Palm Springs Indian Canyons

There's a special place on the southern edge of Palm Springs called Indian Canyons where surprisingly few people visit when in the desert. These gorgeous Palm-lined canyons are where the ancient Agua Caliente Band of the Cahuilla Indians summered. I've taken clients and friends up just to see their faces as they take in the massive groves of Washingtonian Palms, the only-native grown Palms in North America.

In the Spring, with the rain and snow run-off from the San Jacintos, the setting is even more magnificent, as cascading waterfalls and swimming holes pop up seemingly around every corner. There's a traditional Indian Trading Post, and many hiking trails of all skill levels. But more than that, this is where the place-name Palm Springs partly originates.

The Palms thriving here and the natural Hot Springs underneath the current Spa Hotel in downtown Palm Springs are what originally lured healing types to the valley. Walk through the lobby of the Hotel and be amazed at the fascinating portrait history lining the walls. There is even a large print of the original shack! during the 1880s that served somewhat the same purpose as the fancy digs today do. Outside the shack you can clearly see the bubbling mineral baths.

Of course now Palm Springs is full of spas and healing centers and, in fact, can almost be considered a spa town. At the Spa Hotel alone you can spend a day (for a nominal fee) doing a "taking of the waters" in which you may sample many temperatures and blends of mineral waters, in the privacy of your own booths. A vast array of other spa facilities are available if the waters simply whet your appetite for more. There are also large communal pools outside, where even the kids can join in, if carefully watched.

Ask a Palm Springs Real Estate Broker or a Palm Springs Real Estate Agentabout life in a spa town. Maybe it's just what you need! Ahhh....