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THINGS
TO DO IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA |
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Desert
Hot Springs California
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By Matthew Martz. |
| Situated
among the foothills above the floor of the Coachella Valley,
the inhabitants of Desert Hot Springs get a bird’s
eye view of the bustling life of the rich and famous in
nearby Palm Springs.
Plenty of sunshine with average temperatures in the mid
to upper 80s, allows visitors to enjoy one of the areas
many great resorts, shopping, or outdoor sports, year
round. This relaxed spa town, supplied with abundant streams
of hot mineral water that are piped to the surface to
fill the pools and tubs of motels and spa resorts, is
a perfect getaway for a day or weekend getaway.
Long after being discovered
by the Agua Caliente Indians, modern day developers found
the springs in the area and transformed this small town
into a Mecca for vacationers who wanted to soak in what
they believed to be restorative waters. Many of them from
Canada, the Midwest, and the East, all escaping their
harsh winter climates in the California Desert.
Many of the town's reasonably
priced spas and hotels are located along Hacienda Avenue.
Most of them have their own thermal wells. For hot spring
fans, this is paradise! One of two well known and largest
of the spa-hotels is Desert
Hot Spring Spa Hotel.
With Built in classic Mid-Century Modern style, the 50-room
Desert Hot Springs Spa hotel offers eight natural hot
mineral water pools ranging in temperature from 70°F
to 104°F. Soaking in hot mineral water is just one
of the activities you can do in the Desert Hot Springs.
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Birds
eye view Desert Hot Springs |
Mission Lakes
Country Club has an 18-hole golf course, located at the
northwest edge of town, as well as the world class Desert
Dunes. The first desert course designed by Robert Trent
Jones, Jr. features 18 challenging holes laid out among
large dunes and mature desert trees.
Two Bunch Palms is the second of the two spa-hotels
in the area that’s worth a trip to the area all by
itself. This exclusive resort sits on a 28-acre palm oasis,
and has two hot mineral pools, a sauna, swimming pool, and
tennis courts.
The retreat has a history, which becomes embellished with
the passing years. It is said to have been the hideaway
of gangster Al Capone, complete with gambling casino and
a lookout tower for security. Today, there's a popular restaurant
here, with the privacy desired by important people from
near and far
One of the most interesting attraction in the area is
Cabot's Old Indian
Pueblo, a striking adobe building, hand-made, and
created from reclaimed and found objects by a single man
-- Cabot Yerxa. Cabot began building in 1939 and over
the next 24 years created the four-story, 5,000 square
feet structure that includes 35 rooms, 150 windows, and
65 doors.
At the time of his death in 1965, the 81-year old Cabot
had not yet finished the building. The property was abandoned
and continuously vandalized until it was eventually donated
to the city of Desert Hot Springs under the condition
that they preserve it and use it as a museum. The museum
is now open daily except Tuesdays. Inside you will find
a collection of unique Native American artifacts, as well
as early 20th century photographs and personal treasures
from Cabot’s Alaskan adventures.
Desert Hot Springs is well situated for visiting many
areas nearby in the Coachella Valley. Joshua Tree National
Park is just to the north, Salton Sea to the southwest,
and the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto mountain ranges to
the southwest as well as the Little San Bernardino Mountains
on the northeast.
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Two
Bunch Palms Grotto |
Cabot's Old Indian Pueblo |
A short drive to the east
is Thousand Palms Oasis. Free and well worth a visit, it
is one of the best palm oasis’ in the Coachella Valley.
Its well-marked trails are great for hiking and it has wonderful
vistas overlooking the surrounding valley.
You can take an easy two-mile hike to see the oasis or you
can take far longer trails of up to six miles. During the
spring, you can see wild desert flowers and wild life including
lizards, birds and a variety of other critters that inhabit
the desert landscape. It’s a great way to spend a
day if you need a day off from the links.
Nearby attractions, Palm Springs Tram,
The Living Desert Zoo, Cabbots
Pueblo Museum and the Palm
Springs Air Museum.
Desert Hot Springs is located 112 miles from Los Angeles
via 1-10 or from San Diego via 1-15 and 1-10. Desert Hot
Springs is on the direct route from Los Angeles to Phoenix.
Palm Springs International Airport is only twelve miles
away and Sun Line buses provide service between Desert Hot
Springs and other Coachella Valley cities. |
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Two
Bunch Palms resort and spa, on 56-acres,
with natural hot springs. Adults only. |
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