Moorten Botanical Garden and Cactarium has been a Palm Springs tradition since 1939. This one acre garden packs in 3,000 desert cacti from around the globe including North American Deserts: Mojave, Sonoran, Chihuahuan, Great Basin & Colorado Plateau as well as Mexico, Africa and South America. Enjoy the wonderful mirage of cacti along its stunning trails.
#318 Willis Palm Oasis
Willis Palm Oasis, located in the Coachella Valley Preserve, is a great place for solitude. A half-mile hike takes you to the base of the oasis which can be explored by hiking the cliffs and springs. Climbing to the top provides sweeping views of Palm Springs, the Coachella Valley and the San Jacinto Mountains making it the perfect spot to watch the sunset.
#305 Keys View
Keys View offers a stunning panoramic vista of the desert from Joshua Tree National Park. Located on the edge of the Little San Bernardino Mountains, endless views of Palm Springs, the Coachella Valley, San Jacinto Peak, San Andreas Fault, Salton Sea and Mexico on a clear day can all be enjoyed from this must-see point.
#253 Palm Canyon
Palm Canyon is a magnificent palm oasis on the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Reservation. These natural palm canyons are what gives Palm Springs its name and are the only palm trees that grow naturally in California. Stunning trails wind along palm filled creeks of desert terrain while the San Jacinto Mountains give an impressive backdrop. A variety of trails for every skill level make this a must for any Palm Springs visit.
#149 Thousand Palms Oasis
Thousand Palms Oasis in the Coachella Valley Preserve is a fine example of a desert palm grove. With its towering California Fan Palms and glorious trails, it is the perfect escape into a wonderland. These palms are the only ones actually native to California and grow along springs in the colorado desert. It is a must to see the 'Palm' in Palm Springs.
#90 Cabot's Pueblo Museum
Cabot's Pueblo Museum is an historic landmark in Desert Hot Springs. This Hopi-style pueblo was created by homesteader Cabot Yerxa, who first settled here in 1913. While digging for water, he discovered the hot springs for which the area is named. His 4 story Pueblo contains 35 rooms, 150 windows, 65 doors and 30 different roofs and was constructed from found materials of the surrounding Coachella Valley.
One of the famous 'Trail of the Whispering Giants' Native American heads sculpted by Peter Wolf Toth also has its home here. 'Waokiye', number 27 of 74, was carved from a 750 years old fallen giant sequoia. Toth's sculptures honor the Native Americans of America, and he has one in every single state.
#22 Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens just outside of Palm Springs in Palm Desert is a wonderful zoo focusing on Desert Species. Founded in 1970, this Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited institution has done a great job of showcasing the importance of desert preservation in a land surrounded by resorts. The Living Desert has helped reintroduce bighorn sheep to the local desert.
Giraffes, cheetahs and mountain lion among many other desert dwellers can be seen. The butterfly and hummingbird garden are also full of friendly visitors. The zoo also features an LGB (Lehmann Gross Bahn) G-Scale Model Railroad, one of the world's largest. There are about 3,000 feet of train track and contains the world's longest wooden model trestle at 202 feet and 8 inches.
