Palm Springs

Palm Springs is a desert community located in the Coachella Valley, 100 miles southeast of Los Angeles. The desert city is a well known resort location for golfing,tennis, hiking, and relaxing. The community has 83 square miles of desert land with a population of 45,000 people. The most common route of getting to Palm Springs is Interstate 10, which runs east from Los Angeles to Palm Springs. http://www.citytowninfo.com/places/california/palm-springs

The city has over 360 sunny days a year with an average summer temperature of 115 degrees. Major industries include hot springs, desert, tourism, agriculture, and natural resources. The first residents of Palm Springs were the Agua Caliente Indians, whom own the largest amount of land today in the area. After World World II, Hollywood stars began to build houses in the area, including Frank Sinatra and Kirk Douglas. This led to hotel and golf resort development. http://www.travelmuse.com/destinations/US/CA/065/palm-springs/_guide/4

More than 2,000 years ago, the first residents of Palm Springs were the Agua Caliente Cahuilla Indians. Tribal life centered on the area known as Indian Canyons, where there is lush vegetation and water sources. In 1877, the U.S. government gave the Southern Pacific Railroad title to the odd-numbered land parcels in the area. The Agua Caliente were given the even-numbered land parcels, but they were not allowed to sell it. Not until the 1940s did surveys establish the boundaries, and by then, most of the land had been built on. http://www.visitpalmsprings.com/page/palm-springs-history/8180

The Desert Inn opened in 1909 and put Palm Springs on the map as a tourist destination. By 1938, the area had become famous as a winter escape for Hollywood stars and resorts began to spread in the area. The area continues to be a tourist destination with contemporary resorts like The Parker and The Rivera. Concerts and festivals are held in the area including The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and Stagecoach: Country Music Festival. http://www.palmspringslife.com/Palm-Springs-Life/Spa-Guide/The-History-Of-Palm-Springs-Spas/

There are several neighborhoods and adjoining communities to Palm Springs.

• Downtown Palm Springs: Nicknamed 'The Loop', features most of the shopping and entertainment in the area.
• South Palm Springs: Contains a mixture of restaurants, hotels, residences, and is home to the Indian Canyons, a popular hiking attraction.
• Desert Hot Springs: Home to the mineral hot springs and features several resorts that feature this as a service.
• Rancho Mirage: Offers multiple dining options on "Restaurant Row." Country clubs and upscale hotels like the Ritz Carlton are in this area.
• Palm Desert & Indian Wells: Shopping region, El Paseo, offeres fine shopping and art selections. El Paseo has often been called "The Rodeo of the Desert." Also located in this area are The Living Desert Wildlife and Botanical Park.
• La Quinta: Most of the golf community is located in La Quinta, including the PGA West Arnold Palmer Private Golf Course, which is one of the locations for the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic.
• Indio: Serves as a gateway into the agricultural portion of the Coachella Valley. http://www.travelmuse.com/destinations/US/CA/065/palm-springs/_guide