Hot
Spring Break spots found in desert
By Jack Schneider
On-line Forty-Niner
 For
some students, driving out into the desert
may not be the ideal vacation. But beyond
the desert lies a strip of fun and eccentric
civilization known as Palm Springs.
Palm Springs offers many restaurants, clubs,
exhibits and amusement parks for students
to lounge.
Jeff Hocker, director of communications
at Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism said that
one of the main amusement attractions students
can check out is Knott’s Soak City.
“The Knotts family bought [what once was]
the Oasis,” Hocker said. “It’s all brand
new with the paints and slides redone.”
The downtown area has many famous restaurants
and eateries college students can enjoy.
One of the most popular places in downtown
is the Blue Guitar.
“The owner is well known,” Hocker said.
“He has played with George Harrison, Eric
Clapton. Sometimes he gets on stage and
jams with the band.”
Another famous place where college students
can gather is the Village Pub, located on
the main strip of Palm Springs. Hocker
said the music at the Village Pub ranges
from light rock to heavy metal.
In addition the downtown area includes Zeldaz,
one of the most popular dance clubs in Palm
Springs, Hocker said.
While dry winds may scatter throughout Coachella
Valley, William Ivy, general manager of
Desert Oasis 800, said that Palm Springs
contains quality places for college students.
“We have a fabulous night life with clubs,”
Ivy said. “It’s a great social scene that
lies in the valley for the 18-to 24-year-old
crowd.”
For those looking for more than just a day
trip, Ivy said that one of the most popular
places for students to stay is the Hyatt
Regency Suites.
“The Hyatt is right on the main drag of
Palm Springs,” Ivy said. “There are rooms
that face cities, and students are right
on the strip.”
While in Palm Springs, Hocker said college
students may stay at a variety of places.
“We have small historic inns and mid-range
hotels including motor hotels like Ramada,
comfort inn, bigger full service hotels
like Hilton and Wyndham,” Hocker said.
With a low to moderate budget, Ivy said
the Wyndham is a good place for students
to stay as well as the Doral Desert Princess.
But, for those who choose to spend more
than the moderate amount, a place in the
Sun Resorts offers rooms from $89 to $289.
“We offer personal service,” said Norma
Van Meeteren, owner of A Place in the Sun
Resorts. “It’s a very relaxed atmosphere
with views right from living rooms, pools
and kitchens.”
Van Meeteren, who has been a resident of
Palm Springs for 20 years said April is
one of the peak seasons with temperatures
that reach 80 degrees.
Throughout Palm Springs are many public
and private golf courses and tennis courts.
Hocker said Coachella Valley has 106 golf
courses and 600 tennis courts.
With the many attractions Palm Springs has
to offer, Ivy said that the city keeps a
relaxed perspective.
“It’s casual and it’s upscale without being
pretentious,” Ivy said.
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