Situated in the heart of the Coachella Valley, Palm Desert has grown from a sandy cove at the foot of the Santa Rosas into a sprawling shopping, entertainment, and recreation Mecca, and today it's home to the JW Marriott Desert Springs, a stylish retreat set on 450 acres of vibrant desert gardens, breathtaking mountain views and signature lakes. Just south lies the city of Indian Wells, an exclusive enclave long hailed as a world-class vacation destination for breathtaking scenery, golf and other recreational activities, all of which you'll find at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa and the Miramonte Resort & Spa. You'll find historic architecture, secluded patios, hot tubs, and relaxing pools at the resorts, and thrills on a Jeep tour at either the San Andreas Fault or in Joshua Tree!

Explore the geology around California's legendary San Andreas fault during a Jeep tour from Palm Desert. After a scenic drive through the Coachella Valley, your guide will explain the ecology of this desert environment as you see an underground creek that has been forced up to the surface by the fault lines, creating a green oasis that supports a range of plant and animal life. Then go to a recreated Native American site that illustrates how the native Cahuilla people managed to live in this harsh climate. You'll see homes, a sweat lodge, and artifacts, and learn how the tribe used the desert's plants for food, medicine, and shelter. Next, get a close look at the San Andreas fault on an easy walk into a slot canyon. Marvel at steep-walled canyons and tall twisted rock mountains, learn about the plant and animal life of the area, and about areas of rock that reveal the region's unique geology and the impact of the collision of the Pacific and North American plates.

The lush resorts of Palm Springs will feel a million miles away when you get out in the wilds of Joshua Tree National Park on this small group Jeep tour. Leave the city behind as you head off-road and over a rocky landscape which some people say feels like being on another planet! Joshua Tree National Park, the size of Rhode Island, includes parts of both the Mojave Desert and the lower Colorado Desert, each an ecosystem whose characteristics are determined primarily by elevation. You'll see unique plants, rock formations and rugged beauty, all part of this precious ecological wonder.

Experience the beauty of the desert at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, where you'll feel relaxed from the moment you arrive on the lush resort grounds. Test your swing on the championship golf courses or play a set on the world-class tennis courts, and meander through the meditative JW Garden, which was inspired by Alice Marriott's love of gardening. Or delight in discovery at Renaissance Esmeralda Resort and Spa, Indian Wells, which is just minutes from tennis courts, two championship golf courses, Indio and Coachella festival grounds and Palm Springs' shops. The resort features all-new mid-century modernized guest rooms with private balconies and scenic views. For a transformative getaway, escape to the Miramonte Resort & Spa in Indian Wells, where you can channel your inner glow with an invigorating treatment at the award-winning The WELL® Spa or achieve 36-hole nirvana at the adjacent Indian Wells Golf Resort. Once the sun sets, mingle by the fire pits on the olive grove patio while you enjoy California-inspired dishes and inventive craft cocktails.