Take a road trip to desert playground of the Hollywood stars
IF you've ever taken an interest in the lives of the great and good of 1950s Hollywood stars, you'll know Palm Springs was one of their favourite retreats.
Even from a distance, it's easy to see why the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra and the rest of the Rat Pack (George Hamilton, Elizabeth Taylor, Jack Benny, Kirk Douglas and Cary Grant) enjoyed relaxing there, whether on long weekends between filming – Los Angeles is just over 100 miles away – or during breaks between shows in Las Vegas, under four hours away by car.
Get a little closer, and the appeal of this lush oasis in the middle of the desert – or Hollywood's playground as it's often referred to – is everywhere you look.
Archaeologists say that the Cahuilla people were living in those parts as far back as the 16th century.
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Mexican explorers familiarised themselves with the area some 300 years later, while the first-known use of the name Palm Springs on a map dates back to 1853.
The city as we now know it, however, was officially founded in 1938, meaning Palm Springs is celebrating its 75th anniversary. And there's never been a better time to visit.
There are plenty of flights into Palm Springs, although chances are you'll be driving there south from LA or north from San Diego. It's certainly the best way to experience the landscape which, putting it mildly, is jaw-dropping.
If you're driving north-east from San Diego, make sure you take Highway 74 rather than sticking to the monotonous, concrete Interstate. It will take a little longer, but the snake-like pass makes for a much more fun drive.
More importantly, you'll pass through the Santa Rosa mountains. Stop off at Vista Point and take in the sprawling cities on the valley floor and, in the distance, the San Jacinto and San Gorgonio mountains.
From here you can also get a taste of just how green Palm Springs looks, with its 38 golf courses, grass-banked streets, parks, and palm trees.
We stayed at the Riviera Palm Springs. The hotel itself doesn't so much nod to its glamorous legacy but bask in it – Frank Sinatra used to rehearse for Vegas shows in the gorgeous ballroom. The room I stayed in came complete with cow-print bedhead, overly-ornate lamps and other fittings that even Liberace might have thought were pushing it a bit.
The Tiki-themed circular pool out back is the star attraction.
The Joshua Tree National Park is on your doorstep and you'd be a fool to be so close and not pay it a visit. The scenery is breathtaking.
Such is its location, if you visit Palm Springs, it's likely it won't be the only place you stay.
San Diego, just a few miles from the Mexican border, is a perfect place to start or end your trip.
The Hyatt Regency is a fantastic place to stay, right next to a harbour and close enough to SeaWorld that you can hear the dolphins splashing about from the balcony. Breakfast on their marina is a perfect start to the day, too.
SeaWorld is a must-see attraction in San Diego, but if you prefer your animals more land-based, head to San Diego Zoo which boasts the most successful panda breeding scheme outside China.
If San Diego doesn't take your fancy, you could head west from Palm Springs and visit Los Angeles. There's no shortage of things to do, whether you just want to stroll down Venice Beach, dodge wannabe actors outside Grauma''s Chinese Theatre, drive through Laurel Canyon or visit Universal Studios.
Of course, this is merely scratching the surface of a city that is home to some four million people.
LA is a busy place, huge too, but teamed with trips to calm Palm Springs and laid-back San Diego, southern California can cater for whatever mood you're in.
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