| 1 Hike the canyons of Palm Springs | | | | this desert paradise. But hoofing it through the |
| Palm Springs is a hiker's paradise, which is evident | | | | miles and miles of desert attractions in and around |
| by the many hiking trails mapped out in and | | | | Palm Springs can take a great deal of time and |
| around its numerous scenic canyons and gorges. | | | | energy. That is why it has become very popular |
| Here the diversity of wildlife is as contrasting as | | | | to tour Palm Springs by bike, and there are |
| the breathtaking landscape. From catching a | | | | several mapped bike tours and guides dedicated |
| glimpse of the rare and endangered Bighorn | | | | to this popular activity. |
| Sheep to watching the clever antics of the | | | | One of the most popular bike tour agencies in |
| smallest desert creatures, the canyons of Palm | | | | Palm Springs is Big Wheel Bike Tours. They offer |
| Springs are a must see for any visitor to the | | | | several different courses which range in difficulty |
| area. | | | | from beginner to Advanced and can vary in |
| Tahquitz Canyon is situated on the Agua Caliente | | | | length from a couple of hours to a full day. Many |
| Reservation and is one of the most beautiful | | | | of the courses meander through breathtaking |
| desert attractions to be found in Palm Springs. | | | | landscapes and popular tourist attractions. |
| Boasting of a spectacular 60-foot waterfall, rock | | | | 5 Palm Springs Casinos |
| art, ancient irrigation systems, abundant native | | | | Boasting a handful of casinos all featuring low and |
| wildlife and plants, a hike through this unique and | | | | high-stakes gambling, fine dining and other |
| diverse canyon will not be forgotten any time | | | | luxurious attractions, Palm Springs is prepared to |
| soon. Palm Canyon features fifteen miles of | | | | take care of all of your gambling wants and |
| mapped trails that gives hikers an intimate glimpse | | | | needs. In fact, the only hindrance that you may |
| of the area's indigenous flora and fauna situated | | | | find when it comes to Palm Springs casinos is |
| against a contrasting, rugged landscape of rocky | | | | deciding exactly in which casino you want to place |
| red and gold gorges and the barren desert lands | | | | your bets. |
| in the distance. Here you can hike, explore, picnic | | | | No matter what your gaming preference or |
| and horseback ride against the breathtaking | | | | budget, there is a gaming facility in Palm Springs |
| canyon backdrop. | | | | to meet your every need. From high-stakes |
| 2 Tour the oases of Palm Springs | | | | Poker and slot machines to Bingo and Blackjack |
| A beautiful contrast to the barren desert | | | | among others, you will find plenty to keep your |
| landscape are the many lush oases of Palm | | | | gambling hand occupied during your stay in Palm |
| Springs. Consisting mainly of tall Fan Palms, the | | | | Springs. Some of the many casinos in the area |
| oases offer more than just respite from the | | | | include the Palm Springs Spa Resort Casino, the |
| extreme desert temperatures, which descend | | | | Agua Caliente Casino, the Fantasy Springs Casino |
| upon the area daily. The oases of Palm Springs | | | | and the Trump 29 Spotlight Casino. |
| are intricate ecosystems boasting of numerous | | | | 6 The Native Americans of Palm Springs |
| different kinds of plant and animal life including | | | | Palm Springs is a desert paradise with sparkling |
| snakes, rodents, lizards and spiders. | | | | waters, tree-lined canyons and bubbling hot |
| Thousand Palms Oasis is situated on the Coachella | | | | springs. This rich, desert oasis has been the site |
| Valley Preserve and straddles the San Andreas | | | | of civilization for thousands of years beginning |
| Fault line. Consisting of emerald green | | | | with the native inhabitants of the Agua Caliente |
| undergrowth, soaring Fan Palms and the | | | | Band of Cahuilla Indians. For centuries, this band of |
| endangered Valley Fringe-toed Lizard, the | | | | Native Americans lived off of the bounty to be |
| Thousand Palms Oasis is the perfect place to | | | | had in this unique desert, ecosystem. |
| start your tour of the Oases of Palm Springs. | | | | The region was ideal for habitation, and the Agua |
| The Oasis of Mara, formerly known as | | | | Caliente took advantage of the resources in the |
| Twentynine Palms Oasis, is located in the Joshua | | | | area and survived by living off of the land. They |
| Tree National Park. Once revered as an "Oasis of | | | | used multitudes of desert plants for food, clothes, |
| Fertility" by the natives, this oasis is indeed a | | | | medicine and hunted game such as deer, bighorn |
| fertile ground for many types of flora, fauna and | | | | sheep, rabbits and other small animals. They also |
| wildlife. | | | | used an elaborate irrigation system to aid in the |
| 3 Entertain your whole family in Palm Springs | | | | production of crops that were brought by the |
| What once has been known as a Mecca for the | | | | Spanish including corn, squash, beans and melons. |
| retired, the rich and golf enthusiasts, Palm Springs | | | | Sadly, in 1862 a small pox epidemic brought about |
| is beginning to show its inner child. From museums | | | | by the influx of whites into the area almost |
| and amusement parks to miniature golf and | | | | completely wiped out the Agua Caliente |
| arcades, there is no end to the family-friendly | | | | altogether. In 1925, only 50 Agua Caliente |
| attractions to be found in Palm Springs. | | | | remained. Today, there are 240. They still hold |
| Located on East Palm Canyon, Camelot Park | | | | the majority of the land in the Palm Springs area |
| boasts of activities and entertainment to keep | | | | and run successful casinos and other tourist |
| the whole family occupied for hours. At the | | | | attractions in the area. |
| center of this whimsical attraction is a fantastical | | | | 7 How Palm Springs was named |
| castle surrounded by video games, miniature golf, | | | | The first non-Native American to settle in the |
| go-carts, bumper boats and much, much more. | | | | Palm Springs area was Judge John Guthrie |
| The Living Desert Wildlife and Botanical Park is | | | | McCallum. Arriving in Palm Springs in 1884 from |
| located on Portola Avenue, and is full of amazing | | | | San Francisco with family in tow, McCallum |
| wildlife and creatures that will be sure to amuse | | | | worked alongside the Native Americans to build a |
| the adults and children alike. Featuring species such | | | | 19 mile stone-lined ditch from the Whitewater |
| as coyotes, the endangered bighorn sheep, | | | | River Springs to irrigate the dryer parts of the |
| cheetahs and meerkats, the Living Desert is a | | | | area. |
| must-see attraction in the Palm Springs area. The | | | | Continuing throughout the 19th century, numerous |
| park also boats of a discovery center where | | | | explorers, colonizers and soldiers came through |
| children can watch demonstrations and have | | | | the desert and remarked on the lush oasis to be |
| hands-on interactions with small creatures such as | | | | found in the Coachella Valley, but no formal name |
| snakes, turtles and tarantulas. | | | | had been given to the site. Often referred to as |
| 4 Tour Palm Springs by bike | | | | Palm Springs, Agua Caliente or Palm Valley, it |
| There is no better way to get up close and | | | | wasn't until 1890 when Harry McCallum wrote his |
| personal with an exotic destination like Palm | | | | address as Palm Springs that the region came to |
| Springs than by leisurely strolling through the | | | | be known under those terms. |
| many lush oases and barren landscapes typical of | | | | |