The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway: Popular Southern California Attraction

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, an engineering marvel that has transported millions of passengers from the hot, sweltering desert floor of Palm Springs to the cool, majestic heights of the rugged San Jacinto Mountains, is one of the most popular attractions in all of Southern California. First conceived as a bold, seemingly far-fetched and unattainable idea by a forward-thinking, young electrical engineer, Francis F. Crocker, in 1935, as a way to quickly and spectacularly transport passengers from the hot, sweltering desert to the cool, crisp mountain heights, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, after a series of delays, construction snafus, and political squabbles, was finally completed and opened for business in September 1963. The tramway, upon its completion, with its intricate design and state-of-the-art structure and technology, was labeled "the eighth wonder of the world"!

Consisting of two large, enclosed rotating tram cars, each with a passenger capacity of 80 persons, supported by 40mm compacted hauling cable and five support towers, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway whisks passengers from Valley Station, at an elevation of 2,643 feet, up the rugged and craggy face of Chino Canyon to its upper terminus at Mountain Station, which rests at an elevation of 8,516 feet. As one ascends to the upper heights of the San Jacinto Mountains from the desert floor below, passengers experience the same climactic and vegetational changes that would be experienced from driving from Northern Mexico to Canada; you pass through five different life or climate zones, going from a true desert environment to an alpine environment in a span of a few short miles. Offering breathtaking views and unsurpassed, far-reaching vistas, the 15-minute tram ride to the top is spectacular; it's not uncommon for passengers to spy big horn sheep grazing on the forested slopes along the tram route. On clear days, when the air is swept clean of haze and cloud, the visibility can extend for over 200 miles to the east, with the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff, Arizona, being visible.

Once at the top, passengers are immediately aware of the tremendous temperature difference that exists between the desert floor and the upper tram terminus. Due to the high elevation at Mountain Station, it's not uncommon for the air temperature to be 30 to 40-degrees cooler than the desert over 8,000 feet below. In the heat of Summer, when temperatures in the Palm Springs area routinely surpass the triple digit mark, it's not uncommon to reach the upper tram terminus at Mountain Station to find lingering patches of snow and cool, chilly conditions awaiting you. Here, deep in the heart of the San Jacinto high country, a lush, forested paradise beckons; a part of the high country that, prior to the construction and completion of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, was only accessible by hours of strenuous hiking. After disembarking from the tram car at Mountain Station, passengers have a number of different options available to them.

There are two full-service restaurants located at the top, both of which offer stunning views of the desert floor far below. Offering everything from simple burgers and fries to steak and seafood, enjoying a gourmet meal in the heart of an alpine wilderness is all but guaranteed. In addition, there is a gift shop, a small convenience store, and a museum which details the construction and completion of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and all things related. For the more adventurous-minded person, there are numerous hiking trails that venture deep into the surrounding forest, the longest of which leads the ambitious hiker to the top of Mt. San Jacinto, the second-highest mountain in Southern California at 10,804 ft. In Winter, there are numerous cross-country skiing opportunities available in close proximity to the tram station. Many people, after enjoying the exhilarating tram ride up the mountainside, prefer to just gaze out over the distant desert panorama, sipping a cool drink or a hot cup of coffee, enjoying a view that is unsurpassed and second-to-none. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the engineering and technical marvel that allows easy access to the upper alpine environment of the San Jacinto Mountains, is definitely worthy of being one of Southern California's most popular attractions!

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is open for business 7 days a week. The cost for a round-trip ticket to ride the tram is as follows:
Adults: $21.95
Children 12 $ under: $14.95
Senior over 60: $19.95
Child 3 & under: Free