Touring * Beginner * Street *

Approaching Palm Springs from the north on Interstate 10, take the Highway 111 exit just past San Gorgonio Pass. Follow Highway 111 for nearly 10 miles to Palm Springs and down Palm Canyon Drive through downtown. When Highway 111 curves to the left (becoming East Palm Canyon Drive), continue straight on South Palm Canyon for another half mile. Turn left at La Verne Way and park at the curb just after La Verne crosses Camino Real. Approaching from the south on Interstate 10, exit at Ramon Road in Thousand Palms and drive west for approximately 6.5 miles (passing through Cathedral City) to Sunrise Way. Turn left onto Sunrise and drive another 1.5 miles, past East Palm Canyon Drive, where Sunrise becomes La Verne and curves around to the right. Park just before the Camino Real intersection. Start skating south on Camino Real. Map: Palm Springs Bicycle Touring Guide, available from the Community Recreational Services, 401 South Pavilion Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262; or by calling (619) 323-8272.

The south town country club neighborhood near Camino Real was built long before the city planners started putting in the wide, pink sidewalks you see elsewhere. Here you will be skating on the very smooth asphalt of the street itself. This area is quiet enough traffic-wise that residents feel comfortable pushing baby carriages along the road, and it is also part of the city bike route system. Many of the bike routes in town are designated both for bicycles and golf carts, so watch for the "Cart Xing" signs. Along the way you'll see homes that, although older, are quite elegant and uniquely designed, ranging from California Ranch style to art deco, all with modest one-story layouts. The landscaping is impeccable, and even some of the mailboxes are fascinating. Camino Real meets Murray Canyon Drive after about 1.25 miles. Murray Canyon does have sidewalks, but they are of poor quality. You'll probably be tempted to stick to the street anyway, because the traffic is so light. If you do, cross to the south side and turn left on this four-lane road. Three-quarters of a mile east, head north on what has now become Toledo, another wide residential street with no bike lane. Skate in the street or on the sidewalks on the left (west) side to avoid the irritating double driveways that interrupt the sidewalks on the right. Toledo will take you back up to La Verne where you can turn left to return to your car. An early diversion off Toledo is Via Estrella, a street on the left that turns north and becomes Caliente, which leads back up to La Verne. This route sticks close to the west border of the country club. Farther up Toledo and also on the left, Canyon Estates, with its new black pavement, is a loop worth exploring. Inside, Madrona Circle has a north outlet leading to La Verne.