Page 21 - FlipBook

A DESERT OASIS LIKE NO OTHER, PALM SPRINGS IN CALIFORNIA’S COACHELLA VALLEY 172KM EAST OF LOS ANGELES HAS ATTRACTED PEOPLE TO ITS HOT SPRINGS FOR AT LEAST 2000 YEARS, WHEN THE CAHUILLA PEOPLE LIVED NEAR THE SPRINGS IN COOLER MONTHS. FROM THE BEGINNING OF 1900S, HEALTH TOURISTS INCLUDING HOLLYWOOD STARS BEGAN TO ARRIVE TO ‘TAKE-THE- WATERS’ AT EARLY SPA RESORTS. GOLF COURSES AND TENNIS CLUBS FOLLOWED, PLUS HOMES IN PRIVATE ESTATES. TODAY VISITORS ALSO COME FOR MODERN-DAY HOT SPRINGS RESORTS; THE BALMY WEATHER; THE CHANCE TO BE IN MOVIE-STAR TERRITORY BUT IN A MORE LAID-BACK ATMOSPHERE THAN LOS ANGELES; FOR MID-CENTURY MODERNIST ARCHITECTURE; AND TO EXPLORE THE INCREDIBLE NATURAL DESERT LANDSCAPE AND CANYONS.
BY ANNE CHAMBERLAIN
PALM SPRINGS
1. Palm Springs is famed for it’s mid-century modern architecture. 2. Palm Springs is an oasis in the Coachella Valley 3. Forever Marilyn is a giant statue of Marilyn Monroe designed by Seward Johnson. 4. Joshua Tree national park. 5. Desert flora. 6. Clean energy wind turbines. 7. Palm Springs is known as the golf course capital of the world.
DESIGN & ART
Palm Springs is home to important mid- century modernist architecture, with a preservation program protecting and enhancing many of these classic buildings. A good way to kick off a cultural tour of the valley is a visit to the classic mid- century steel and glass modernist building housing the Palm Springs Art Museum. The museum’s diverse, rotating collection of modern and contemporary art, photography, glass and sculpture includes a 1964 Brillo Box Dress by Andy Warhol; a natural science collection; and exhibitions on the history of American Indians,
the West and California culture. The architecture and design collection includes Frey House II, the historically-significant residence designed by architect Albert Frey for himself in 1963 and bequeathed
to the museum. Visits to the house can be organised by prior arrangement (info@themoderntour.com).
Check the museum website for the line-up of shows and performances at the centre’s Annenberg Theatre. (www.psmuseum.org)
HISTORIC LANDSCAPES
For outdoorsy visitors, the Indian Canyons feature hiking and horse trails, ancient palm groves and panoramic vistas. Ancestral home of the Agua Caliente Cahuilla Indians and sacred to today’s Cahuilla people, the canyons are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. See remnants of their sophisticated way
of life in the canyons including house pits, rock art, foundations, ditches, irrigation, dams, reservoirs, and walking trails. Canyons open for exploration and an appreciation of Indian history include Palm, Murray, Andreas and Tahquitz Canyons. A large oasis of Caifornain Fan Palm thrives in 24-km Palm Canyon; Andreas creek runs through the canyon of
the same name; Murray Canyon is home to endangered animals; and at the end
of Tahquitz’s 3km path are the 18-metre Tahquitz Falls and ancient irrigation systems. Explore on foot or horseback. Visit the Trading Post in Palm Canyon for maps, food, drinks, and Indian arts and crafts and to learn about cultural lore. (www.indian-canyons.com)
Another excellent place to learn more about the local Indian culture is the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum in Canyon Drive Palm Springs. (www.accmuseum.org) More than 7000 hectares of wilderness, wildlife and trails is protected in the Coachella Valley Preserve, full of
wildlife, hiking trails, amazing views and special habitats. Established to protect
the threatened local fringe-toed lizard
and other rare species, entry is free but donations and volunteering are encouraged to assist with the preserve’s work. Join
ENDLESS VACATION 21