Day Trip #3 -Dinosaurs near Palm Springs

A fun family trip about 25 minutes from Palm Springs is a visit to see the dinosaurs and visit the Rex Museum.  When you drive up you may recognize the two large dinosaurs as they have been featured in many commercials and movies, print ads and music videos.
Claude Bell, a Knott's Berry Farm artist who was looking for ways to attract diners to the Wheel Inn, his roadside restaurant.  So directly behind the Wheel Inn he built a 150 ton, 45' tall, 150' long Apatosaurus that he named "Dinny". 
In addition there are also over 15 real-looking robotic dinosaurs, an area where there is gemstone & fossil panning and a dino dig where kids who find a special stone get a free dinosaur souvenier.  The path with over 60 statues of dinosaurs and other creatures is great for photos. 

The Museum is located inside the 4 story T-Rex, climb up the dinosaur while finding out fun facts.

For More information: (951) 922-0076 for more information http://www.cabazondinosaurs.com/

Hadleys Date Garden

Practically right next door is Hadley's where you can sample and buy just about every type of dried fruit you can imagine.  If you like shakes, try the world famous Date Shake.

48980 Seminole Dr  Cabazon, CA 92230-2112
(951) 849-5255

If you still have energy left they outlet malls are right down the street, see my blog on Outlet
shopping for more information

The World's Biggest Dinosaurs are located in Cabazon California at Highway 10 and the Main Street exit, 13 miles west of Palm Springs.

Discount Shopping for the Home

Many of my real estate clients want to know where the best shopping is to decorate their new home without running up too big of a price tag; below are some of my favorite places.
The estate stores are a big source of second hand furniture, some good deals and some ridiculously expensive.  Many pieces are custom for very big homes, many pieces are very dated. It is a treasure hunt; sometimes you win, sometimes you don't. 

I personally like the Estate Sale Co. in Palm Springs, the inventory is always revolving, the staff is very nice and they even have a jewelry and antique section.  Of all the estate stores I have been in this store seems to have the most reasonable pricing. They lower prices based on how long a piece has been in, or if you ask they will call the owner of the piece and try to get an additional discount. They are located at 4185 E Palm Canyon, Palm Springs

For furniture try Mathis Brothers in Indio, the store boasts of having 3 football fields worth of furniture.  They carry every price range and quality of furniture and have sales staff/decorators that will come to your home at no cost to help you.  They are located in Indio on Highway 111, for more information try their website: http://www.mathisbrothers.com/

For decorator items, towels, sheets, kitchenware, rugs, art and some furniture try Home Goods (42400 Washington St, Bermuda Dunes), they are part of the Marshalls, TJ Maxx group.  Good quality items at discounted prices.  The Alley also has some interesting pieces, the leather sofas in the photos above came from them. They have well priced antiques, rustic pieces and lots of home decor items. There are 4 or more locations in the desert that I know of;  try this link to find the location closest to you: http://www.thealley.info/

Of course there is also Target which has 4 or more locations in the desert, they have very current styling of home goods and a few pieces of cheap quality, but attractive furniture. For hardware and cleaning supplies you can't go wrong.

Tuesday Morning has several locations in the desert.   For home decorating items such as sheets, towels, wall hangings, bath and kitchen supplies they are great.  They have an odd schedule as they close for a few days at a time to restock and then open up once the stock is ready, they day they open is always a Tuesday.

For a location and a sample of stock: http://www.tuesdaymorning.com/indexCatalogOff.asp

Celebrity Tours

Celebrity Homes

                                                                   Elvis Honeymoon House
There are always celebrity spottings in the desert, personally I have seen Goldie Hawn, George Lopez, Suzanne Sommers, Jessica Simpson, Lily Tomlin, Jack Jones, also many minor and old time celebs.  As a realtor I go into many homes that have a celebrity past which is always a bit exciting.   I hear the celebrity tour that passes all the homes is alot of fun.  While my mother was out visiting I decided to take her on the Celebrity Tour.  Our guide Anne, who doubled as the bus driver is an 18 year veteran on the job.  Her tour was full of fun facts including geography, history, and climate points.  It was so much more than local celebrity lore, my mother loved it. 
The 2 1/2 hour trip was entertaining and even included a date shake from a crazy little market in north Palm Springs that was nestled amongst the windmills.  According to Anne, each of those windmills cost $4 million dollars each; can that be possible?
It was a very interesting city tour, at $44 per person it was well worth it.

For more information: 760.770.2700        http://www.thecelebritytour.com/

Mid Century Modern Architecture

The beautiful sleek lines of mid-century modern architecture is quite prevalent throughout Palm Springs and a few of the other desert cities. 

If you come into town via Highway 10 you will pass right by one of our modern landmarks which also happens to be the Palm Springs Official Visitor Center, it was once the Tramway Gas Station designed by Albert Frey and Robson Chambers. Be sure to stop in and pick up a map of mid-century homes and businesses. Also, The company I work with Greater Palm Springs Realty has a great Mid-century modern website.  The link below will take you to a self-guided tour of some of the deserts best examples of Mid-century modern architecture.
http://www.midcenturypalmsprings.com/palm-springs-tour-of-midcentury-architecture.php

The Kaufmann House, in Palm Springs was designed by Richard Neutra in 1946. It was one of

the last domestic projects conducted by the architect, but it is also arguably one of his most famous homes

This Butterfly roof home is one of the most sought after styles of the Alexander Construction Company

Alexander Homes

Bob and George Alexander were builders of approximately 2,500 homes in the desert.  They worked with William Krisel a talented young architect. The homes ranged in size from 1,200 square foot tract homes to large custom homes.  There are several noted neighborhoods such as Twin Palms, Racquet Club Estates, Las Palmas that are host to many of the homes.

Great article on Alexander Homes: http://www.eichlernetwork.com/article/alexander-homes

Palm Springs Visitors Center

2901 North Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs 760-778-8418



Modernism Week

Each year Palm Springs hosts an amazing week of tours, lectures, and show of mid-century modern architecture, products and services.  The convention itself has all kinds of great things to see and buy; furniture, art, jewelry, clothing, pottery, etc.

For more information: http://www.modernismweek.com/

Looking to Buy a home or condo?

If you are interested in buying a home or condo, I would be happy to assist you.  There are many fabulous condos and homes available throughout Palm Springs.  Whether you are looking for 400 or 4,000 square feet of living space, I can help you.

For more information (760) 880-5888 or my website: http://deserthousesales.com/

High End Shopping in the Desert

                                                             El Paseo

By far the finest shopping in the desert is in Palm Desert on El Paseo.  Located in Palm Desert at Highway 74 & El Paseo, you will find stores such as Gucci, St. John Knits, Apple, Kate Spade and many more.

The center piece of the area is The Gardens, where you will find Tiffany's, Saks 5th Avenue, Coach, J. Crew, Cole Hahn, Louis Vuitton and many other high end shops.  If you like seafood be sure to stop by Pacifica, I love the Bass in Green Curry.  They also boast of having over 100 brands of vodka to choose from, all costing around $6 for any vodka drink in the bar.  I also like Sammy's they have wonderful salads, you can order half a salad which is for me the perfect size.  For the steak lovers try Sullivan's Steak house, they have a great quality of meat served in a high end steak house atmosphere.  From January to April there are jazz concerts on Saturday night, each week the approximately $10 donation, which includes wine and cheese helps out a different charity.

High Desert Day Trip #2

                                                                Pioneer Town

 A fun afternoon trip is to head up Hwy 62, you will drive through the fabulous Joshua Trees that are so prolific to this area.  Pioneertown is a fun stop, it was originally built as a set for the old westerns, according to the website:"Pioneertown was built in 1946 as a movie set for western movies, including the movies of Gene Autry, The Cisco Kid with Duncan Renaldo, Annie Oakley with Gail Davis, Judge Roy Bean with Edgar Buchanan, Range Rider withJock O. Mahoney, and Buffalo Bill Jr. with Dick Jones.  The movie set was to provide a place for the actors to live, and have their homes used as part of a movie set."  Whenever I have gone it was quiet so we just looked through windows and then headed to Pappy and Harriets.  The gunfight on Saturdays is supposed to be fun.
Saturdays at 2:30 the Pioneertown Posse; a re-enactment troupe performs an old west type show with a shoot out.

                       For more information: http://www.pioneertown.com/f-index.htm

                                                                      Pappy & Harriets

When you are done checking out Pioneertown, head over to Pappy & Harriet's for great mesquite wood barbeque, a fun atmosphere.  There is always some type of music happening at night and the musicians are quite good, the people watching is fabulous and the decor one-of-a-kind.

For more information:  http://www.pappyandharriets.com/

Directions: From Palm Springs Take I-10 west to Route 62 (29 Palms Hwy - Joshua Tree Nat'l Park). Take Route 62 NE about 25 miles into Yucca Valley.At the second stop light (Pioneertown Road), make a left and take Pioneertown Roadabout 4 miles up. Pass the sign Pioneertown 1946" and just ahead on the right, you'll see the neon lights.
Reservations are not required but highly recommended 760 365-5956.

Free Real Estate info with No Obligation

The website http://deserthousesales.listingbook.com/  offers a fun program that allows you to see about 99% of the listing information formally only available to agents.  There is no obligation, and no cost.  You simply input information about your neighborhood or neighborhoods you are interested in and you will begin to recieve daily listing updates in your email box.   Some of my clients have been using it and love the simplicity, I hope you will enjoy it also.

Palm Springs Foreclosures and Economic Forecast

                                                                Desert Foreclosures

According to numbers provided by an article in the Desert Sun foreclosures in the Coachella Valley are not as prevalant as they have been. However, the number has been so high that prices have deflated and there are many values for Buyers. 
As a real estate agent here in the valley I look at what is new on the market daily, if you would like todays list of foreclosures in any of our desert cities just give me a call or send  an email to carol@greaterpalmsprings.com 

you can also visit my website:
http://www.deserthousesales.com/


The below link gives a bit of the article mentioned above:
http://www.mydesert.com/article/20111022/BUSINESS/110220311/Expert-State-failing-remain-competitive

Happy Hours

                                                                               Happy Hours

There are many great places for a drink and appetizers.  A client asked me where to go so I did a shout out to my friends and here are a few of their favorites...  Below is a website with some suggestions also; I noticed that some of the places are out of business.  You should probably call any of the below for an update.  Cheers!

Try a Caroltini, Orange vodka with a splash of Cranberry!

Palm Springs- Matchbox, Lulu’s, Las Casuelas does a really nice free spread!,Lulu All day and is great, Azul - Amazing drink specials fun music and lively.  Flat breads are awesome. Trio, Zin and Zinny, Johnny Costa…..a little quiet but nice for a low key hang, Village Pub, Kaiser Grill, Wang’s, Tropicale - great appetizers and mini pizzas

Rancho Mirage- Bangkok 5, Pierro’s Acqua Pazza, Flemings,

Palm Desert- Pacifica, Mama Gina's, Sullivan's (Thursday night), Tommy Bahama's, Ruth Chris

Cathedral City- Cello’s- great quality food, nice owners

La Quinta- Hogs Breath Inn, Stuft Pizza, Jackalope, Tack Room

Indian Wells – The IW Club, Hotel Miramonte (Thursday)

Thousand Palms- Oasis Bar- new owner is renovating, she is really great

http://www.desertdrinks.com/happy-hour

Hiking in and around Palm Springs

                                                                    Hiking in the Coachella Valley

There are many trails for hiking throughout the Coachella Valley.   I love Philip Ferranti’s book 140 Great Hikes in and Near Palm Springs, you can find it in any book store in the desert or on line. These are also some good websites for hiking.  The photos are from one of the trails located within the Living Desert.   The book is pictured, but sorry clicking on it won't get you inside, you will have to try Amazon.com

http://palm.mydesert.com/hikes/

http://www.hiking-in-ps.com/

Shields Date Gardens

                                                              Shields Date Gardens

A short drive from Palm Springs is a town called Indio, which is a major growing region for warm weather crops, mostly citrus and dates.   Along Highway 111 right as you enter Indio is Shields Date Gardens, where there is a great store that continually plays a movie called something like “Romance and Sex Life of the Date”  watching it you will  learn about  the farming, date production and how long it takes to grow productive date palms

The store at the gardens has all kind of varieties of dates, date products  and lots of other goodies. The date shake is very popular and although I don’t like shakes my friends always stop by for one and love them.

80225 US Highway 111 Indio, CA 92201-6599  (800) 414-2555

http://www.shieldsdategarden.com

Palm Springs Cable Cars

 

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

                                                                     

The Tram opened to the public in 1963.  Presently there are two- 80 passenger cars that are enclosed and rotate. They ascend from the valley floor to an elevation of over 8,500 feet.  The weather there is always much cooler than the desert and even gets snow.  A great day includes a picnic lunch and hike along one of the many trails.  There is also a restaurant for those who are there purely for the view and a fun ride.  If you do hike bring water and follow a trail, every year we have several rescues of hikers that have lost their way.

http://www.palmsprings.com/active/tramway.html

One Tramway Road

Palm Springs, CA. 92262

Horseback Riding and the Indian Reservation

                                                                           Horseback Riding & the Indian Reservation

The weather in Palm Springs is great and the Indian Reservation provides the perfect setting for a ride.   There is also hiking with numerous trails and a Trading Post with some interesting things to buy.  Some of the trails have streams; a good little trail to start is the one right where the parking lot is; it takes you around a stream and ends up where there are a few picnic tables.  Bring lots of water and wear comfortable shoes.  Often times I have seen park rangers there that can help you pick a trail based on your stamina.  There is also a map by the parking lot that gives you an idea of how long each trail is and the difficulty level.

Try the Smoke Tree Stables they offer guided tours.

http://smoketreestables.com

Desert Hot Springs Day Trip

              A great Day Trip is just a short ride away to Desert Hot Springs

                                                                                        Cabot Museum

Start off by going to the Cabot Museum, it is a fun stop along the way to the mineral waters of Desert Hot Springs.

Built by Cabot Yerxa with reclaimed materials from the valley it was a work in progress for years.   He homesteaded the land in 1913, was lucky to find a water source.   I brought my mother, sister and her family;  we  took the guided tour and enjoyed it very much.  There are lots of tables and the staff welcomes picnickers which is what we did.  We were going to the mineral waters afterwards but the winds were too strong.

The website description:   “structure is hand-made, created from reclaimed and found objects. The Pueblo is four-stories, 5,000 square feet and includes 35 rooms, 150 windows and 65 doors. Visitors will notice many unique features: including windows and doors collected and reassembled from abandoned homesteads, old telephone poles, buck board wagon parts and many other materials used creatively.”

http://www.cabotsmuseum.org/

                                                        The Mineral Hot Springs

                                                       The magic, healing waters of Desert Hot Springs

                                                       The Grotto in Two Bunch Palms

After visting Cabot Museum, head over to one of the many mineral springs.  Desert Hot Springs boasts of having  the only aquifer of thermal, mineral spring water in southern California.There are over 22 boutique spas; the most famous being Two Bunch Palms.  Desert Hot Springs Spa is not quite as refined as Two Bunch Palms but is quite inexpensive and has in the past had a day pass for $10.

Besides the waters each day spa of course offers all kinds of great spa treatments, be sure to ask if they are having any specials.

http://dhsspa.com  

According to the Two Bunch Palms web site “Two Bunch Palms was built by mobster Al Capone in 1923 as a base for his West Coast operation. Capone enjoyed partying with motion-picture stars of the day, and the place became a second home for guests including Charlie Chaplin and Rudolf Valentino, who enjoyed a desert oasis away from Hollywood’s bright lights.” 

http://www.twobunchpalms.com/the-grotto.htm

For a complete list of spas in Desert Hot Springs:

http://www.visitdeserthotsprings.com/index.php/dhs-spa-hotel