Palm Springs

While the Rat Pack who made Palm Springs famous may have long since checked out, the endless sunshine and scenic vistas that first attracted them remain. Though surrounded by desert, Palm Springs is a colorful oasis of modernist architecture, blousy pink bougainvillea and a hip, retro vibe, with superb shopping, restaurants, spas and golf.

Palm Springs

Outside the town, walking trails lead through canyons and past towering palms, or ride the Palms Springs Aerial Tramway to Mount San Jacinto State Park to capture views of the rugged landscape from an elevation of 8,516 feet. Under an hour away, the iconic boulder and cacti-strewn landscape of the Joshua Tree National Park makes a worthwhile day trip.