It's 110 degree in the shade, but the living is easy - Coachella Valley, California - Last-Minute Vacation '91

It's 110 [degrees] in the shade, but the living is easy Let's face it, the desert isn't first choice for most people considering a summer vacation. But if you're willing to confine your outdoor activities to mornings and evenings, staying indoors or poolside mid-day, the price is right.

Room rates from May 28 through mid-September at many resorts in the Coachella Valley average half to a quarter of what they are in season, and are readily available. At La Quinta Hotel, for example, you'll pay $70 to $140 a night for a room that otherwise goes for $275. Golf course fees drop from $100 to $50. Call (619) 770-9000 for resort information.

Many properties have package plans that include baby-sitting services, daytime activities for children, and meals. Although some facilities, such as The Living Desert and the Palm Springs Desert Museum, are closed in summer, others offer cool relief. Try Palm Springs Oasis Water Park, full of slides and pools, or the ice-skating rink in the mall in Palm Desert.