Southern California — the land of sunshine, surf, and sand — is known to feature two incredible seasons: warm and warmer. What happens when the holidays roll around and, as carols are constantly sung about winter wonderlands, there's not a speck of snow to inspire a more festive spirits? You head to Palm Springs!
Just a little over a two hour drive northeast of San Diego, Palms Springs is widely known as a desert oasis retreat for world-class golf courses, rejuvenating spa treatments, and an array of outdoor activities, such as swimming, tennis, horseback riding, and hiking. Yet, few are aware that the city also becomes a wintry haven for making snowmen and
Located within the Coachella Valley, Palm Springs was once known by Spanish explorers as La Palma de la Mano de dios ("The Palm of God's hand") or Agua Caliente ("hot water") due to the mineral springs throughout the region. In the 1900s, the city became a fashionable resort as health tourists came to find cures for their conditions that only the dry heat could help. Then, in the 20s, Hollywood movie stars began to migrate in search of sunny weather and seclusion. With starlets and Sinatra also came architectural modernists who used the city to explore creative innovations for leisure living spaces that fully merged the inside and the outside into a "Desert Modern" style.
Today, numerous five star hotels, restaurants of all cuisines, and boutique stores flourish throughout downtown and uptown Palm Springs, so there's no shortage of play. Yet, when it comes to the holiday season, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is where you want to go.
Before the Tramway opened in September 1963, the only way to reach the San Jacinto Peak was to hike for several hours from Idyllwild. Now, guests can travel from the floor of Coachella Valley at 2,643 ft above sea level to the wildnerness of Mount San Jacinto State Park at 8,516 ft in twelve-and-a-half minutes.
Located near the Palm Springs Official Visitors Center, which is housed in a historic gas station building designed by Albert Frey, the Tramway features the world's largest rotating aerial tramcars (cable cars). The bottom of the 18' diameter tramcar rotates constantly, making two complete revolutions throughout the journey up, so that passengers can see in all directions without having to move around the car. Once passengers disembark at the Mountain Station up top, the air can be as much as 40º F cooler than in the Valley, which means that in the winter, there's plenty of fresh powder to frolic in!
Be sure to bundle up with waterproof clothing from your shoes to your gloves, the latter of which is especially important if you'd like to roll snowballs to toss at one another. On the day we went, fresh snow was falling from the sky and cold enough that multiple layers were required, including a wrap for our faces.
The beauty of being almost 10,000 ft above sea level is the quietude for miles. There is little sound throughout the State Park with the exception of what you make. And, with a blank canvas of white unfolding before you, it's as though the silence enhances all that you can behold with your eyes.
Simply walking through pristine snow not yet traversed by anyone else is pure bliss, especially when coming from an environment where the seasons barely shift. Many well-marked nature trails encourage you to stroll merrily amongst towering trees. Whta's more, in this breathtaking vista, you'll likely encounter few people on your walk though if you do, share a smile full of holiday spirit and strangers instantly become friends. In fact, when we crossed paths and exchanged pleasant "hello's" with another couple, they offered to lend us their sled. O, how amazing it is that a little plastic blue toy could provide such giddy, heart-pumping entertainment.
For even more action, get a back-country hiking permit through the U.S. Forest Service and go off-the-beaten-path. During the summers, back-country hiking can lead you to incredible outdoor rock climbing routes and views that stretch nothward for more than 200 miles on a clear day, all the way to Las Vegas, Nevada and California's Salton Sea.
After a day of light-hearted adventures, return to the start of the summit at the Tramway's Mountain Station to enjoy a cup of cocoa or a hot toddy. There are two restaurants where you can wait for Tram to descend. Built to resemble a mountain cabin inside, it's easy to snuggle with good company for warmth and watch the snow fall around you.
Happy holidays, California-style!
TRAVEL FACTS
- Tickets for the Tram are $23.95 (Adults), $16.95 (Children ages 3-12), $21.95 (Seniors 62+)
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