Pickleball Magazine 1-5 | Page 43

T hroughout the United States, luxury motorcoach resorts are attracting the socially active pickleball crowd. Those with a passion for the sport usually want to spend time in a resort with upscale amenities as well. The very best resorts offer a variety of activities, such as golf, tennis, swimming, and nearby or on-site restaurants. Certainly, the two resorts I wrote about in previous issues of Pickleball Magazine have them in spades (www.stoneridgeidaho.com and www.riverbendflorida.com). If you’re a pickleball-playing RVer looking for a place to land this winter, look no further than this gem in the Palm Springs area. Outdoor Resorts in Indio, California (ORI), is a terrific place to park your motorhome and play on one of six dedicated pickleball courts. This luxury RV resort has it all: pickleball, golf, manicured grounds with gorgeous bougainvillea and flowers, and sparkling water fountains. ORI has 419 sites and is situated in the luxurious Palm Springs desert. There is excellent shopping, dining, sightseeing, and gaming, to name a few activities. Snow‑capped mountains surround the Coachella Valley, and the desert is home to as many golf courses as you will find just about anywhere. From off-road Jeeps crawling through the desert terrain to more classic cars and car shows than I ever knew existed, the desert has something for everyone. Do you like professional golf or professional tennis? Look right here. Tournaments are held within a few miles of the resort. Like fine art? This area hosts many terrific art shows and galleries. Several casinos also make their home here, and professional entertainers appear frequently. Indio hosts professional polo, the annual Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival, the Coachella Music Festival for rock‑and-roll fans, and the popular Stage Coach Festival for country music fans. Too much entertainment and not enough pickleball? Consider honing your game to a more advanced level. ORI lot owner and software developer Gary Kruse, along with his son Travis, developed a system called “Track-it Hub.” This is a pickleball ranking/ tracking system that allows players to “track” their progress on a daily basis. You won’t have trouble finding a game either. ORI boasts 170+ pickleball players of all skill levels. The active pickleball club coordinates a variety of events throughout the winter season, making this truly an RV resort well worth considering in your pickleball travels. Outdoor Resorts Indio — truly a genuine 5-Star RV Resort — and an “Awesome Place to Play Pickleball!” www.orindio.com  • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016 | MAGAZINE 41