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Palm Springs, California

  By Ron Souza

Located in the vast desert of the Coachella Valley, Palm Springs lies just over 100 miles from the heart of Los Angeles. The city and its many neighboring communities have developed into a recreational metropolis by converting the arid desert landscape into a lush green playground.


While the city has a resident population of fewer than 50,000, certain times of year can find as many as an additional 50,000 visitors enjoying golf, swimming, tennis, horseback riding or hiking in the surrounding mountains and desert.


Archaeological evidence indicates that the Cahuilla Indians have occupied the areas in and around Palm Springs for nearly 500 years. The name can be traced back to the 1860s when government surveyors found several large palm trees surrounding a bubbling mineral spring and designated it as Palm Springs.


Hollywood celebrities of the 1920’s were eager to find accessible seclusion from the masses and Palm Springs’ close proximity to Los Angeles coupled with its hot, sunny weather was an answer to their prayers. Stars and starlets began to purchase land and build their escapes using some of the most inventive and creative modernist architects of the times.


Many of those innovative homes have been preserved by a very aggressive preservation program and many are open to the public for viewing. The Palm Springs homes are believed to have inspired present day suburban housing in the entire Southwest with their open floor plans, wall to wall carpeting, air conditioning, large windows and swimming pools.


RV Travel to the Palm Springs area will introduce you to a new and different lifestyle, one that prevails during the winter months. Casino gaming was introduced to the area around thirty years ago and it has flourished with the construction of several Las Vegas style casinos. A good Sam Club RV Park with great Camping Discounts for members can be found near-at-hand to your favorite slot machine or gaming table.


The city has established a fine reputation as host location for conventions and festivals. The Palm Springs International Film Festival has become a must for many big-name celebrities with several big galas and red carpet events. The downtown area features Village Fest every Thursday where local artisans display their creations along Palm Canyon Drive. The Fest also features a certified farmers market and live entertainment.


One of the city’s most popular attractions is the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The rotating cars carry you more than 8,000 feet up the steep slopes to the top of Mount San Jacinto. When you arrive at the top you will find a 30 degree drop from the temperatures below. You will also be captivated by the incredible view of the of the entire desert valley and if the ride to the top has stimulated your appetite, there is a restaurant to satisfy your hunger.


Golfers will find over 120 lush, green and quite challenging championship courses in Palm Springs and its surrounding communities, making this a true golfing paradise.


RV Travel to Palm Springs is an experience worth exploring. The desert is calling you, so load up the rig and find out what it has to say.

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