Before diving right in, this post is decidedly for the tennis crowd.  It’s time to tackle the desert, tennis and Indian Wells specifically. If you’re also interested in reading a little about areas east of Los Angeles County…Palm Spring or Coachella Valley, keep reading!

Indian Wells Tennis Garden

Indian Wells, located in the Coachella Valley, is about 15 miles SE of Palm Springs, which is about a 2 hour drive due east of DTLA.  Now let’s keep in mind when I write 2 hours, I’m talking about me driving.  I’m going outside of rush hour and a-hem, a tad faster than what’s posted.  Just keep that in mind.

Folks refer to it as “Tennis Paradise”, and it’s actually the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.  Each year, usually in March, they hold the BNP Paribas Open which is the largest combined men’s and women’s tennis tournament in the world.

Side note:  The tennis garden somehow became home to the annual Margaritaville Pickleball National Championship.  So, pickleball is really a thing?  Really?  How, why, when did that happen?  Hum…

Indian Wells Logistics

If you’re going to the tournament there are plenty of places to stay ranging from resort spas to casually elegant hotels to family friendly accommodations.  And since it’s in the heart of the greater Palm Springs 9 desert cities, you have a wide variety to choose from.

Another side note:  I’d be failing you if I didn’t mention golf.  Yes, you’re in the desert, but folks out that way have plenty of public, well maintained, golf courses for you to get your swing on.

The Tennis Garden is open to the public so you can drop in if you’re headed that way outside of the tournament.  For the tournament, you can get a single session ticket for whatever day you’re in town.  They do offer a military discount for certain sections if that applies to you.  Tickets are on sale the fall before and here’s the website to check dates and make your purchase.

Palm Springs/Coachella Valley

The Palm Springs/Coachella Valley area is really nice to explore and experience.  Tennis out there in the spring would be an awesome trip.  If you don’t like heat, avoid the summer at all costs.  I’m talking late June through September. I have family who live outside Palm Springs and I can testify that summer temps are easily 100+ on the regular.  There’s plenty to do in Palm Springs as well and you’ll be reading about that in an upcoming post.

In the meantime, enjoy the tennis tournament!  If you’d like to get more golf info, drop a comment below.

Until next time…

May the road rise to meet you and the wind be at your back