California Official Visitor's Guide 2009 - UK - (Page 22) Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Joshua Tree National Park Shopping in Palm Springs Otherworldly landscapes, hot springs and golf desert DisCovEr R unning along the eastern edge of California for roughly half its length, the state’s strikingly beautiful deserts are enigmatic and surprisingly varied. to the northeast is death Valley National Park, home to the lowest spot in the Western hemisphere. Fewer than 100mi/161km southeast is the high-desert terrain of Mojave National Preserve, a major recreation area. the southernmost end of the Mojave extends into Joshua tree National Park, popular with hikers, campers and rock climbers. Closer to San diego are the enchanting, colourful landscapes of Anza-Borrego desert State Park. Between AnzaBorrego and Joshua tree is the Coachella Valley, with its string of resort towns, including Palm Springs, a popular film-industry hangout known for fabulous mid-century modern architecture. anza-BorrEgo DEsErt statE park Borrego springs Pitch a tent (best in autumn or spring) in this vast park—including a dozen wilderness areas of creek-fed washes, palm groves and cacti. For cyclists, the park has some 500mi/805km of primitive jeep trails and paved roads, all great for exploring. www.sandiegonorth.com kEys ranCh in Joshua trEE national park twentynine palms Book ahead for the popular walking tour of this rugged ranch with a colourful past. Feast your eyes on the vistas from Keys View—some days you can see all the way to Mexico. www.giveintothedesert.com natural hot MinEral springs Desert hot springs Get yourself into hot water the easy way at any of a dozen or so day-spa pools and grottoes fed by thermal springs. www.giveintothedesert.com palM springs aErial traMWay palm springs hang on—glass-walled cars take just 10 minutes to lift you more than a mile into the pristine wilds of Mount San Jacinto State Park. www.giveintothedesert.com toP riGht: BrooKe SlezAK; All otherS: lAurA FliPPeN (2) EvEnts January 50th BoB hopE ChryslEr ClassiC Coachella valley An unbeatable combo for golf fans: hollywood celebrities, golfing greats and four classic courses. Jan 19–25. www.giveintothedesert.com March paCifiC lifE opEn indian Wells Settle into your seats in the state-of-the-art indian Wells tennis Garden for perhaps the most popular tennis tournament after the Grand Slam events. Mar 9–22. www.giveintothedesert.com July CinEMa DivErsE: thE palM springs gay & lEsBian filM fEstival A new event last year and now embarking on its second season, the festival presents a varied combination of feature films, documentaries and short films. July 24–30. www.giveintothedesert.com october CaliCo Days yermo Silver was king during Calico Ghost town’s late 1800s mining heyday; celebrate that lively era with a parade, burro run, gunfight competition and live music at the Calico Ghost town. Oct 10–12. www.san-bernardino.org 22 www.visitcalifornia.co.uk http://www.sandiegonorth.com http://www.giveintothedesert.com http://www.giveintothedesert.com http://www.giveintothedesert.com http://www.giveintothedesert.com http://www.giveintothedesert.com http://www.san-bernardino.org http://www.giveintothedesert.com http://www.visitcalifornia.co.uk
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