Attractions
Looking for something to do other than fawn over the bride and groom? We've got a few ideas...
The Living Desert
Located a couple clicks down the road in nearby Palm Desert, The Living Desert is, well, a desert. AND IT'S ALIVE. Okay, so it's really just a fancy zoo, but a really cool outdoors-y one featuring an amazing assortment of desert animals like gazelle, camels, orynx and even something called an Aardwolf. Perfect for the wee ones, but bring some extra lotion!
The Aerial Tramway
The world's largest rotating tramcars have been a Palm Springs staple for as long as Benny can remember, and he vividly remembers being a baby, so at least 34 years. Running from the desert flats to the forested peaks of the San Jacinto mountains, the trams provide a breathtaking view of the Coachella Valley. It's definitely a thing to do, especially if you have kids.
Joshua Tree
And all this time, you thought it was just a U2 album. No, it's actually a sprawling state park replete with hiking trails, natural flora and fauna, and at least a few weirdos hopped up on mescalin.
Jesus Dinosaurs
We prefer to remember them as Pee-Wee's dinosaurs, but apparently, these legendary roadside attractions were bought by creationists to prove, once and for all, that we did not come from apes. The result is a confusing hodgepodge of paper-thin science, creepy religion and adorable plastic toys wedged into the hollow body of a concrete Brontosaurus. If that isn't worth a visit, we don't know what is.
Thrifting!
Once a bustling hotspot for Hollywood swingers, Palm Springs happens to be an absolutely stellar city for thrift store shopping. Who knew? Angel Harvest is one of our fave thrift chains, but there are plenty more if you use the Google. Bring an extra suitcase (or a U-Haul) and shop fabulously for under $100!
The Salton Sea
Feeling adventurous? Interested in man-made disasters? Dig zombies? Then be sure to take a dip in the weird waters of The Salton Sea. Yes, it's an actual inland sea, and yes, we were kidding when we said "take a dip." You don't want to touch the water. But the towns surrounding it are crazy insane, filled with wacko locals with wackier tales.
For more info, check out the fantastic documentary "The Plagues and Pleasures of The Salton Sea," narrated by none other than John Waters:
