Palm Springs

[chimichangaz]

I've just booked a trip to Palm Springs next March, going to a conference/summit there from 1-6, flying into LAX on 29 February and back out again 8 March.

I'm really excited but also crapping myself as I'm travelling alone!

Had a quick look through the board and there's a few threads about California but can't see any mention of Palm Springs.

Couple of things I could do with some advice on please - travelling from LAX to Palm Springs, bus looks the cheapest option (I definitely wouldn't drive), how easy/comfy are the buses? (I think it's Amtrak).

I'll have some free time from the Friday afternoon and the Saturday, thinking about maybe shopping, and seeing some sights. Any recommendations?

Finally, any travel tips for solo female travellers?

Thanks all!

Amtrak is the train company here. Buses are mostly run by Greyhound (often on behalf of Amtrak too). Beware that the bus is likely to be full of recently released prisoners being taken to their parole locations, and a bunch of people too poor to own a car. They can be very noisy. They are very old and uncomfortable too. If it’s coming from far away it can be several hours late to get to you. Buses have a very negative connotation here. It’s nothing like National Express. The bus stations tend to be in very seedy parts of town with no onward transportation to your destination. Many years ago it was OK but it’s not a wise choice now. I would definitely drive. Plus you’ll have a car to get around and about during your stay as well. It’ll give you a lot of independence and freedom.

I would drive too - the USA is a country designed with an assumption that everyone will have a car. Plus, around Palm Springs there are places you can go hiking and exploring. If you go by bus you'll just be stuck for a week with no way to get around.

I used the American Airlines Eagle shuttle between LAX and Palm Springs and these operate throughout the day.

If you really do not want to drive then I would consider using Uber to get around Palm Springs.

Westfield Palm Desert is a shopping mall located indeed in Palm Desert.

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is good as is the Palm Springs Art Museum.

Thanks all - very useful info about the bus service!

I really don't want to drive, but the shuttles are sooooo expensive! I don't really need a car to get round for the majority of the week as the event I'm at is packed with activities day and night. It will only be the last couple of days when I could use Uber to get around the resort.

What I might do is wait and see whether any other delegates are travelling from LAX at the same time and are happy to either share a ride or share the hire car. I would feel better about driving if I had some company.

Am I wrong to feel so nervous about driving? The only driving I did abroad was in Greece years ago. When I went to Florida with EXH he did the driving. The roads were great but I've read some stuff about driving in LA that wasn't that positive.

Just idea in terms of the driving, instead of picking up the car at LAX could you find a car hire centre closer to the outskirts of LA and then get a taxi to there, pick up the car and be straight on the major roads? You could drop off there too and taxi back to LAX.

We did a similar thing in New York a couple of years back. We got taxi into the city from the airport, had two nights there and then picked up a car on the correct side of Manhattan to pick up the major road to Long Island. Meant much less city driving.

We're spending 2 nights in Palm Springs in Oct, so no tips as of yet but will let you know if we go anywhere good. We're also driving there, but picking up at LAX and having a couple of nights in LA first.

The traffic from LAX to the east can be killer, it depends on when you arrive. It's mostly freeway so if you are confident on a motorway you'll be fine. But I would never take the bus there. Try to car pool or something.

Hi there, we are just back did a trip to La then into the Joshua tree national park ( stayed in the Pioneer Motel in the desert next to a great live music restaurant) then Palm Springs then Orange County so a circular trip really. We loved Palm Springs it really wasn't a difficult drive , Americans are quite sedate drivers who seem to adhere to the rules of the road. We stayed at the best western plus which was so cheap we thought it would be horrendous but was fabulous and really near the action. Such fun went to a drag show a wonderful open air Mexican restaurant.
We pitched the car up at Burbank as we couldn't face getting it straight off the flight, you'll have a great time xxx

@ginforall that's a good idea
Will have a think about that. I'm also thinking about changing my flight home and having a couple of days in LA...may as well make the most of it

My flight arrives at 13:00 on 29 February, not sure whether that's good or bad in terms of traffic that will be on the road?

Could you fly to Palm Springs? The driving is fine once you are out of L A .

The aerial tramway is great.

Uber is v easy in the states.