The first time I visited Palm Springs on a non-work trip was several years ago when my family went over the Christmas holiday. We stayed at La Quinta, and quickly feel in love with the area – the lovely property, the dependable weather, and the lush golf courses. The travel proved delightful as well with a direct flight, tiny airport, and rental cars on-site. It wasn’t until several years later, after a dear friend moved to Palm Springs, that we truly experienced the area of Palm Springs proper. Since that time we’ve rented houses with the full family for golf vacations, Trevor and I have taken a trip together for a long weekend, and I’ve made a few trips solo for quality time with my girlfriend. Based on the number of new and delightful places I experience on each visit, there are no shortages of fun things to do and interesting places to see in Palm Springs, but listed below are some of my favorite spots to hit, with pictures from a recent trip in December.

The scenery. This is the view you have in much of Palm Springs. The palms and mountains are a beautiful backdrop for lounging, a leisurely walk, or a morning run before the sun gets too intense.
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