For years, it was the dream of a young electrical engineer named Francis F. Crocker to "go up there where it's nice and cool". The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway was constructed in rugged Chino Canyon on the north edge of Palm Springs, about two hours by car from Los Angeles and San Diego. Today, the world's largest rotating tramcars carry visitors from an elevation of 2,643 feet to a Mountain Station located at the 8,516-foot level of Mt San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness. It has the steepest vertical cable rise in the U.S. and the second steepest in the world. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is truly one of the greatest experiences in Southern California.

What is remarkable about the ride, aside from the breathtaking views of the valley, is the change in temperature. At the bottom of the tram route, the temperature on the desert floor can reach 120 degrees. Rising up through mountain canyons and chimneys, you arrive in an arctic-alpine forest with giant Ponderosa pines. The thrilling vertical ascent gives you views of the Chino Canyon and the San Jacinto Mountains from the front of the car, while the Sonoran Desert is splayed out below from the rear of the car. Look to the top of Chino Canyon, snap a few photos, then look behind and below as you move from one ecological zone to another. From creosote shrub of the lower desert through the Sonoran and Transition zones to the Alpine zone at the top - all in approximately 10 minutes!

At the Mountain Station, you can walk from the car into the large, 3-story facility which has a cocktail lounge, dining facilities, gift shop and observation decks. The station theater features "Building on a Dream", an 18-minute film on the history of the history and construction of the Tramway. At the top you can also explore the 14,000-acre Mt. San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness Area, which has 54 miles of hiking trails, rustic campgrounds, and granite outcroppings providing clear views of the cities below.

Schedule Details

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Departure Dates:

Departure Point:

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, located at: 1 Tramway Rd, Palm Springs, CA

Directions:
From Los Angeles and the Inland Empire, take Interstate 10 east towards Palm Springs. Exit Highway 111 to Palm Springs. Turn right on Tramway Road. The Valley Station is located approximately 4 miles up Tramway Road.

Departure Time:

Cars depart at least every half hour from:
• 10:00am - Monday-Friday
• 8:00am - Weekends and Holiday periods
Last car up is 8:00pm.
Last car down is at 9:45pm

Hotel Pickup:

Hotel pick up not available

Additional Information

Hikers

Inclusions:

• Round-trip tram ride

Exclusions:

• Gratuity (optional)
• Hotel pick up and drop off

Additional Info:

• This tour must be booked at least 48 hours in advance of your travel date
• Confirmation for this product will be received at time of booking
• There is free parking in 13 paved lots near Valley Station. There is free shuttle service from parking lots to Valley Station entrance available weekends and holiday periods
• The Tramway is subject to delays and periodic shutdowns due to unforeseen circumstances and is not responsible for ticket refunds or the inability to redeem a voucher
• Tramway cars hold 80 people each and there are no seats. Passengers remain standing throughout the journey up the mountain
• Distance is approximately 12,800 feet, with a vertical ascent of 5,873 feet - 15 minutes travel time one way
• The tramway is known as a double reversible type of aerial tramway. Each car remains on one pair of track cables moving up and down without turning around. Each car serves as a counter balance to the other, the descending car is helping pull the ascending car up the mountain
• This tour is wheelchair and walker accessible
• Strollers are permitted on this tour

Terms and Conditions:

All sales are final and attract 100% cancellation penalties

Local Operator Information:

Complete Operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, are included on your Confirmation Voucher. Our Product Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind.

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