The idea of a winter wonderland generally conjures falling snow and pine trees, but some people have a different idea of what winter\u00a0should look like: palm trees and deliciously balmy weather. Crazy, right? These snowbirds tend to come from harsher northern climates where winters aren\u2019t all fun and snowball fights. While Florida, Arizona, and Hawaii tend to attract flocks of snowbirds, one of the most underrated destinations is Palm Springs, CA. <\/span><\/p>\n Palm Springs is truly unique, whether you\u2019re looking for rare and incredible nature, glamorous shopping, golfing, or amazing mid-century modern architecture, this desert dreamland has it all. If you\u2019re seeking shelter from the storm in Palm Springs, here are just a few things you gotta check out \u2014 because every bird needs a sweet desert escape. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Palm Springs is a burgeoning oasis nestled between the seven mountain ranges that border the capacious Coachella Valley\u00a0\u2014 which makes for a lot of hiking, canyons, and hot springs. The Sonoran Desert is way more exotic than it gets credit for. In the summer, temperatures can reach up to 120 degrees fahrenheit, but in the winter, the average temperature is a gorgeous 65-70 degrees. <\/span><\/p>\n With <\/span>hundreds of hikes<\/span> around the valley\u2019s canyons, you can\u2019t really go wrong. If you\u2019re into lush oases, hike through the <\/span>Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve<\/span>. If cascading desert waterfalls are more your thing, trek out to <\/span>Murray Canyon Trail at Indian Canyon<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re fancy and live a life of luxury, Palm Springs has some sophisticated designer shopping. Head over to <\/span>The Shops at El Paseo<\/span> for a beautiful, outdoor shopping experience with luxury boutiques, art galleries, and some of the Coachella Valley\u2019s best restaurants. This place is high end, think mini Rodeo Drive \u2014 you won\u2019t find any teenage mall rats here. <\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking for something a little more casual where you can also catch a flick, check out <\/span>The River.<\/span><\/a> It\u2019s another gorgeous shopping center with an elegant river that runs right through the middle of it! With tons of outdoor shopping, dining, and a very comfy movie theater, it\u2019s ideal for a desert date night. <\/span><\/p>\n Palm Springs is known for being an old Hollywood celebrity hideaway. Celebrities, including Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Bob Hope, Albert Einstein, Cary Grant, and Elizabeth Taylor are known to have frequented Palm Springs in the ’50s and ’60s. All of their beautiful mid-century modern hideouts are easy to find, just google the addresses.<\/span><\/p>\n If you wanna get a hike in on your celebrity hide-away tour, check out <\/span>Araby Trail<\/span><\/a>, which is in close proximity to the <\/span>home of the late Bob Hope<\/span>, a unique spaceship-like structure. Or take one of the<\/span> Palm Springs Architecture Tours<\/span><\/a> so you can get all of the details and nuances of mid-century modern architecture, plus a legitimate peek into the old Hollywood lifestyles of the rich and famous. <\/span><\/p>\n Palm Springs hotels are only as good as their pools, and this town is serious about pools. Incredible pools are heated in the winter, and they naturally feel like bathtubs in the summer. If you\u2019re looking for the pools that rank above the rest, check out these picks.<\/span><\/p>\n The pool has a beach with real sand, the spa is equally as fancy, and this hotel<\/a> also has the best restaurants around. <\/span><\/p>\n For those who like options, there are FIVE pools here. They all have amazing scenery and one pool is <\/span>inside<\/span><\/i> of a lake \u2014 come on! The Marriott<\/a> even has gondolas that transport you to other areas of the huge hotel. <\/span><\/p>\n Two words<\/a>: lazy river. That\u2019s all you really need to know.<\/span><\/p>\nHiking<\/span><\/h3>\n
Shopping<\/span><\/h3>\n
History & architecture<\/span><\/h3>\n
Swanky hotels<\/span><\/h3>\n
THE RENAISSANCE HOTEL<\/span><\/a><\/h4>\n
JW MARRIOTT DESERT SPRINGS RESORT & SPA<\/span><\/a><\/h4>\n
THE OMNI HOTEL RANCHO LAS PALMAS<\/span><\/a><\/h4>\n