You learn from your mistakes. Last time in Palm Springs we were there for July 4 weekend . We had a great time but the heat was brutal, the temperature never dropping below 40 Celsius during the day . Palm Springs is a 2 hour drive in land from Hermosa Beach . This time we are here for only a couple days over Christmas . I still think it’s a weird location .Its essentially a valley wedged between two mountain ranges . A desert floor , that has been transformed into palm tree lined streets , green nature strips , lush golf courses and massive hotel resorts . Palm Springs sits at the foot of Mount San Jacinto . The mountain backdrop and the surrounding desert mountain ranges supply an almost lunar feel . You shake your head an ask why here ? The answer must be that view . One thing you can’t deny is American ingenuity , they make things happen .
Emma has us in the JW Marriott hotel . It has the lot ; golf course , mini put on real grass , a surrounding lake and moat 
with boat tours around the resort , exotic birds , pools , restaurants, bars and shops . 
We’ve only really got 1 day to check things out . Last year we road the cable car to the top of Mount San Jacinto , I’m keen to add some more adventures. I’ve got all sorts of plans .1st , Joshua Tree . 2nd , The Sultan Sea , 3rd Desert Springs and throw in Coachella and the main drag of Palm Springs . Woahhh , hold up Howie . We’ve got violins in the backseat whining out a torrent of complaints . Ahhhhhh , fuck it . Let’s go the easy option and head to 1000 palms . Only 15 minutes of driving has us there , and it turns out to be well worth it . 
A beautiful oasis tucked into the desert floor . A real gem of a find and great little walk . An added bonus is that this place sits just meters away from the San Andreas fault line . We drove over it , to get here .This next picture shows the raised ridge that follows the fault line .
Next we decide to head to Coachella . You know that place that has that famous music festival ? Once there we soon decide that is all it has going for it . Think Morewell in the desert but uglier .We don’t stop and head to the main strip of Palm Springs .I regret not getting to Joshua tree , but’s it nearly a full day activity . The kids whinging wasn’t worth the pain . From what we’ve been told the walk we did at 1000 Palms is a snapshot of what we’d see at Joshua Tree . 
For now it stays on the bucket list .
Palm Springs, has a heap of its roads named after the great stars of the past like Bob Hope , Gene Autry , Frank Sinatra and a host of others . The main strip has that old world feel , lined with cafes, souvenir shops and top end fashion and jewellery stores. 
We had lunch and enjoyed the people watching. One of the great sports in Palm Springs .
Yes that’s a pink dog and it sums up the vibe of Palm Springs perfectly . The pink panther meets designer dog . Just 2 hours from home , it’s worth a look .
aussiehowieinla 