October 7, 2019
Live Your 'Wellest' This Fall in Greater Palm Springs
Matthew Wexler READ TIME: 7 MIN.
Looking for Greater Palm Springs vacation ideas? The region has more than 300 days of sunshine per year, and come autumn when those desert temperatures begin to drop, there's no better time to create your own Greater Palm Springs wellness retreat.
To sweeten the experience, many Greater Palm Springs resorts, fitness centers and retailers offer deals and affordable spa packages. Whether it's a week of unlimited yoga at Evolve Yoga or a $250 spa credit at Parker Palm Springs, there are always ways to rejuvenate without breaking the bank.
SPAHHH! 3 RESORTS TO RELAX THE DAY AWAY
Greater Palm Springs overflows with accommodations to fit any budget or style. Pick two and split your vacation between two unique properties. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
La Quinta Resort & Club and PGA WEST, a Waldorf Astoria Resort – Are you a swinger (of the golf club variety)? La Quinta Resort & Club provides access to five legendary golf courses, including the lush Greg Norman Course; the Pete Dye-designed Mountain Course, nestled at the foot of the Santa Rosa Mountains; and the dramatic (and challenging) Jack Nicklaus Course, a favorite of long hitters and Golden Bear fans alike.
Head to the resort's Spa La Quinta after a day on the green, where different types of bath rituals provide a pleasant way to unwind. At 100 minutes, the La Quinta Luxe Body Renewal includes various personalized treatments, including a shea butter scrub, scalp treatment and Quench massage. For a quick but rejuvenating dip, try the La Quinta Bath Ritual with a soak in your own private garden tub.
The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa – Unwind among 360 beautifully landscaped acres where you can do as much (or little) as your heart desires. Take a dip in one of the resort's three pools, then head to the spa for a body wrap, facial or foot bath.
Westin's Sleep Well Rooms are ideal for those seeking peaceful replenishment. Located on the resort's top floor, each features Westin's Heavenly bed with plush pillow-tops and a Sleep Well Kit, featuring lavender balm, a sleep sound machine and valerian root turndown chocolate for that special sweet treat before shut-eye time.
Miramonte Indian Wells Resort & Spa – Reserve a cabana for the day, grab a book (yes, the kind with pages) and settle in for much-needed rest and relaxation. For a more intimate respite, get a day pass to The Well Spa, where you can dip into the secluded Aqua Well and River Bench pools. Experience a specialty treatment such as an oxygen-infused facial or a men's spa treatment such as the Desert Warrior, a full-body massage perfect for post work out, athletic recovery, or anyone looking to enhance flexibility.
This gorgeous property is part of Hilton's Curio Collection. A major supporter of LGBTQ causes, Hilton once again earned a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Corporate Equality Index. "The top-scoring companies on this year's CEI are not only establishing policies that affirm and include employees here in the United States, but they are also applying these policies to their global operations and impacting millions of people beyond our shores," said HRC President Chad Griffin.
Greater Palm Springs also boasts some of the most popular LGBTQ-friendly hotels in the U.S., including clothing-optional choices for those that want to feel the Coachella Valley's desert winds in all their glory. Several include their own day spa facilities as well, such as All Worlds Inn Exile, Desert Paradise Resort Hotel and La Dolce Vita Resort & Spa, which offers men's couple massages as well as the "Sweet Life," a relaxing combination of Swedish, Deep Tissue and Trigger Point modalities.
Looking to connect with nature? Greater Palm Springs has an astonishing 19 hot mineral water spa hotels throughout the region, where you can soak in the natural waters while taking in the breathtaking mountain views.
CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE
With so many things to do in Greater Palm Springs, it's great to have some ideas in mind to maximize your getaway. From soft adventures to adrenaline-boosting thrills, there are plenty of options to fill your days and nights.
Bike - Bike rentals are available at several shops throughout Greater Palm Springs, as well as many hotels. Different levels of difficulty offer something for everyone, from city routes to Palm Desert's Bump and Grind Trail (four miles) to the advanced Palm Canyon Epic Trail (28 miles). Be sure to hydrate and pack sunscreen!
For a casual ride with a boost, consider an electric bike tour with Pedego Electric Bikes. More avid bikers will love spending a day with Big Wheel Tours. Fully customizable tours will take you to some of Greater Palm Springs' most picturesque vistas.
Hike - Prefer to explore Greater Palm Springs by foot rather than bike? There are plenty of hiking trails for every level. Access to 54 miles of trails within Mt. San Jacinto State Park can be accessed by the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the world's largest rotating tramcar. (Be sure to check that the tramway is operating as it closes each September for annual maintenance.)
Climb - At nearly 800 acres, Joshua Tree National Park offers plenty of surfaces to scale, but it's important to have the proper equipment and guides to ensure your safety. Cliffhanger Guides will get you outfitted with everything you need to experience Joshua Tree at its prime.
Gaze - Greater Palm Springs offers some of the best places to stargaze in California. The $4.2 million Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory offers daily tours, along with special evening programs, which quickly sell out so be sure to book in advance.
The night sky also provides a beautiful backdrop for an evening spa treatment. The JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa features a Sanctuary Spa Suite with a private courtyard, hydrotherapy tub and outdoor fireplace, perfect for taking in the night air, while the Agua Serena Spa at Hyatt Regency Indian Wells offers an outdoor couples massage under the starry night.
WHEN TO GO
Anchor your Greater Palm Springs getaway with one of the annual events that are sure to stimulate the senses!
Cinema Diverse (September 19-22, September 27-28, 2019, various locations) – One of the most anticipated festivals in Greater Palm Springs, this LGBTQ film festival showcases some of the most impactful queer films from around the world.
Modernism Week Fall Preview (October 17-20, 2019) – Don't miss this epic opportunity to see stunning examples of midcentury modern design, architecture, fashion, art and culture.
Greater Palm Springs Pride (November 1-3, 2019) – This epic year of celebration and commemoration marked by the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising comes to a rousing conclusion in Greater Palm Springs. Weekend events include a Spirit of Stonewall street party, two-day Pride Festival, Arenas Road Block Party (where you'll find a bunch of LGBTQ-owned businesses), and a Pride Parade expected to attract more than 60,000 visitors.
Run with Los Muertos 5K and Block Party (November 2, 2019) – This sunset 5K run spills into a colorful block party in the heart of Old Town, Coachella.
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Matthew Wexler is EDGE's Senior Editor, Features & Branded Content. More of his writing can be found at www.wexlerwrites.com. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram at @wexlerwrites.
