For scenic, quiet neighborhood running in Palm Springs, we recommend the historic Las Palmas and Movie Colony neighborhoods, which lie on either side of Palm Canyon Dr., north of Alejo.
Las Palmas Neighborhood. Create your own route in this neighborhood west of N Palm Canyon Dr. between Alejo and E Vista Chino Rd. Quiet, streets, nice foliage & landscaping, beautiful mid-century modern homes and celebrity status residents. We’ve also mapped a 3.25 mile route. Hint: make sure to detour up Via Las Palmas for a look at Elvis and Priscilla Presley’s famous Honeymoon Hideaway.
Ruth Hardy Park. Mark Lowenstein
Movie Colony Neighborhood & Ruth Hardy Park. On east side side of Palm Canyon Dr. and north of Alejo is the historic Movie Colony neighborhood. Enjoy these quiet streets passing old movie stars’ homes. Unfortunately, many of the homes are blocked by walls and hedges, but it’s still pleasant. Combine with Ruth Hardy Park, which has nice paths, fields, and a tennis courts. It’s ~0.5 miles around the park.
For scenic, quiet neighborhood running in Palm Springs, we recommend the historic Las Palmas and Movie Colony neighborhoods, which lie on either side of Palm Canyon Dr., north of Alejo.
Las Palmas Neighborhood. Create your own route in this neighborhood west of N Palm Canyon Dr. between Alejo and E Vista Chino Rd. Quiet, streets, nice foliage & landscaping, beautiful mid-century modern homes and celebrity status residents. We’ve also mapped a 3.25 mile route. Hint: make sure to detour up Via Las Palmas for a look at Elvis and Priscilla Presley’s famous Honeymoon Hideaway.
Ruth Hardy Park. Mark Lowenstein
Movie Colony Neighborhood & Ruth Hardy Park. On east side side of Palm Canyon Dr. and north of Alejo is the historic Movie Colony neighborhood. Enjoy these quiet streets passing old movie stars’ homes. Unfortunately, many of the homes are blocked by walls and hedges, but it’s still pleasant. Combine with Ruth Hardy Park, which has nice paths, fields, and a tennis courts. It’s ~0.5 miles around the park.
Our 6 mile downtown tour is situated within easy distance of most Palm Springs hotels, and covers some of the major tourist attractions and parks of Palm Springs.
Stretching along the western limits of Palm Springs before the streets give way to mountain ranges, Palm Canyon Drive is one long, beautiful route that reaches from the city center all the way down to the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation.
This 4-mile loop takes you through the city's older, picturesque, palm-lined residential streets. Our route is derived from the City of Palm Springs bike map. There are good sidewalks.
With this swift loop around the Palm Springs International Airport, you can explore the golf clubs and mountain vistas of downtown Palm Springs in one easy in and out loop.
The Tram Road Challenge is a taxing 6k from Chino Canyon up to the 8,500 foot elevation of Mt. San Jacinto State Park. The run is up the access road paralleling the tram. Nearly 2,000 foot elevation gain, grades averaging 7-8%.
This 3.5 mile out and back on the South Lykken Trail, which rises up from South Palm Canyon Drive in lower Palm Springs, has great views of the Coachella Valley. Note: Dogs not permitted!
The Joe Butler Trail is a quiet run on an asphalt path in the Rancho Mirage neighborhood, stretching 2.5 miles (out and back) alongside a scenic golf club. Good run if you're staying at the Ritz Carlton.
In the center of Palm Desert, a quite nice run combining paths through Civic Center Park and the adjacent campus of the College of the Desert. Also, Magnesia Falls Dr. has a bike path along it's ~1 mile length. Overall, easy to stitch together a 4-5 mile run.
Terrific trail run in Rancho Mirage right off Rt. 111 and near the Ritz Carlton Hotel. Hilly. A 3.3 mile loop incorporates the Rd. Runner Trail and the Jack Rabbit Trail.
Nice run in the La Quinta area on paved multi-use path at the edge of the Santa Rosa Mountains. It's a steady climb over 2.7 miles. Can use the quiet residential of La Quinta for one of the ways. Nice mountain views!
Just north of Palm Desert, these adjacent preserves feature numerous trails off Thousand Palms Canyon Rd. with views of the valley & surrounding mountains, oasis features, & palm groves. Fairly flat, with decent footing.
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