We headed inland to the Coachella Valley, northeast of San Diego, to check out the claim that it has the ideal Southern California winter climate. The San Andreas Fault runs through the Valley. A series of surface water impoundments along its length gave rise to the distinctive palm oases that first attracted people here. Although Palm Springs is the best known of the so-called Desert Cities that grew up around the water, we stayed in the smaller Palm Desert (elevation 200 feet; population 49,000). Because the area boasts almost continual sunshine and mid-winter temperatures in the high 60s, it has became a golf and outdoor activity Mecca. One guidebook claims that here is the best winter hiking and mountain biking in the country.
The Living Desert Arboretum and Zoo collects and displays desert flora and fauna from arid regions worldwide. The Julia butterfly and the giraffe took highest honors for the day.