View of a Local in Palm Desert, USA

Gordon and Linda McClure live in picture-perfect surroundings in Palm Desert, California,  as is evident in the many beautiful photos and videos they have shared on Plurk. In this second part of the mini-series of  interviews with my plurk friends the McClures share their Palm Desert tips with us.

Briefly, please could you tell us a bit about yourselves?

My name is Gordon McClure and my wife’s name is Linda. We both retired in 2001 after 32 years with separate companies. Linda was an account manager with a large telephone company. I was a control systems sales engineer working in California, Arizona and Nevada. We both like computers, tech toys and outdoor activities like golf and day hiking.

How long have you lived in Palm Desert?

We purchased a week end getaway in 1989 and moved here full time upon retirement.

What do you like most about living in Palm Desert?

We like the resort life style during the winter and the solitude of the hot summers. We love the weather, very little rain and the skies are almost always clear. We love the panoramic views as we are surrounded by tall mountain peaks to the west and medium mountains on the the north and south. The low humidity makes it easy to pick out trees on the mountain ridges over 30 miles away to the west . The foothills to the north and east are almost completely barren. We love the dry desert heat. Even in the hottest months the mornings can be an absolute pleasure.

Is there anything you do not like about living in Palm Desert?

The crowds during major in season events can be a little irritating, and the long hot summers (occasionally above 50° C) can make you feel as if the heat will never end.

Why should travellers visit Palm Desert?

The weather is the real draw the winter months rarely have a day with a high temperature below 20° C.

You can enjoy the outdoors and scenic views. Relax by the pool and get a great tan. If you are into golf or tennis there are over 110 golf course and numerous tennis courts. On the week end there’s a Street Fair at the College of the Desert that is fun to go to.

Palm Desert has an upscale downtown shopping area on El Paseo Drive. It features art galleries, boutiques and restaurants. El Paseo is often compared to Beverly Hills’ Rodeo Drive.

There are all levels of accommodations from five star resorts to budget motels to match every budget. If you are planning on being in the valley during the in season events it is wise to book well in advance for the best choices.

For year round entertainment there are five Indian Casinos with in a ten mile radius of the valley center and the aerial tramway just west of Palm Springs can whisk you from the desert floor to the mountain snows in winter or a refreshing mountain meadow in summer.

Three major sporting events take place here every year: (1) Early January, “The Bob Hope Classic” golf tournament. (2) Mid March, the Pro Tennis event at the Indian Wells facility, and (3) “The Diana Shore” golf tournament in April.

The best weather conditions in Palm Desert is anytime between October to May.

What do you wish travellers would do or stop doing when they visit Palm Desert?

We wish everyone that spends time in the desert enjoys it as much as we do.

What are your top 3 insider tips for visitors to Palm Desert?

There are still a few original Palm Oasis left.  They can be seen north of Interstate 10. You can visit one by taking the Washington off ramp north to Thousand Palms Canyon Road making a right and driving an additional 3 miles.

Palm Desert has a wonderful zoo and gardens called The Living Desert that features exotic animals and plants.

After the spring rain, take a trip out to Joshua Tree national monument  for the Desert Wildflowers. It is awe inspiring to see the beauty of the flowers in the rugged desolate desert.

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Our View of a Local series consists of interviews with local people in various towns and cities in different countries.

For more information about how you can take part in our View of a Local series, please go to our View of a Local page >>

TAGS: interviews with my plurk friends, Palm Desert, travel