert Smash
Early in March, the world's best tennis players and golfers compete in a two-day fundraiser to benefit local charities. Call (760) 773-9800 for more information.

La Quinta Arts Festival
Sculpture, painting, photography, drawing, fine craft and printmaking submitted by artists from all over the world will be on display at this juried outdoor event, accompanied by live entertainment, food, wine and children's activities. Held in mid-March. Call (760) 564-1244 for more information.

Swing'n Dixie Jazz Festival
The finest Dixieland, Swing Jazz and traditional bands in the country gather at Sunrise Park in Palm Springs in mid-March for a weekend of live music, food and family fun. Call (760) 333-7932 for more information.

Native American Film and Art Festival
View twelve feature and short films produced by Native Americans at The Camelot Theatres. The festival also includes panel discussions, an art exhibit and a closing party. Sponsored by the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum in mid-March. Call (760) 325-6565 for more information.

Dinah Shore Weekend
Coincident with the Nabisco Women's Golf Championship in Rancho Mirage gay women gather in Palm Springs for a four-day weekend party all over town, organized by San Francisco's ClubSkirts and Cherry Bar Lounge. held in late March. Call (415) 974-5906 for more information.