Palm Springs, CA: Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

For an amazing meal at the top of the Mount San Jacinto State Park take a trip on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Enjoy spectacular views from the Mountain Station, catch a glimpse of animals of the State Park at the Natural History Museum rest your feet as you watch two documentaries on the Tramway and the State Park.

Spectacular views combined with delectable food provide the perfect dining experience. There are two dining options at the top of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Peaks, a fine dining experience with a breathtaking view of the Coachella Valley and Pines Café, a cafeteria-style restaurant. Both restaurants are open for lunch and dinner.

The chefs have created a menu featuring a variety of fresh vegetables and greens from the Coachella Valley, dry aged meats and poultry along with fresh breads from local bakeries. Additional selections will include market fresh seafood and pastas. Children's menu available.
Reservations are always recommended so call (760) 325-4537 ahead of time.

For less formal dining visit the Pines Café. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway offers a special Ride ‘N’ Dinner combination ticket for the Pines Café. The Ride ‘n’ Dinner combination ticket is available for purchase from 4pm and dinner available from 4:30pm daily. To enjoy just a beverage, the Lookout Lounge is available as well.

Any time of year is a great time to ride the Tramway and visit the peaks. Activities include:

Winter Activities:
Winter Adventure Center
Cross-Country Skiing
Family Snow Fun
Snowshoeing
Snow Camping

Summer Activities:
Hiking
Wilderness Permits
Camping
Guided Nature Walks

The temperature differential between the valley floor and the top of the Tram is usually about 30 degrees and the Tram Weather Station is a great way to help you decide whether or not you need that sweater. For more information visit Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to plan your visit.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
1 Tram Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
General information recording please call (760) 325-1391
Monday-Friday first Tram up 10am
Last Tram up 8pm Last Tram down 9:45pm
Saturday, Sunday and holidays first Tram up 8am

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Palm Springs, CA: A Holiday Art Affair at Gallery 446

Gallery 446 will present a collection of original artwork created by Desert Arc clients at “A Holiday Art Affair” on Sunday, December 15, 2013, from 12:00pm to 7:00pm, through the efforts of art curator and Modernism Week board member, Laurie Weitz. All Desert Arc art that is displayed will be on sale. One hundred percent of the proceeds will benefit Desert Arc, which provides services to clients that enhance the quality of life and create opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities.

The mission of Desert Arc is to enhance the quality of life and create opportunities for adult clients with disabilities, 18 and over. Desert Arc serves people with developmental disabilities, including autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and other medical conditions. Many have multiple disabilities and nearly all are low income. Currently Desert Arc has 900 clients enrolled in all programs.

Other attractions on display December 15 will include a boutique style atmosphere featuring:

· Original designs by Shari Belafonte
· Vintage clothing for women and men by Déjà Vu vintage finery by William Miller
· Celebrity makeup artist Maryam of Beverly Hills
· Original paper sculpture greeting cards by artist Chad Stephens
· Wearable art by “Chatoyance by Martine Suhl”
· Book signing by Grace Robbins
· Celebrity Chef Andre Carthen

The event is free and open to the public. Attendees are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy or item for a child or teen for the Gallery’s “Cocoa and Candy Canes Toy Drive” benefiting the Marine Corps’ “Toys for Tots” program.

For more information about Gallery 446 visit their website or call 760-459-3142. For more information on the event, please visit Desert Arc website or call 760-346-1611 or email info@desertarc.org.

Gallery 446
SOIN Studios
446 S Indian Canyon Drive
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760-459-3142

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Palm Springs, CA: Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort

Shortly after I arrived in the Coachella Valley for a little golf action, I started looking for a place that could to be fully challenge my improving golf game.

The Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort in Palm Springs was recommended to me by a number of the local residents and I made it my first stop on my golf vacation to the California desert. After playing not one but two rounds of golf, it is now a mandatory stop on my desert golf vacations.

Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort is one of the premier public golf courses in the desert. It provides world-class golf facilities along with being located right near the Palm Springs International Airport. I was quick to learn that both courses were highly intelligent and bring their own obstacles to bear.

The first of the two courses Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort offered was The Legend Course that is traditional course that is a Palm Springs favorite. This course is distinguished by the 40 new bunkers that have been added, the tree lined fairways that have been recently renovated, and severely sloped greens from back to front.

The smaller of the two, it plays to 6,600 yards and is a par-72 course that is better set for a little fun which I was entertained to along with the spectacular views that surrounded me. All skill levels will enjoy playing on this course. This breathtaking and stimulating golf course is just a few steps away from such amenities as a driving range, putting area, a short game area, a golf shop, and Traditions Cafe.

The big boy of the two courses and the newer of the two - The Resort Course - is a Ted Robinson design that debuted in 1995. Fitted with rolling terrain that I welcomed, well placed bunkers, exciting waterscapes, and tremendous mountain views of the San Jacinto Mountains with four sets of trees bring life to the course. This desert linked golf course is a well known Ted Robinson course here in the Palm Springs Area. It is over 6,700 yards that call for a 72 to make par.

Golf Digest rated Tahquitz Creek Golf Course as "One of the Best Places to Play." And I recommend taking advantage of the variety of packages they have for Golf or vacation.

If you are a golfer and enjoy not only the scenery of the desert, but a fair and challenging golf experience the Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort is the place for you.

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Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort
1885 Golf Club Drive
Palm Springs, CA 92264

Phone: 760-328-1005
http://www.tahquitzcreek.com/

For discounts and deals on hotels, restaurants, and attractions in Palm Springs, CA, visit http://www.palmspringsvacationdiscounts.com/.

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Palm Springs, CA: Palm Springs Air Museum

History, nostalgia, and some fighter planes have always been a personal allure. So when I visited the Coachella Valley to enjoy some of the desert dry air and an abundance of sun, there was one place to scratch that itch - the Palm Springs Air Museum.

Located adjacent to the Palm Springs International Airport, this attraction which also provides activities, contains one of the world's largest collections of flying WWII airplanes, that include such aircraft as: Grumman F4F Wildcat, Russian Yakovlev YAK_11 Moose, Boeing Stearman PT-17 Kaydet, the Lockheed P38 Lightning, or the Curtiss P40 Hawk.

Located on the north side of the airport, near the Desert Sun newspaper and the new Gene Autry Plaza that is filled with a number of different shops, the Palm Springs air Museum is housed in a magnificent new structure that includes two main display halls and hangers.

Walking through these enormous constructions, I saw how the flying aircraft that was kept in pristine condition was displayed in modern, well-lighted, air-conditioned and clean hangars. There was little dust and a cool breeze that provided adequate ventilation.

Along with the incredible displays was the Buddy Rogers theatre were I was able to view the daily documentaries about aviation in the military. There was also a gift shop, a ramp, and an airport access for when there were incredible flight demonstrations as well as visiting planes from around the world.

The museum also has a research library that allowed me to delve into the many books of history and stories that accompanied some of the sites to be seen. The library contained some 6300 volumes primarily related to aviation and American military history. There is also a simulator and educational center that gave me an excellent opportunity to feel what it was like to sit in the cockpit of a Bell P63 King Cobra.

As I enjoyed taking my time, moving through each exhibit, I was soon to learn that the Palm Springs Air Museum was dedicated to the restoration, preservation, and operation of America's legendary fighters, bombers, and trainers. It was constructed to give each visitor a welcome into the past and the experience of what it must have felt like to be in the air and in the middle of battle. What an experience to hear the pounding roar of high-powered piston engines or climbing into the cockpits of legendary fighting jets and bombers. It's a moment well worth the time spent in the valley.

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Open seven days a week, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., you can make a day of it when the desert heat becomes a little too much. A perfect stop on your next Palm Springs vacation.

Palm Springs Air Museum
745 N Gene Autry Trl
Palm Springs, CA 92262
(760) 778-6262
http://palmspringsairmuseum.org/

For discounts and deals on hotels, restaurants, and attractions in Palm Springs, CA, visit http://www.palmspringsvacationdiscounts.com/.

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