We Went to Palm Springs and Got Stuck in a Snowstorm

Yes, it's true. A few weeks ago we spent a few days in Palm Springs for spring break, and just like we did in 2012, we took the famed Aerial Tramway from Palm Springs' Chino Canyon (elevation 2,643 feet) to the San Jacinto mountains (8,516 feet).

Down below, the temperature was in the 80s. Up there, it was chilly. Upper 30s, low 40s. Cold enough for snow. And it was there that we experienced our first "thundersnow" -- a downpour of chunky snowflakes, accompanied by some thunder and lightning. We hiked a bit, until we decided it was safer to go back and get some hot chocolate at the Aerial Tramway station. But it was pretty cool experiencing real heat and a blizzard, all in one afternoon. Some more pics:

FRANKLIN AVENUE IN PALM SPRINGS: Rate-A-Restaurant #271, King's Highway

Restaurant: King's Highway

Location: Ace Hotel 701 E Palm Canyon Dr. (Palm Springs)

Type of restaurant: Diner



We stipulated: For our last day in Palm Springs, we were looking to do something simple that could fill both our breakfast and lunch needs. Eating L.A.'s Pat suggested King's Highway as a dining spot, and Maria wanted to check out the Ace Hotel anyway.

They stipulated: "We restored the old Denny’s restaurant on the property and made it into King's Highway, serving fresh food for hot days. We use the best ingredients we can find, including local, organic and artisanal products whenever we can. We’re working with a local family-owned business called TKB (The Kid’s Business) for our morning muffins, scones, and pastries. They source as many of their ingredients as they can locally, too. We get organic goats’ milk cheese from the Springhill Cheese Company out of Sonoma Calif., which they only sell at farmers markets (even to us). Our Stumptown Coffee is grown in partnership with growers who get a good price for their beans. We work to build good relationships with producers and distributors, like Prime Smokehouse in Oakland, which makes custom thick cut black pepper bacon for us."



What we ordered: Mike: FISH TACOS 8.00 (Corn tortilla, slaw, salsa verde, crema); Maria: MANCHEGO CHEESE & BEET SALAD 8.00 (Walnuts, shaved fennel, baby spinach); Blogger Kid: AMIGO BRISKET BURGER 12.00 (Jack or sharp cheddar cheese, roasted tomato, pickled onions, fries)

High point: The fish taco was good, although a tad cold. The burger boasted a nice pickled onion relish and full grilled tomato.

Low point: We were led to believe that we were ordering a kids burger for the Blogger Kid. (Perhaps because we said, "Do you have a kids' menu?" And they replied, "We have a burger that's perfect for kids." Not realizing that our waiter was referring to the $12 grown-up burger. Luckily, the Blogger Toddler ate some of it too.)



Overall impression: It's a shame that some of the great-sounding breakfast and dinner items aren't available all day. But overall, I like what they did with the space, as well as the interesting menu. And even though there are no kids items (a major oversight), it's still kid-friendly.



Chance we'll go back: Yes, and we'd recommend it to others coming to Palm Springs, including with small kids.

FRANKLIN AVENUE IN PALM SPRINGS: Sonny Bono

Palms Springs came of age in the mid-20th Century as a playground to the stars, including Bob Hope and others. But keeping watch over downtown is late entertainer and politician Sonny Bono.

FRANKLIN AVENUE IN PALM SPRINGS: The Living Desert

"A zoo in the desert?" asks the promo material for The Living Zoo, located in Palm Desert, not far from Palm Springs. Indeed, it seems like an inhospitable environment for a zoo -- but then again, the earth itself can be a pretty inhospitable place. And as you can see above, the Living Desert boasts some major exhibits, including giraffes and desert animals like coyotes.

Of course, young kids will probably be even more intrigued by the major model railway, which includes miniaturized versions of Southern California and U.S. landmarks. The zoo also boasts a carousel and a play area.

The Living Desert is open every day from October 1 to May 31 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. In the summer, the zoo closes at 1 p.m. (for obvious heat-induced reasons). Tix are $14.25 for adults and $12.75 for seniors, military, AAA card holders. Kids 3-12 are $7.75 and the little ones under 3 are free. Best part: If you're a member of the L.A. Zoo, the Living Desert will offer tix at 50% off -- not bad.



Zebra find some shade.



Rock and cactus garden at the Living Desert.



The Living Desert's model train exhibit.



The mini train's mini Wig Wam Motel.

FRANKLIN AVENUE IN PALM SPRINGS: Rate-A-Restaurant #270, El Mirasol

Restaurant: El Mirasol

Location: 140 E Palm Canyon Dr. (Palm Springs)

Type of restaurant: Mexican



We stipulated: Before heading to Palm Springs, I asked Eating L.A.'s Pat for restaurant recommendations. El Mirasol was on her list, and Mexican sounded just right one evening.

They stipulated: El Mirasol has its own hot sauce, "El Mirasol Doña Diabla Sauce," on the table.



What we ordered: Mike: Pollo en Mole Poblano ($14); Maria: Pork Chile Verde (Trimmed pork meat cut into small chunks and cooked with green chiles and tomatillos; $12.50); Kids plates (not on the menu)

High point: There's a nice spice to the mole, and the standard chips and salsa come with a really nice crunch.

Low point: The beans and cheese are your standard refried slop -- there isn't a black beans option. Also, no drink menu -- which means no specialty margaritas, or anything special.



Overall impression: The mole wasn't quite as good as our own La Cabanita, but it held its own, and I enjoyed the spice. Very kid-friendly as well.



Chance we'll go back: I'd be curious to try another Mexican joint the next time we're in town, but I'd be perfectly happy if we ended up back at El Mirasol as well.

FRANKLIN AVENUE IN PALM SPRINGS: Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Sometimes a tourist attraction exceeds expectations. Not often. But for our first visit to Palm Springs, we knew the Aerial Tramway was a must. I knew the ride up to the top would thrill the kids, but once up there, the chance to hike high up in the mountains just 10 minutes after sweating in the desert was a treat.





Built in 1963, the tram is an engineering marvel that takes people from the burning heat of Palm Springs to the cool (and this time of year, the snow) of the San Jacinto mountains. In ten minutes, the ride takes you from Palm Springs' Chino Canyon (elevation 2,643 feet) to the mountain station at 8,516 feet.



Blogger Kid and Blogger Toddler 2.0 enjoyed the ride up -- although the toddler clutched my neck the entire time. (Afterward, he said it was "scary" -- and that he wanted to immediately ride it again. The kid's a thrill seeker.





Once at the top, the mountain station offers a full restaurant, a snack bar and a fully stocked bar, all overlooking Palm Springs, 8,000 feet below. But beyond that, there's plenty of easy, moderate and hard hikes that can take one or several hours to complete. We got ambitious, and walked a 2 mile hike that took us to the very edge, overlooking the Coachella Valley. Even the kids -- excited by all the patches of snow -- were up for it.





The tram cars' rotating floors allow everyone a chance to view both the canyon and the valley as they head up -- although I personally would have preferred a stationary floor. Cars depart at least every half hour; Monday-Friday, the first Tram up is at 10 a.m., and on Saturday, Sunday and holidays, the first Tram up is at 8 a.m. The last Tram up is at 8 p.m. and last Tram down is at 9:45 p.m. After that, I guess you're stuck up there for the night.



Adults are $23.95; kids 3-12 are $16.95. Annual and summer passes are also available. Go here for a coupon worth $3 off admission after 3 p.m.

FRANKLIN AVENUE IN PALM SPRINGS: Rate-A-Restaurant #269, Hadley's

Restaurant: Hadley Fruit Orchard

Location: 140 E Palm Canyon Dr. (Palm Springs)

Type of restaurant: Fruits, nuts, shakes



We stipulated: After stopping at the Cabazon outlets, the kids had eaten, but Maria and I were hungry. We immediately got back off the freeway when we saw the Hadley's sign, eager to finally try their famous date shakes.

They stipulated: "Hadley Fruit Orchards was founded by Paul and Peggy Hadley in 1931 in Banning, California. Their neighbors were the Morongo Band of Mission Indians. According to members of the Morongo tribe, Paul Hadley often provided tribal members with fruit and dates, fostering a rapport with Hadley Fruit Orchards that remains to this day." The Morongo tribe bought Hadley's in 1999.



What we ordered: Mike: Date Shake (small, $3.50); Maria: Banana nut shake (small, $3.50)

High point: The dates don't overpower the shake, and the small size is perfect. You probably wouldn't want more than that.

Low point: Hadley's has fallen victim to long ago becoming an overpriced tourist trap -- rather than feel like a cool little store on the way to Palm Springs.



Overall impression: The banana date shake is probably the better of the two-- but the banana flavor overpowers the dates. For your first time, I'd suggest the date shake -- it's worth doing on the way to or from Palm Springs. But pass on the nuts and dried fruits.



Chance we'll go back: Heading down the 10 on the way to Palm Springs again? If we're in need of a snack.

KPCC Comes To the Coachella Valley

The Palm Springs area is about to get another L.A.-based public radio outlet. As Radio-Info reports, KPCC-FM 89.3 operators American Public Media and Southern California Public Radio have purchased KBXO-FM 90.3 in Coachella. Station had previously been religious. I assume the new owners plan to use the signal to pipe KPCC into the area, just as KCRW now does with KCRI-FM in the area.