As the western gateway of the Coachella Valley, Palm Springs draws visitors from all over the world with its beautiful landscape, rich culture, fine restaurants, spectacular resorts, outstanding attractions, and prosperous business climate. Incorporated in 1938, Palm Springs offers residents and visitors the culture, sophistication, and opportunity usually reserved for large metropolitan areas. An attractive destination for visitors and many who will make Palm Springs their home, the city is enriched with culture, history, and more importantly a strong sense of community. All are welcome; no one should miss all that this enchanting community has to offer.
Palm Springs enjoys 330 days of sunshine every year and is the ideal destination for all ages. Shopping, hiking, swimming, horseback riding, camping, rock climbing, gaming, golf, tennis, jeep and eco tours, as well as numerous national parks and canyons can all be found within Palm Springs.
A trip to the top of Mt. San Jacinto on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is an awesome experience. The world's largest single span vertical cable car, the Tram takes riders up 8,516 feet to the Mountain Station in a state-of-the-art rotating tram-car. The Tram runs year round for hiking, dining and in season cross-country skiing.
Active lifestyles and an abundance of recreational opportunities helps maintain good health and well being for Palm Springs residents and visitors. Sunrise Plaza Park complex offers an abundance of recreational opportunities, including the Public Library, an Olympic-size pool, a pavilion for special events, and a sporting stadium. The city also offers two municipal golf courses, a tennis center, an equestrian center, and six other parks and playgrounds.
It is well known that with more than 120 golf courses throughout the Coachella Valley, Palm Springs is truly the ultimate golfing destination. Golf is a primary attraction for many people, with courses designed to be challenging as well as enjoyable. This desert oasis is home to some of the finest courses in the country, as well as some of the world's best players.
Other attractions such as the Coachella Valley Preserve, Moorten's Botanical Garden and The Living Desert showcase the unique desert flora and fauna, offering a pleasing, peaceful alternative for leisure activities.
Palm Springs now hosts an almost continuous whirl of cultural events. Annual highlights are the Palm Springs International Film Festival, held in January, and the Palm Springs Short Film Festival, held in August. Both have received world acclaim for their content and presentation, and draws films and attendees from all over the world. For more information, go to www.psfilmfest.org.
Other area attractions include: Knott's Soak City, Children's Discovery Museum, Palm Springs Air Museum, Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, hot air balloon rides, night clubs, jeep-eco tours, covered wagon tours, horseback riding, hiking trails and a renaissance festival.