V-Flyer

Well the jaunt is looming [:D] and I need some advice. I've never been to Palm Springs but I would like to visit.Dragonbaby and her friend are underwhelmed by my suggestion. Anybody any ideas on how to sell the idea to them and what to do if we go? I was thinking of perhaps going on the 4th July- is this a good idea?
Thanks
DL

I'm sorry to say I am with dragonbaby on this, for people their age PS has very little to offer.

If anyone knows different it will be Chuck.

Promise a visit to the Cabazon discount mall on the way or from PS from LAX - it's one of the best.

Eat at the Viceroy Hotel or the Ace Hotel - beautiful people, younger too (Tom Ford stays at the Ace).

Go up the aerial tramway - it's fab and frightens the life out of me.

If the younger ones like scenery or wildlife, check out Tahquitz canyon or other similar places.

Hope this helps!

I love Palm Springs - esp dining at Le Vallauris (Sunday brunch is a MUST).

But then I am in my mid 40's and gay - I would say it helps to fit into BOTH of these categories to enjoy all the delights PS has to offer and I certainly suggested my Sister and teenage family avoiding it and going elsewhere (e.g. San Diego) which would appeal more to their upper middle class, straight genre type of City.

HG

If you all play golf, you'll be made up!

Apart from that, the others have said, not really a place to get the kids excited (unless, as mentioned, they like shopping, so a trip to Palm Desert, as well might suit)

I enjoyed my stays there, but that was to completely chill out in lovely desert sunshine.

DL

DL we had four nights there last week.
Stayed at the Hyatt Grand Champions. Very nice - got a great deal direct with Hyatt.

As others have said its no metropolis.
We went to the mall at Palm Desert and then to Cabazon (not overly impressed- all outside therefore no ac - and not really any cheaper than the stores in San Francisco) on the way back to LAX.

We had a day up at San Jacinto NP (up the aerial tramway ie cable car).
Also had a day in the Joshua Tree NP.

We are not golfers but are gay - oddly not much sign of either of these creatures around - not that that was the reason for going. Just a few days r&r before returning to Oz. The place was deserted (really) - too hot apparently. It is a fairly quiet place from what we saw. Depends what you are looking for.

When DB and her friend are paying I would listen to them[}:)]. To be fair we didn't see many young'uns about.

Hope that is of some use.

Well, if you like heat come ahead! We are expecting 110F later this week.

Though there are a number of gay-owned and operated businesses here your sexuality has nothing to do with whether the Coachella Valley will resonate with you -- not anymore than it does in, say, San Francisco.

That said Slinky09, slipperman, RobL and Hackneyguy all have some good suggestions. My favorite, summer and winter, is the tram ride. It will be 30 degrees cooler in the alpine forest at the peak (8,500 feet above the Valley floor); you can take a long or short hike, have lunch and just relax in what feels like 'normal' summer weather.

You may also enjoy driving into the mountains where less than an hour away places such as the summer resort town of Idylwild await; it's cooler there, too. Two hours to the south is San Diego.

At this time of year the kids might enjoy being near the ocean a bit more than shopping at Cabazon, however. Check out the city of Huntington Beach, the surfing capital of the USA, with its long beaches and plenty of places to stay, bike rentals, movie theatres and different food options, all within easy walking distance of the beach.

Whatever you decide, enjoy your visit to California. If I can answer more questions, just PM me.

Chuck-

quote:Originally posted by ChuckC

Check out the city of Huntington Beach, the surfing capital of the USA, with its long beaches and plenty of places to stay, bike rentals, movie theatres and different food options, all within easy walking distance of the beach.



[y] for Huntington beach, we'll be staying there in August (at the Hyatt, with it's own bridge across highway 1 to the beach). Great beach and lovely sunsets. Here's a pic I took a few years back.

Thanks gents- looks as if Palm Springs may be scrapped off the agenda (those two will be pleased [}:)]).
We did most of the LA beaches last summer- DB and I had a surfing lesson at Huntington Beach [:D].She (unsurprisingly) was much better than me (I got walloped by the wretched board every time I fell off, which was all the time [:0]).
So on to Plan B -San Diego. Hit or miss?
DL

Another vote for the aerial tramway - have lunch at the top (not in the cafe but in the restaurant - surprisingly good for a tourist venue). Walk in the San Jacquinto National Park. Drive through the Cochella Valley and marvel at the plethora of wind turbines - mind blowing if you've never seen more than a handful at once. Air conditioned mall, Imax and Cinema at Catherdral City, with a reasonable italian restaurant (Castellis) in Palm Desert. For entertainment value our meal at Melvyn's (at the Ingelside Inn) rated highly -hugely camp maitre D and retro food/decor/brat pack memorabillia. Lots of above average restaurants in Palm Spring centre - we particularly liked the Falls. Pinocchios was great for breakfast/brunch.

We rented here for a month last July and had a fantastic house with a pool which was all the daught needed really, but as others have said if your teenagers need entertaining there probably isn't that much for an extended stay.

Regards
RedV

quote:Originally posted by DragonLady

So on to Plan B -San Diego. Hit or miss?



Well there are a few more things there. There's a couple of places you could stop on the way down from LA (Carlsbad, La Jolla is quite nice, Legoland - Noooooo)

Obviously San Diego has the Zoo and SeaWorld, Seaport Village is OK for a bit twee shopping and a walk by the Marina. Cocktails on the top floor of the Hyatt, Coronado island.

And, then there's the day trip to Tijuana in Mexico [n]

quote:Originally posted by DragonLady

So on to Plan B -San Diego. Hit or miss?
DL


Good plan. Or:

- drive north along the coast to Big Sur and to Monterey / Carmel (a good drive!)
- go inland either to Lake Arrowhead (if they like the open air, kayaking and walking that is!)

quote:Originally posted by slinky09
quote:Originally posted by DragonLady

So on to Plan B -San Diego. Hit or miss?
DL


Good plan. Or:

- drive north along the coast to Big Sur and to Monterey / Carmel (a good drive!)


That gets my vote over San Diego. We enjoyed Sea World and a stroll when we went, but there wasn't much else. I'd happily do Route 1 for the 3rd time, as there's so much to discover. It is, however, a trip not advised for anyone who gets travel sick, as it is twisty and turny.

Paul

17 Mile Drive between Carmel and Monterey is beautiful and highly recommended. [y]

We've done Carmel/ Monterey/ 17 mile drive on previous trips. DB and the BF don't do anything that involves physical exertion or getting one's nails dirty /chipped. San Diego doesn't sound wow.Thanks for all the suggestions though.
Oh bugger- what they both want is a trip to SF (DB loves the place and BF has never been there).
Once again I may have to concede defeat and just book the flights......
Off to look at prices on VX.
DL
DL

quote:Originally posted by DragonLady
We've done Carmel/ Monterey/ 17 mile drive on previous trips. DB and the BF don't do anything that involves physical exertion or getting one's nails dirty /chipped. San Diego doesn't sound wow.Thanks for all the suggestions though.
Oh bugger- what they both want is a trip to SF (DB loves the place and BF has never been there).
Once again I may have to concede defeat and just book the flights......
Off to look at prices on VX.
DL
DL


Sigh!

Here you go:

http://www.virginamerica.com

[:o)]

DB does have a point, SFO is a great place [y]

Thanks,
Sarah

I'm biased to be sure, but find San Diego a bit underwhelming compared to SF and can't imagine people spending much time there. It'll only work if you plan on lounging on a beach (and the weather cooperates). You can make a day of La Jolla between leisurely lunch at Whisk'n'Ladle, dinner at Karl Strauss Brewery (go for the zen garden one if you can), walk & watch the seals, do some shopping, watch the admittedly breathtaking sunsets. I like Encinitas to hang out a bit, Leucadia has some nice beaches and a great local seafood shack. Maybe a trip around Coronado. Definitely Balboa Park. I don't particularly enjoy the Gaslamp district.

It's a two day trip to San Diego, in other words. If you're looking for something more, go to SF for sure [;)]