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Palm trees line a sunny street in the city of Palm Springs, California, with majestic mountains and clouds in the background.
California

Signature City Palm Springs

Program No. 25635RJ
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
Included
12 meals ( 5B, 3L, 4D )
9 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Palm Springs, CA
Signature City Palm Springs
Mar 19 - Mar 24, 2028
Program Number 25635
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 4:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to meet with program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived.

Orientation: 5:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the program theme, the up-to-date daily schedule and any changes, discuss safety guidelines, emergency procedures, roles and responsibilities, and answer any questions you may have.

We will learn from a series of local experts who will give lectures and lead field trips. Program-related travel and transfers will be via private motorcoach unless noted otherwise.

Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking up to 1.5 miles on paved, uneven sidewalks.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After breakfast, we will start our day by walking downtown where a local expert will join our group for a historical walking tour of downtown Palm Springs. Learn about the history of Palm Springs and how the town in a desert became the favored destination for Hollywood stars and other tourists.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will board our motorcoach for an architecture tour of Palm Springs. A local expert will join our motorcoach for a tour of Palm Springs' iconic architecture. Learn about modernist architecture in the desert and explore unique neighborhoods with great modernist examples.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Drive to Joshua Tree is approx. 35 miles (about 1 hour of driving) one way. Up to 1 mile of walking through out the day on uneven, dirt paths.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After breakfast, we will board our motorcoach for Joshua Tree National Park where we will meet our local expert. Our local expert will join our coach and share information about the natural and cultural history of the area. We will learn about the desert environment and how the Joshua Trees and other animals manage to survive. We will make several stops within Joshua Tree National Park to walk short trails or paths to scenic spots with our guide.
Lunch:
At a scenic spot we will enjoy a boxed lunch.
Afternoon:
After lunch we will head to Sam Cobb's Date farm for a guided exploration of the farm. Get up close to the palms and learn about the different varieties that are grown on the family owned farm. Learn how they get the dates from tree to customer and their process for packaging on site.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Drive to Palm Canyon is approx. 7 miles (about 20 minutes) one way. Walk up to 2 miles total on uneven, dirt paths. Any additional walking and other activities during independent exploration will be based on personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After breakfast, we will board our motorcoach for Indian Canyons where we will do a guided hike of Palm Canyon. The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians have been in the Palm Springs area for generations and had complex communities in Indian Canyons. Learn about the cultural and natural history of Palm Canyon which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

After our exploration of Palm Canyon, we will load our motorcoach for downtown Palm Springs for a self guided exploration of the Agua Caliente Museum which was created and now governed by tribal members. Continue to learn about the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians history and culture.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Tram will take participants to 8,516 feet in elevation.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After breakfast, we will board our motorcoach and head to a windmill farm. Our local expert will board our motocoach and give us a guided tour. Learn about the successes and failures of wind farming and how it has transformed since the boom in the 80's. See a turbine up close and find out why Palm Springs became a hot spot for wind energy.

After our experience at the windmill farm, we will board our motorcoach and ride to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway for a ride up to Mountain Station. Board the largest rotating tram car and travel 2.5 miles up Chino Canyon into the Mt San Jacinto wilderness. Enjoy a self guided visit to the visitor center and enjoy the views.
Lunch:
This meal is on your own and excluded from the program cost. The Group Leader is happy to offer restaurant suggestions.
Afternoon:
After lunch we will take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway down the mountain. We will board our motorcoach and drive to the Palm Springs Art Museum, the largest cultural institution in the Coachella Valley. We will enjoy a guided visit of the art museum with a docent.

After the museum we will walk to a local restaurant for light snacks and happy hour drinks.
Dinner:
This meal is on your own and excluded from the program cost. The Group Leader is happy to offer restaurant suggestions.
Evening:
Enjoy the evening at leisure.

Local Tip: Every Thursday evening, Downtown Palm Springs transforms into the Palm Springs VillageFest, also known as the Palm Springs Street Fair at Palm Canyon Drive between Baristo and Amado. VillageFest features a diverse array of artists, artisans, entertainers, and purveyors of fresh fruits and veggies, snacks, and sweets. More than 200 booths offer beautiful art and handcrafted items.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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