For those attending my workshop at the Coachella Valley Art Center in Indio, CA, here is some travel information you might find useful.
Indio is 30 minutes from downtown Palm Springs, one of the best tourist areas in Southern California. Palm Springs is noted for mid-century modern architecture, tours of 1950’s Hollywood homes, a great arts scene (including the fantastic Palm Springs Art Museum), great restaurants, and lots and lots of sunshine. There are over 100 golf courses, and many resorts.
Daytime temperatures in January are usually in the low 70s, but a light sweater or jacket is sometimes needed for the evening. In the summer, the desert can be very hot! Highs can be 115 or more (but it’s a dry heat) but temps cool off at night.
COACHELLA VALLEY ART CENTER
The CVAC is located at: 45140 Towne Street, Indio CA 92201. There is ample street parking in front, as well as additional parking in the rear of the building. If you arrive and the front door is locked, please call my cell at 734-945-2112. (My studio is in the rear of the building and I may not hear you knocking!) If the door is unlocked, walk through the gallery space to the rear of the building, then through the door marked “Glass, Wood and Metal Studios”.
AIRLINE FLIGHTS & DRIVING
Palm Springs airport (PSP) is a very convenient, regional airport, and will the be easiest way to get in and out of the Coachella Valley. However, unless you live in the western US you may need to get a connecting flight to Palm Springs. The Palm Springs airport is roughly a 20 minute drive to central Indio. Another alternative is the nearby Ontario airport (ONT) which is slightly over an hour away by car.
Direct flights (and often, less expensive flights) can sometimes be found going into LA (LAX) or San Diego (SAN). LA and San Diego are usually around a 2.5 hour drive to Indio along I-10… but MUCH longer during rush hour.
Indio is also a 4 hour drive from both Phoenix and Las Vegas.
Hotels and Resorts
INDIO
While Indio itself is not generally noted for its hotels, there is a very good Best Western only a mile away – the Best Western Date Tree Hotel, on Indio Blvd. It is a highly rated hotel in Indio, according to Trip Advisor. This is probably the closest inexpensive hotel I would recommend to the Coachella Valley Art Center itself. However, there is no shuttle, so if you will not have a car, another hotel with a shuttle might work better. Rates are usually low and breakfast is included. Best Western Date Tree Hotel
Two new hotels just north of the Art Center are a Fairfield, and a Hampton Inn, both in Northern Indio, not far from the I-10 at Jackson Road. Click here for the Fairfield or Hampton Inn. These hotels may be more comfortable than the Best Western, but at higher rates.
Another good nearby option is the hotel at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, which is about a mile away. Fantasy Springs Resort Hotel
PALM DESERT
Palm Desert lies midway between Palm Springs and Indo, and has several good hotels, golf resorts, and vacation resorts. A good hotel is the Hilton/Homewood Suites Palm Desert. This hotel is a 15 minute drive to the studio, and a 15 minute drive to downtown Palm Springs. Hilton/Homewood Suites Palm Desert
Another Palm Desert Choice is the Comfort Suites Palm Desert. This one is a bit closer to the Art Center than Palm Springs. Comfort Suites Palm Desert
PALM SPRINGS
Palm Springs has so many good places to stay it’s difficult to pick just one. Here are a few you might check out:
- The Caliente Tropics Resort
- For a little more, the Marriott Renaissance Palm Springs
Many vacation homes and golf resorts are also available, but prices vary particularly in the winter. Check your favorite travel site – Trip Advisor, Orbitz, Hotels.com, etc.
THINGS TO DO IN PALM SPRINGS & COACHELLA VALLEY
Here are some links to events and local activities: