With the great outdoors literally at your doorstep, you'll have no problem finding plenty of ways to enjoy our sunny weather and beautiful landscape!

Hiking

The hiking season is from October to May, depending on the temperatures. We highly recommend the Indian Canyons for a variety of great hikes that are convenient to the hotel. Tahquitz Canyon is about 5 minutes away, and the other Indian Canyons are about a 12 minute drive. These hikes are up canyon streams, with incredible boulder formations, indigenous palm trees, and natural pools and waterfalls.

• Indian Canyons Info: 1-800-790-3398
• Tahquitz Canyon info: (760) 416-7044
• The Museum and Lyyken Trails run across the hillside above the hotel. There are 2 trailheads to start from (both within biking or walking distance) -either at the Desert Museum or at the west end of Ramon Road (see neighborhood map) This hike offers outstanding views of Palm Springs and much of the Coachella Valley.

Joshua Tree National Park is about a 45 minute drive and offers both excellent hiking and world-class rock climbing. The nearly 800,000 acre park encompasses some of the most interesting geologic displays found in California's deserts. Arroyos, playas, alluvial fans, bajadas, pediments, desert varnish, granites, aplite, and gneiss interact to form a giant desert mosaic of immense beauty and complexity. 74485 National Monument Drive, Twenty Nine Palms, CA 92277. For more information call (760) 367-5500.

The only weekly tour to the most amazing desert scenery the area has to offer. See the rock gardens of the San Andreas Fault, the tallest cactus garden in the state and 1000 year old Joshua Trees. Board the most luxurious motorcoach of California with a Park geologist at 8:30 every Tuesday and Thursday. Tour returns at 1 pm. Only $39 pp. Includes Park entry, snack, refreshment and souvenir map. Early reservations STRONGLY recommended. Visit us at www.JoshuaTreeTour.com, or call (760) 285-1608 for reservations.

Be amazed on eco-tours and guided hikes of Indian Canyon, Joshua Tree and the mountains beyond the Tram. Two hours to full day. Full-moon night expeditions. Runners welcome. For more informatio call (760) 325-HIKE (4453), (888) 324-HIKE or www.desertsafari.com

In a special to The Globe and Mail, Lisa Fitterman trades spa slippers for hiking boots and goes Off the beaten path in Palm Springs to explore the area's cactus-spiked trails.

Palm Springs Tram

Ascend 8,000 feet in the world's largest rotating tramcars. It's 40 degrees colder at the top and a completely different (forest) world in the Mt. San Jacinto State Park than Palm Springs below. There are 54 miles of great hiking trails and incredible views of the valley below. The Winter Adventure Center rents snow shoes and X-country skis during the winter months on Fri, Sat and Sun. Guided nature walks are given each weekend during the summer. Call (909) 327-0222 for hiking conditions. There are 2 restaurants and a cocktail lounge at the mountain station. The top of the Tram Restaurant offers cafeteria dining, and Elevations offers fine dining featuring Cal Franco cuisine.

• For Restaurant Reservations Call: (760) 327-1590
• Tram Information and Tickets: (888) 515-TRAM.

Tennis

Palm Springs Tennis Club

Located conveniently just around the corner, in our historic "Tennis Club" neighborhood, as a guest at a neighboring historic hotel, you can reserve court time here for $25 a day, based on availability. Take a break for lunch at Spencer's outdoor courtyard, with a view of the courts!

• Lessons available:  $60 Hour or $35 for a half-hour
• For court reservations call: (760) 325-1441

Plaza Racquet Club

Conveniently located near downtown (a 10 minute bike ride from the hotel), with nine outdoor lit courts, incredible views and a mid-century modern club lounge. Private lessons, group clinics and game arranging for single or double players, from beginner to tournament players welcome. Ball Machine & Rental equipment available. Located at 1300 Baristo Road, Palm Springs.

• Court Fee:  Day: $12 per court/Hr, Night: $15 per court/Hr
• For Reservations call: (760) 323-8997
• Kurt Haggstrom, Tennis Director

Bicycling

The Orbit In

The Orbit In provides cruiser-style bikes, along with helmets and locks for each bike, that can be checked out with our concierge. These one-speed wonders are great for pedaling around town and taking in the surrounding neighborhood's modern architectural scenery.

Big Horn Bicycle Adventures

If guests desire mountain bikes for longer and more strenuous rides, we recommend this local mountain bike shop that can help you with rental equipment, mountain biking locations and a variety of mountain bike adventures to choose from. Located at 302 N. Palm Canyon Drive. For more information call (760) 325-3367.

Gardens and Art Workshops

Moorten Botanical Gardens

Internationally famous living museum with nature trails, 3,000 varieties of cacti, succulents and flowers. Located at 1701 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. For more information call 760-327-6555.

• Adults $2.50, Children $1
• Open 9 am - 4:40 pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday, 10 am - 4 pm Sunday

Palapas of Araby Cove

14-acre "hands on" artists' village and garden center with demonstrations, workshops and tours. Located at 3255 East Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. Open daily 8 am - 5 pm. For more information call (760) 416-1818.

Golf Palm Springs

Mesquite Golf and Country Club

Golf 18 holes. Located at 2700 E. Mesquite Avenue, Palm Springs CA, Phone: (760) 323-9377.

Tommy Jacobs Bel Air Greens

Golf 9 holes, Driving range. Located at 1001 S. El Cielo Road, Palm Springs CA, Phone: (760) 322-6062.

Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort

Golf 36 holes. Located at 1885 Golf Club Drive, Palm Springs CA, Phone: (760) 328-1005.

Palm Springs Country Club

Golf 18 holes. Located at 2500 Whitewater Club Road, Palm Springs CA, Phone: (760) 323-2626.

The Living Desert Gardens and Zoo

Stroll, hike, dine and shop amid 1200 acres of scenic trails and exhibits. See beautiful botanical gardens, native and exotic desert wildlife, and learn all about the desert of the world.

• 47-900 Portola Avenue, Palm Desert, CA 92260
• (760) 346-5694