Hotel at a Glance: Miracle Springs Resort & Spa

More than a century ago, both hot and cold natural mineral springs were discovered atop the aptly named Miracle Hill. Soon, resorts and spas were popping up to take advantage of the springs’ holistic healing properties. You can still soak in these mineral-rich waters at Miracle Springs Resort & Spa, set in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains. It’s a relaxing oasis just 12 miles from downtown Palm Springs. The hotel’s luxe Mediterranean vibe will give your trip a little dose of Old World meets Hollywood glamour. 

• Eight onsite hot springs pools are open 24 hours per day, and you can soak as long as you like.
• Have a massage or luxurious aromatherapy facial at the full-service salon and spa.
• Capri Restaurant: Wake up to eggs benedict and Belgian waffles in the a.m. and fork up Italian specialties such as lasagna and eggplant parmesan as the sun sets.
• Spacious guest rooms overlook the pools or mountains.

Desert Hot Springs, California: Spa-Centric Oasis Minutes from Palm Springs

In 1913, settler Cabot Yerxa was digging a well in the San Bernardino foothills when he unearthed natural hot springs bubbling beneath the Californian desert. This area later became known as Desert Hot Springs, a town that’s thrived over the years as a spa-centric getaway thanks to Yerxa’s find. The mineral waters, which hover around 148 degrees and are said to have healing powers, now flow directly into several local spas. Desert Hot Springs’ location, just 12 miles north of Palm Springs and two hours east of Los Angeles, also makes it an easy destination to reach for those looking for a relaxing escape from the big city.

You can see more of Yerxa’s legacy at Cabot’s Pueblo Museum, which sits within a Hopi-influenced pueblo home he built using materials found throughout the desert. The four-story museum stays open year-round and offers guided tours of the property and historic artifacts detailing Yerxa’s life and travels.

After dark, take advantage of the area’s light-pollution ordinances by driving 40 miles east to Joshua Tree National Park to stargaze and spy the glowing eyes of resident coyotes during a night hike. The roughly 800,000-acre park stretches across parts of the Colorado and Mojave Deserts and plays host to some of the country’s most varied wildlife. The five fan-palm oases that are scattered throughout the park are the best spots to see native animals, such as snakes, bighorn sheep, and black-tailed jackrabbits.

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