As avid tennis fans, Aaron and I have made it a goal to attend as many major tournaments and Grand Slam events as we can—and our recent trip to Indian Wells, California, was one for the books! We had the opportunity to attend the BNP Paribas Open, one of the biggest tennis tournaments outside of the Grand Slams, and it was an unforgettable experience from start to finish.

The tournament is held annually in the desert oasis of Palm Springs/Indian Wells, a beautiful part of Southern California surrounded by mountains and known for its warm, dry climate. It’s the perfect setting for outdoor tennis and made for a stunning backdrop to some incredible matches.

During our visit, we spent several days at the tournament grounds, soaking in the excitement, the sun, and the skill of some of the world’s top players. One of the best parts of the experience was how close we were to the action—we watched amazing matches up close and even had the chance to meet one of the players, which was such a fun surprise.

What made this trip even more special was that we got to share it with close friends of ours, Nancy and Zach Barker. They used to live in River Ranch but have since moved to Colorado, so the trip gave us a chance to reconnect and enjoy a shared love of tennis together. There’s something about being with friends in the middle of a big crowd, cheering on your favorite players, that just makes a trip that much more memorable.

We had a particularly fun moment when friends back home spotted us on TV while watching a match. We managed to snap a great photo of ourselves on the big screen as the camera passed by our section—definitely a highlight of the trip and a keepsake we’ll treasure.

If you’re considering making the trip to Indian Wells, we highly recommend it, especially if you're a tennis fan. The tournament is incredibly well-organized and offers a great mix of big-name matches and more intimate matches on the smaller courts. But take it from us—pack your sunscreen and dress in layers. While the daytime sun can be intense, the temperature can drop quickly once the sun sets behind the mountains.

Whether you go for the tennis, the scenery, or the chance to relax and explore the desert towns nearby, Indian Wells is a fantastic destination. We came home sun-kissed, recharged, and already talking about our next tennis adventure.