near and far | PALM SPRINGS

The Perfect Getaway

LUXURY AND FUN INTERSECT IN A DESERT OASIS

LATE AFTERNOON LIGHT slants across the fabled desert resort — a sun-drenched oasis, sparkling in the sand. Just as it’s touted in travel brochures, Palm Springs is the jewel of the desert, shining and multifaceted. The perfect setting for a playground. People saunter along Palm Canyon Drive, lingering at the shop windows, stopping at the outdoor cafes.

The Coffee Bean’s outside tables are packed with people sipping lattes and watching passers-by.

A pint-sized girl ducks out of Coldstone Creamery, balancing a frozen pink confection on a waffle cone nearly as big as she is. This place was made for escape.

Whether it’s tranquility and seclusion or the pulsing vibe of nightlife, lazing by a pool or hiking the world famous Indian Canyons - Palm, Murray, Andreas and Tahquitz - there are options for any taste.

And shopping in downtown Palm Springs, along the Walk of Stars, could be elevated to an Olympic sport with bargain hunting, art collecting, gallery hopping and pleasure seeking.

Here, quaint shops and boutiques, bistros, eateries and coffeehouses vie with museums and art galleries for attention.

Adagio Gallery, specializing in fine collectible Southwestern art, hosts an exhibit by acclaimed artists and sculptors.

On a recent visit to Palm Springs, white clouds scudded across the pale blue sky and temperatures hovered in the low 70s, a stark contrast to the snow-dusted San Jacinto Mountains, soaring above.

Throngs of film-goers were in town enjoying the international film festival, the world-class showcase of gifted filmmakers founded by the late Sonny Bono. Even the influx of film buffs did not create elbow-to-elbow crowds.

There was a wait for lunch at Sherman’s Deli & Bakery, a classic Jewish deli with celebrity photos lining the walls and to-die-for baked goods beckoning from the dessert case. The house specialty, a pastrami sandwich stacked nearly a mile-high, made the wait worthwhile, though.

Second generation restauranteur, Sam Harris, who co-owns Sherman’s with his sister, Janet Harris Schulman, attributes the eatery’s success to a wonderful staff that treats customers like family.

On the next block, facing Palm Canyon, is Hotel Zoso, a stunning resort self-described as “serene, sensual, stylish.”

A former Marriott Marquis that reopened after a $25 million renovation, Zoso promises “balance restored” with its clean lines, natural elements and luxury amenities.

Noel Breen, hotel general manager, says “balance restored” is about rejuvenation. “It’s the creation of an urban oasis in the midst of downtown Palm Springs, easily accessible throughout the region, that allows the guest to rest, recuperate and rejuvenate with a great room product and incredible views of the natural beauty surrounding a special place,” Breen says.

Palm Springs offers a wide range of accommodations from the most luxurious resorts to boutique hotels and intimate inns catering to romantics.

Stargazing? There’s the luxurious Viceroy, voted the most likely place to see a movie star, and the Parker, the next most likely place to see a movie star.

If you like your martinis smokin’, drop by The Falls Prime Steakhouse and Martini Bar, upstairs in downtown Mercado Plaza.

The Falls’ open-air bar has a wall-size waterfall behind the bar, a long list of specialty drinks, and their signature “Smokin’ martinis,” which range from “Anti-Freeze Tinis” and “Coco Mango Tinis” to “O Behave Tinis.”

Speaking of food and drink, Palm Springs celebrates world-class dining with an eclectic array of fine foods and fantastic flavors served amid the ambience of sidewalk cafes, romantic hideaways and upscale bistros.

Le Vallauris, a French-Mediterranean bit of heaven located in a restored historical landmark reminscent of a French villa, features a sublime menu mix of Mediterranean, French and California cuisine.

Owner Paul Bruggemans says the atmosphere although quite attractive is definitely relaxed. “When I’m in town, I always make sure I greet people at every lunch and dinner to make them feel comfortable and relaxed in the elegant atmosphere,” he says.

Elegant and casual are the yin and yang of Palm Springs.

While mission-style architecture creates much of the Palm Springs ambience, the city has also become a mecca for mid-century modern architecture. Myriad examples include the Palm Springs Visitors Center on the north end of town, designed by architect Albert Frey, and the famous Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway, where he spent his honeymoon with Priscilla in 1967.

For parents with kids in tow, check out the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert in nearby Rancho Mirage. The fun, hands-on museum features more than 50 science, music and art exhibits. Then don’t forget a frozen yogurt treat at Cactusberry in downtown Palm Springs.

The resort has it all - from wildlife to nightlife.

An eclectic and exotic setting of natural beauty and ancient history — a cultural melange of art and architecture, with an extensive variety of hotels, fine dining, museums, casinos, leisure activities, attractions and amenities.

It’s time to escape to Aahs.

VISITORS GUIDE

MUST-DO’S
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the world’s largest rotating tramcars, take visitors from the 2,643-foot Valley Station to the 8,500-foot Mountain Station in an alpine forest for 360 degrees of “wow!”; open year-round; One Tramway Road, Palm Springs; (760) 325-1391; www.pstramway.com

Indian Canyons, a natural oasis and ancestral home of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, is lush with palms and streams and wildflowers in spring; open daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; hiking, picnicking, ranger-led hikes and shopping at the Trading Post; 38520 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; (760) 325-3400, (800) 790-3398; www.indian-canyons.com

Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway, a mid-century modern classic where Elvis Presley honeymooned with Priscilla in May 1967; daily house tours 1 p.m. Monday through Friday by appointment; weekends by reservations; 1350 Ladera Circle, Palm Springs; (760) 322-1192; www.elvishoneymoon.com

The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies, now in its 17th season, features a cast of leggy lovelies and other performers — all older than 55 — in a Broadway-caliber celebration of the music, dance and comedy of the 1930s and ’40s; 128 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; (760) 327-0225; www.psfollies.com

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, a 1,200-acre wildlife and botanical park featuring rare and endangered desert animals and African wildlife; open daily, 47-900 Portola Ave., Palm Desert; (760) 346-5694; www.livingdesert.org

Celebrity Tours of Palm Springs, one- and two-hour guided sightseeing tours to movie star homes and country clubs; charters available; (760) 770-2700; www.celebrity-tours.com

TOO MUCH FUN
Palm Springs VillageFest transforms north Palm Canyon Drive each Thursday evening into Times Square on New Year’s Eve. Vendors offer a diverse array of arts and crafts, food, live entertainment and a certified farmers market; 6 to 10 p.m.; between Amado and Baristo roads in downtown Palm Springs; (760) 320-3781; www.palmspringsvillagefest.com.

Photo Festival, “Connect 08” offers attendees the opportunity to meet top photographers, curators, art directors and educators during a series of seminars and evening presentations, March 30-April 4; Fine Art Print Walk, 3-6 p.m. March 30; Palm Springs Art Museum, 101 Museum Drive, Palm Springs; registration, (800) 928-8314; www.palmspringsphotofestival.com.

Palm Springs Art Museum, a nationally accredited art facility
eaturing exciting exhibitions of contemporary art, glass art, modern architecture and design, photography and more; open Tuesday-Sunday; 101 Museum Drive, Palm Springs; (760) 322-4800; www.psmuseum.org.

Hummer/Jeep Tours, on Desert Adventures Jeep Eco Tours, you can explore archeological sites, palm oases and steep-walled canyons; reservations, (760) 324-JEEP (5337), www.red-jeep.com; Hummer H2 Tours offer “extreeeme” desert adventures; (760) 898-0521, www.hummerh2tours.com.

Hot Air Baloon Rides offer sunrise or sunset champagne adventures as you drift across the desert sky; A Dream Flight, (760) 346-5330, dreamflights.com; Balloon Above the Desert, (760) 776-5785, www.balloonabovethedesert.com; and Fantasy Balloon Flights, (760) 568-0997, (800) GO-ABOVE www.fantasyballoonflights.com

Palm Springs Air Museum features an inspiring and expansive collection of propeller-driven World War II aircraft, also programs and flight demonstrations; open daily; 745 N. Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs; (760) 778-6262; www.palmspringsairmuseum.org.