PRE-FAMS – June 8-10
POST-FAMS – June 13-15
Accommodations for these tours will be located near to the tours. Airport pick up will be provided from PSP to the hotel for pre-conference tours and dropoff to PSP at the completion of the post-conference tours.
Offbeat Oasis
(Offered Pre- and Post-) Min. 2 | Max. 6
About 25 miles outside of Palm Springs, fuel up in the town of Thermal with a world-famous date shake at the Oasis Date Gardens. Dates are one of the earliest cultivated fruits and have been a mainstay of the California desert for more than a century. If you’ve been thinking you don’t get to see enough banana-related items these days, then the whimsical International Banana Museum in the town of Mecca is just what the doctor ordered! The museum boasts more than 20,000 banana related dolls, toys and trinkets.
The Salton Sea was a booming resort area frequented by celebrities, but today the lake holds a different allure. The Salton is a magnet for lovers of art, nature and history. A stop at The Sonny Bono National Wildlife Refuge showcases wetlands, fields of rye grass and desert trees. On the east side of the Salton Sea sits Leonard Knight’s Salvation Mountain, the artist’s tribute to God. This “outsider art” piece not only includes biblical and religious scripture, but also flowers, trees, birds and other colorful features. The 50-foot tall, 150-foot-wide sculpture is made of local adobe clay. It’s a great spot for an Instagram moment. Visit Slab City, the concrete slab community that originated from the abandoned World War II Marine Corps barracks of Camp Dunlap, and East Jesus an experimental, sustainable, educational art installation.
Just outside of Borrego Springs, dozens of creatures pop up out of the desert surprising visitors, such as sabre-toothed tigers, dinosaurs and serpents. The 130 metal sculptures by Ricardo Breceda at Galleta Meadows represent creatures that once roamed the land.
High Desert Exploration
(Offered Pre- and Post-) Min. 2 | Max. 6
This is the perfect tour for those who want to learn about the 16th largest park in the National Park System. Managed 85% as a vast federal wilderness, Joshua Tree National Park lies within the Mojave Desert. The tour is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the park’s lively pioneer and dramatic mining history and the ancients’ footprints and culture. You’ll possibly see focused rock climbers practicing for future big-wall climbs, and will learn about plants treasured by high desert enthusiasts – all through lively narration from your seasoned guide.
Then head into the Mojave Desert for the ultimate sound bath experience. The Integratron is an unforgettable sound experience for those who seek deep relaxation, rejuvenation and introspection. The sonic healing sessions include 25 minutes of crystal bowls played live, with time afterward to integrate the sound while relaxing in the sound chamber to recorded music. You’ll rest comfortably in the dome while a sequence of quartz crystal singing bowls is tuned to the energy centers of the body, where sound is nutrition for the nervous system. The results are waves of peace, heightened awareness, and relaxation of the mind and body.
You’ll also enjoy a narrated tour about the wind and solar energy generated from the San Gorgonio Pass wind and solar farms seen on the way to the park.
Arts Oasis
(Offered Pre- and Post-) Min. 2 | Max. 6
Greater Palm Springs is an oasis of arts and culture, from world-famous concerts and festivals to modern museums, public art installations and galleries. Rich in arts and culture experiences, the arts oasis tour includes a guided exploration of accessible public art across Greater Palm Springs including pieces from Coachella Music & Arts Festival to Desert X. You will take a private midcentury modern architecture tour to learn the history behind the homes, studio visits with local artisans and a cultural experience with the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Finally, you will make a visit to Makerville Studios. Makerville serves as a workshop and retreat for its founders and is part of a burgeoning worldwide maker movement that focuses on handcraft, artistry, nature and creativity. You will learn how to design and make a pair of your own unique sandals with footwear designer Debra Hovel.
Palms to Vines
(Post-Conference Only) Min. 2 | Max. 5
Visit one of Wine Enthusiast’s 2019 10 Best Wine Travel Destinations in the world. Temecula Valley’s rolling hills, vast panoramic views and charming town is centrally located from Southern California’s major cities like Los Angeles and San Diego. This Southern California Wine Country’s culinary tour includes tasting award-winning wines, looking behind-the-scenes at a winery, visiting an olive ranch, exploring historic Old Town Temecula, and dining at some of the region’s top restaurants. Old Town Temecula combines the region’s rich past and its exciting up-and-coming future in a unique blend of shops, restaurants, hotels, entertainment and event opportunities in one walkable, easy-to-navigate hub to explore. With more than 40 wineries, Temecula’s wine country offers boutique and full-service wine resorts that are friendly and relaxed.