Palm Springs

110mi southeast of Los Angeles via 1-10. Tourist information: 777 N. Palm Canyon Dr. or 2701 Palm Canyon Dr.

Palm Springs

Fans of sunshine enjoy rays about 354 days a year here. Popularly known as the golf capital of the world (there are 110 courses), this city of 44,000 people forms an upscale oasis of lush greenery, splendid spas and snow-capped peaks amid arid desert. The high season runs from January to May; there's plenty to do in the summer months too, but the heat can be beastly.

The Uptown Palm Springs Heritage District is rife with modernist architectural gems; shops specialize in mid-20C furnishings. On Palm Canyon Drive, the city's Main Street, you'll find a visitor center and the Walk of Stars, which honors entertainment personalities in bronze. Thanks to the profusion of propertied Indian tribes (and opportunistic developers) in the region, Palm Springs also sports four casinos. In neighboring Palm Desert you'll find El Paseo, a 2mi-long boulevard lined with chic boutiques.

Palm Springs

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

One Tramway Rd. Open year-round Mon-Fri 10am-9:45pm; weekends 8am-9:45pm. $20.80.

This is one of the most amazing 10-minute rides you're likely to experience anywhere. Revolving, 80-passenger gondolas (the largest in the world) ascend the vertiginous face of San Jacinto, letting you watch as the desert heat gives way to the mountain cold. En route, spectacular views extend for miles around. Up top you can eat at the Top of The Tram restaurant and hike or cross-country ski, depending on the season, on 54mi of trails covering 13,000 acres.

Palm Springs Desert Museum

101 Museum Dr. Open year-round Tue, Wed, Fr! & Sat 10am-5pm, Thu noon-8pm, Sun noon-5pm. Closed major holidays. $7.50.

Housed in a polished contemporary structure, this museum, founded in 1938, offers an excellent overview of the natural history, cultural history and art of the California deserts.

Natural science wing - Dioramas, displays and terrariums describe desert ecology.

Art collections - The focus is on 20C California art and sculpture, with works by Henry Moore and Dale Chihuly.

Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

15mi east of Palm Springs in Palm Desert. Open Sept-mid-Jun daily 9am-5pm. Rest of the year 8am-l:30pm. Closed Dec 25. $10.50.

Great for kids, this 1,200-acre nature preserve, an important conservation center, gives you an up-close look at desert flora and fauna.

Animals - 425 animals represent 145 species, including Mexican wolves, bighorn sheep, coyotes, oryx, zebras, cheetahs, mountain lions and a golden eagle.

Gardens - 1,500 varieties of plants are arranged in 10 different ecosystems.

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