All-ages fun in the Palm Springs sun

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/11/2009 (5898 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WITH the hot weather and relaxed vibe, Palm Springs, Calif., has always drawn the snowbird crowd. But young people dig the heat, too.

That’s why Palm Springs has quickly become a prime spot for people of all ages to find fun in the desert sun. Here are just a few things to take in on your next trip.

Where to eat

Without a doubt, head to The Nest for an authentic taste of the Palm Springs area. We’re not talking about the food. (Although the eats are good, too — the continental menu features everything from pasta and steak to fish and pork tenderloin.) Because when you step foot in The Nest, a well-known dining and partying establishment in Indian Wells, which is about a 20-minute drive from Palm Springs, you step into a world where the white-haired come to get down. A piano bar lounge? Check. Well-dressed, ahem, older people cutting loose on the dance floor? Check.

As one mid-30s Canadian put it, "The Nest is my favourite spot. It is old school and all the people, I swear, are from the movie Cocoon. Live music and everyone is having the time of their lives." A must-see, even if it’s just to have a drink and to daydream about your own retirement. Check it out at gotothenest.com.

Where to stay

If it’s good enough for Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and Dean Martin, the Riviera Resort and Spa is good enough for us. Since the days when those boys used to hang poolside, this hot spot — which opened in 1959 just five minutes from downtown Palm Springs — has undergone some changes. In 2007, the resort began renovating to the tune of $70 million. The result? A gorgeous, luxe haven with more than 500 rooms and suites, an 11,000-square-foot spa called SpaTerre and a poolside bar at night that draws Los Angeles-based DJs. The website, psriviera.com, says the hotel is a "beacon for cultural sophisticates." Cultural sophisticate or not, it’s an unbelievable place to rest your head.

Where to explore

Get a bird’s-eye view of Palm Springs — and the entire Coachella Valley and beyond — when you ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. As the cars climb and rotate their way high above the desert floor, you’ll gain roughly 2,550 metres in altitude. And you’ll lose some heat; temperatures drop dramatically as the cars rise. When you debark the tram, you’ll find plenty to do in Mount San Jacinto State Park. Hiking, camping and taking in the stunning views are just a few options.

Or if indulgence is more your thing, sit back at one of the two restaurants and grab a bite to eat. Atop the Palm Springs world with a cocktail in your hand. It doesn’t get any better? See pstramway.com for info.

Where to party

If you’re in the mood for a nightclub scene that draws the young, trendy Los Angeles crowd, head to Costas. The tiny club is on the lower level of Desert Springs, a gorgeous JW Marriott Resort & Spa in Palm Desert, southeast of Palm Springs. At night, the club fills with young beautifuls looking for fun. Stags and stagette parties are common, as is the tendency to overheat when the dance floor fills. But don’t sweat it –Êeveryone is sweaty. Top 40 music is on constant rotation, so don’t expect any mind-expanding indie music here. Come to drink and to dance. For directions, head to desertspringsresort.com.

Where to play

A trip to Palm Springs wouldn’t be complete without getting your golf game on at one of the many popular golf courses around town. Desert Willow Golf Resort is a Palm Desert hot spot that offers two premiere golf courses, Firecliff and Mountain View. You can also take advantage of the resort’s partnerships with the surrounding hotels; there are a variety of "stay and play" deals to be had. Check them out at desertwillow.com.

If all-star courses get you in the mood to swing those clubs, consider driving roughly 35 minutes to neighbouring La Quinta to check out the PGA West courses.

— Canwest News Service