Where We Explore The Desert (Or: Stuff to do in the desert before/after Coachella)

[rage patton]

So, I have been doing some thinking lately. This year will be my 6th Coachella, and other than the drive on Highway 10, I havent seen much else of the vast desert that surrounds our wonderful music festival. So, I thought I would start this thread for people to start bouncing around ideas of what to do around the Coachella Valley and the High Desert (Yucca Valley/Joshua Tree) before and/or after Coachella. I know there was a thread started like this once before, but I couldn't find it, and seeing that Coachella is now less than 3 months away, there isn't a better time to start throwing around ideas and start planning.

So, have any of you explored before or after the fest? What have you found? Cool bars? Hiking trails? Museums? Novelty attractions? Great restaurants? I want to hear about them all.

Let me start off:

The Integratron



Basically, this was a structure built by a guy who believes he was abducted by aliens who downloaded the plans to build this into his brain. He then went up to Yucca Valley and built it. The structure is a pure wooden dome (no nails, screws, or anything like that) and was built using Tesla theories of science. The result was a room which is both perfectly acoustic and an acoustic anomaly and is able to tap into geothermal energy which creates unexplainable spikes in electromagnetic activity. They now hold what they call "Sound Baths" there where you lay down and someone rubs ceramic bowl creating strange sounds that can be heard no where else. Some people claim it to be incredibly relaxing, where other people go as far as to claim it takes them to an altered state of consciousness. In other words, this place sounds batshit crazy and I want to go there really, really badly. Its about an hour and 15 minute drive from Indio.

Before I go further, I will admit I got this idea, and the next one, from the Anthony Bourdain episode of No Reservations where Josh Homme serves as his guide.

Pappy & Harriets



Pappy & Harriets is a Honkey Tonk bar which is both a regular hangout spot for locals and a novelty tourist attraction. Apparently they have the best Steak and Ribs around and lots and lots of tequila. Honestly, thats really all I need to know about this place. Im sold. Its about an hour drive from Indio.

Also, I thought this thread could be a place to organize doing things with other boardies before/after the festival. I am planning on doing both of these things here after the fest, so if anyone here wants to join in, send me a message on facebook or text me or something. I put this thread here in hopes that lurkers wont find it as well. In case people want to keep things semi-private, and not just a giant open inviatation thing, maybe dates shouldn't be discussed here, but we can discuss who is interested in doing what and also help each find cool things and share our ideas.

I hope this works.

[suprefan]

Cabazon Dinosaurs

http://www.cabazondinosaurs.com/





And the casino next door + outlet shopping aint so bad either. Oh, Hadleys is also right there. Get a Date shake. You will not regret.


Palm Springs Aeiral Tram

http://www.pstramway.com/

[TomAz]

[Courtney]

Noooooo YOU STOLE MY THREAD

http://www.coachella.com/forum/showt...fter-Coachella

(Only in a much more informative and helpful way.)

[LetThereBeLight]

Lurker found your post but I'm just trying to help. If you like to hike, the Indian Canyons in Palm Springs are awesome. Lots of different trails of ranging difficulty. You could spend days there hiking all the different trails and it's beautiful.

[rage patton]

Ah. Thank you for the link Courtney. Like I said earlier, I tried to find it... but I couldn't. Also, I figured putting a thread in this lounge could help the board regulars start planning trips and hangouts and stuff. I am assuming people will be buying flights soon and perhaps some people will want to come a day early or stay a day or two late if we get some cool exploring activities planned.

[rage patton]

Lurker found your post but I'm just trying to help. If you like to hike, the Indian Canyons in Palm Springs are awesome. Lots of different trails of ranging difficulty. You could spend days there hiking all the different trails and it's beautiful.

You are more than welcome to share! Thank you for the imput. That reminds me, I actually did hike one of the trails of Indian Canyons last year and it was a pretty fantastic way to end the trip. I will post some photos of that in a bit. Thanks for the reminder!

[thestripe]

So, I have been doing some thinking lately. This year will be my 6th Coachella, and other than the drive on Highway 10, I havent seen much else of the vast desert that surrounds our wonderful music festival. So, I thought I would start this thread for people to start bouncing around ideas of what to do around the Coachella Valley and the High Desert (Yucca Valley/Joshua Tree) before and/or after Coachella. I know there was a thread started like this once before, but I couldn't find it, and seeing that Coachella is now less than 3 months away, there isn't a better time to start throwing around ideas and start planning.

So, have any of you explored before or after the fest? What have you found? Cool bars? Hiking trails? Museums? Novelty attractions? Great restaurants? I want to hear about them all.

Let me start off:

The Integratron



Basically, this was a structure built by a guy who believes he was abducted by aliens who downloaded the plans to build this into his brain. He then went up to Yucca Valley and built it. The structure is a pure wooden dome (no nails, screws, or anything like that) and was built using Tesla theories of science. The result was a room which is both perfectly acoustic and an acoustic anomaly and is able to tap into geothermal energy which creates unexplainable spikes in electromagnetic activity. They now hold what they call "Sound Baths" there where you lay down and someone rubs ceramic bowl creating strange sounds that can be heard no where else. Some people claim it to be incredibly relaxing, where other people go as far as to claim it takes them to an altered state of consciousness. In other words, this place sounds batshit crazy and I want to go there really, really badly. Its about an hour and 15 minute drive from Indio.

Before I go further, I will admit I got this idea, and the next one, from the Anthony Bourdain episode of No Reservations where Josh Homme serves as his guide.


I hope this works.

I saw that episode. Made me think about going there too. I bet that place gets a spike in traffic this year.

[faxman75]

I heard Courtney talk about Integratron before and Cracker/Camper Van Bethoven have their campout at Pappy & Harriet's every year. Depending how this thread develops I may be interested in this adventure.

Currently, I am planning on Vegas. No surprise there but I did a little exploring in Vegas this past weekend and stayed in a part of Vegas I never had before. This is about a 4.5 hour drive from Indio.

15454865.jpg

The El Cortez has been open since 1941 and was purchased by Bugsy Siegel in 1945. Jackie Gaughan purchased the casino in the 50's and still lives in the Casino to this day. He can be seen on the floors and to many folks surprise, is very talkative about the old days of Vegas.

They recently spent millions remodeling the place. It's in the Fremont East district about 2 blocks form the Fremont Experience in Vegas. The hotel is one of the best bangs for your buck in town. The Cabana suites are in a building just next to the casino and they have turned it into a boutique hotel. Rooms are about $50/night and you don't have to be a member or have a players club card to get that rate.



Besides the hotel and the proximity to the Fremont Experience in Vegas it turns out the 2 blocks of bars between the hotel and the Fremont Experience are the perfect escape from gambling and tourists. The district of Fremont East is full of bars that don't have a single slot machine in sight and are filled with locals, hipsters and other real people. The bars are very cool and unique as well.

This past trip I went to three of them. The first was Instert Coin(s) which is a video game bar. It's loaded with flat screen tv's and you just give the bartender your ID and he gives you a PS3 controller and you just pay for your drinks and play for free. They also provide bottle service meaning you can get a private booth with a waitress and play some of the older gaming councels like Super Nintendo and they will bring you a bunch of cartridges (games). The music they play is all retro as well. Think 80's and the bar flashes different colors like a simon game.

Next up I went to a place called the Griffin. A cavernous bar that was very dimly lit with a couple of fire pits, lots of couches and comfy seating and a very long wooden bar with a great selection of beer on tap and shelves full of booze. A great place to hang out and have a few drinks in a great atmosphere. The night I was there they were playing a lot of different indie rock. If you continue to walk back and go through some dark curtains you will find restrooms and then another room with a DJ and a small dance floor. This place seemed to have everything but mostly the personality and vibe made it great.

Finally I went to a place called The Downtown. It was a little tricky finding the door but this is a mixology bar. They have a variety of flavorful cocktails available or just belly up to the bar and tell the bartender what flavors you like. I went with some minty deal and it was interesting. This place had a little less personality over all. It seemed kind of trendy and the crowd was somewhat hip I suppose.

I used this website to do a little research in advance. I'm currently booked for 4 nights in the midweek here but i'm keeping all options open at this point. I can easily be entertained in this area for that long. Just a thought for those who might be tired of the actual strip in Vegas because well, it can definitely be obnoxious and this side of vegas is pretty laid back.

http://www.fremontstreetbars.com/

[Courtney]

I think we should organize a group outing to the Integratron so we can make a reservation for a private sound bath. Unfortunately, it's closed on Mondays, which makes things more difficult.

[thestripe]

Tell me more about the sound baths. How much do they cost? Reservation? How awesome is the thing? Anthony Bourdain made it look so cool.

[LetThereBeLight]

Anytime

[Courtney]

I think it's $20 per person if we get a big enough group. Reservation needs to be made in advance. It looks pretty awesome.

[flowbee]

I'll be in the desert before and after Weekend 1 and would be down to meet up for something when Coachella isn't going on.

I like all the suggestions. Tahquitz Falls hike

Knotts Soak City


Scooter rentals


VillageFest


Also if you like the windmills you past going to the fest each year you can get up close and do a guided tour. Think they offer group rates not sure though.

[rage patton]

I saw that episode. Made me think about going there too. I bet that place gets a spike in traffic this year.

Exactly, I was thinking of organizing this Integratron trip pretty soon.

I think we should organize a group outing to the Integratron so we can make a reservation for a private sound bath. Unfortunately, it's closed on Mondays, which makes things more difficult.

Its closed Mondays? That is a major bummer.

[LetThereBeLight]

Just so you know, knotts soak city has pretty limited hours in April because it's still too cold for us desert rats. Lol.

[chairmenmeow47]

idyllwild is in the mountains, but is beautiful. i went to boarding school there. it's an art school, so they may have shows or exhibitions you could check out. also there was a really good chinese restaurant in a house there; not sure if it's still open. the views from the point were breathtaking; you could see all of the city!

[LetThereBeLight]

Yeah vista point on the way up to idyllwild is awesome, great views.

[obzen]

The El Cortez...

ha, I stayed there a few years back when I saw the Pixies at the Hard Rock -- I'll never forget those rooms.




And the frosted windows: jonesy.

[Alchemy]

Palm Springs Aeiral Tram

http://www.pstramway.com/

There is a Dirty Jobs episode of this. Collection 4 - Episode 10 - "Aerial Tram Greaser." Netflix.

[Mugwog]

Integratron is pretty awesome, way better if you can get it to be a private session for you and your friends. I would think with a bunch of random people it doesn't feel as magical.

[kitt kat]

Fuck, Indio Fashion Mall looking classy.

[Mugwog]

OoooooOOohhh, Sbarro! Fancy

[LetThereBeLight]

Fuck, Indio Fashion Mall looking classy.

That place is a colossal waste of time apart from the Mexican place in the corner.

[TomAz]

Tell us more.

[faxman75]

lulz

[TOOLRAGE]

I don't know if it's been mentioned, but joshua tree is fee free 4/21-29.

[misterpickles]

I must second the Joshua Tree recommendation.. such an incredible span of desert with lots of fun things to climb. Perfect for post-chella decompression, and especially if you don't want to immediately return to the world of hot showers and beds.

[rage patton]

I'll be in the desert before and after Weekend 1 and would be down to meet up for something when Coachella isn't going on.

I like all the suggestions. Tahquitz Falls hike

Oh. I like the sounds of this. How early is early though? Like are we talking start hiking at 5:00am kinda thing? Or "early" as in around 10:00am should be fine?

[flowbee]

Oh. I like the sounds of this. How early is early though? Like are we talking start hiking at 5:00am kinda thing? Or "early" as in around 10:00am should be fine?

They don't allow people in before 7:30AM. People just say to hike early because they're worried about the heat and you have a better chance of spotting wildlife like Bighorn sheep. April is the perfect time to go because of the snowmelt feeding the falls and things are in bloom. That particular trail is only a 2 mile loop.