Mission Hills First Timer

[wolfhound89]

We had some extra points available and kiddos have a fall break so we decided to book a week at Mission Hills. We have never been there nor, have we ever been to California for that matter. If I understand correctly it is a golfing area but are there other things to day? How is the property itself? I have not been able to find much online about it. Every website has scrapped the same pictures from Westin it seems. We are looking to relax most of the time and cook in the villa. Maybe wander around at some point.

Thank you for any information.

 

[rickandcindy23]

The resort is beautiful. Joshua Tree National Park is worth a drive and of course there are always a few hikes. There is a gondola that I would definitely want to try. The pool at Mission Hills is beautiful, and hopefully it will all be open.

We enjoyed the area. I would love to go back, but really, it's just a great place to be for warmer weather, when much of the country is freezing.

 

[dioxide45]

We've been a few times and while it is our least favorite Marriott or Vistana timeshare in the Palm Desert area, it is fine. It is our favorite in Rancho Mirage though!

As for things to do, I agree with the day drive through Joshua Tree. Leave early. We've gone both ways through the park, from north to south and from south to north. Both are fine. We haven't done the gondola but did enjoy the Palms to Pines Scenic Biway.

Check out YouTube videos to get an idea of what the resort is like. I have a whole playlist of Westin Mission Hills videos on my YouTube channel.

 

[wolfhound89]

Thank you. I enjoyed the video. Turns out. I have watched some of your other videos in my pre-trip data collection efforts. As I mentioned in my original post this is a first for us in the state. We will know explore and learn about the Palm Desert area.

 

[Cornell]

I love Palm Desert. There is an area that we lovingly refer to as "The Triangle" has has 3 really good casual restaurants all within steps of one another:

1/ The Real Italian Deli
2/ El Rodeo Cafe (Mexican); and my favorite:
3/ Mia Cultura (Peruvian). I cannot recommend this place more highly.

 

[iowaguy09]

We really enjoyed this nature preserve that is close by. An original “palm spring”, and some nice trails. https://www.cnlm.org/portfolio_page/thousand-palms-oasis-preserve-coachella-valley-preserve/

 

[bizaro86]

My kids really enjoyed the Zoo nearby

 

[GerryWA]

My kids really enjoyed the Zoo nearby

+1 for zoo there and i,m 78

 

[clifffaith]

Sherman’s Deli less than 15 minutes away in Palm Desert!

 

[dioxide45]

We also really like Grill-A-Burger.

 

[daviator]

There are lots of great restaurants in the area. For Mexican, we like Fresh Agave on Palm Canyon Dr. which you can get a discount (15% I think) with the MVC owners card you can get from the concierge.... great food, service, and margaritas! We also love Maracas which is on Dinah Shore across from Costco, more or less, and practically walking distance from WMH (but all walks are longer than you think there.)

I own at WDW but WMH is a great property too. The individual barbecues on the balconies are a nice feature of that property. The only negatives I can think of is that there are no elevators, and timeshare guests no longer have access to the hotel property adjacent.

 

[LahainaMoon]

Agree with posts 7 and 8. The Living Zoo https://www.livingdesert.org/ is not your normal zoo. Very much worth a visit.

 

[wolfhound89]

Thank you to everyone for the responses. I appreciate it.

 

[DavidnRobin]

Be aware that the small 1Bd at WMH is a Queen size bed, and a crappy one at that (had to rebuild at 2am). Never again - need King bed.