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Palm Springs desert escape

If you’re looking for a Californian escape with a twist, look no further than Palm Springs. While it’s a short drive from LA, it couldn’t be further from the bright lights of Hollywood.

Where to stay
While the entire county of Palm Springs has no shortage of amazing resorts to stay at, La Quinta looks as though it could be right out of a Hollywood movie set. Surrounded by the Santa Rose Mountains, the backdrop looks fake, until you realize the ranges are very real. The resort boasts an impressive 42 pools, so you’ll never be short of finding somewhere to take a dip! There’s also restaurants and shops all on-site. The resorts is also a shuttle hub so if you happen to be staying at there during Coachella, you’ll find pop-up taco stands, with some of the best tacos you’ll ever eat!

What to do
Number one: Coachella. Every year thousands flock to the Coachella Valley for the iconic music festival and 2017 was no different. Having expanded the farm land this year for the event, 124,000 attended the second weekend. While it may be overwhelming at first, there is nothing more mind blowing than seeing some of your favourite artists perform amongst the palm trees!
Of course there’s more to the area than just the music festival!

Picture perfect. Source: Supplied
Picture perfect. Source: Supplied
Those La Quinta views. Source: Supplied
Those La Quinta views. Source: Supplied
You might have heard of a little festival call Coachella? Source: Supplied
You might have heard of a little festival call Coachella? Source: Supplied

Touring the San Andreas fault line is another brilliant experience. And it’s not what you think it is! Taking a red jeep tour, you’ll be driven around the entire fault line, with pit stops along the way where you will be able to hop out and explore. Not only will you learn about the fault line, but you’ll also learn about the history of the area as well as how the Native American people lived in the harsh desert environment for hundreds of years.

Desert views. Source: Supplied
Desert views. Source: Supplied
Ready to explore! Source: Supplied
Ready to explore! Source: Supplied
Technically it's not pushing the fault line... but let's say it is. Source: Supplied
Technically it's not pushing the fault line... but let's say it is. Source: Supplied
In the middle of the fault line. Source: Supplied
In the middle of the fault line. Source: Supplied
Get ready for the heat! Source: Supplied
Get ready for the heat! Source: Supplied

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Palm Springs also has some of the most iconic architecture and tours are available to go and check out the houses of the rich and famous for yourself!

However if you’d prefer a more laid back kind of day, head to the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs and hang out by the pool! The hotel was renovated, but still has kept all it’s charm and there’s nothing more relaxing than sitting in the sun and taking a dip!

Where to eat
If you’re ever in Palm Springs, do yourself a favour and head to King’s Highway at the historical Ace Hotel – the date shakes are unbelievable and something everyone must try! The food is also delicious and afterwards you can nap by the pool!

The food was too good! Source: Supplied
The food was too good! Source: Supplied
Yum! Source: Supplied
Yum! Source: Supplied

This journalist travelled to California as a guest of Visit California and Air New Zealand.

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