Celebrity Estate Tour
You will travel through the resort communities of the Coachella Valley and become familiar with its history, new developments, beautiful scenery, and get a glimpse of how the rich and famous live. Enroute to Palm Springs we will point out such highlights as the famous Eisenhower Medical Center, the home of the Betty Ford Center. Other sights worth noting are the Walter Annenberg Estate, also known as Sunnylands, and Bob Hope’s hilltop mansion.
Once in Palm Springs, you’ll tour the Las Palmas area, which has been a celebrity colony since the 1930’s. We’ll drive by desert hideaways once occupied by such greats as Liberace, Marilyn Monroe, Liz Taylor, Dinah Shore, Elvis Presley, Kirk Douglas, Goldie Hawn, Dean Martin, George Burns, and Grace Allen just to name a few. For an added highlight, select one of the celebrity estates for an inside tour
Desert Museum
The Desert Museum is one of the Coachella Valley’s more prestigious attractions. Admire and study the 19th century landscapes, Western American art, and special exhibitions featuring bold contemporary paintings and sculptures. The museum also boasts a premier collection of Native American art, and an array of miniature rooms that delight patrons of all ages. The sweeping permanent collection highlights the early culture of California and the surrounding areas.
Palm Springs Air Museum
Hear the pounding roar of the mightiest piston engines ever built! Climb up and look in the cockpits of the legendary fighters and bombers of WWII! See the actual planes that won the greatest war in history! And More. The Palm Springs Air Museum is dedicated to the restoration, preservation and operation of America’s Legendary fighters, bombers and trainers. It contains one of the world’s largest collections of flying WWII airplanes, including the Robert J. Pond Collection.
Hiking the Desert
Our flatland and mountain hiking adventures include a variety of beautiful terrain to explore. Under the leadership of expert guides, there is no better way to sample the essence of southwestern culture. Hiking trails are designed around each group’s level of fitness, from moderate nature walks to challenges of all inclines. Experienced hiking guides are versed in the customs of the people that once resided in theses regions of the state. They are also trained and certified in First Aid and CPR for the comfort and safety of every participant. We suggest participants wear hiking shoes or tennis shoes, and clothing to accommodate the weather.
Indian Springs Trail Ride
Escapes from “civilization” are easy to come by in the Coachella Valley. More than fifteen miles of horseback riding trails offer dramatic beauty and surprising solitude, all just minutes away. Nestled in a cove between Mount San Jacinto and the Santa Rosa Mountains, these trails boast magnificent views of both the mountains and the valley, as they fan out into the Agua Caliente Indian Canyon trails. Trails are flanked by towering palms and shallow, bubbling brooks, making “city life” seem like a very far away place.
Four WheelIn’ Jeep Adventures
(Four hour tours)
Indian Canyon Murray Canyon Hike
Visit the lush Andreas and Palm Canyons, with a stop at the Indian Canyons Trading Post for authentic Native American art and jewelry. From there, go on an offroad jeep ride up into Murray Canyon and take a half hour hike along the creek to Murray Falls. This is a great way to spend a warm afternoon.
Palm Springs Bonanza
This is truly a full scenic tour of our beautiful Coachella Valley, with visits to the San Bernardino Mountains, along the San Andreas faultline and Whitewater Canyon. Drive right under the giant wind turbines and learn of the legends and history from the colorful and wild past of a bygone era. Then venture into the heart of old Palm Springs, with a mini-tour of some famous celebrity homes and through downtown. Lastly, visit one of the most beautiful locations in California-The Agua Caliente Cahuilla Indian Canyons, with its stark contrast of rocky gorges, open desert, streams and palms.
Indian Cultural & Lost Legends Adventure
This unique adventure features spectacular vistas of the great Sonoran Desert, with visits to the San Andreas Faultline, a native palm oasis, food gathering and preparation areas of the ancient Cahuilla Indian tribes. Coupled with legends and history from the colorful and wild past of a bygone era, this tour offers an inside look at the people who first ventured into this seemingly harsh and barren land in search of a better life.
The Living Desert Tour
GUIDED BY THE LIVING DESERT DOCENT.
It’s the Living Desert, a beautiful, exotic wildlife and botanical park that proudly serves as one of the Coachella Valley’s leading tourist attractions. The Living Desert covers more than 1,200 acres, and includes a complete overview of the plant and animal life of the desert southwest. There are hiking trails, Indian culture exhibits, and impressive geologic displays.
Covered Wagon Tour
No buses on this journey. You’ll go as the pioneers did and cover the trail in a mule-drawn covered wagon. The open range will softly slip by under the blue skies of the Coachella Valley, as your on-board ranch hand narrates the way, bringing to life the facts and folklore of this storied area. Close-up views of the Coachella Valley Preserve, the San Andreas Fault, Pushwalla Canyon and Hidden Palm Oasis are included in this western tour.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Scale the slopes of the San Jacinto Mountains in a matter of minutes. The world-famous Palm Springs Aerial Tram takes passengers on a vertical climb up to 8,500 feet, presenting riders with dramatic views and climate changes. Two 80-passenger cars bring visitors to the doorstep of the 13,000-acre Mt. San Jacinto State Wilderness Area. The park features more than 50 miles of scenic hiking trails, and a breathtaking view of the Coachella Valley below. Visitors can take in a brief film about this engineering marvel, or simply enjoy the mountaintop atmosphere.
Hot Air Ballooning
The desert is the perfect setting for this exciting airborne adventure. Riders will experience Palm Springs from more than 1,000 feet up, where part of the thrill is going as far as the winds will allow. In the comfort of an FAA-piloted gondola, passengers float effortlessly over this dynamic desert landscape. Breathtaking views of the Santa Rosa Mountains, Mt. San Jacinto and picturesque country club grounds are all part of your flight. Pilots maneuver through varying
altitudes, creating an exhilarating sense of effortless suspension. The traditional champagne toast and a personalized flight certificate are presented to each passenger upon touchdown.
Soaring the Open Range
You have not fully experienced flight until you’ve strapped yourself to a pocket of air in one of these ultralight soaring planes. Lift is provided solely by a strong but fickle pocket of warm air just underneath you, creating an effortless sense of suspension several thousand feet above the desert floor. Your pilot will even release the stick to you for part of the flight, putting you in complete command of this exhilarating experience. Passengers can travel in two’s if they desire.
San Andreas Fault Tour
The Coachella Valley is one of the most geologically active areas in North America and our guide will spellbind visitors with history, facts and sights dating back millions of years. Discover the San Andreas Fault, early western pioneer and military history, plus Indian legend and lore. Concluding in beautiful Whitewater Canyon, you will enjoy lush trees and a refreshing river, even an exclusive tour of a Rainbow Trout Fish Hatchery.
Windfarm Tour
Travel through a forest of towering windmills on an electric powered vehicle. Feel the energy as the giant blades “WHOOSH” overhead. Your guide will take you inside a working windmill. Giant machines that struggle to harness the endless power of the winds. See how they work - how they start up- what happens when the wind really “howls”. Put your hands on this ancient form of power that has been modernized to contribute to a cleaner and safer Mother Earth.
Aerie Art Garden
Aerie Art Garden is the creation of artists Clonard and Bruce Thomas. As the Thomas’ home, work place and gallery, the eighteen-year project envisions the hillside terrain. The numerous plantings and rocks have each been placed with an eye dedicated to beauty and serenity in the Japanese tradition but with a southwest desert botanical theme. The twenty-acre estate has a three-acre sculpture garden, two painting galleries and four art studios. For an additional experience, enjoy a painting workshop where you will be given watercolor sets and all you need to create for yourself.
Rock Climbing
Uprising Rock Climbing Center invites your group to enjoy the adventure of a lifetime. They offer rock climbing in one of the most unique settings in the country. This outdoor climbing gym is comprised of three freestanding rock walls that are all covered and cool-misted for year round climbing.
Escape to wine Country
Just 1 1/2 hours south of the Coachella Valley lies southern California’s best kept secret, the Temecula Valley Wine Country. Rolling hills covered with vineyards, expansive vistas, and beautiful horse ranches. The air here is swept clean by ocean breezes coming through a gap in the coastal mountains, plus the historic “Old Town” of Temecula make this journey an exciting adventure. Visit two distinct and unique vineyards, including a wine and champagne tasting at each.
Shopping, Shopping, Shopping!:
Palm Canyon Drive
These six infamous blocks of shopping are some of the most exclusive in the world. Lined with more than a thousand swaying palms, Palm Canyon Drive has shops and boutiques stocking everything from the slightly extravagant to absolutely decadent.
El Paseo…The Rodeo Drive of the Desert
An exciting, friendly line of world class shopping. You will enjoy an avenue filled with artistic sculptures, designer shops & boutiques. With an International array of restaurants and Cafes, this avenue is designed with shopping in mind. The new mall, The Gardens on El Paseo, complete with Saks fifth avenue and unique dining establishments will wow your guests. Some of the designer shops included: Polo Ralph Lauren, St. John Boutique, Escada, Mondie, Ann Taylor, etc.
A Day At The Outlets!
Welcome to premium outlet shopping!
Desert Hills Outlets offers the finest desigern fashions and name-brand merchandise at 25% - 65% savings every day. Located just minutes from Palm Springs. Factory stores include Barney’s New York, Liz Claiborne, Donna Karan, Joan & David, Nine West, Guess, Eddie Bauer, Mikasa….and much, much more!
For more information visit: http://www.relaxranchomirage.com/
