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ACCESS
AND INFORMATION
PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT(3400 E Tahquitz
Canyon Way; 760/323-8161) is served from major cities around the U.S.
by Alaska, American, American Eagle, United, United Express, America West
Express, and U.S. Airways Express. However, many airlines offer far less
frequent service during the hot "out of season" months (June,
July, August, and September). CAR RENTALS (Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz,
National) are available in Palm Springs at the airport or directly through
the Valley resorts. Most travelers touring the Low Desert approach via
car on INTERSTATE 10 from the Riverside/San Bernardino area. The final
changeover of coastal plain to inland desert occurs as you pass through
San Gorgonio
Pass (famed for its weird forests of giant electricity-generating wind
mills). Immediately after the pass, with Mount San Gorgonio (elevation!
11,499) to the north and Mount San Jacinto (elevation 10,804) to the south,
Highway 111 splits off southward from the interstate, enters typ-
ical desert scenery of sand, rock, and scrub, and soon becomes a mulrilane
boulevard (with traffic lights) that strings along from one desert resort
community to the next—Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert,
Indian Wells, and Indio. At Indio, a traveler can continue south
to see the immense Salton Sea and its birdlife; or rejoin Interstate 10
via Auto Center Drive. Interstate 10 continues east to enter Arizona at
Biythe and is the primary route to Phoenix.
The Salton Sea area is close to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, and travelers
can make a giant loop tour of Southern California's deserts by going west
from Salton Sea on Highway S22 into Anza-Borrego, soutk briefly to Highway
78, west to Highway 79, north to Aguanga and
Highway 371, and east to Highway 74, which descends back into Pain Desert.
Another route "over the hill" (and out of the desert) is Stag
Route 74, also known as the Pines-to-Palms highway. Route 74 entefl the
San Bernardino National Forest and leads to the mountain town a
Idyllwild. It also facilitates a return to Los Angeles or San Diego via
Interstate 15.
Keep abreast of the area's highway conditions by calling the California
Highway Patrol at 909/849-5646. High winds often kick up sand in open
areas outside of cities, causing poor visibility, dangerous conditions
for big rigs and recreational vehicles, and, at the very least, dam-
aged auto finishes.
AMTRAK'S Sunset Limited goes through the Coachella Valley as it crosses
the country between Los Angeles and Miami, but no longer stops in Indio.
The closest stop is San Bernardino station, 60 miles northwest of Palm
Springs (1170 W Third Street; 909/884-1307). Amtrak BUS SERVICE arrives
at and departs from San Bernardino and Palm Springs.
Call 800/USA-RAIL for schedules and fare information.
LOW DESERT THREE-DAY TOUR
DAY ONE. Spend the morning browsing the shops
and galleries along South Palm Canyon Drive in downtown Palm Springs.
Don't miss the Village Green Heritage Center, where you'll get
a sense of the city's early history. Duck in for lunch at Las
Casuelas Terraia, then drive a few blocks into the old "Tennis
Club district" to check into your room at Korakia Pensione.
After a swim and a nap, drive 6 miles northwest of Palm Springs
to catch the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, on which you'll ascend
almost 6,000 feet up the mountainside to Mountain Station. Stay
long enough to enjoy the view and have a light snack on the aerie-like
terrace. Return to your room for a freshen-up, then walk to dinner
at nearby St. James at the Vineyard.
DAY TWO. Rise early, take your time with coffee
and continental breakfast in Korakia's courtyard, then drive about
a half hour "down valley" on Highway ! 11 to Palm Desert.
Breakfast fans might want to stop at Keedy's Fountain & Grill
for huevos rancheros. Next learn which plants and critters call
the desert home with a visit in the cool of midmorning to nearby
Living Desert (closed in summer). Backtrack to down town Palm
Desert for a big salad and a smoothie at casual and lively Native
Foods. Spend a few hours poking into all the elegant shops and
galleries along El Paseo. Head north from Palm Desert to the Coachella
Valley Preserve, which is open until sunset. Venture out in the
evening on foot for drinks and dinner at Kaiser Grille, followed
by a live performance at either the Annenberg Theater in the Palm
Springs Desert Museum or the historic Plaza Theatre.
DAY THREE. Spend the morning playing golf on
one of the Coachella Valley's nearly one hundred golf courses,
then return to your lodgings for one last swim and checkout. If
you've worked up an appetite, try the Eh/is burger at The Burger
Factory in Palm Springs, then stroll through the spiny world of
Moorten Botanical Gardens, fou'il also have time in the afternoon
for a visit to Palm Springs Desert Museum, where art and natural
history cohabitate in a splendid building against the mountainside.
If a special milestone (especially a romantic one) needs celebrating,
wind up the day with a champagne toast at Le Vallauris, followed
by a candlelit dinner on the patio.
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