Check out these things to do in the Valley:
Old Town Farmer's Market
Shop for fresh, organic and locally grown produce at the Old Town Certified Farmer's Market in La Quinta, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sundays through May 9. Masks are mandatory. 78100 Main St. For more information, visit https://www.certifiedfarmersmarkets.org/.
Palm Spring Farmer's Market
Shop for fresh, organic and locally grown produce at the Palm Spring Certified Farmer's Market, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays. Masks are mandatory. In the Camelot Theatres parking lot, 2300 East Baristo Road. For more information, visit https://www.certifiedfarmersmarkets.org/.
Palm Desert Farmer's Market
Shop for fresh, organic and locally grown produce at the Palm Spring Certified Farmer's Market, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Masks are mandatory. Adjacent to the Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce, 72559 Highway 111. For more information, visit https://www.certifiedfarmersmarkets.org/.
Self-guided walking tours at the Sunnylands
U.S. Ambassadors and philanthropists Walter and Leonore Annenberg welcomed world leaders and celebrity guests to their winter estate in Rancho Mirage, California. Now the 200-acre estate is home to the Sunnylands Center, the Annenberg's original winter home and extensive gardens, which were inspired by the Annenberg's beloved collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings. The Sunnylands Center remains closed to the public, but locals and visitors can still enjoy the gardens' walking trails or take a self-guided audio tour using their own phone. The gardens, at 37977 Bob Hope Drive in Rancho Mirage, are open from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. Admission is free. For more information, visit https://sunnylands.org/.
Landscape Tour at the Sunnylands
As of press time, the Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands still had plans to offer guided tours. For the safety of visitors and staff, the tours will be strictly outdoors. Guests must be 10 or older and face masks are required. The landscape tour can be reserved for as many six people. It includes a 45-minute shuttle ride around the 200-acre estate and no walking is required. The tour takes a look at the landscaped, outdoor sculptures, nine-hole golf course and sustainability efforts at the Sunnylands. Cost is $125 per shuttle. the Sunnylands is at 37977 Bob Hope Drive in Rancho Mirage, To buy tickets, visit https://sunnylands.org/tour-the-historic-estate-2/.
Birding tour at the Sunnylands
Although the former home of Walter and Leonore Annenberg is closed due to the pandemic, visitors can join an experienced local birder on a 90-minute birding walk around the estate, known as the "Camp David of the West" because of all the U.S. presidents who have come to vacation here. The Annenbergs dedicated 25 acres of their 200 acres as a sanctuary for resident and migratory birds, many of which can still be seen today. Participants on this tour must be able to walk up to 3 miles. Cost is $38 per person. The Sunnylands is at 37977 Bob Hope Drive in Rancho Mirage, To buy tickets, visit https://sunnylands.org/tour-the-historic-estate-2/.
Guided Historic Walk at the Sunnylands
If you don't want to go it alone, the Sunnylands will be offering 60-minute walking tours with a knowledgeable guide. The tours will focus on the history of Sunnylands, the Annenbergs and their guests, midcentury modern architecture, and design. Tickets for this tour can only be purchased in person at the Sunnylands Center, 37977 Bob Hope Drive in Rancho Mirage, on the day of guests' visits. Participants must be able to walk for a mile. Tickets cost $25 per person.
Music to dine to at Vicky's of Santa Fe
John Stanley King and Danny Flahive perform live from 6 to 9:30 p.m. every Tuesday through Saturday in the outside dining area at Vicky's of Santa Fe, 45100 Club Drive, Indian Wells. There's no cover and no dancing.
Art Party
Palm Springs Art Museum is taking its signature fundraising gala, Art Party, virtual this year. The online event will be held Friday, Dec. 4, and will feature the world premiere of a new performance art piece by internationally acclaimed artist Jeffrey Gibson, as well as a behind-the-scenes studio tour showcasing highlights of his creative process. The evening will be capped off with a celebrity MC and performances by guest entertainers. Tickets range from $1,000 for an individual donor to $25,000 for a platinum sponsor. For more information, visit https://www.psmuseum.org/
Discover the Wonderland of Rocks
Take a (mostly) off-trail, cross-country hike through the Wonderland of Rocks on Saturday, Dec. 5. Author and photographer Kevin Powell will lead the moderate, 5-mile adventure through the historical and geological wonders. Be on the lookout for bighorn sheep and come prepared for some easy rock scrambling. Hikers depart at 7:30 a.m. from the Joshua Tree Visitor Center and will return in the late afternoon. Cost is $35 for JTNPA members and $45 for nonmembers. To register, visit https://www.joshuatree.org/desert-institute/field-classes.html.
Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
The show must go at Agua Caliente Casinos in Rancho Mirage where Frankie Valli and the 4 Seasons are scheduled to perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. Enjoy legendary songs like “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You." Tickets cost $95 for balcony seating, $115 for mezzanine, and $125 for loge and orchestra; and there's a 6-ticket limit. Date subject to change. Face coverings are mandatory. To purchase tickets, visit https://www.hotwatercasino.com.
Geology & Cultural History of Cottonwood Spring
Ted Reeves will take students on an all-day field class of the Cottonwood Mountains in this Desert Institute at Joshua National Park program scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 5. He'll discuss rocks and minerals of the area and share his stories of what life was like for residents in the Cottonwood Springs area in the late 1800s. The 6-mile hike will traverse the rolling hills of the Colorado Desert and will last from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is for $85 for JTNPA members, $95 for nonmember. For information, visit https://www.joshuatree.org/desert-institute/field-classes.html.
Winter Light: Photographing Desert Preserves
Photo instructor Craig Fucile will offers a photographic field session, group instruction and one-on-one assistance as he takes students to the Whitewater Preserve and Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve during this all-day (8 a.m.-4 p.m.) class on winter photography in the desert to be held on Saturday, Dec. 5. Participants will learn tips and techniques for controlling sharpness, exposure, making panoramic photographs, and using lenses, along with creative exercises in photographing the desert landscape. Hiking will be easy-to-moderate on trails that are mainly level. Participants are encouraged to bring a tripod. Cost is $85 for JTNPA members and $95 for nonmembers. To register, visit https://www.joshuatree.org/desert-institute/field-classes.html.
Night Sky Photography
During this two-day hands-on workshop, TWAN sky photographer Dennis Mammana will teach participants how to create magnificent celestial portraits without resorting to composites and fakery. Class begins at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 with tips for setting up and shooting the night sky. That evening, participants will head to the Live Oak Picnic Area to try out their new knowledge.
At 9:30 a.m. the next day, participants will review and discuss their images from the previous class and try out some basic image processing techniques in Adobe Lightroom. Any camera can be used for this class as long as it can be adjusted manually, used with a tripod and remote control, and can take exposures of 15, 30, or more seconds. Cost is $120 for JTNPA members and $130 for nonmembers. For more information and to register, visit https://www.joshuatree.org/desert-institute/field-classes.html.
Palm Springs Vintage Market
The market returns, albeit in a smaller footprint and with restrictions on the number of shoppers who will be allowed to shop at one time. Masks and social distancing are mandatory. The market will be held in the parking lot of the The Camelot Theater and Palm Springs Cultural Center, 2300 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs. Admission is $5 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6. For information, visit https://palmspringsvintagemarket.com/.
Hiking My Feelings: Using Mindful Movement to Open the Flow of Creativity
Join Sydney and Barry Williams for a weekend camping retreat that combines self-guided discovery exercises, hiking wilderness wellness practice and community support. The Desert Institute at Joshua National Park retreat will be held from 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11 to 2 p.m. Dec. 13. Cost is $170 for JTNPA members and $180 for nonmembers. For information, visit https://www.joshuatree.org/desert-institute/field-classes.html.
Summit Lela Peak
Take a strenuous, 5-mile roundtrip guided hike to the top of the seldom-visited Lela Peak in Joshua Tree National Park. At 4,734-feet high, Lela is the high-point of the northern Hexie Mountains and offers some of the best views to be found in the park. Author and photographer Kevin Powell will lead the trek, which departs at 7:30 a.m. from the Squaw Tank parking area. Cost is $35 for JTNPA members and $45 for nonmembers. For information, visit https://www.joshuatree.org/desert-institute/field-classes.html.
Wildlights
Take a walk on the wild side this holiday season as Living Desert Zoo and Gardens lights up the night with an enchanting assortment of illuminated animal sculptures. 6 to 9 p.m. on select nights through Dec. 27. Advance reservations are required. Tickets cost $14 for the general public, $12 for members and military members with ID, $10 for children 3-12 and free for children younger than 3. For information, visit https://www.livingdesert.org/events/upcoming-zoo-events/wildlights/.
