I have a wedding to go to in Palm Springs on April 19, 2008. Suggested Hotel Options: Korakia Pensione Horizon Hotel 7 Springs Inn $280 direct Houston to PS looks like our best option right now. Seems like a pretty good deal to me. Questions: What's the weather like in PS in late April? What's the overall deal w/ Palm Springs? Any low cost options for lodging? Nightlife scene (My bud and I are rolling double solo as the last bachelor holdouts)?
I went out to Palm Springs last January for the first time. Weather wise it's nice during the day (long sleave t-shirt and jeans), but it does get cool (not cold) in the evening. Golfing is good every month except Jul-Aug. No going into the pool in January. In April the weather is perfect. Should warm up enough to go to the pool. Sorry, I don't recall the hotel I stayed in, so I can't give you advice there except stay close to downtown unless you're playing golf at one of the resorts. There are a few bars and clubs in the downtown area, so that's why I suggest you stay there. There are several casinos in and around Palm Springs. Indian casinos, so it's not vegas but 1-2 of them are pretty nice. I went on a few hikes while I was there in January, and they were pretty cool. Joshua Tree national park is close to palm springs, so that is an option too if you're into the outdoorsy stuff.
I hope you golf. There are tons of great courses there. We went in Sept a few years back (cheaper green fees, fewer people) and played 4 awesome courses. They were technically in Palm Desert, but it's all one place anyway. I think there's a strip joint back in PS where Charlie Sheen, or maybe Robert Downey Jr got busted for drugs. At least that's what this guy's brother told us. Total ********.
The palm desert Marriott is where the Saved by the Bell wedding was, so thats cool. The golf is great there too.
I found it extremely boring as far as nightlife. (compared to LA or SF) A good place for food & drinks is called something like "Blue Guitar" or "Blue Oven" (Blue something). When we went, the guys spent all day golfing and the girls spent all day shopping. Other than that it's just chill in the pool and try to not die from the heat. (We were there in mid-summer) Also, the locals don't seem to like all the tourists...
The KP looks like a place I've wanted to check out... other great places, if you're into the mid-century vibe are the Orbit In and The Hideaway(http://www.orbitin.com/) or the Desert Star Bungalows (http://www.desertstarhotel.com/stay/). We've toured the Orbit In (pricey but very cool) and stayed at the Desert Star four times. Plenty of things to do in Palm Springs. Highly recommended... take the tram up to the top of Mt. San Jacinto and make the 45 minute drive to Joshua Tree National Park. The Indian Canyons are also highly recommended. Palm Canyon is a good hike, as is Andrews Canyon. If you've got the time, head to Idylwild to visit a nice mountain community. Let's see... if you like architecture, you'll go nuts in PS. From iconic buildings like the Kaufmann House and Wexler's steel houses to the countless Alexander homes. Also, check out the local art museum - a nice collection in a great modern building. What else... the Living Desert in Palm Desert is a great place - part museum, part zoo, part botanical garden with hikes thrown in to boot. I don't golf so I haven't mentioned golf but, if that's your thing, there's plenty there. Ultimately, stay in a boutique hotel - that's the charm of PS, not a large resort.
Joshua Tree has so much to offer... you can take easy hikes through places like Barker Dam or take 1 1/2 hour hikes up mountains for great views of the park .There's something for everyone. Below are pics from 3 different hikes in Joshua Tree and one in Palm Canyon...
Thanks for all the replies. I hate golf (because I suck at it), but I imagine I will be doing some version of caddying. I think I'll try to get some folks to do the cool outdoors stuff as it would be a waste to go all that way and do the same crap I can do here, but it may be fairly tough to pry them away from civilization. Mac - the wedding is in Palm Springs because the couple lives in Seattle and she just wants to go somewhere warm for the week.
The nightlife is pretty sorry because its mainly a retirement community. There are a few Casinos. Don't miss IN & OUT Burger.
