There’s no shortage of ways to idle away warm days and moonlit nights before or after your nuptials. Let your passions be your guide from one end of the Coachella Valley to the other.
6 Local Pleasures
Golf at a different course each day.
More than 120 mountain-view golf courses in the Greater Palm Springs area attract pros and players all year. How about a wedding weekend tournament for guests? Or make it “guys only,” while the ladies hit some of the desert’s many spas.
Flaunt your artsy sides.
Palm Springs Art Museum features contemporary and Western art, changing exhibitions, and a performing arts schedule. The Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert also presents exhibitions in an eco-conscious building surrounded by a four-acre sculpture garden. History buffs find a natural high among the World War II planes and hangars filled with memorabilia at Palm Springs Air Museum.
Chris Miller/Imagine Imagery
Ride the tram.
Embrace a heightened perspective after the 10-minute ride on Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. At a cool elevation of 8,516 feet, discover Mount San Jacinto State Park and wilderness area with hiking trails and two restaurants.
Hike to a view.
Miles of trails — and some waterfalls along the way — lead to views of a lifetime at Indian Canyons and Tahquitz Canyon. Trails are owned and maintained by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.
Meet desert animals.
See leopards, wolves, giraffes, owls, snakes, hawks, meerkat, bighorn sheep, and other creatures at The Living Desert Zoo and Botanical Garden.
Chris Miller/Imagine Imagery
Go Off Road.
For a wild honeymoon ride or a private, pre-wedding adventure, book a hiking, biking, Jeep, Hummer, windmill, or eco-educational escape with Big Wheel Tours, Elite Land Tours, or Desert Adventures.
Perfect for a Party of 2
Saddle up.
Mosey along a trail through the canyons and let your horse from Smoke Tree Stables do all the navigating.
Float away in a hot air balloon
Catch a desert sunrise or late afternoon sky with one of the local balloon companies, such as Balloon Above the Desert, which have even performed ceremonies in the air.
Romance in a horse-drawn carriage
Most evenings during season, horse-drawn carriages leave from the Historic Village Green for a mellow trip through downtown Palm Springs.
Call It a Spa Day
Bridal, bachelorette, and couple’s packages relax mind and body. Visit Desert Hot Springs for spas offering therapeutic mineral water, or check out your favorite luxury resort, such as JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa, La Quinta Resort & Club, and others.
See Resources for more details.
Courtesy Ace Hotel & Swim Club
Feel Good Spa at Ace Hotel & Swim Club