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Palm Springs,
California |
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Palm Springs, in the Sonoran Desert of
Southern California, is known for its dramatic location,
its stylish architecture, shops and museums, and its
golfing and tennis venues and other outdoor recreational
opportunities. Its attractions have been influenced by
its history as the get-away for Hollywood stars during
the 1930s to 1960s.
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Palm Springs' central avenue, Palm Canyon Drive,
features vintage boutiques, interior design shops, art galleries
and restaurants. The centrally located statue honours the former
mayor, Sonny Bono.
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Within the Coachella Valley near Palm Springs lie
the surrounding cities of Palm Desert, Indio, Cathedral City,
Rancho Mirage, Desert Hot Springs, Banning, Yucca Valley and La
Quinta, shown here. |
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A unique architectural style, now called Desert Modernism,
emerged in the 1920s to 1950s. Approximately 250 buildings
exemplify this style, including the Visitor Center, a
re-purposed gas station. |
Sunnylands is the 200-acre mid-century estate of
Ambassadors Walter and Leonore Annenberg which offers public gardens, an art gallery and
tours of the home and halls used to host international diplomats.
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The
Palm Springs Air Museum is a non-profit educational institution
preserving American fighters, bombers and trainers, with an
emphasis on World War II aircraft.
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The stunning Palm Springs Art Museum also
includes a second branch in Palm Desert and the separate Architecture and Design
Center.
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The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens has 1000 acres of desert
ecosystem, featuring African, Australian and North American
habitats. |
Dramatic desert flora can be viewed at the Living
Desert Zoo, Sunnylands, Moorten Botanical Garden, Mojave Desert
Garden and Oak Glen Preserve.
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Walks Among Stars
by Dave McGary is one of 14 pieces at the
Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden. |
Blue by Lucy
Lyon is one of the 3000 contemporary sculptures in the
collection of the Palm Springs Art Museum. |
Rock, Paper, Scissors
by Kevin Box is seen at the Ramey Fine Art Gallery, one
of several galleries along El Paseo Street.
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Throughout the communities of the Coachella Valley, there are
numerous art galleries, installations and displays.
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Palm oases appear along the valley where water
escapes through fissures in the San Andreas Fault. At Thousand
Palms Oasis Preserve an interpretive trail highlights the unique
oasis ecosystem.
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There are many hiking trails in the area, the
most ambitious being stretches of the scenic 2650-mile Pacific Crest
Trail which traverses the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Mountains
from Mexico to Canada. |
Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument and
State
Park encompass the rugged mountainous area near Palm Springs.
An aerial tramway takes visitors to San Jacinto
Peak for access to trails and views of the Coachella Valley. |
The Aqua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians has
lived in the area since 5000 B.C.
The Band operates the Indian Canyons interpretive
trail and will soon open a cultural center in downtown Palm
Springs.
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