Visitor Guide
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Visitor Guide The City of Indian Wells is dedicated to environmental stewardship; thus, renewable resources were used to print this guide. A donation towards reforestation will replace the materials used for this project, made possible by the City’s participation in the Green Print Alliance. This booklet is made from 100% recycled paper and soy-based ink. 44-950 Eldorado Drive ~ Indian Wells, CA 92210-7497 www.IndianWells.com ~ (866) 86-MyFun 2 3 We invite you to experience the richness of Indian Wells. Our California desert sanctuary is nestled in a pristine cove of the Coachella Valley where the landscape is distinguished by palm tree-lined greenbelts welcome and the majestic Eisenhower Mountain. ~ Immerse yourself in the richness of our natural surroundings with 350 days of glorious sunshine and spectacular 360º mountain views. ~ Escape to a tranquil hideaway and the accommodating richness of our luxury resorts with a rejuvenating spa treatment or a refreshing dip in a shimmering pool. ~ Indulge in the culinary richness of our restaurants, offering a dazzling array of fine wine, epicurean delights and tantalizing treats. ~ Enjoy the cultural richness of our world-class events as you watch tennis masters at the BNP Paribas Open or hear internationally acclaimed speakers at Desert Town Hall, Indian Wells. ~ Whether you are here for a brief retreat or ultimately return for a lifetime, we are genuinely pleased that you have chosen to stay with us. Indian Wells is richness you deserve. View of Eisenhower Mountain from Indian Wells Golf Resort Celebrity Course, 16th Hole 4 1 Visitor Information City History In the late 1970’s, City officials and residents envisioned Steeped in a rich and colorful history, Indian Wells’ future designation as a residential resort Indian Wells has long been a source of and the Coachella Valley’s luxury leader. The City prosperity for its inhabitants. In 1823, developed an innovative plan for growth by investing a Mexican explorer, Captain Jose in land to develop a municipal golf course that would Romero, gave Indian Wells its name upon attract premium resorts. Tennis pro Charlie Pasarell discovering a thriving Cahuilla (Ka- understood this vision. He decided to move his Pilot wee-yah) Indian village formed around Pen tennis tournament to Indian Wells and build the a hand-built well. The women of this Hyatt Grand Champions Resort. The tribe dug 30 feet ~ by hand ~ to find tournament outgrew the facility, moving the water that enabled the growth of the community. to its permanent home, the Indian Wells For nearly 40 years, Indian Wells was the Coachella Tennis Garden, in 2000. The prestigious Valley’s only established watering point and a pivotal tournament was renamed the Pacific Life stagecoach stop for intrepid gold prospectors seeking Open in 2002 and then BNP Paribas Open their fortunes on the Colorado River. The first settlers, in 2009. As proud host of the fifth largest including Caleb Cook, arrived around 1910 and were masters series in the world, Indian Wells has firmly established its association with credited with pioneering the valley’s date industry. championship tennis. In the 1950’s, savvy residents, led by E.M. Peterson, What was once a flourishing tribal well and wagon stop transformed their prosperous agricultural community has since become a prosperous wellspring of luxury, into a premier residential and resort destination. That synonymous with fine living and world-class events. golden era began in 1957 with the construction of the Our arrowhead symbol represents our proud heritage, Eldorado Country Club and Golf Course, followed by the ingenuity of our people, and the promise of an the Indian Wells Country Club and Golf exceptional experience. Course, with Desi Arnaz as one of the founders. In 1958, Lucille Ball and Desi Demographic Snapshot Arnaz also opened the Indian Wells Hotel Indian Wells is a premier residential community that (now the Indian Wells Resort Hotel) spreads over 15.04 square miles. Incorporated in 1967, and Indian Wells grew into an intimate, it is the 400th city in California, 16th in Riverside County celebrity-studded retreat. When President and fourth in the Coachella Valley. Riverside is the fastest Dwight D. Eisenhower first vacationed growing county in California and the Coachella Valley here, he was so impressed with Indian has grown 70% since the year 2000. Nearly 90% of the Wells that it became his winter residence. neighborhoods in Indian Wells are gated, including seven In 1960, Arnold Palmer won the first Bob private country clubs. There are more than 5,025 full- Hope Desert Classic at the Indian Wells Country Club, time residents and an additional 5,000-6,000 part-time which was the start of Indian Wells’ legacy as a top- residents during the winter months (January – April). ranked golf destination. Visit www.CityofIndianWells.org for more information. 2 3 Special Events Desert Town Hall ~ Indian Wells La Quinta Arts Festival (760) 416-3400 / www.DesertTownHall.org La Quinta Civic Center Park (January – April) Desert Town Hall, (760) 564-1244 / www.La-Quinta-Arts-Found.org Indian Wells is recognized as one of the (March) More than 200 artists offer high quality original foremost speaker programs in the nation. art at this juried competition, held at La Quinta Civic Held at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort Center Campus. Voted Top 10 Art Fairs & Festivals. and Spa, world-renowned speakers have included former presidents Gerald Ford Fashion Week El Paseo and George Bush, General Colin Powell, (760) 325-2333 ext. 220 / www.FashionWeekElPaseo.com Bernard Shaw, Beverly Sills, Garrison Keillor, Henry (March) El Paseo shopping district in Palm Desert. Kissinger, Cokie Roberts and Larry King. A week of expert presentations of the latest trends in fashion, food, art, entertainment, home design and Palm Springs beauty. Couture runway show grand finale. International Film Festival (760) 322-2930 / www.psFilmFest.org Indian Wells Arts Festival (January) The brainchild of the late former (760) 346-0042 / www.IndianWellsArtsFestival.com Mayor Sonny Bono has become the second (March/April) This three-day festival largest film festival in America. Screenings held at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden and events are held at various venues in showcases more than 200 artists displaying Palm Springs. their mastery in a variety of decorative arts. Refreshments, live entertainment, Bob Hope Chrysler Classic children’s activities and more. (760) 346-8184 / www.BHCC.com (January) A desert tradition since 1960, this PGA Tour Kraft-Nabisco Championship event and celebrity pro-am is held at courses in La (760) 324-4546 / www.KNCgolf.com Quinta. (March/April) The first “major” tournament of the year on the LPGA Tour. Riverside County Fair Played on the Dinah Shore Tournament and National Date Festival Course at Mission Hills Country Club in (760) 863-8247 / www.DateFest.org Rancho Mirage. More than 100 of the best (February) Date crops are a celebrated part of the women golfers in the world. Coachella Valley heritage. The fair has more than 8,000 exhibits including arts, crafts, livestock, Palm Springs International agriculture, horticulture, woodworking, date tasting Festival of Short Films and cooking demonstrations. (760) 322-2930 / www.psFilmFest.org (June) The largest short film festival in America. BNP Paribas Open Showcases more than 350 short films from around the (760) 200-8400 / www.BNPParibasopen.org world and offers a Film Market with a library of more (March) Indian Wells is the home of the than 2,200 films. Held at various venues in Palm Springs. fifth largest tennis tournament in the world. Played at the Indian Wells Tennis Art Walk on El Paseo Garden, this 96-draw, 14-day event ranks (877) 735-7273 along with Wimbledon, the Australian (October – May) Free tour of the El Paseo Art Galleries. Open, French Open and U.S. Open. First Thursday of each month. 5-9 p.m. 4 5 Special Events Dining McCallum Theatre for the Performing Arts (760) 340-ARTS / www.McCallumTheatre.com (Performances Year-Round) The 1,100-seat theater features a spectacular variety of entertainment and cultural events ranging from hit Broadway shows to world-famous musical artists, acclaimed orchestras and dance companies. Whether you are seeking a quiet night out or a Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival stylish setting for entertaining guests, Indian www.coachella.com Wells offers an array of culinary choices to please (April) This three-day music and arts festival every palate and mood. We have also selected is considered one of the leading alternative what we believe to be some of the best choices in rock festivals in the world. The Festival draws more than 180,000 music fans to the surrounding cities of the Coachella Valley. the Empire Polo Club grounds in Indio to see a line-up of more than 100 bands, with Arnold Palmer’s Restaurant 78-164 Avenue 52, La Quinta / (760) 771-4653 performances happening simultaneously American cuisine in a private club setting. Enjoy an on six separate stages. Past headliners extensive collection of golf memorabilia on display. have included Paul McCartney, Madonna, Morrissey, and many more. Babe’s BBQ & Brewery Stagecoach Country Music Festival 71-800 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage / (760) 346-8738 www.stagecoachfestival.com Ribs, chicken, bar and pleasant upscale atmosphere. (April) The Empire Polo Club also plays host to California’s premier country music festival, which Café des Beaux-Arts 73-640 El Paseo, Palm Desert / (760) 346-0669 delivers the finest acts in traditional and contemporary Charming outdoor Parisian bistro with Mediterranean country music playing on simultaneous stages. specialties at affordable prices. Performers have included Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Reba McIntyre, Kid Rock, and the legendary Earl Scruggs. Café Italia 74-901 Highway 111, Indian Wells / (760) 773-3038 WildLights at The Living Desert Charming Italian bistro featuring singing waitstaff.