Culture: Indian Summer Mini-Vacation, Palm Springs

Cheap and Chic at its best, the Movie Colony Hotel in Palm Springs

I’ve never been one to hop into a van and drive the great highways of the US for more than an hour. Most of my friends wouldn’t join me in that escapade anyways. But a weekend at a nearby vacation spot is the perfect way to relax and have fun without breaking the bank. Palm Springs is a great weekend getaway for all you California co-eds before classes begin.

PACK:
1. Bikini and Bikini Cover Up
2. Sunscreen:
3. Straw Fedora
4. Carry-All Tote bag
5. Skin Travel Kit
6. Fruit and 100 Calorie Packs to snack on

JAM OUT: Maybe its the sudden emergence of open space on the 10 Freeway, or the whimsy of the windmills, but something about the drive to Palm Springs makes us want to get down right Indie. Here are some great albums to get your Desert on:
1. Dixie Chicks: Wide Open Spaces
2. Jim Hanft: Backyard Waltz
3. Lykke Li: Youth Novels
4. Little Dragon: Machine Dreams

STAY:
1. Hotel Zoso $99
http://www.hotelzoso.com/
2. Movie Colony Hotel $119
http://www.moviecolonyhotel.com/
3. Travelodge Palm Springs $53.57
http://www.palmcanyonhotel.com/

PLAY: You can enjoy the fabulous life without booking a room for $300/night. Head over to the Riviera Palm Springs or the Viceroy to have lunch and drinks by the pool. A bit pricier than most places but you’ll get to enjoy the atmosphere of these two famous hot spots without spending the cash that their hotels guests shell out.

SHOP: Drop your boyfriend off at Morongo Casino (lucky co-eds, their legal gambling age at this casino is 18 years old) and head over to the Cabazon Outlets. Designer duds for half the price, the perfect way to have your cake and eat it too without the silly calories.