Hotel at a Glance: Indian Wells Resort Hotel

Founded in 1957 by Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, Indian Wells Resort Hotel attracted a roster of A-list guests from the get-go. Designed as an exclusive getaway, the resort gave celebrities a chance to golf, play tennis, and lounge poolside in the desert sun. You can follow in their footsteps today at the retro-chic hotel, which channels the glamour of Palm Springs's mid-century heyday.

• Tee off on Indian Wells Country Club's private golf course—where Presidents Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Gerald Ford once played—or on Indian Wells Golf Resort's two championship golf courses, which are both ranked on Golf Week magazine's "Best Courses You Can Play" in California list.
• Perks: Your stay includes welcome drinks plus daily hot breakfast.
• Where you'll stay: Guest rooms' private balconies offer views of the pool or the desert landscape. One-bedroom suites look out on the Santa Rosa Mountains and the country club.
• Sip tropical drinks and relax poolside at Palm Terrace, which overlooks the golf course’s 11th green.

Palm Springs: Tips for the Perfect Weekend Escape

Day 1:

↺ The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway ↻

Get on the world’s largest rotating tram car and embark on an over two-and-a-half-mile trip while constantly being amazed by the picturesque views along the way. While there are many sights to behold, the cliffs of Chino Canyon and the pristine wilderness of the Mt. San Jacinto State Park are some of the standouts.
The whole experience lasts approximately 10 minutes and during that time, the tram cars rotate slowly to allow passengers to admire beautiful and breathtaking sceneries all around them.
The trip ends at the Mountain Station which is located 8,516 feet above the ground. Here visitors can satisfy their hungry bellies at two restaurants, enjoy observation decks, visit the natural history museum and two documentary theaters, purchase souvenirs at the gift shop and take advantage of over 50 miles of hiking trails.

✾ Indian Canyons ✾

An ideal attraction for nature lovers! This area was previously inhabited by the **Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians**, a Native American Tribe known for their independence, integrity and peace.
Guests can explore the **fifteen-mile long Palm Canyon**, offering great spots for picnicking near the stream, as well as hiking and horseback riding. Alternatively, the **Andreas Canyon**, featuring over 150 species of plants within a half-mile radius, can be a perfect destination for bird watching, or the **Murray Canyon** presents visitors with the chance to catch a glimpse of the endangered peninsular bighorn sheep, as well as other wild animals such as mule deers.Check some [trail maps](https://www.indian-canyons.com/trail_maps) and get lost in the beauty of nature.

Day 2

ψ Joshua Tree National Park ψ

Known for its magnificent rock formations, this national park contains a fascinating variety of plants and animals. Check out the vast Pinto Basin where you can find gems like the Cholla Cactus Garden with many types of cacti.
Explore the Arch Rock Trail, an easy hike that takes you to the wonderful natural rock arch. Visitors are even tasked with searching for Skull Rock (yes, it’s a rock formation that looks like a skull)!
Drive around the park’s loop road as it takes you through unique rock formations and Joshua Tree’s forests, with plenty of scenic spots to take photos.

☀ Anza-Borrego Desert State Park ☀

Full of desert landscapes, slot canyons, cactus-studded hills, peninsular ranges, and natural palm oases, visitors are encouraged to travel to the largest state park in California and take plenty of pictures!
One of the many highlights is California's only native palm, the California fan palm. The oases are also ideal for bird-watching and animal aficionados.
You can see bighorn sheep, mountain lions, kit foxes, golden eagles, and prairie falcons, as well as desert iguanas and many more living creatures within their natural environment.

Day 3

✈ Palm Springs Air Museum ✈

According to CNN Travel, it’s “one of the few where you can climb inside the exhibits, talk to a pilot or enjoy a biplane ride.”
There are no ‘barriers’ at the Palm Springs Air Museum, allowing you to get hands-on in one of the world’s largest collections of operational World War II-era aircraft. The museum has amassed a formidable range of Korean and Vietnam-era aircraft since its inception. This collection is spread across a venue that features five air-conditioned hangars totaling 91,000 s ft. where over 70 flying and static airframes are on display, as well as flight simulators upstairs and the interactive kids area.

☆ The Movie Colony ☆

Drive through or take a stroll in this peaceful neighborhood that became famous in the 1920s when Hollywood movie stars made it their weekend retreat of choice.
See the former homes of movie stars like Cary Grant, Tony Curtis, Dean Martin, Bob Hope, and Marilyn Monroe. Now, the area comprises approximately 170 homes, many designed by renowned modernist architects such as E. Stewart Williams, William Cody, and Donald Wexler.
The Movie Colony is a great destination for aesthetes with a penchant for the iconic architecture of the Spanish Colonial Revival style and mid-century modernism.

★ Palm Canyon Drive ★

The main strip in Palm Springs is host to a wide selection of shops, restaurants, pubs, historical buildings, and art galleries.
Another location ideal for those interested in film, Palm Canyon Drive is home to the Palm Springs Walk of Stars that honors famous artists, politicians, and celebrities who have lived in the greater Palm Springs area.
The household names you can spot there include Lauren Bacall, Rock Hudson, Elizabeth Taylor, President Dwight Eisenhower, and Truman Capote.

Image Credits:

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway: Image by Don Graham | CC BY-SA 2.0

Palm Springs Air Museum: Image by Matt Kieffer | CC BY-SA 2.0

The Movie Colony: Image by Enrico Carcasci | CC BY-ND 2.0