Palm Springs? Worth it?

My birthday's in a couple weeks and I'm trying to decide what to do for my 4-day weekend (my bday is on President's Day this year, and we get the Friday before off, too).

Last year we just went downtown and on a dinner cruise and stayed at the Marriot... fantastic time, but want to do something new this year.

I keep looking at Palm Springs. Yes, I know it's the desert and I know there's not much out there, but I haven't been before and I'm a resort kinda gal. It's also about an hour's drive away. Quick and easy and different.

Anybody been to Palm Springs and have recommendations on where to stay/what to do?

And...if not Palm Springs, where? I'd rather drive than go somewhere far, and Vegas is too expensive that weekend. I'd also rather do something I haven't done. I'd go as far north as Santa Barbara, and NO Mexico. I actually have not been to LA yet (and I've lived here for 2 years) aside from the airport, but think that would be a better girls' trip than a "romantic" birthday getaway.

Anyway....thoughts?

EDIT: Oh, keep in mind this weekend is ALSO Valentine's weekend

The few times I went there, we didn't do too much besides walk around and eat lol. The restaurants are fantastic there...and the hotels there are as well (at least the ones I stayed in, and don't ask me which ones because it's been like 12 years). There's other stuff to do there, though...we just didn't do it lol.

The few times I went there, we didn't do too much besides walk around and eat lol. The restaurants are fantastic there...and the hotels there are as well (at least the ones I stayed in, and don't ask me which ones because it's been like 12 years). There's other stuff to do there, though...we just didn't do it lol.

Yeah, the hotels look mad expensive. I think my sister-in-law's family has a condo out there, so maybe I can stay there instead...

I'm down with hiking and even golfing. I don't know what else they have out there besides the pool. It has been 80 out here in SD, so I'm sure it will be warm there.

I've been there for a sales meeting at a nice resort. My buddy, who still works for that company, is going there for another meeting tomorrow. I'll report back on his findings tomorrow. It was very nice from what I can recall, lots of swimming pools and big hot tubs. As Califan said, plenty of great restaurants around there. I had a good time at a Native American casino, but that's not really all that romantic I guess.

Yeah, the hotels look mad expensive. I think my sister-in-law's family has a condo out there, so maybe I can stay there instead...

I'm down with hiking and even golfing. I don't know what else they have out there besides the pool. It has been 80 out here in SD, so I'm sure it will be warm there.

They definitely have both there :yes:...I remember eating at Sonny Bono's restaurant and really liking it. I also remember eating at some small-ish mexican restaurant that was phenomenal. If you're just wanting to take it easy for 2-3 days, eat well, window shop, hike and golf, you should enjoy it.

I've been there for a sales meeting at a nice resort. My buddy, who still works for that company, is going there for another meeting tomorrow. I'll report back on his findings tomorrow. It was very nice from what I can recall, lots of swimming pools and big hot tubs. As Califan said, plenty of great restaurants around there. I had a good time at a Native American casino, but that's not really all that romantic I guess.

well my boyfriend can get DOWN with casinos. So maybe while I sun myself at the pool he can go win us some money to take me out to dinner.

They definitely have both there :yes:...I remember eating at Sonny Bono's restaurant and really liking it. I also remember eating at some small-ish mexican restaurant that was phenomenal. If you're just wanting to take it easy for 2-3 days, eat well, window shop, hike and golf, you should enjoy it.

taking it easy= missu's middle name

I've been there for a sales meeting at a nice resort. My buddy, who still works for that company, is going there for another meeting tomorrow. I'll report back on his findings tomorrow. It was very nice from what I can recall, lots of swimming pools and big hot tubs. As Califan said, plenty of great restaurants around there. I had a good time at a Native American casino, but that's not really all that romantic I guess.

There are some nice indian casinos nearby Palm Springs as well, yep :thumbsup:...

taking it easy= missu's middle name

If I was involved with someone--and had enough money lol--I'd take her to Palm Springs for a weekend.

well my boyfriend can get DOWN with casinos. So maybe while I sun myself at the pool he can go win us some money to take me out to dinner.

I might've gone horseback riding too. But I might be confusing that resort with the one I went to in Arizona.

The resort in PS we went to, had little swimming pools spread all over the campus. I picked one with no other people, and I kept wondering why the water was so damn warm in the pool, and I finally realized that I was in a big rectangular hot tub. WTF! :doh:

Depends what you're interested in ... no shortage of spas, golf, restaurants, shops and bars (some of which have live music). Outside of the town itself ...

• hiking in Joshua Tree NP is good way to get away from the town.
  
• Cable car ride up San Jacinto mountain - over 8500 feet high. Go from desert to Alpine climate in a few mintues.
  
• Check the schedule to see who's playing at Indian Wells. Their mega tournament is in March I think but some of the best tennis players will be there.
  
• They have a desert animal park which is kind of neat, if that's your thing.
  

When we've been there there have been other shows, such as vintage car auctions and the like.

EDIT: I went back to Joshua Tree many times. If hiking is of interest, it's an awesome place to visit. You can rock climb there too.

Depends what you're interested in ... no shortage of spas, golf, restaurants, shops and bars (some of which have live music). Outside of the town itself ...

• hiking in Joshua Tree NP is good way to get away from the town.
  
• Cable car ride up San Jacinto mountain - over 8500 feet high. Go from desert to Alpine climate in a few mintues.
  
• Check the schedule to see who's playing at Indian Wells. Their mega tournament is in March I think but some of the best tennis players will be there.
  
• They have a desert animal park which is kind of neat, if that's your thing.
  

When we've been there there have been other shows, such as vintage car auctions and the like.

ooh, thanks. I've seen Joshua Tree signs from the road on our roadtrips to AZ, that might be a fun place to go. And desert animal park sounds cool. Good ideas. I'm getting excited now, I'm researching places to stay.

Joshua Tree National Park is interesting...I went up there for a day and took some photos not too long ago:

ooh, thanks. I've seen Joshua Tree signs from the road on our roadtrips to AZ, that might be a fun place to go. And desert animal park sounds cool. Good ideas. I'm getting excited now, I'm researching places to stay.

The animal park is The living desert: http://www.livingdesert.org/

The rock formations in Joshua Tree are other-worldly:

I remember we might have visited some Native American village and some canyons too.

really cool stuff and pics, thank you!!

Personally, I'm a big believer that Disney World is the absolutely most perfect place in the world. (And they're running specials right now, including birthday specials.)

Raise the subject and you'll get lots of advice for what to do there.

(Including a bit from people besides me.)

Personally, I'm a big believer that Disney World is the absolutely most perfect place in the world. (And they're running specials right now, including birthday specials.)

Raise the subject and you'll get lots of advice for what to do there.

(Including a bit from people besides me.)

haha...I mentioned that I wanted to go to DisneyLAND for my birthday, but my boyfriend won't go. It's only an hour away, and I've been there twice and really enjoy it. Never been to Disneyworld...not a huge fan of Florida.

haha...I mentioned that I wanted to go to DisneyLAND for my birthday, but my boyfriend won't go. It's only an hour away, and I've been there twice and really enjoy it. Never been to Disneyworld...not a huge fan of Florida.

I could be mistaken, but I don't think WDW is really even a part of Florida.

If you stay "on property" in one of the Disney hotels then you never have to be exposed to reality for the whole weekend.

Still, I understand that there are, in this world, some people who just can't be made happy, even by Disney.

Have you considered dating somebody besides Mass? :halo:

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Edit: I've been to Disney "out west", but it was when I was like 10, so I assume it's changed a lot. I understand that they've expended it a lot.

(Although I can't imagine how much that cost. As I recall, Disneyland was completely surrounded by commercial real estate even back then. Only way I could see them expanding that place would be for Disney to convince somebody who owns a hotel across the street from Disneyland to sell, and then repeat the process for everybody else, over several blocks. I know Disney has Big Bucks, but still . . . )

The big tennis tournament at Indian Wells is in March (BNP Paribas Open). EVERYONE will be there, including Nadal and Federer.

I was there years ago; parking was off site and I rode a small shuttle bus to the complex with this guy.

:cool:

As well as watching the big tournament games on the stadium courts you can also see the pros on the outside courts practicing; very cool.

I could be mistaken, but I don't think WDW is really even a part of Florida.

If you stay "on property" in one of the Disney hotels then you never have to be exposed to reality for the whole weekend.

Still, I understand that there are, in this world, some people who just can't be made happy, even by Disney.

Have you considered dating somebody besides Mass? :halo:

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Edit: I've been to Disney "out west", but it was when I was like 10, so I assume it's changed a lot. I understand that they've expended it a lot.

(Although I can't imagine how much that cost. As I recall, Disneyland was completely surrounded by commercial real estate even back then. Only way I could see them expanding that place would be for Disney to convince somebody who owns a hotel across the street from Disneyland to sell, and then repeat the process for everybody else, over several blocks. I know Disney has Big Bucks, but still . . . )

I'm sure if he went, we'd have fun. He's just stubborn.

And yes, Disneyland has Downtown Disney, which is really cool. Haven't been to California Adventure. I did hear on TV something about "free birthday" at Disneyland, so I'm going to look that up.

I stayed there when I went to Choachella the year before, skipped the Sat show and went site seeing. We went to the canyons which was fun and spent the night in one of the casino's playing black jack.

Is he a golfer? PGA West is one hell of a golf course! I played it years ago. stayed at La Quinta (not the inn, the resort )

Temecula is a cool romantic (and fairly inexpensive) weekend for two. I used to roll out there all the time w/my girlfriend. The JW Marriott in Palm Desert is not to be missed but may be a better idea for an all girls weekend. It's far from cheap too but well worth the trip.

Disneyland however, is hell on Earth for a guy. Sorry, but I could never bring myself to ever go there w/my girlfriends. It's just painful, don't make him do it. PLEASE.

Temecula is a REAL nice area.

Temecula is a cool romantic (and fairly inexpensive) weekend for two. I used to roll out there all the time w/my girlfriend. The JW Marriott in Palm Desert is not to be missed but may be a better idea for an all girls weekend. It's far from cheap too but well worth the trip.

Temecula is a REAL nice area.

lololol nooooo thanks. We used to live in Murrieta(next city over). Temecula is no getaway for us. The only thing redeeming about Temecula is wine country....and even then, I don't like wine;)