Situated in the desert, about a two hour drive outside Los Angeles (barring any traffic tie ups), Palm Springs is a ritzy manicured oasis in the midst of stark foothills. The drive beyond Ontario California is pretty boring, as one might expect while driving through the desert. If your only destination is Palm Springs, flights can sometimes be arranged directly into the local airport. A car is a must, as the city is quite spread out. The city is so clean and rich, that it feels almost like a parody of itself. The palm lined streets are actually washed daily by the city, so as to remove dust that blows in from the desert. Golf is the primary attraction of this up market destination, and the courses are outstanding. Many resorts are situated on golf courses, giving them an attractive lush setting in contrast to the desert surroundings. Weather is warmer here than on the coast, but the nights are quite cool. Restaurants are of world class standards, and while Palm Springs is not known for sizzling nightlife, there's enough to keep most night owls busy - especially on weekends.

The expensive nature of lodging and restaurants, and the dominance of golf as the prime reason for visiting Palm Springs, make it a destination more suited to middle-aged and older couples. The area gets its share of male golf getaways, but families and singles are not common visitors to this area.