The Southern California Town That Comes Alive During The Winter Season
By Natasha Kayes|Published January 05, 2023
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Natasha Kayes
Author
I was born and raised in sunny Southern California and will never tire of the West Coast, although I spent several years living in Southeast Asia, about as far from California as you can get. Wherever I am in the world, I love straying from the beaten path, experiencing local life, and discovering hidden gems - camera in hand. The beach is my happy place and when I am not there (or writing), you will usually find me baking, watching movies, and cuddling my pugs. I have traveled around the country and around the world, and it never, ever gets old. Being able to combine my passion for travel and my love of writing is nothing short of a dream.
Winter is actually the best time to visit Southern California’s desert towns. The weather is wonderful, warm, and sunny enough to enjoy the great outdoors but much cooler than the brutal desert summers. This kind of winter in Palm Springs, California, is what causes the town to come alive and the population to nearly triple. Why not join the snowbirds for a fun and memorable winter season?
In the 1950s, Palm Springs became a renowned retreat for the Hollywood elite, like Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack. Elvis and Priscilla Presley even spent their honeymoon here. And this town has had a special kind of relaxed glamor ever since.
With tall, statuesque mountains as a backdrop and the slender trees that give this place its name, this desert town is striking in its own way.
Many flock to Palms Springs in winter to eat, shop, and browse. If that sounds like your ideal itinerary, there is plenty to explore and enjoy, from Michelin-star restaurants, boutiques, art galleries, and high-end shops, not to mention unique architecture to admire.
One of the most special natural features of the desert is the oasis, spring-fed pockets of vibrant palm trees in the middle of vast expanses of sand and rock. The Coachella Valley Preserve has several of these natural phenomena to explore.
While in the desert, it is worth visiting nearby Joshua Tree National Park. There is much to see in Joshua Tree, from the park’s namesake trees to one-of-a-kind rock formations.
This quarter-mile loop runs through the Cholla Cactus Garden. These unique fuzzy-looking cacti are also known as "teddy bear cactus." How could anyone resist a field of "teddy bears"?
Palm Springs is known for its mid-century modern architecture. Visit the so-called Movie Colony, the El Mirador community, to see this beautiful estate commissioned by Frank Sinatra in 1947. Perhaps the most popular feature of the property is the piano-shaped swimming pool.
Step aboard the one-of-a-kind Palm Springs Aerial Tramway which takes you from the desert floor almost 6,000 feet up to Mountain Station in the San Jacinto Mountains.
During winter, you can spend the day enjoying the snowy mountain, with its panoramic views, hiking trails, and restaurants, before heading back down to the warm desert.
The areas surrounding the town of Palm Springs are known for their hot mineral springs and these nourishing waters are pumped into many of the spas, hotels, and resorts in the area. Whether or not you stay in a place that features hot springs or not, you can take advantage of the many day passes that are offered so you can take a soak in the mineral-rich waters.
With the moderate temperatures of winter in the desert, humans are not the thing that make Palm Springs come alive. This is the ideal time to see over 150 species of animals at the Living Desert Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Condé Nast Traveler rated this one of the country’s 10 best zoos and there are a ton of interactive adventures for the whole family.
Winter in Palm Springs, California, is a great way to escape the cold and enjoy the beautiful SoCal desert. What do you think? Are you ready to pack your bags for a warm winter adventure? If, on the other hand, you want to experience a true white winter getaway, check out Southern California’s snowiest town.
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