Palm Desert is always in the vanguard artistically and architecturally here in the Coachella Valley. It was the first to commission signs—themed using giant slabs of flagstone—announcing various entry points of the city. The other cities quickly followed suite and the Valley is now replete with distinctive artwork demarcating each town's boundaries.

The city's homage to art is quickly apparent, with eye-catching sculpture adorning El Paseo and the major boulevards. Last week I highlighted some of the revolving artwork now gracing the sidewalks and meridians of the desert's Rodeo Drive.

The city recently unveiled its new Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, wonderfully ensconced on a huge lot at the corner of Hwy 111 and Monterey, across from the Westfield Shopping Center. The former empty lot has been artfully transformed into a destination showpiece encompassing the two city buildings and two high-end restaurants—Cuistot's and La Spiga.

Earthen berms covered in desert flora literally and figuratively shelter the city buildings from adjacent traffic, creating a veritable oasis of beauty and solitude within their protective embrace.

The Chamber of Commerce itself is itelf integrated into the earth, with blue agave and yellow-hued brittlebush and barrel cacti cascading down the "walls" of the edifice.

Strolling along the undulating paths punctuated by pots and palms, it's almost impossible to believe that Hwy 111 roars past a stone's throw away. Mosaic-infused walkways highlight the quiet spectacle of water and plants.

The xeriscape includes Memorial Gardens in honor of Eric Johnson, a local landscape architect renowned for his pioneering work in drought-tolerant landscapes who left his imprint on many of the city's most distinctive landmarks.

I was remiss in not visiting the gardens upon their debut last year but now make a concerted effort to occassionally stop and savor this unique gem. If you're here in the Palm Springs area, make a point of dropping by the friendly and informative Visitor Center and perhaps get some landscaping ideas from the surrounding grounds.

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