Activities
For any of these activities, attendees are responsible for making their own reservations and transportation arrangements.
AT THE J.W. MARRIOTT AT DESERT SPRINGS
Desert Springs Golf Club
Designed by course architect Ted Robinson, Desert Springs Golf Club features two championship golf courses that welcome players of all levels. Test your skills on the challenging fairways while taking in the beauty of our resort's Palm Springs locale.
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The Spa at Desert Springs
Pamper yourself at the newly reinvented Spa at Desert Springs, a resort day spa with a wide array of treatments, including massages, facials, and body treatments. Enjoy lunch at the Spa Bistro or relax in the salt water pool.
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The hotel also offers several swimming pools, a fitness center and tennis and pickleball courts.
IN THE SURROUNDING AREA
Travel + Leisure recently chronicled The 8 Most Beautiful Places to Spend Time in Nature on a Trip to Palm Springs. You're sure to find many activities to suit your tastes, both indoors and outdoors.
Over 250 delightful discoveries in enchanting shops and boutiques featuring fashion, jewelry, art, home, spas, dining, and more. On El Paseo, you will find treasures every step of the way. Check the website for a list of stores, a style guide, event information, and the history of El Paseo.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Aboard the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the world’s largest rotating tramcar, you will experience a breathtaking journey up the sheer cliffs of Chino Canyon. Begin the ten-minute ride at the Valley Station, elevation 2,643 feet, and end at the Mountain Station, elevation 8,516 feet. It's a one-of-a-kind experience.
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Specializing in the deserts of the world, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is like no place else. From the African Savanna to Wild Americas to Australian Adventures, guests will see over 500 animals representing over 150 species. African Safari offers opportunities to see cheetahs, zebra and African wild dogs, as well as the incredible giraffe savanna. Giraffe feeding opportunities are offered daily. The Wilds of North America highlight mountain lions, jaguars, Mexican wolves and more. The Living Desert's botanical gardens feature 50 immersive gardens representing the deserts of North America and Mexico. Three nature and hiking trails of varying lengths are available. Stop by the interactive Discovery Center, visit one of the largest G-scale model train displays, enjoy a Wildlife Wonders animal presentation, hike the nature trails, have lunch in one of the cafes, or visit the goats in the Petting Kraal.
Whitewater Canyon Preserve
Surrounded by the Bureau of Land Management's San Gorgonio Wilderness lies the Whitewater Preserve. Home to a wide variety of desert plant and animal life, the preserve is fed year-round by the Whitewater River, which originates from Mount San Gorgonio and flows through the San Bernardino Mountains into the Coachella Valley. Encompassing 2,851 acres, it provides habitat for several species of birds in their migratory journeys, as well as a haven for the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher. Larger animals known to frequent the preserve include big horn sheep, deer and bears. Whitewater is part of the Wildlands Conservancy, a California-based nonprofit that aims to preserve the beauty of nature so that children may experience its wonder and joy. Within the Preserve are easy to moderate-difficulty hiking trails that allow you to explore. Leashed dogs are welcome. Permits for camping, backcountry-trip parking and after-hours hiking are available.
BMW Performance Center West at The Thermal
Looking for the type of heart-pounding fun that can only be provided by a 617-horsepower M car on a state-of-the-art racetrack? The BMW Performance Center offers exciting experiences for drivers of all skill levels, from teens to advanced racers. From valuable car handling lessons taught by BMW Professional Driving Instructors (many of whom are actual race car drivers) to high-speed drifting, you’re covered. If you’re looking for something a little more on the rugged side, check out the Off-Road Track, which features everything from water obstacles to staggeringly steep inclines. Set against a backdrop of beautiful mountain views, the BMW Performance Center features a luxurious contemporary building, multiple private driving courses where you can experience the Ultimate Driving Machine®, a dining room with a private chef, a gourmet coffee bar and an exclusive gift shop.
Red Jeep Tours by Desert Adventures | Joshua Tree National Park
Journey through two deserts and the transition zone between two ecosystems on a fascinating excursion to one of the newest parks in the National Park system. Your guide will provide an overview of the diverse history of the area and the formation of the Joshua Tree National Park. Guests will enjoy a narrated tour of the Coachella Valley and learn about the wind and solar energy generated from the San Gorgonio Pass wind and solar farms. Guests may also join the tour at the west entrance Visitor's Center in the town of Joshua Tree. Both options include a delicious picnic lunch. Inside the park, you will spend a full three hours exploring as your guide describes the plants and animals of the high desert and tells stories of the rich history of the area. Enjoy a guided hike to Hidden Valley, featuring a jaw-dropping photographic wonderland of majestic rock formations. Then take in the spectacular view at the Key's View Overlook, which offers a stunning viewpoint from 5,185 feet in elevation, allowing you to see all the way to Mexico on a clear day.
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