Looking for a desert escape where instead of northern freezing winter cold you can be in warm sunshine relaxing poolside with sunglasses, sipping a drink, working on your tan, and dining or barbecuing outdoors? Plus golfing at courses favored by celebrities and ex-presidents, strolling streets shopping at boutiques, and hiking, biking and horseback riding amongst cacti and wildflowers. Palm Desert, in the Coachella Valley about a dozen miles east of pricier Palm Springs and 125 miles on the I-10 from LAX, has it all, at the best prices. Forget expensive desert resort hotels, ramshackle motels, and overpriced tourist eateries. Fire up the poolside barbecue at a money-saving Palm Desert vacation rental, and start enjoying life.