Palm Springs Resort Destination

Palm Springs may be known for its funky Modernist architecture, sprawling golf courses and sea of windmill farms, but it's also a really great place to spend the weekend — especially during the milder winter months.

Veronica Hill of California Travel Tips tours beautiful Palm Springs California. Located 114 miles east of Los Angeles off the I-10 and 111 freeways, this balmy desert oasis makes a charming weekend escape.

A few of my favorite Palm Springs attractions are the famous Palm Springs Tram, that whisks you 8,500 feet above Mount San Jacinto, the Desert Adventures Jeep Tour, which takes you into the California desert and along the San Andreas Fault, and the educational Living Desert zoo and botanical gardens, where you can get a close-up look at native desert plants and desert animals.

If you're looking to stay the weekend, Palm Springs hotels such as Desert Riviera Hotel and Horizon Hotel cater to the swanky crowd looking for a bit of retro chic. Both are located in the Heritage District, which is home to many of Palm Springs Mid Century Modern buildings.

Palm Springs resorts like Rancho Las Palmas and the Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort & Spa are known for their great pools, golf courses and spas.

For a price, you can even stay the night at Frank Sinatra's former Twin Palms estate, or the honeymoon hideaway of Elvis Presley. Daily house tours of the Elvis home ($25 weekdays and $35 weekends) are offered by appointment.

By night you'll find some fun Palm Springs entertainment at the Palm Springs Follies, where an over-55 cast of vaudeville entertainers pay homage to Route 66 in a musical revue.

Before you leave, don't forget to stop at the Shield's Date Farm in Indio, where you can stock up on Medjool dates, moist date nut bread or sample one of their famous creamy date shakes. You'll think you've died and gone to heaven.

Palm Springs weather varies from the 70s in winter and spring to over 110 F during the summer months, so be sure you've packed accordingly. Even during peak season, you should bring a jacket. Evening temperatures often dip into the 40s.