PALM SPRINGS KEY MAGAZINE - ATTRACTIONS

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway - climbing smoothly over two and one-half miles of cable to the evergreen trees of the San Jacinto Mountains - is one of te West's most popular attractions.

In minutes, the two 80 - passenger tramcars carry visitors from the thorny cactus and warm desert sands to the invigorating mountain air and the threshold of the 13,000 - acre Mt. San Jacinto State Wilderness where 54 miles of hiking trails and 11 primitive campgrounds beckon the adventurous.

Behind the Mountain Station, a gently sloping concrete path leads to Long Valley, a short quarter - mile walk, where picnic facilities are available during the summer months. Cross country ski instruction and equipment rental along with snowtubes and snowhoes are available for a nominal fee during the winter. Long Valley is also the site of a permanent California State Park Ranger station. A permit is required for any hiking or backpacking in the Wilderness and is obtainable from the Rangers. There is no charge for the permit.

The V.W. Grubbs viewpoint, located at the southeast coner of the Mountain Station and up a short flight of stairs, affords a sweeping 360 degree view of the Coachella Valley and the Wilderness. The viewpoint is named in honor of a man who devoted more than 30 years to the Tramway.

The Valley Station is located on the north edge of Palm Springs. Take Tramway Rd. off SR 111, 3 1/2 miles up the hill. Call (760) 325-1391 for information.

Lake Cahuilla In La Quinta - catch a catfish, barbecue, swim, hike or just kick back !!!
Yes, a lake in the middle of the desert and it's conveniently located in La Quinta . Surrounded by the stark beauty of the Santa Rosa Mountains, Lake Cahuilla (pronounced Kah-wee-ah) is a favorite recreation area in the Coachella Valley.

This 135 acre park with a concrete-lined lake was built by the Coachella Valley Water District in 1969 and serves as a reservoir for the area. The park offers camping, fishing, picnic/play areas complete with barbecues, tables and lawns, swimming, special events and equestrian and hiking trails. For more information, call (760) 564-4712.

Children's Discovery Museum
There is now a museum for every child and the child in every adult in the desert. Over fifty exhibits have been specially designed to provide exciting hands on activities for children and their families.

Don’t touch is not part of the vocubulary at the museum. Children may choose to rock climb, splash paint on a Volkswagen, sort out a skeleton, create sculpture at a magnetic wall or table, dress up in the attic or shop at a grocery store or work with hand tools.

For an unforgettable adventure, visit the Museum located at 71-701 Gerald Ford Drive in Rancho Mirage. For further information call (760) 321-0602.

The Living Desert, a beautiful, exotic wildlife and botanical park combines the delights of a zoo, botanical garden and scenic wilderness in one facility. Its 1,200 acres house many of the world’s rarest animals and plants, exhibits of Indian culture, geology and hiking trails. The world’s smallest fox, majestic bighorn sheep, howling coyotes, pensive birds of prey, skittish gazelles, ancient tortoises and the Arabian oryx are all on display. The wildlife park also includes the striking Grevy’s zebra (largest zebra in the world), badger and an aviary featuring birds from the Sonoran desert. Eagle Canyon, a state-of-the-art wildlife habitat and endangered species breeding center features mountain lions, javelinas, golden eagles, Mexican wolves and over two dozen other animal and bird species. The botanical gardens are replications of ten major North American desert regions. The Living Desert is located at 47-900 Portola Ave in Palm Desert. Call (760) 346-5694 for more information.

PALM SPRINGS DESERT MUSEUM in downtown Palm Springs is a center for the enjoyment, discovery, and exploration of the visual and performing arts. The Museum features 28 galleries, two sculpture gardens, four classrooms/resource centers, an artists’ center, five storage vaults, a 90-seat lecture hall, the 433-seat Annenberg Theater, a 1,000 square-foot store, and a locally popular café. Visitors can view prestigious traveling exhibitions and enjoy different presentations from the Museum’s broad permanent collections including classic western American art, bold 20th contemporary paintings and sculpture, native American art, photography, architecture, and more. The Museum is located at 101 Museum Drive. Call (760) 325-7186 for more information.

Join Desert Adventures, voted the Top Desert Attraction, to explore the unique geological features of the San Andreas Fault! Discovering the beauty of the desert environment and its geothermal conditions is some of the best entertainment the valley has to offer, even for the non-scientific oriented. This fascinating adventure enlightens and entertains, and is perfect for families and for those who haven’t roughed it since the Boy Scouts. Call for information and reservations, (760) 324-5337.

"Coming in for a landing" at the PALM SPRINGS AIR MUSEUM are bombers, fighters and trainers, and the World’s largest collection of flying WWII airplanes. This museum is a living tribute to America’s Veterans and the planes they flew. Open daily. Located at Palm Springs Regional Airport, 745 Gene Autry Trail. For details call (760) 778-6262.

The GENERAL GEORGE S. PATTON MEMORIAL MUSEUM has been established to honor the late General George S. Patton and the thousands of men who served with him at the Desert Training Center. Exhibits display memorabilia from the General’s life and career. The exhibit halls include the many and varied aspects of military life with particular focus on the Desert Training Center and soldiers of World War II. The museum is located off I-10, about 30 miles east of Indio at Chiriaco Summit. Call (760) 227-3483 for information.

RUDDY’S 1930’s GENERAL STORE is an authentic, lovingly recreated general store of the 1930’s and early 1940’s. Every detail is authentic with more than 6,000 unused items and individual products. Located on the Village Green in Palm Springs at 221 South Palm Canyon Drive. Call (760) 327-2156.

CABOT'S OLD PUEBLO MUSEUM is a unique Hopi style structure constructed by Cabot Yerxa over a 20 year period. It’s been turned into a museum, trading post and art gallery and has Heritage Art demonstrations. Located 1 1/4 miles east of Palm Drive at 67-616 E. Desert View in Desert Hot Springs. (760) 329-7610.

The AGUA CALIENTE CULTURAL MUSEUM preserves the past, present and future history of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians in Palm Springs. Located at 219 South Palm Canyon Drive on the Village Green in Palm Springs. Here visitors can examine Cahuilla material culture in the form of artifacts, photographs and artwork. Call (760) 323-0151.

THE INDIAN CANYONS - Centuries ago,ancestors of the Agua Caliente Cahuilla Indians settled in the Palm Springs area and developed extensive and complex communities in canyons, traces of which still exist today: TAHQUITZ CANYON, at 500 W. Mesquite, just west of Palm Canyon Drive in downtown Palm Springs, has been reopened to the public for the first time since 1971. It’s the home to a spectacular 60-foot waterfall, rock art, ancient irragation systems, native wildlife and plants. The visitor center offers educational and cultural exhibits and a video which narrates the legend of Tahquitz Canyon. A 2 hour walking tour is available. Call (760) 416-7044. Charge for admission.

The entrance to PALM CANYON, fifteen miles long, MURRAY CANYON and ANDREAS CANYON, is on South Palm Canyon Drive, approximately 3 miles
south of East Palm Canyon Drive. Call (760) 325-5673 for information.

Cabazon Band of Mission Indians Tribal Chairman John James stands next to a photo of Chief Cabazon in the new Cabazon Cultural Museum across from Fantasy Springs Casino. Interactive, hands-on exhibits of past, present and future Cahuilla culture. Free, Open 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. 84-245 Indio Springs Pkwy, Indio. Take Interstate 10, Exit on Golf Center Pkwy. (760) 238-5770.

MOORTEN'S BOTANICAL GARDEN in Palm Springs is internationally famous as an arboretum professionally designed in geographical regions of native habitats displaying several thousands of varieties of desert plants from seedlings to giant specimens. Located at 1701 S. Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs. Call (760) 327-6555 for more information.

COACHELLA VALLEY MUSEUM & CULTURAL CENTER in downtown Indio is an old adobe home built in 1926 and originally used as a doctor’s office and home. Exhibits include historical objects and photos, railroad exhibits, antique farm equipment, authentic Japanese garden and other exhibits. Located at 82-616 Miles Ave in Indio. For more information call (760) 342-6651.

Welcome to the ride of your life in a WW 2 Trainer. YOU GET TO FLY in the front cockpit .... your flight might be serene and scenic or thrilling and aerobatic, because each ride is tailored to you with an experienced modern-day fighter pilot. See beautiful views of the Desert Valley and Salton Sea. Several different packages to choose from, starting at $139. In-flight video of your ride is available. Gift certificates are great gifts. Open 7 days. Call NOSTALGIC WARBIRD RIDES at the Palm Springs International Airport at Signature Aviation, (760) 641-7335. www.nostalgicwarbirdrides.com