#227 Downtown Palm Springs
Downtown Palm Springs along Palm Canyon Drive is the heart of Palm Springs. Palm trees line the historic buildings, shops and restaurants while the San Jacinto Mountains provide a dramatic backdrop. The Palm Springs Walk of Stars is a fun way to discover those who helped create the city as a resort getaway including Ginger Rogers, Lucille Ball, Marilyn Monroe & Elizabeth Taylor.
#195 Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway rises 6,000 feet from the desert floor to the alpine forest through five diverse life zones. It is the largest rotating aerial tramway in the world. From the top to the bottom, the temperature can differ by up to 40 degrees making it the perfect escape during hot summers. On a clear day, the views stretch as far as 200 miles including Mount Charleston outside of Las Vegas, Nevada. Because of its engineering feat, it earned the nickname 'eight wonder of the world' when it opened in 1963.
#176 Salton Sea State Recreation Area
The Salton Sea is one of the most fascinating spots in Southern California. Created by accident between 1905-07 while trying the reroute the Colorado River, water seeped through diversion canals for two years and settled into the Cahuilla Valley creating a new sea. Being in the low desert, everyone assumed the water would evaporate; however, the sea had other plans. Recreational resorts sprung up and the Salton Sea became a thriving new Riviera and yacht paradise.
With its lack of moving water supply, the sea became extremely salty causing the introduced fish to die off in the thousands. The beaches are made up of salt and fish bones, needless to say, causing the area surrounding the sea to become undesirable and uninhabitable. Ghost towns surround the shores while bird watchers come to the recreation area to enjoy the variety of birds that use the sea as a stopover between flight. Prepare your noses for a bizarre visit.
#155 Palms to Pines National Scenic Byway
Palms to Pines National Scenic Byway is one of the most scenic drives in Southern California. From the desert ecosystem of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley to the snow-covered peaks of the San Bernardino National Forest, this winding road takes you from sea level to peaks more than a mile high in pristine wilderness. Beautiful overlooks offer dramatic views that soar for miles.
#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.
#120 Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument
Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument preserves 280,000 acres in the peninsular mountain ranges. The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians own and manage a large portion of the monument of which house many sacred sites. It is a land of extremes rising from the heat of the desert floor to the snow dusted peaks 10,000 feet high.
Palms to Pines National Scenic Byway winds through the encompassing mountains and is a great driving overview of the monument. The National Landscape Conservation System maintains the monument as a 'healthy, wild and open' space. Unlike many other parks and monuments, not many mapped trails or sites exist. It is a place for deep reflection and solitude. The beauty of nature awaits!
#105 Sunnylands
Sunnylands is the Annenberg Estate historical property outside of Palm Springs in Rancho Mirage. Famous since 1966, the home and gardens have hosted the most famous entertainers and political figures. Presidents stay here while in Palm Springs. The adjacent visitor center and gardens are open to the public and are beautifully landscaped to resemble the Annenbergs' impressionist painting collection.
#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.
