How to Make Indian Wells Tennis That Much Better
- elleno1962
- Sep 3
- 4 min read
There is nothing nicer about retirement than being able to take off whenever friends say "Let's Go!".
In June 2024, friend Penni suggested we fly out to watch a couple of days of the Indian Wells tennis tournament held in California every March. Though I hadn't followed a tennis pro since Boris Becker, I wasn't about to miss out on the fun. Thanks to our locale and itinerary, the trip turned out to be amazing by adding a bit of spice to our two days of attending the tourney.
First, we snagged a great Airbnb in Palm Springs, the four of us enjoying our own bedroom, the pool, and spacious living area for evening bridge. I've returned to staying mostly in hotels when traveling but with a group of four or more, a Airbnb or Vrbo can make more economical "cents".
Traveler's Tip: Palm Springs is cracking down on the number of Airbnbs and Vrbo's in the area. It may prove tricky to find a larger home these days.
The Indian Wells tennis facility is fantastic! Not only are the grounds lovely, but there are plenty of courts available to watch pro tennis and often, close up. I particularly enjoyed watching Hailey Baptiste win twice and absolutely felt enthralled with Dutch player Tallon Griekspoor who is presently ranked the #1 singles player in the Netherlands. We got a glimpse of Emma Navaro and Coco Gauff, but it was Danish player Holger Rune who grabbed my attention. The two days were fun and the weather was perfect! Even for a non tennis buff, I enjoyed attending (and found it much more interesting to watch than pickleball).
After a great day at Indian Wells, I received a tip from a friend to have a drink at nearby Indian Wells Resort's IW Live. after our day at the courts. Lucille Ball once owned the resort and the place is filled with memorabilia of Lucy and her Hollywood buddies during the 40's, 50's, and 60's.
The live entertainment was so great, we stayed for a fantastic dinner.
Kristi King headlined with piano backup by Leon Bisquera, proving to be the master keyboard artist as touted on the internet. What a delightful time!!!
Traveler's Tip: It appears Kristi and Leon are not playing presently at the resort. Check the Indian Wells Resort website for updated entertainment information.
After you have seen enough tennis, it's fun to explore Palm Springs. We enjoyed shopping and lunch in town before taking a tram ride to the top of Mt. San Jacinto State Park. Fortunately, the ranger told us to prepare for much cooler temps at the top because he was absolutely correct! While we basked in upper 70's during lunch in town, we started to shiver in amazement as it began snowing during our tram ride up the mountain just a few miles away later than afternoon.
By the time we reached the top, there was enough snow on the ground to make snowmen. We became our own snow bunnies, wrapped up in the few wintry items we brought along.
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is the world's largest revolving tram. At the top is great hiking (when not snowing), and two restaurants to enjoy. We enjoyed a delightful dinner while watching the snow fall at Peaks Restaurant.
Traveler's Tip: Though quite roomy for a tram, the "ride" can be potentially harrowing for those who have a fear of heights. There is room in the center to "hang on" and look away if it gets to be too much. Trust me, once up, the view is worth it!
To add more adventure, the five of us moved on to spend a couple of nights in La Jolla, California. Having visited there several times, I couldn't wait to return. We stayed at the La Jolla Shores Hotel and weren't disappointed.
Traveler's Tip: Whenever I visit the La Jolla area, I must dine at George's On the Cove. Book early and request an outside table closest to the glass railing for the most magical photo opportunities.
Two of my friends departed the next day, leaving friend Nancy and me to explore downtown San Diego our last night of vacay. Because we had an early flight the following morning, we stayed at the Airport Sheraton for a short ride to the airport. Turned out to be a great move.
Because both of us have singing backgrounds, I booked reservations at the Shout House! located in the gaslight district of San Diego. An short and inexpensive cab ride away, we were in town quickly.
Both of us had a hoot singing along to tunes played on the dueling pianos before the songs got more 2010's and '20's. When you no longer recognize the names of the artists, it's probably time to call it a night. I highly recommend Shout House! if you are into music, karaoke, and want to let your hair down a bit.
Traveler's Tip: As I do when traveling in Europe, I like to move closer to the departing airport the night before flying out the next day, particularly for morning flights. It simply takes the pressure off. The San Diego Airport Sheraton is a beautiful hotel with great amenities like two pools, several restaurants, and fantastic views. We were able to book a 5 am shuttle for our 7:10 flight and were pleasantly surprised when shuttle service actually started at 4:45 am.
Great trip! I highly recommend attending the Indian Wells tournament and staying a bit longer to take advantage of the long list of things to do in the area.
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