These are a few of my favorite things
1)Canyons 2)Waterfalls 3) Sunshine
Where to Find them all in one place?
Palm Springs California
The lure of Palm Springs has been around for centuries. What put this Wonder of the World city on the map was the celebrity charm it encountered in since the 1950’s. Garbo, Sinatra, Elvis and the Colonel, Dean Martin, Elizabeth Taylor, Carol Lombard & Clark Gabel, the list unravels and now the Palm Springs Film Festival brings in the top ten of this era yearly. What was the real draw to Palm Springs, the underlying reason? The answer is there is no reason, it is all feeling.
The Cahuilla (kah-we-ah) band of Aqua Caliente (Hot Water) Indians called this area home. It was home to rich water and fertile land and natural hot water. Where the Palm Springs Spa Hotel sits originally sat a bubbling hot mud springs with a hut and a few palm thatched huts for soaking.
Yep, that's me dancing on Sunday in the Canyons
If you’ve driven in from LA or Orange County you know the vibe you immediately get when you hit the entrance from the I-10. The energy of the mountains moves you to stillness. The first thing you begin to want to do is strike the lizard-sunning-on-rock-pose, and then you wish to get wet and feel wild. This all can be done within 15 minutes of entering the land of the Cahuilla, whom which by the way had a reputation for independence, integrity and peace. Paramahansa Yogananda said, “If you want mental rejuvenation go to the mountains, if you want physical rejuvenation go to the oceans and if you want spiritual rejuvenation go to the desert.” And I’d like to add, if you want divine intervention, head for the Indian Canyons!
A quick drive to the end of South Palm Canyon Drive will find you at an entry gate, pay and pass through the gate and go straight for a mellow drive up a short incline to a spectacular valley floor view to the namesake, Palm Canyon. This Washingtonia Palm Tree lined canyon heads up 17 miles to the pine trees and chaparral. I’ve hiked from the top down before, it’s amazing! There is a little shop here you can get post cards but you can branch out in a few directions and hike to your hearts content and swim in some great watering holes.
An immediate right when you enter the tollgate will take you to Andreas and Murray Canyons. Murray is my fave. 20 minutes walking through the quiet desert zone, except for chirping birds and buzzing bees, then you hit the bubbling stream, ice cold from the snow on San Jacinto at 8,000 feet. Another 40 minutes along winding streams, gorgeous desert flowers in spring, grapevines and secret hiding places you’ll hit 7 Sisters Falls. See if you can find Lizard Rock, Falling Rock and Topless Rock along the way. Take a swim in Dragonfly Pond, and drain your brain in Hot Head Waterfall.
Open 8am-5pm daily. $8 adults $6 seniors and students $4 kids6-12
Sounds absolutely wonderful. I think this has to be my next weekend destination. You described it so well, I could almost see it. Can't wait to visit . . . and, of course, to stop in at Native Foods for dinner before heading home. Thanks so much!!
Posted by: Rachel | 04/28/2010 at 07:28 PM