Explorer's Guide Palm Springs & Desert Resorts: A Great Destination

Lively, objective, intelligent, and very helpful guidebook. I especially enjoyed Mr. Baker's survey of Palm Springs architecture, which inspired me to bike around to see some of the sights (love that midcentury modernism), and his description of local landscape & wildlife, which is at once factual and poetic. You need this info (about rattlesnakes, etc) if you're going to be hiking around! Book covers nearby towns if you must see them (they should be avoided altogether in my opinion). Was also helpful for a day trip to Joshua Tree National Monument. I brought this book on a recent five-day vacation in Palm Springs, along with a couple others. If you must pick just one guide, this is your best bet.