Palm Springs - Coachella Valley Preserve

Located east of Palm Springs, the Coachella Valley Preserve is a great place for naturalists and outdoor types. The preserve covers 13,000 acres of desert landscape, home to great horned owls, lynx, hares, kestrels, lizards, snakes, and all kinds of small birds. It's also a nice place to see some of the local desert plants, including fan palms in the oasis.

Guided tours are available, which will help greatly in understanding the ecosystem. Or, there are self guided hiking trails throughout the preserve. Trail maps and information on guided hikes can be obtained from the visitor center. Note the visitor center is closed during the summer months, from June to August.