July 2018
It had always been a dream to cruise America’s Route 66 across the USA, but to date, time and money has not allowed for this pipe dream to blossom into fruition. What could be slotted in however, was a brief road trip packed onto the back end of our trip to Mexico before the long journey home to Oz. Instead of using LA as a transiting base for a few days as we normally did, we looked this time, for somewhere within a 200km radius of The City of Angels, somewhere we could spend a few days exploring, somewhere new. Palm Springs stood out like a shining beacon and we weren’t disappointed.
There is nothing quite like cruising down interstate 10, roof off, wind in your hair and the Californian sun gently lapping at your shoulders. With the sprawl of LA behind us, the highway cuts any easy path through the Sonoran Desert. Through the San Gorgonio pass, huge wind turbines flank the highway running all the way through to North Palm Springs. Immortalized in the helicopter chase in the movie Mission Impossible III, these 4000 turbines generate enough electricity not just for this region but much of LA as well and are a site to behold.
The Wind Turbines through The San Gorgonio pass
There are some fabulous hotels to rest your head in Palm Springs, for this trip we decided to stay at the Parker Palm Springs and we were not disappointed.
Formerly the Givenchy Resort, a 27 million face lift in 2004 saw it reborn under the guidance of acclaimed interior designer Jonathan Adler. His heady mix of eclecticism is evident everywhere. The grounds are superb, sprawling across 13 acres, they were my favourite part of the hotel. From its sculptures, firepits and manicured gardens no detail was spared. Hummingbirds hover everywhere, often found cooling off in the beautifully appointed water features that are scattered across the estate. Everything is on offer, from petanque, archery, tennis, lawn croquet and golf, the two outdoor pool areas are like steeping back in time, beautifully appointed with full pool service and water chilled to keep you cool in the sweltering heat. The 16,500-square-foot indoor spa is a sight to behold, offering another place to submerge yourself in cooled waters or indulge in one of their signature treatments.
THE GROUNDS OF THE PARKER PALM SPRINGS
There is much to do in Palm Springs and surrounding areas. If midcentury modern architecture is your passion a riding tour with Trevor O’Donnell is an intimate affair, a masterclass in modernism. When the temperature soared a trip on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway was in order, from the floor of the Coachella Valley to the San Jacinto Peak , the temperature up the top felt 30 degrees cooler. We also loved our hikes through the Indian canyons, the ancestral home of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. We went in the early morning before the heat of the day kicked in and were blown away by its raw beauty.
Take a midcentury modernist architecture tour
the Indian canyons, the ancestral home of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.
If hitting the shops is more your thing, there are some fabulous small boutiques and homeware stores scattered throughout Palm Springs. Trina Turk had a great range of clothing and homewares, as did Mitchells if you love high end vintage. Elizabeth and Prince, ex New Yorkers, had a great range of designers with selected pieces perfect for a warmer climate. A La Mod is the place to visit if your passion is mid-century modern furniture and Raymond Lawrence’s concept store had an array of mini shops housing emerging designers. If designer labels are more your thing, check out Desert Hills Premium Outlets in Cabazon, a 25 minute drive and home to brands like Burberry, Gucci, Ralph Lauren and Rag and Bone all with savings of up to 50 per cent. There are luggage stores there too if an extra suitcase is needed for the return trip home.
The Cabazon Dinosaurs, long been regarded as one of the most iconic roadside attractions. Featuring in cult classics such as Pee Wee Herman’s Big Adventure and The Wizard, the dinosaurs have staked their place in pop culture.
