Living in Rancho Mirage

Visit one of the jewels of the desert, less than one mile away: Sunnylands, the former Annenberg 200-acre estate and one of the best examples of mid century modern architecture. The property was owned by Walter and Leonore Annenberg until 2009 and had been used as a winter retreat by the couple beginning in 1966, when the house was completed. 

 The city of Rancho Mirage considers the property to be “rich with historical significance” and declared Sunnylands an historic site in 1990. Located at Frank Sinatra and Bob Hope Drives, the property has been the vacation site of numerous US presidents, celebrities, and public officials. Sunnylands is sometimes referred to as the "Camp David of the West."  

The contemporary Sunnylands Center & Gardens is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday, 8:30 am to 4 pm (closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day).  Admission and parking are always free. The historic Sunnylands estate operates primarily as a private, high-level retreat center. Public access is limited to guided tours, offered when retreats are not in session.

Experience the ride through five distinct climatic zones - Mt. San Jacinto State Park is the only place in North America to offers such dramatic differences in flora, fauna, and climate zone. San Jacinto 54 miles of hiking trails located  within a 14,000 acre pristine wilderness.  All trails are accessed by exiting the Mountain Station and descending a pathway less than a mile to Long Valley. 

 The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway—the world’s largest rotating tram  car—travels over two-and-one-half miles along the breathtaking cliffs of  Chino Canyon, transporting riders to the pristine wilderness of the Mt.  San Jacinto State Park. During your approximately ten-minute journey,  tram cars rotate slowly, offering picturesque and spectacular vistas of  the valley floor below. 

 Once you reach the Mountain Station—elevation  8,516 feet—enjoy two restaurants, observation decks, natural history  museum, two documentary theaters, gift shop and over 50 miles of hiking  trails.  

Less than 2 hours away from Rancho Mirage, another high altitude delight awaits: the San Bernadino National Forest, featuring the serene valley along Angelus Oaks, as well as mountainous, verdant areas of Baldwin Lake and Big Bear Lake.

This mountain community features fishing, kayaking, boating, hiking, and many outdoor adventures.

 Avid skiers love that Big Bear boasts three ski resorts -  Snow Valley, Snow Summit, and Big Bear Resort, now part of the Alterra Mountain Pass.  Take the High Desert route to get in an early morning ski run with a hearty lunch break at the peak of the mountain, and return after a full day of skiing in time for a swim and dinner in Rancho Mirage!

A one hour drive from Rancho Mirage through the high desert brings you to the entrance of Joshua Tree National Park. Enjoy the incredible flora and fauna and the unique rock formations of this vast national treasure.

 Visitors can explore 800,000 acres of beautiful terrain in Joshua Tree National Park, where wildlife thrives in temperatures over 100 degrees. 

Crafted over millions of years by torrential rain, battering wind, and extreme temperatures, Joshua Tree National Park stretches over nearly 800,000 acres of rugged terrain. These landscapes, which can seem deceptively barren, are home to several ecosystem

Built in the deconstructivist style, the Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory is a stunning campus located on highway 111. Makes sure to inquire for nights that the Observatory is open to the public. 

The Rancho Mirage library hosts many events, such as author workshops, classical concerts, and more.

From crystal-clear streams and cascading waterfalls to  shady palm oases and granite rock walls, the Indian Canyons in Palm  Springs are like no other place on earth.

As the ancestral home of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians,  these lands offer visitors a glimpse into the area’s indigenous past as  well as a chance to get away from the everyday and connect with  something deeper. 

 The Indian Canyons comprise Andreas Canyon, Murray Canyon and Palm  Canyon, and each is a gateway to untapped outdoor adventure. Explore a  network of trails that twist and turn beneath whispering palms. Travel  up the rugged mountainside on horseback. Learn about the native flora  and fauna on a ranger-led hike. Or find a quiet place to sit, relax and  just meditate.  

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, formerly the Living Desert Museum, is one of the most fascinating non-profit zoos and botanical gardens in the world: located in Palm Desert. The Living Desert is home to over 500 animals representing over 150 species and welcomes over 500,000 visitors annually. 

Situated in the Sonoran Desert of the Coachella Valley and Santa The Living Desert is set on 1,200 acres, with 80 developed as zoo and gardens. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens has been a member of the Association of Zoos and since 1983.

Make sure to check the event calendar with the Admissions office  - don't miss the many wonderful events at The Living Desert, such as Holiday Lights or brunch with the animals.