Beat the Heat: Agua Caliente & the Palm Springs Tram

Summer in the Coachella Valley means one thing: it's hot, really hot. But that doesn't mean the fun has to stop, it just means it's time to get a little creative about how you cool off. Here are two local favorites for beating the heat, plus a few friendly reminders to stay safe while you're out enjoying the desert.

Soak it up at Agua Caliente
The Agua Caliente Cultural Museum in downtown Palm Springs is a wonderful air-conditioned way to spend an afternoon, and a great chance to learn about the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, whose natural hot mineral springs gave Palm Springs its name. Pair your visit with a stop at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa, where cool pools, spa treatments, and plenty of shaded lounging make for the perfect escape from the sun.

Ride the rotating tram up Mt. San Jacinto
For an almost instant escape from triple-digit temperatures, hop aboard the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The world's largest rotating tramcar climbs nearly 6,000 feet in about ten minutes, and the top can be 30 to 40 degrees cooler than the valley floor. Pack a light jacket, you might trade flip-flops for a sweater in the same afternoon!

Fun fact: that's one of the biggest temperature swings you can experience anywhere in California without getting on a plane.

Stay safe out there
Desert heat isn't something to take lightly. A few reminders before you head out:

• Drink water before you feel thirsty, and bring more than you think you'll need
• Wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat, even for short outings
• Save strenuous outdoor activities for early morning or evening
• Never leave kids, pets, or anyone else in a parked car, even "just for a minute"
• If you're hiking, tell someone your route and turn back before you're tired, not after

However you spend your week, stay cool out there. And if a shady patio view has you dreaming about a change of scenery, you know where to find us.