Best Outdoor Activities in Palm Springs

Ever wonder what a roadrunner and coyote really look like? At The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, you can meet the real life inspiration for these desert-dwelling "Looney Tunes" characters. This Palm Desert zoo focuses on educating visitors about animals from deserts in North America and Africa, including giraffes, warthogs, jaguars and bighorn sheep, to name a few. The Living Desert also has a number of gardens showcasing the various cacti and other plants native to the desert. Hikers, be sure to bring your gear. The Living Desert has 1,080 acres of undisturbed desert land and a number of nature trails through the preserve are open seasonally to the public.

The prestigious PGA West Golf Club in La Quinta boasts six golf courses designed by some of the best names in the industry, including Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. Pete Dye's Stadium course was ranked one of the top 100 courses to play in the U.S. by Golf Magazine, and it's also one of the club's more challenging courses – after all, the 17th hole is more commonly known as "Alcatraz." And if you manage to escape Alcatraz, you'll still have to navigate the water-lined 18th hole stands between you an victory. For a shorter and easier round, the 9-hole Greg Norman course is a popular choice.

The Coachella Valley is a beautiful, peaceful sight from the air, and the picturesque landscape as seen from above is filled with vineyards, polo fields, golf courses, and orchards. Older kids can enjoy the views on a family-friendly ride. Perks of each trip include an in-flight champagne toast for parents and complimentary shuttle service from major desert resorts. You can also arrange for in-flight photos and commemorative flight certificates so the kids can have a souvenir to hang onto for years to come. Special events to celebrate birthdays and graduations can also be arranged. Host Clotaire Castanier has been flying balloons professionally since 1967.

Santa Rosa and San Jacinto National Monument provides the picturesque background for the Coachella Valley. The Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains line the desert, and in the winter months, these peaks are snowcapped for the ultimate photo opportunity. These mountains are more than just something to look at, though. Trails abound along the desert to let you explore the monument firsthand. Some trailheads, like those atop the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, require a fee to access, but most are free to explore. You can try a short trail like the 2.4-mile Randall Henderson Trail at the visitor's center or try a more strenuous hike like the Bear Creek Oasis Trail at the top of the La Quinta cove.

Sparkling springs set amid 20,000 acres of lush greenery provide a haven for a myriad desert creatures, just five miles outside of Palm Springs. In the center is a 1000-acre, idyllic palm oasis that served as the backdrop for Cecil De Mille's epic film, King of Kings. Self-guided nature trails, horse trails, and picnic facilities are available. You can also opt for a guided tour along McCallum Trail, one of the flattest and easiest trails in the preserve. Experienced hikers may want to try their hand at the Herman's Hike Loop, Pushwalla Trail or Hidden Palms Trail, some of the more difficult trails at the Coachella Valley Preserve.

If you're an outdoorsy type, you'll be delighted by this high-altitude park's 54 miles of hiking trails, camping and picnic areas, and guided wilderness mule rides during snow-free months. Nestled between the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and the mountain town of Idyllwild, this state park often sees snow in the winter, making it a surprising escape just above the desert. Cross-country ski equipment rentals can be arranged during the winter months, though many just like to build snowmen or have a snowball fight. The state park is only accessible by hiking or by taking the Palm Springs Tramway. Permits are required for overnight camping.

Once a community center for the native Cahuilla people, the Agua Caliente Indian Canyons are a recreational oasis for hikers, horseback riders and nature lovers. Protected by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, the area's hiking trails include Andreas Canyon, Murray Canyon and the popular Palm Canyon. Stop by the Trading Post near the entrance for a trail recommendation, a hiking map and water, if you forgot to bring it. For a relaxing experience in the canyons, pack a picnic and make a day of exploring Palm Springs in its natural state. Streams, natural palm oases and canyon formations are just a few of the natural wonders awaiting canyon visitors.

Desert Willow Golf Resort in Palm Desert offers two of the area's best courses for those looking to tee off in the desert. The pristinely kept greens of both the Firecliff and Mountain View courses are well-manicured with desert flowers, bushes and trees. Combined with the courses' water features, natural hazards, sand beds and pristine views of the San Jacinto Mountains, both courses are easy favorites with visiting golfers. The Mountain View course offers 18 tranquil holes on a smooth course, while the Firecliff course is an 18-hole course that challenges players with large lakes and more than 100 bunkers throughout.

Discover the outdoors from the open bed of a red jeep on a Desert Adventures tour. The tour company specializes in eco tours of the Coachella Valley, including tours of Joshua Tree National Park, the Agua Caliente Indian Canyons, Mecca Hills and the San Andreas Fault Line. Many of the guides have been with the company for years and know the desert's wildlife, environment and history better than most locals. The fault line tours are always a popular choice for visitors, offering a rare glimpse into the heart of the San Andreas Fault. Desert Adventures has exclusive access to parts of the fault line through Metate Ranch, a 840-acre site that includes a recreated Cahuilla village and mining camp.

Joshua Tree National Park is about a 45-minute drive from Palm Springs, but it feels like a world away. Filled with hiking trails, scenic vistas and larger-than-life rock formations, Joshua Tree is the perfect destination for those looking to get back to nature. The alien-like boulders and twisted joshua trees make for popular photo ops, whether you decide to hike the trails or drive through the park. The preserve is actually the result of two great deserts, the low Colorado and the high Mojave, which come together at Joshua Tree to create a 794,000-acre geological and floral wonderland. A Visitor's Center, art gallery, and cafe-deli welcome you at the park's entrance.