Lounging in Paradise – Desert Hot Springs, CA
“Paradise is exactly where you are right now…”
We had just met Rio & Kitty in the local hot tub. They looked like a couple right out of a corny Vegas mob movie -> old-timers with big hair, big bling and a leopard-skin bathing suit with all the busty “fill” to make it work. They’d travelled here on a whim 25 years ago in a 27-foot Winnebago with 5 kids and decided they couldn’t leave. In fact, the kids were the ones that begged them to stay.
“You guys enjoying your stay in paradise?” they asked
It was an interesting question.
You see Desert Hot Springs is a quirky little place. Your very first thoughts as you drive into town might be more along the lines of “What a dump…”. The first thing you see as you enter the valley is the massive eye-sore of San Gorgonio Pass wind-farm. Then you take lonely Dillon Road into what can only be described as mobile home heaven in the desert. It’s a panacea of trailer parks, one after the other with a few run-down shops and long tracts of flat desert land inbetween. And the local grocery store doesn’t exactly inspire confidence with its’ fully barred windows. It’s not the best first impression.
But then something astonishing happens. Like a big, comforting blanket the place just grows on you. First you sink yourself into a soothing mineral pool with view of a fiery red desert sunset. Then you meet a couple of the locals and get invited like old family to chat and join the pack. Then you take a 3-hour hike in the hills and soak in all the deep, barren, fabulous beauty that is the desert. Add-on some pure puurrrfect desert winter weather and the majestic San Jacinto mountains in the background. Before long you’re liking the place and in a few days you’re just outright loving it.
It’s exactly the same thing that happened last year when we came here. Desert Hot Springs may be the outcast neighbour of ritzy home-of-the-stars Palm Springs, but it is most definitely the place to be. We loved it so much last time that we decided we just had to come back. Same place (Sam’s Family Spa), same fantastic mineral pools and same exact wonderful impression.
And we did the whole tour all over again -> the Aerial Tram (they had 5 inches of fresh snow on the peak this time), Palm Springs Village Fest, Farmers Markets, unlimited spa-soaking, and long hikes in the surrounding hills. I even got the chance to meet up with fulltime RVers Terry and Martha from Gypsy Life Journal who were lounging at Lake Cahuilla County Park (nice spot, by the way and they accept Passport America mid-week).
Our original plan was actually to stay here a month, but more nutty travel plans got in the way (more on that story to come.).
In the meantime if you wonder what I’m doing just imagine me lounging in paradise. ‘Coz that’s exactly where I am…
Nina, you captured it just perfectly! We fell in love with DHS last winter, even in the rain. Just as you described, it grew on us, and we are heading back there this January for an escape from our winter snows. For me, it was the hikes, the open desert, and those incredible hot spring pools, clear, clean, hot, and incredible. Loved your post, but that is nothing unusual.
Well we’re TOTALLY of the same mind about this place then. I completely agree on the hikes. We’re doing alot more of them this year and I’m really enjoying the nature.
Nina
It really is a great place to relax. We’ve not stayed at Sam’s but have stayed at two other parks on Dillon Rd, they’re all really super and a good stopoff for a few days on the way to Joshua or the Imperial Valley. Whats your plan from here, Salton Sea, Joshua, Anza Borrego??
Next stop is going to be Phoenix. Got some friends in the area (for Thanksgiving) plus I’m gonna be flying out somewhere exotic for another one of my mad adventures…more on that to come.
Nina
We also loved that area. Have you visited the Salton Sea or don’t miss…Dos Palmas Preserve. Here is a link to our blog for that area.
http://wheresweaver.blogspot.com/2010/02/around-salton-sea.html
What a cool place!
Enjoy your stay in a little piece of heaven on Earth!
THANKS so much for that link Marsha. We haven’t yet been to the Salton Sea although it’s on our “list”. We probably won’t make it this time around, but I’m bookmarking your post for when we do go.
Nina
This park is also one of our favourites. Don’t forget to go to Joshua Tree while you are this close. You will enjoy the scenery here.
Henrik,
Oh yes I LOVE Joshua Tree. We went for an all-day visit there last year. Might have to see if we can fit in another trip this time around.
Nina
We haven’t bought into that area yet, although we have stayed a little while in the vicinity. Thanks, but no thanks from Our Life on Wheels!
Well it’s true it may not be a spot for everyone. If you like hot/mineral pools and haven’t tried them yet tho’ I recommend another go at the place.
Nina
You guys go to the BEST places. I like quirky towns a lot. And, I think the wind farm would excite, rather than repel, me. The only thing prettier would be a solar farm. Anything but a fossil fuel farm.
Roxanne
Hehe…well I think this would definitely be a spot for the duck 🙂
Nina
The contrasts sound interesting. Might have to make this a stop on our way down.
I think you guys would enjoy it! If you haven’t seen Joshua Tree that’s another great little spot to visit. There is opportunity for boondocking near the entrance on both sides.
Nina
Thanks for this review as I have been wondering about this spot. We are in Palm Desert and may take a drive in and spend the day – are you guys still there??
Oh yeah! We’re still here! Wanna come by for a visit? I’ll e-mail you our details/number. Nina
Ooops…can’t seem to figure out an e-mail for you. Feel free to e-mail me (nina@fussing.com). We’re in site #196 for another week or so.
Nina
We found the wind farm to be super-cool and didn’t see it as an eyesore. Maybe we would have felt differently if we lived in the area, but it was the first massive scale wind farm that we passed through.
Were things gusty when you drive through? How was your big rig with the winds?
Those wind farms are definitely impressive. Like everything here they’re growing on me 🙂
As for the wind it was fine the day we arrived. A few cross-gusts but nothing too bad. We “try” to avoid driving in big winds as much as possible. Our 2 months in New Mexico this past Spring with lots of wind (Spring-time winds in NM are famous!) taught us that lesson.
Nina
There’s nothing better than soaking in hot springs, particularly when there’s a bite to the air! We’ve never made it out there, but when we lived in southern CA it seemed like everyone had been to Palm Springs at one time or another.
We’ve been to Palm Springs and Joshua Tree but haven’t made it here- will have to add it to our list for next time since we live in LA it’s a pretty easy day trip.
Oh you MUST! And most definitely take some time to spa too. The mineral waters are fabulous.
Nina
Thanks for that looking to go the springs now we will is there any good free spots to park the RV for a couple of days….
Yes. Joshua Tree NP has free overflow camping on both north and south sides. Good places to park for a few days.
Nina