Low-lying Palm Springs out like a mirage in the Coachella Valley at the base of Mount San Jacinto, about 110 miles southeast of Los Angeles along I-10, and has been a fashionable resort since the Hollywood stars began flocking here during the 1920s.

The early stars were drawn to the local mineral sprigs, as were the Cahuilla Native American tribe, who now won and operate the Spa Hotel on the site. Golfing and tennis are the primary activities. Palm Springs hosts more than 100 golf tournaments every year, including the Nabisco Dinah Shore. The nearby residential communities and resorts of Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells and La Quinta, all blend into one big playground.

Palm Springs Desert Museum showcases regional art and natural history, including contemporary and Native American works. One of the world’s largest collections of World War II vintage fighters is on display at Palm Springs Air Museum. Moorten Botanical Garden features cactuses and other desert plants, along with a bird sanctuary.