Going to Palm Springs CA --- Need Suggestions for things to do on a Thursday & Friday

[BJRSanDiego]

@BJRSanDiego, Thank you so much, I will be using a non westin or mariott trader, in II, do you think I will have difficulty to book this for September / October 2025

I suggest putting in a request, plus manually searching, plus check out the AC's as Dioxide mentioned. September can be really hot. October is more likely to have decent weather.

So, you are likely to get a trade.

But also check out the current getaways for Sept/Oct 2024 to get an idea of the availability and costs. The getaway costs are very likely to be less than you'd pay for the MF of the unit that you'd be exchanging.

Also, consider Welk/Hyatt Escondido (a suburb of San Diego). There is usually good availability for exchanges, and getaways. It can be warm, but likely will be 10-20 degrees cooler than the blistering heat of Palm Desert.

 

[GetawaysRus]

The Achilles heel of the Escondido resort is freeway noise. It's right next to I-15. We request a room as high up on the hill as possible. There are 3 sections, so you can hopefully find a resort map and see where each section is located.

I agree that DSV 1 and 2 and Shadow Ridge Villages are all nice. If room size is an issue, DSV1 is largest, then DSV2, then SRV. We've never liked Shadow Ridge Enclaves - it just feels more "packed in" to us.

 

[Sugarcubesea]

I own at DSV1, DSV2, and Shadow Ridge Enclaves. All are nice. In addition, the Westin Desert Willow (either the 2 br - - hard to get - - or the large side of the 1 BR) and Shadow Ridge Villages is very nice. You'll have fun at any of them. Each has some slight advantage over the other ones. My preference is DSV2, DSV1, SRV, and then SRE. But the difference isn't much. I prefer a 2 BR. So, if I find a 2 BR in the date range that I'm looking for, I'll book it. If I find a rare 2 BR Desert Willow, I'd book that ahead of the others.

So I'm searching in II for Palm Springs and for Desert Springs Villas II, how would I know which is the large side 1 bedroom?

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[GetawaysRus]

At DSV1 and 2, the larger side (Master unit) should indicate a full kitchen. The same should be the case at Shadow Ridge.

Cooking facilities on the studio side are much more basic. Don't expect an oven or a cooktop, and you will only get a decent size refrigerator in a DSV1 studio.

 

[dioxide45]

So I'm searching in II for Palm Springs and for Desert Springs Villas II, how would I know which is the large side 1 bedroom?

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The one bedroom will also show 414. Sleeps four privately in a 1BR with total occupancy of 4.
The studio will just show 204. Sleeps 2 privately in a 0BR with total occupancy of 4.

 

[Sugarcubesea]

At DSV1 and 2, the larger side (Master unit) should indicate a full kitchen. The same should be the case at Shadow Ridge.

Cooking facilities on the studio side are much more basic. Don't expect an oven or a cooktop, and you will only get a decent size refrigerator in a DSV1 studio.

@GetawaysRus , thanks so much

 

[Sugarcubesea]

The one bedroom will also show 414. Sleeps four privately in a 1BR with total occupancy of 4.
The studio will just show 204. Sleeps 2 privately in a 0BR with total occupancy of 4.

@dioxide45 , are the 2 bedrooms hard to find, are they the rare unicorn?

 

[dioxide45]

@dioxide45 , are the 2 bedrooms hard to find, are they the rare unicorn?

They are out there at times. We've booked 2BR units on getaways and ACs.

 

[BJRSanDiego]

So I'm searching in II for Palm Springs and for Desert Springs Villas II, how would I know which is the large side 1 bedroom?

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For DSV2, the 2 BR lockoff splits into a 1 BR and an efficiency. So the efficiency will be listed in the Icon as e and the 1 BR listed as 1 BR. That is pretty clear
For Shadow Ridge Enclaves deluxe and Westin Desert Willow, the 2 BR lockoff can split into two 1 BR units - - a big one and a little one. The big one will have a full kitchen (K) and the little side will have a light kitchen (LK).

 

[ambere]

As for things to do on a Thursday or Friday in Palm Springs, our favorites:

• Village Fest on Thursday, 6-10 pm - FREE. Lots of vendors, food stands, crafts. Also, restaurants and shops are open later Thur. night, https://villagefest.org/
• Palm Springs Art Museum – Thur- Sun; reservations recommended. But Thursday night, open until 8 pm, and FREE, no reservations required. https://www.psmuseum.org/visit
• Living Desert – zoo, gardens; beautiful. www.livingdesert.org
• Palm Springs Visitor Center – worth stopping in, if you’re in the area.

If you're there Saturday:

• Farmers Market – Saturdays, 8 am- 1 pm. https://www.facebook.com/CertifiedFarmersMarket/

 

[Sugarcubesea]

They are out there at times. We've booked 2BR units on getaways and ACs.

@dioxide45 , thanks I was just able to book a 2 bedroom for October 2025