on location: west � elana andersen

A COMMUNITY-WIDE PLEDGE to be

responsible stewards of the environment

has moved the City of Palm Springs to

adopt a new plan with focused action di-

rected at becoming a totally sustainable

community. The plan’s vision defines

programs and projects that fall under the

privy of city government, such as reduc-

ing the city's use of water by 50 percent

and energy by 20 percent within four

years. It also provides tools and incen-

tives for local residents, businesses,

tourism and recreation entities, and edu-

cational institutions to achieve ambitious

green initiatives and become a zero-waste

community.

Throughout the desert region other

communities are participating in sustain-

able practices that include the introduc-

tion of green industries and greening

technologies. The nation's largest turbine

wind farm is at the west end of the

Coachella Valley, and agricultural and

recreation businesses, including many

golf courses, are participating in water-

shed projects that feed back into the nat-

ural underground reservoirs. The

adoption of traditional Native American

philosophies and practices with regard to

protecting natural sustainable habitats is

also widely promoted.

Palm Springs has kicked off a public

awareness program designed to inform

visitors and residents about ways to be

green in their personal lives and in the

community. Its Pathways to a Sustainable

Community list of action steps is widely

distributed at area stores, visitor centers

and online.

GREEN ACTIVITIES FOR TRAVELERS

Elite Land Tours offers a series of tours

that focuses on various aspects of eco-

businesses and sustainable practices.

“Going Green,” for example, visits one

of the largest lavender farms in the U.S.,

where visitors learn about the attributes

of Certified Organic farming. The tour

continues to a managed nature sanctuary

where coyote, bobcat, bears, deer and

other indigenous wildlife survive in the

harsh desert terrain. “Ultimate Power

Trip” travels through the fields of a wind

farm and offers an up-close view of the

26 February 2009 LeisureGroupTravel.com

Hiking tours show how the native Cahuillapeople revered the natural environment.

Palm Springs:Seeing Green inAction

Palm Springs:Seeing Green inAction

Ecotourism thrives

in the desert

communities of

Southern California

LeisureGroupTravel.com February 2009 27

on the side

The Best of Palm SpringsFFABULOUS PALM SPRINGS FOLLIES

Now in its 18th season, this dance, song and comedy revue

is packed with show-stopping entertainment. The three-

hour, vaudeville-style extravaganza showcases music and

dance from the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s and is performed by a

renowned company of high-stepping Long Legged Lovelies

and Follies Gentlemen, plus a lineup of celebrated guest

stars and special acts. What sets the Follies apart from other

shows is that its company is made up of seasoned Broad-

way-to-Hollywood performers who just happen to range in

age from 55 to 80+ years. The Follies’ 10-shows-a-week

season runs from October through May. November and De-

cember are reserved for the Follies Yuletide production with

a cast of Candy Cane Girls, a distaff Santa and her admir-

ers, strolling bands of carolers, dancing penguins and a

cheery Hanukkah bear. Add spectacular sets, glittery cos-

tumes and dazzling special effects to ensure a lively way for

your group to celebrate the end of the year. [Box office,

760-327-0225; groups, 800-967-9997; psfollies.com]

PALM SPRINGS AERIAL TRAMWAY

Soar to the heights of Chino Canyon via the world’s largest

rotating tramcar and be awed by the expansive views and

scenic wonders of the Coachella Valley. From the Valley

Station to the Mountain Station (at 8,516 feet), the ascent

of Mt. San Jacinto takes about 10 minutes. Recreation at

the top ranges from playing in the winter snow to hiking

wilderness trails in summer. Facilities include several look-

out stations, the Peaks dining room and casual Pines Cafe,

and the Lookout Lounge, which offers a full bar service.

There are gift shops at both the Valley and Mountain sta-

tions. [888-515-8726, groups 760-325-1449,

pstramway.com]

DESERT SHOPPING

Palm Springs’ Palm Canyon Drive, the city’s main prome-

nade, is lined with shops and boutiques, art galleries, an-

tique stores, and a diverse collection of eateries, many

offering outdoor dining. It is also home to the historic Plaza

Theater and the Fabulous Palm Spring Follies, Palm Springs

Walk of Stars and Palm Springs Desert Museum with its

well-stocked museum store. Every Thursday the drive is

transformed into Villagefest, a pedestrian bazaar with more

than 200 arts and craft vendors, food carts, live music and

other entertainment. [760-322-7799, palmcanyondrive.org]

Palm Desert’s famed El Paseo, an upscale shopping

street, has 300-plus stores, art galleries and restaurants.

Tucked between the exclusive boutiques are shops that

offer a surprising number of affordable treasures.

[palm-desert.com]. Other shopping centers in the neighbor-

hood include Westfield Shoppingtown, One Eleven Town

Center and Desert Crossing Shopping Center.

The River at Rancho Mirage is a high-end, 30-acre wa-

terfront shopping, dining and entertainment center. [760-

341-2711, theriveratranchomirage.com]

Outlet shopping is located in Cabazon, 15 minutes west

of Palm Springs. More than 150 quality branded stores are

found at Desert Hills Premium Outlets and Cabazon Out-

lets. [premiumoutlets.com, cabazonoutlets.com]

Palm Springs Follies

power generated by the giant whirling

blades. Commentary covers the interna-

tional history of wind power and its role

in providing electricity today and in the

future. “Falconry Educational Tour” pro-

vides insight into the fragility of birds of

prey habitats and various recovery pro-

grams and sustainable practices. Elite

Land Tours offers many other itineraries

with sustainable themes. Most tours last

one to four hours. [760-318-1200,

elitelandtours.com]

Indian Canyons Hiking Trails and

Tahquitz Canyon Hiking Trail are

ranger-led interpretive hikes that explain

the landscape, the flora and fauna, and

the Cahuilla legends associated with the

canyons and natural springs. Each trail is

about one mile, and the tour lasts 90

minutes. Commentary explains how the

native Cahuilla people had a special re-

spect for the land and the ways they took

care of the environment as part of their

effort to survive. The canyons and associ-

ated resources are sacred to the Indians

and are historically important to scien-

tists and nature lovers. Visitor centers are

found at the trailheads at each location.

[indian-canyons.com]

Green Friday in downtown Palm

Springs is held the last Friday of the

month and features extended store hours

until 8 p.m. Merchants who display the

“Green Friday Palm Springs” logo offer

special discounts and also feature infor-

mation and goods that are environmen-

tally sensitive. Other activities on Green

Friday include seminars and displays

showcasing alternative vehicles, eco-art,

building materials and other green prod-

ucts. There are refreshments, entertain-

ment and a treasure hunt. Green Friday

is sponsored by Main Street Palm Springs

Business Association. [760-322-7799,

palmcanyondrive.org]

The Living Desert, located in Palm

Desert, is a park and museum dedicated

to the interpretation, conservation and

protection of the world’s fragile desert

ecosystems. The grounds offer views of

indigenous wildlife including many en-

dangered species, a botanical garden, nat-

ural history museum and nature preserve.

The Living Desert University (LDU) is a

premier environmental learning center

offering classes and seminars. [760-346-

5694, livingdesert.org] LGT

28 February 2009 LeisureGroupTravel.com

west �

PLAN IT!Palm Springs Tourism:800-347-7746, palm-springs.org

Palm Springs DesertResort Communities:800-967-3767, giveintothedesert.com

�Visit leisuregrouptravel.com for

complete resources.

LeisureGroupTravel.com February 2009 29

ALASKA

Alaska kicked off its 50th Anniversary

of Statehood celebration on Jan. 3, the

date its Declaration of Statehood was

signed and launch of a year-long sched-

ule of anniversary events. Many events

are organized by local communities and

posted on their events calendars. Others

are noted on the state’s website:

alaskatravel.com. Highlights include:

Alaska History Walk: A Journey of

Statehood 1867-2009, an outdoor exhi-

bition on display in downtown Anchor-

age on Seventh Avenue between E & F

streets. It is comprised of eight columns

featuring 16 bronze placards showing

historic photos and inscriptions that

chronicle Alaska’s history from the time

of its purchase from Russia. A 50th An-

niversary of Statehood time capsule is

located at the end of the History Walk.

The Anchorage Museum at Rasmu-

son Center honors the state’s golden an-

niversary with the opening of a new

four-story, glass-walled exhibition space

on May 20. Its inaugural exhibition, en-

titled Gold, features the 56-pound Nor-

mandy Nugget, a gold-plated room and

a stash of gold doubloons retrieved

from a sunken Spanish galleon. Life in

Alaska Leading to Statehood, another

featured exhibition, recalls the 1950s

through photography, school year-

books, the statehood ballot and other

memorabilia. [907-343-6173, anchor-

agemuseum.org]

Alaska Railroad is celebrating the

state’s golden anniversary by offering all

who celebrate their 50th birthday in

2009 with a free ride on its Anchorage-

to-Fairbanks Denali Star train. [907-

265-2494, alaskarailroad.com]

A 50th Anniversary Quilt is the re-

sult of a statewide project in which

every city and town was invited to sub-

mit a quilt panel with a scene or image

that represents its view of the statehood

story. The panels are part of an exhibi-

tion that travels the state throughout

the year.

ARIZONA

Play Ball: The Cactus League Experi-

ence just opened at the Mesa Historical

Museum. The exhibit celebrates the his-

tory of professional baseball in Arizona

from the sport’s barnstorming days be-

fore statehood, researched to be as early

as 1909, to the inauguration of the Cac-

tus League in 1947 and up to present

day. The interactive exhibit focuses on

the legendary boys of summer who re-

ported for spring training in the Ari-

zona desert. Play Ball features a

“knothole” fence; an infield complete

with vintage dugout, sky mural and

photo opportunity; interactive souvenir,

concession and ticket booths; and a

three-dimensional bus depot. Baseball

fans and history buffs will have the op-

portunity to set their sights on never-be-

on our radar: west �

The Mesa Historical Museum’s new exhibit is attracting baseball fans.

on our radar: west �

fore-seen items gathered from private

collections of Arizonans who knew the

likes of Ted Williams, Sandy Koufax

and Willie McCovey. [480-835-7358,

playballexperience.com]

The first phase of CityCenter of

CityNorth, the largest mixed-use devel-

opment in Arizona history, just opened

in the affluent Northeast Valley of

Phoenix. Retailers in the High Street

neighborhood include Alessi, GUESS,

Talbots, White House | Black Market,

Chico’s and Verde Maison. In the fall

of 2010, The Boulevard neighborhood

will open, featuring Macy’s, Arizona’s

first Bloomingdale’s and Phoenix’s first

Nordstrom. [480-355-0202,

citycenterofcitynorth.com]

The Musical Instrument Museum in

Phoenix is set to open in early 2010.

With musical instruments from every

country in the world, MIM will pay

homage to the history and diversity of

instruments and introduce museum

guests to their varied and unique

sounds. MIM will be an engaging, en-

tertaining and informative experience,

in which the uninitiated and the knowl-

edgeable will feel welcome. Museum

guests will gain an appreciation for

both the musical similarities and differ-

ences among divergent cultures, coun-

tries and ethnicities through

state-of-the-art exhibits. Integrated

audio and video experiences will enable

guests to appreciate the sounds of in-

struments from around the world as

well as to see these instruments played

in their cultural contexts.

The museum will display about

5,000 instruments, from the exquisite

heirlooms of royal courts to hand-

crafted pieces passed down through

generations. Some will have been played

by famous artists. The collection will be

organized into galleries representing

major regions: Europe, United States

and Canada, Latin America, Oceania,

Southeast Asia, East Asia, Central and

South Asia, Middle East and Africa.

Live performances in an intimate audi-

torium will make MIM a center of

world music performance. [themim.org]

CALIFORNIA

The Sports Museum of Los Angeles

(SMLA), with one of the largest and

broadest collections of sports memora-

bilia and collectibles in the world, re-

cently opened in downtown Los

Angeles, just south of STAPLES Center

and L.A. Live. The 30 galleries cover

football, basketball, baseball, golf, ten-

nis, biking and other sports. What

makes the museum unique is that the

collection belongs to just one

person–museum founder and CEO

Gary Cypres. [888-540-8223,

sportsmuseumla.com]

The GRAMMY Museum, with four

floors of dynamic and interactive multi-

media presentations, just opened in L.A.

Live, the downtown Los Angeles sports,

entertainment and residential district.

The 32,000-square-foot facility explores

all forms of music, the creative process,

art and technology of the recording

process, and the history of recording

music’s GRAMMY Award. There are

artist profiles, films, timelines, memora-

bilia, a 200-seat soundstage and a mock

studio where visitors can experience the

actual recording process, with industry

experts leading the way through mixing

and producing. [213-765-6800,

grammymuseum.org]

Berkeley is home to the oldest of the

University of California campuses, often

considered to be America’s most liberal-

minded community and, thanks to culi-

nary whizzes like Alice Waters and her

contemporaries, recognized as the birth-

place of modern American food trends

and cuisine. A visit to the Shattuck Av-

30 February 2009 LeisureGroupTravel.com

Pop music culture enthralls guests at the newGRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles.

enue neighborhood, more fondly called

Gourmet Ghetto, offers foodies a sub-

lime experience. Within a few blocks

there are more than 23 specialty food

emporiums and eateries, none with

chain names, and all focused on provid-

ing the highest quality foods. There are

bakers, cheese makers, confectioners,

and other artisan food specialists, plus a

variety of coffee, tea and wine mer-

chants. Dining options range from ca-

sual cafes specializing in regional ethnic

cuisines to gourmet pizzerias, organic

vegan menus and, of course, Waters’ ex-

traordinary prix fixe menu at Chez

Panisse.

A fun option for a group’s first visit

to Gourmet Ghetto is to take a tasting

tour with epicurean concierge Lisa Ro-

govin. Groups from six to 40 guests are

led on a culinary adventure with tasting

at each stop. [415-806-5970,

inthekitchenwithlisa.com] While in

Berkeley, other unique tasting experi-

ences are found at Scharffen Berger

Chocolate [510-981-4066,

scharffenberger.com] and Takara Sake

USA [510-540-8250, takarasake.com].

Both of these companies offer produc-

tion tours and tastings. For more infor-

mation about Gourmet Ghetto and

Berkeley sights, contact the Berkeley

CVB: 800-847-4823, berkeleycvb.com.

Ride The Ducks, the amphibious

tour operator, has just made a big

splash in the San Francisco tourism in-

dustry. The 90-minute sightseeing tour

includes about 60 minutes on land and

30 minutes on the water. It winds

through the city’s historic streets and

neighborhoods, splashes down into Mc-

Covey Cove and “quacks” along the

bay. Sights along the route include Fish-

erman’s Wharf, Chinatown, Ghirardelli

Square, Union Square, SOMA, AT&T

Ballpark and Bay Bridge. Passengers

enjoy their complimentary Wacky

Quackers, yellow-billed duck whistles,

as they quack at pedestrians. The vehi-

cles, built from the ground up, are mod-

eled after the DUKWs that carried

troops and supplies during WWII. The

ticketing and boarding location is at

Fisherman’s Wharf. Discounts are avail-

able for groups of 20 or more. [415-

922-2425, sanfranciscoducks.com]

The San Diego Zoo’s Harry and

Grace Steele Elephant Odyssey opens

this spring. The $44-million, seven-acre

habitat will feature Asian elephants, a

California condor, sloths, snakes and

rodents, as well as life-size replicas of

animal species that dotted the Southern

California landscape more than 10,000

years ago. A herd of eight elephants will

roam a 2.5-acre exhibit that will include

a 120,000-gallon pool, gentle rolling

hills and the Conrad Prebys Elephant

Management Facility, where visitors can

see keepers and veterinarians at work

with the animals and tour the facility

for educational and interactive experi-

ences. Additional highlights of Elephant

Odyssey include a tar pit replication,

fossil dig, children’s play area and a tun-

neled walkway through a herd of ele-

phants. [619-231-1515,

sandiegozoo.org]

HAWAII

During Hawaii’s 50th Anniversary of

Statehood this year, each island will in-

corporate special activities in annual

events as well has host ceremonial

events on relevant national holidays and

Hawaii’s Admission Day, Aug. 21. “50

Voices of Statehood,” a series of radio

and television vignettes that will be

aired throughout the year, features a di-

verse selection of presenters from across

the state, many of whom participated in

the statehood debate 50 years ago and

LeisureGroupTravel.com February 2009 31

on our radar: west �

express their personal perspective on

the issues then and now. The USS

Hawai’i, the first commissioned subma-

rine name for the state, will be honored

on Memorial Day at Pearl Harbor.

[statehoodhawaii.org]

MONTANA

Butte is host to the annual National

Folk Festival, July 10-12, 2009 and

July 9-11, 2010. This is the country's

largest and most prestigious celebration

of traditional American folk arts and

attracts renowned performers and arti-

sans in various genres of music, dance,

crafts and storytelling. The three-day

event is free and offers ongoing enter-

tainment on seven main stages. The an-

nual festival has been held in various

locations since its founding in 1934.

This is the first time it is being held in a

Western state. [800-735-6814,

buttecvb.com, nationalfolkfestival.com]

NEW MEXICO

The 2009 featured exhibition at the In-

ternational Balloon Museum in Albu-

querque is A Fiesta Patchwork: Images

Through Time. Artifacts and photos

show the evolution of the annual Albu-

querque International Balloon Fiesta

from its inaugural flight in 1972 to

today’s world-famous event. The 2009

Fiesta dates are Oct. 3-11. [505-768-

6020, balloonmuseum.com]

The National Atomic Museum in

Albuquerque opens at a new location

this spring as the National Museum of

Nuclear Science and History. The

$10.5-million facility will offer exhibits

on both the technical side of nuclear

science and its historical development.

The 30,000-square-foot building will

be adjacent to the Sandia Science and

Technology Park in southeast Albu-

querque. It will house 13 permanent

major exhibits. The museum’s historical

aircraft and military vehicle collection

will be displayed on nine acres sur-

rounding the building. [505-245-2137,

atomicmuseum.org]

The New Mexico Rail Runner Ex-

press light rail system has expanded

and now travels between Belen, south

of Albuquerque, to Santa Fe. This new

service offers travelers a convenient

way to visit the state’s two main cities

and attend popular festivals like the

32 February 2009 LeisureGroupTravel.com

The National Folk Festival in Butte, Mont. brings a jubilantand dizzying feast of the deeply traditional folk arts.

Bernalillo annual Labor Day weekend

Wine Fest. Local transit and shuttle

services to popular sights and event ven-

ues serve the Rail Runner stations.

Group and senior rates are available.

Tickets are available online and at sta-

tions. [866-795-7245,

nmrailrunner.com]

OKLAHOMA

The Cherokee Nation’s Cultural

Tourism Department has completed

the second and final renovation to the

Cherokee Heritage Center in Park Hill.

The entrance to the museum store and

all-new grand atrium is framed by

three tall columns, remaining signa-

tures of the former 1850 Cherokee Fe-

male Seminary, the first institution of

higher learning for women west of the

Mississippi. The Cherokee Heritage

Center, which sits on a 44-acre com-

plex, was established in 1963 by Chief

W.W. Keeler to house tribal historical

documents, photographs and exhibits.

The living village was inaugurated in

1967 and the museum and gift shop

followed in 1974. The center also fea-

tures the Tsa-La-Gi Ancient Village

and Adams Corner Rural Village. The

Cherokee Nation is a federally recog-

nized tribe of more than 280,000

Cherokee citizens, with its capital lo-

cated in Tahlequah, Okla. Employing

more than 6,500 people, Cherokee

Nation’s annual economic impact in

Oklahoma and surrounding areas is

more than $1 billion. [888-999-6007,

cherokeeheritage.org]

TEXAS

The Briscoe Western Art Museum

opens in 2010 along San Antonio’s

Riverwalk, within easy walking distance

of the Alamo and other attractions.

Named for cattle rancher and former

Texas Gov. Dolph Briscoe Jr. and his

late wife Janey, the museum will show-

case art, artifacts and interactive ex-

hibits that tell the story of the American

West, with emphasis on South Texas

and San Antonio. The main building is

the landmark 1930 Carnegie Library,

which later housed the Hertzberg Cir-

cus Museum. An enclosed bridge will

connect it to a new building with two

more floors of exhibits and an event

Pavilion. [888-365-7472,

briscoemuseum.org]

VISITOKC.COM

WELCOME TO A CITY THAT HAS TALES FOR YOUR EARS & TREATS FOR YOUR EYES.

WHERE THE SOUNDS OF SAX & TRUMPET IN BRICKTOWN MEET THE COLORS OF CHIHULY GLASS

IN THE OKLAHOMA CITY MUSEUM OF ART. COME SEE AN ART SCENE THAT’S MAKING WAVES.

AND A CITY THAT’S MAKING HISTORY. SMOOTH & EASY. STIRRING & SOULFUL.

LeisureGroupTravel.com February 2009 33