San Diego to Rancho Mirage: 

The itinerary and musings

February 2019

We wanted to experience parts of California that we had not been to yet; one desert and one city.  The diversity of environments and climates, technology hubs, entertainment industry plus national parks consistently place California in the top two most visited states in the USA (Florida is the other state).  It took me a few weeks to narrow down the places to explore and settled on a round-trip from San Diego to Rancho Mirage. 

 Day One

Landing in San Diego early-afternoon was perfect.  From Minneapolis to San Diego there are numerous non-stop four-hour flight options.  Knowing heavy traffic is a given in California’s major cities when you touchdown matters.  After picking up a rental car it was still busy but not bumper-to-bumper traffic at 2:30 p.m.  My hope was to arrive in Rancho Mirage in time to see the sunset and we did as we were driving into the resort.     

Day Two

The 2 ½ hour drive through Palm Springs Valley was a fabulous way to begin the adventure.  My overall hope was to get David into a sunny climate so he could have a break from Minnesota cold.  This is going on his fifth year of chemotherapy; he has lost a lot of weight and he is never warm enough.  Everything about the time in Palm Springs was enchanting.   

Welcome to Modernism Week!! The week is about embracing mid-century architecture, fashion, entertainment, art, and fun approachable design (my definition). #modernismweek2019

We viewed a film debut about the life of Frank Sinatra and found restaurants that

A water ballet inspired by Esther Williams and her movies of the 40s and 50s at a private home. The Aqualillies arrived in California from around the world, staying about two weeks in CA. Before and after the show there is time to wander the house and mingle with the swimmers. They are willing and eager to interact and have photos taken...some of the sweetest lush pink smiles I’ve ever seen.
@aqualillies are trained athletes and mermaids with precise choreography.

The Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage is on my highly-recommend list of Places to Stay.  The crew was exceptional in that any request is met instantly and they look for ways to go above and beyond great service.  I was chatting with a few wait staff about how much David was enjoying the weather, particularly as a cancer patient that needed California sunshine.  We were also talking about photography and Instagram.  One of the staff brought this to the attention of the department head of dining services and they collaborated a lovely surprise.  After we had returned from a day outing leadership arrived at our dining table with gifts – a towel with the map of CA that staff had signed with well-wishes for David and fancy chocolates.  And what blew my mind was they downloaded this photo from my Instagram account (jul_of_minnesota) and placed it into a lovely frame!  We couldn’t get over the extra steps they took to make us feel welcomed and relaxed. Frank Sinatra Drive, Rancho Mirage, CA

Day Three

Joshua Tree National Park

‘Two distinct desert ecosystems, the Colorado and the Mojave, come together in this iconic American park.  Bring your camera to snap photos of its zig-zaggy, namesake trees.  The areas is a mecca for hikers and rock climbers.  For a low-key trek, follow the 3 mile 49 Palms Oasis Trail through rugged desert to a surprising grove of native fan palms.’ –                        www.ritzcarlton.com        

I’ve seen many photos of this world-famous park and they looked the same but we still wanted the Joshua Tree experience.  I have to say I was a little disappointed.  The drive to get there wanders through pretty valleys and took one and half hours from Ranch Mirage to the national park entrance.  There is a serenity driving among the trees yet I found seeing one mile of the desert landscape was plenty.  The shrubs and trees looked alike mile after mile.  And surprise…deserts are not always hot and sunny.  The temperature dropped to 30 degrees and without suitable outwear I only lasted a couple hours in the park.  I can see why travelers and hikers are drawn there yet it was not a highlight for me on this trip.    

Day Four  

“Yes, you can drive them fast.” – BMW Performance Driving Schools

BMW Performance Center, located in the nearby city of Thermal, is for anyone over 15 years old that wants the thrill of driving power.  Register for a class as soon as you know you will be in the area.  Classes fill-up as they are kept to 12 drivers and you can select from the most recent model-year BMWs on hand, including X, M and i vehicles.  The track set-up is primarily a road course. 

 BMW Performance Center
86-050 Jasper Lane
Thermal, CA 92274
(888) 345-4269

 This was a dream coming true.  Professional Instructors are welcoming and guide the two-hour class including track time.  The driving is a moderately- demanding activity and ends with an instructor taking students on a Hot Run, which is as it sounds - a thrill ride….   

We went to a film debut in a historic theater about Palm Srings and the legend of Frank Sinatra.

Sinatra in Palm Springs: Special Film Screening + Meet and Greet with Filmmaker Leo Zahn

Leo filmed Mr. Sinatra’s living closest friends, Barbara Sinatra, his valet and restaurant owners of his favorite places to wine and dine. He wanted to see if the film would play well outside of the Palm Springs Area and it is. June 11th it will be available on iTunes and Amazon Prime.

Leo’s focus is on Palm Springs and the legend of Mr. Sinatra.

His inspiration was all the Sinatra stories he heard repeatedly. An underlying mythology about him that has a lasting impact on the community. Mr. Sinatra would read the Desert Sun morning newspaper or hear a story of a person or family in need, call his assistant and have funds anonymously delivered. Or a bike or clothing. His generosity paramount to his character.

The Sinatra compound was sold three years before he passed, although Frank did not want to leave what he considered his home. His health was declining and Barbra Sinatra insisted they move to Beverly Hills. The home was remote - down a long dirt road.

The interview with Larry King was a last. He had good care in Palm Springs and did not want to move to Beverly Hills.

Leo directed TV commercials and shows in LA.

His four wives including his first wife Nancy Sinatra (who recently passed at 101) were all part of the extended family. He had a continual and changing entourage that traveled anywhere Frank went. He treated guests as if they were royally meeting them as they exited his helicopter pad at any hour. He was a person that loved the night; learning new music, drinks, casinos, parties.

Called a ‘Desert Rat’ to ‘Mr. Boardroom’, he was a kind and generous person that had moments of bad temper over things as minor as a pasta dish cooked poorly.

Day Five

A combination of city-time and nature-time is the best vacation balance for me with an emphasis on being outside.  More than a few days in a major city and I begin to stress over the constant movement of people and traffic.  Of course walking helps but there is a definite point when I start to feel boxed in by people and buildings.  This trip was a nice blend of a secluded Palm Springs Desert Resort to the metro-chic Pendry Hotel in San Diego.   

I find a variety of reviews helpful for learning about the area and selecting a place to stay.  Trip Advisory is an obvious choice but there are a many resources. Try these for some different travel resources: The New York Times, Bon Appetit, Zagat Travel, Fodors Travel Guide and Conde Nast Travel.

Day Six

San Diego Safari Park  The park is bigger than I imagined, like Disney World expansive.  A person could spend a few days wandering and learning, a place I would return to especially with grand kids. The Africa Tram is great for families with daily 40 minute guided tour rides.  

I debated between doing the Cheetah Safari Experience which includes reserved track side seating to watch a cheetah a feet away, chase a mechanical lure, and the Africa Tram Ride.

We were glad we did both!    

The Cheetah Safari is a private up-close encounter with one African animal and one large cat meet-and-greet opportunity.  Tickets are required in advance and participants must be 10 years old. Attendees are seated in a small fenced area. When the cheetah walked through the gate it was one of the biggest thrills of my life. I wasn’t concerned about safety at all. My heart was beating faster from seeing this magnificent animal gracefully walk back and forth within 10 feet of me; big beautiful eyes and the fur pattern was breathtaking!!

About Amara the Cheetah and Hopper the dog.

There is an important relationship between a cheetah and a dog in captivity when the cheetah is being acclimated to being around people and running a track. Amara is considered one of the four finest Cheetah Ambassadors in the world. She is 10 years old, weighs 90 pounds, and has one domestic friend (dog) and a few dedicated human handlers.

Cheetahs prefer to be lazy and not run at all. They are naturally fearful cats, their primary predators are lions and they are always scared of humans so what you’re observing occurs after the cat and human have spent extensive time together.

Amara watches Hopper from her cage to see if it is safe for her to leave her cage. Most days Amara wants to run after watching Hopper but she is never forced to do anything. Hopper is their oldest training dog and must remain calm and collected because he is the dominant animal with the cheetah. Amara takes her cues from Hopper and only a few human trainers. If Hopper sees something startling like a tree branch falling how he acts is how Amara will act. If Hopper determines there is no threat to his safety then Amara will react the same way. This was surprising; Amara watches Hopper for ques of threat and safety and reacts accordingly. The cheetah does not look to the human trainer for this instinct, only the dog.

Note: This is the Safari Park which is not within the San Diego Zoo. They are in different locations, this is experience is at the African Outpost, 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA

A good morning for people-watching and reading the newspaper over breakfast in the hotel. By Noon we were on a ferry to Coronado to wander the town and visit the iconic Hotel Del Coronado.  The town is just across from San Diego Bay so a good afternoon outing. The hotel has been featured in at least 13 films including Some Like it Hot with Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis. The hotel exhibits rotate and admission is always free.  https://coronadohistory.org/exhibits/

It was sweater-weather in the charming town of Coronado.

Day Eight

I love flying home. 

It means my body will soon collapse in my own bed with pup Sophia Annabelle snuggled nearby, just as happy to be home as I am. 

Since I am not a talkative flyer, my pattern is basically the same.  One cocktail and a light 20 minute nap.  Then use flight time to make lists for the next week, synthesize travel notes, and click through pictures on the back of my Nikon.

A self-evaluation of my travels often comes down to 1) would I return to the same location and 2) would I recommend the location to others and if yes, what advice would I offer.  This was an itinerary I would recommend with even more time spent in the Palm Springs Area.  Between the sunshine and access to activities it was an amazing few days there.  I could easily spend a week in Palm Springs and my advice is to keep a couple days unscheduled but at least two months prior to departing research all the attractions and happenings of interest and secure tickets in advance.  Take layers of clothing from t-shirts to a down jacket that rolls into a ball, swimsuit, jeans and one dressy glam outfit as the climate changes can be extreme and each day can bring a totally unique travel experience.     

 Great trip!