Moorten Botanical Gardens and Cactarium is one of my favorite destinations in Palm Springs. It is often referred to as a hidden gem although it has an 80-year history. Located at the Southern end of Palm Canyon Drive, this desert jungle is home to over 3,000 species of plants. The Cactarium pictured above–a major highlight of the garden–is built inside a vintage quonset hut and sprawling with exotic cacti from all across the world. Clark Moorten runs the show here, an older gentleman who is also a great conversationalist. I took the time to chat with Mr. Moorten about his plants, the history of his family's garden, and what makes his pet tortoise special. Believe me, you don't want to miss seeing the tortoise and his strawberry-stained lips, a personal highlight on my last visit.

Although the garden is located off one of the more busy roads in Palm Springs, just down the street from the Ace Hotel, when I am at Moorten's, I feel nothing but tranquility. I am comforted by the silence of the desert, I embrace the warmth on my skin. The secluded gardens at Moorten's are perfect for a meditative stroll, a cute date, or an afternoon jaunt with the plant-lover in your life. I brought my mother to Moorten's last time we were in Palm Springs and she loved it. There are even cacti for sale and she packed up a giant box of succulents to plant in her garden back home.

Location

Moorten Botanical Garden & Cacatarium
1701 S Palm Canyon Drive
Palm Springs, CA 92264