Countless miles of scenic trails? Check. Views to drain your camera battery? Check. Dramatic clifftops, hidden waterfalls and crystal-clear springs? Check, check and check. Palm Springs and the vast wildernesses surrounding it have all the ingredients for some truly spectacular outdoor experiences.
At the western edge of the city lie the peaks and foothills of the San Jacinto Mountains, while to the east is the Coachella Valley Preserve, where lush palm tree groves meet austerely beautiful desert. Go just slightly farther afield and even more options open up, like the Joshua Tree National Park.
The rugged landscapes and massive skies that surround this desert city seem almost designed to make you feel tiny, insignificant... and very, very lucky.