When many people think about visiting Palm Springs for the first time, they often wonder, "What is there to see in a desert?" I felt the same way at first.

However, once I lived here, I was most surprised by the parks. They are completely different from what you might expect from parks in Korea.

It's not just grassy fields; you have massive canyons, palm oasis, and desert landscapes all at once. That's why the advice to start your Palm Springs experience with the parks is not without reason.

The most famous spot is definitely the Indian Canyons. This nature reserve consists of Palm Canyon, Andreas Canyon, and Murray Canyon, and it's less than a 10-minute drive from downtown Palm Springs. There is an entrance fee, but it is well worth it. Especially, Palm Canyon is known as one of the largest natural palm oases in North America. Seeing thousands of palm trees growing in the middle of the desert makes you think, "Is this really a desert?" The hiking trails are well-maintained, making it great for a workout as well.

The second is Tahquitz Canyon. This area is famous for its hiking trail that features an 18-meter high waterfall.

It's about a 2-mile round trip, so it's not too strenuous, and as you walk along the path, you can enjoy the scenery of desert, canyon, and waterfall all together.

Even in summer, there are shaded areas that are surprisingly cool, attracting many tourists who come to take photos.

The park most frequented by local residents is Ruth Hardy Park. It has wide lawns, jogging paths, and well-equipped tennis courts, so you can often see people taking walks in the morning. Many people walk with their dogs, and it's a great atmosphere for families to enjoy picnics together.

If you have kids, I also recommend Demuth Park.

It features baseball and basketball courts, a playground, and even a community swimming pool, making it lively with local residents on weekends. For those who enjoy exercise, Sunrise Park is also a popular spot. If you go early in the morning, you can easily meet joggers and residents playing tennis.

And there's one place I personally want to recommend.

It's Mount San Jacinto State Park, which you can reach by taking the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. This place is truly amazing. While the temperature in the desert can rise to 105°F (over 40°C) during the day, when you take the tram to the top, you are greeted by cool mountain air in the 60s.

It's an experience where you feel like the seasons change in just about 10 minutes. Many locals intentionally go up in the summer to take walks and have lunch before coming back down.

Palm Springs is a desert city, but it is by no means a desolate place. Rather, you can think of it as a city that has been designed to enjoy the natural environment of the desert in the most beautiful way. Walking under the palm trees, entering canyons, and then climbing back up into the cool mountains is not something you find often in the U.S.

That's why those who visit Palm Springs multiple times tend to remember the parks and nature more than shopping.

If you take a slow walk once, you'll quickly understand why this city is special.