TL;DR: The best things to do in Palm Springs are riding the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway up the mountain for panoramic views, relaxing at one of the luxurious spas in the Desert Hot Springs area, golfing on one of the city’s many courses, exploring the Palm Springs Art Museum, and hiking to scenic spots like Tahquitz Canyon Waterfall.
In the middle of the California desert, you’ll find the oasis of Palm Springs.
As you enter town you’re surrounded by dry heat and palm tree-lined streets.
There’s a pristine suburban feel at a level that can only be found in Southern California (especially where there’s money).
From celebrities to college students, retirees, and desert enthusiasts, Palm Springs is the place where people from all different backgrounds come to relax, party, or get away from it all.
Even though I went to school not too far away in San Diego, it took me almost a decade after graduating to make it to Palm Springs for the first time.
From that recent trip and the tons of research that went into my trip before and after I came home, I wanted to put together my first-hand picks for the best things to do in Palm Springs, California.
From the eclectic to the desert-themed, fun, and artsy, this is what to do in Palm Springs to get the most out of a trip to this unique city in the desert.
Indigenous Americans in Palm Springs
The greater Palm Springs area has been the home of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians for over 2,000 years.
The Best Things to Do in Palm Springs, CA
Stop by the Palm Springs Visitor Center
Located in what used to be an old gas station, the Palm Springs Visitor Center is a good place to visit on your way into town to get maps, local recommendations, and current tips and events for the exact season you’re visiting.
The building is also a good introduction to the funky mid-century modern architecture that is so commonly found around Palm Springs.
Get your FREE California Travel Planner – including printable checklists and my favorite two-week itinerary for the state.
Walk Around Downtown Palm Springs (Palm Canyon Drive)
One of the best introductions to Palm Springs culture is to walk around downtown Palm Springs, along Palm Canyon Drive.
This is where you’ll find the most “city-like” feel to Palm Springs and where most of the prime shopping and dining is.
You’ll also probably spot some street art on benches and buildings and classic cars cruising up and down Palm Canyon Drive.
These are a few things that you shouldn’t miss in downtown Palm Springs.
- Walk of Stars – Because there are so many famous residents that have lived in Palm Springs throughout the years, the city has its own Walk of Stars. Similar to Hollywood’s version, the Walk of Stars in downtown Palm Springs has the names of famous residents in stars that are put into the sidewalk. It’s fun to just walk up and down the street to see if you recognize any stars that have lived in town.
- Eating – There are a ton of good restaurants in downtown Palm Springs. During my trip, I went to Las Casuelas Terraza and loved their expansive outdoor patio and authentic Mexican cantina feel. Plus, the food was great and they have huge margaritas. If you’re not feeling Mexican, a few other places you could eat at along Palm Canyon Drive include Billy Reed’s, Peppers Thai, John’s Restaurant, and Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge.
- Shopping – There’s a good mix of local boutiques, shopping centers, and popular chain stores along North Canyon Palm Drive and Indian Canyon Drive. A couple of favorites include the Palm Springs General Store for souvenirs and Destination PSP for a variety of gifts, clothing, and artwork. In terms of shopping malls, Mercado Plaza or Plaza Las Flores are good places to start.
- Art Galleries – Palm Springs is a surprisingly artsy city and that goes for its number of art galleries in downtown as well. Take your pick from over a dozen galleries around downtown Palm Springs, such as Steward Galleries, Desert Art Center, Rubine Red Gallery, and The Shag Store.
Discover the Street Art
If viewing art indoors isn’t your style, I was pleasantly surprised with how colorful the streets are in downtown Palm Springs and beyond.
There are a good number of outdoor murals and sculptures that can be found all over Palm Springs.
Even the benches in downtown Palm Springs have fun artwork on them that you can admire as you take a rest in the sunshine.
For a full guide to the street art in Palm Springs, you can check out a list of popular murals, benches, and other outdoor pieces around the greater Palm Springs area.
Take in the Views from the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
If you’re looking for good views in Palm Springs, look no further than a ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is one of the most popular attractions in Palm Springs and a good way to get your bearings if you’re new to the area.
Traveling through Chino Canyon to get to Mt. San Jacinto State Park and near the top of San Jacinto Peak, its claim to fame is that it’s the “largest rotating aerial tramway in the world.”
After the panoramic 10-minute journey in the Palm Springs Aerial Tram, you’ll find two restaurants, a natural history museum, observation decks, two theaters, a gift shop, and plenty of hiking trails in the state park.
And although this is a popular summer attraction in Palm Springs, it can be a good winter one too.
At the top, there’s a Winter Adventure Center where you can rent cross-country skis or snowshoes.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Tickets are $26.95 for adults, $16.95 for children (3-10), and $24.95 for seniors (65+).
Hike in the Desert
Desert hiking isn’t for everyone. It can be intense, exhausting, and provide little to no shade on the trail.
However, as long as you’re properly prepared and don’t go during the hottest part of the day, it can be a beautiful way to get to know the beauty of the desert landscape and its ecosystem up close.
There are a lot of good parks and trails surrounding Palm Springs but a few hikes that I’d recommend starting with are the following.
- Desert View Trail (1.5 miles) – This is a short and easy hike in Mount San Jacinto State Park. It’s the perfect hike to add to a Palm Springs Aerial Tramway experience since the trail leaves from near where you’re let off the tram. Along the way, you’ll get to enjoy views looking out over the desert and wildflowers in the spring.
- Tahquitz Canyon Waterfall Hike (1.9 miles) – Ready to discover your own desert oasis near Palm Springs? The two-mile Tahquitz Canyon Waterfall hike is one of the most beautiful hikes near Palm Springs that takes you to the 50-foot Tahquitz Falls and swimming hole. The land that the hike is on is run and owned by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and there’s an admission cost of $12.50 to access the trail to Tahquitz Falls.
- Pushawalla Palms Loop (4.4 miles) – Located in the Coachella Valley Preserve (also called the Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve), this is the trail I did last time I was in Palm Springs and it was a nice introduction to the desert scenery just outside the city. There’s a decent climb early on in the hike that takes you up a ridge that you walk along for a good chunk of the hike. Up on the ridge, you’ll get 360-degree views looking out over the Coachella Valley.
Tour a Famous House
With its proximity to Los Angeles and all of the famous people who have lived in Palm Springs at one time or another, it’s no surprise that there are a number of famous houses to go see.
Most notably, Palm Springs was a favorite getaway for Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Dean Martin, and Elizabeth Taylor.
You’re not able to tour all of those famous residences but there are a couple that offer tours:
- Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway – The most popular interactive house tour in Palm Springs, the Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway features mid-century modern architecture and a unique geometric layout. Elvis Presley never actually owned the property but he leased it for a year and had his honeymoon here. They usually offer tours at 1 pm and 3:30 pm for $35/person.
- Sunnylands – Located in Rancho Mirage, Sunnylands is another famous estate that was the home of US ambassadors and philanthropists, Walter and Leonore Annenberg, for 40 years. This huge 200-acre property was built in 1966 and features a golf course, desert art garden, 11 lakes, sculptures, the main residence, and guest cottages.
- Palm Springs Celebrity Tours – If you want someone else to take care of the driving and planning, you can also just go on a guided tour of the most famous houses in Palm Springs. This 2.5-hour tour takes you to over 50 celebrity houses with a full narrative of fun facts along the way.
Another alternative if you don’t want to shell out the money for a guided tour is to do this GPS My City self-guided tour of some of the most popular homes around Palm Springs.
Visit a Museum
One of the best things to do in Palm Springs when it’s hot out and you’re looking for air conditioning but also want to continue sightseeing is visiting a museum!
There are a few cool museums in Palm Springs that are worth a visit, these are the ones I’d recommend:
- Palm Springs Art Museum – Formerly known as the Palm Springs Desert Museum, the Palm Springs Art Museum is one of the best places to indulge in the city’s artsy side. The museum has a lot to unpack with its unique architecture and 150,000 square feet of modern and contemporary art exhibits, permanent collections, a restaurant, a wine bar, and a large theater. Admission is $14 for adults, $11 for seniors, $6 for students and teachers, and free for anyone 18 and under. They also offer free museum admission every Thursday night from 5 pm to 7 pm.
- Palm Springs Air Museum – If you’re looking for a loftier experience (see what I did there?), head over to the Palm Springs Air Museum. This museum is where you can learn about World War II history and, more specifically, how important American pilots and fighter planes were to winning the war. Admission is $19.50 for adults and $17.50 for children (13-17) and seniors (65+).
- Ruddy’s General Store Museum – One of the more unique museums in Palm Springs, Ruddy’s General Store Museum is a re-creation of a general store from the 1930s and 40s. This is the place to soak up nostalgic products and to step back in time to another place. It’s right in downtown Palm Springs so it’s a convenient place to pop in quickly and check out while walking around. Admission is just 95 cents. It’s also part of the Village Green Heritage Center, which features a few other historic sights and museums like McCallum Adobe, the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, and Miss Cornelia White’s House.
- Cabot’s Pueblo Museum – Located just outside of Palm Springs, you’ll find Cabot’s Pueblo Museum in Desert Hot Springs. This 5,000 square foot pueblo was built by hand by pioneer Cabot Yerxa in 1941 and features a Hopi-inspired design. On the inside of the pueblo, you’ll find Indigenous American arts and artifacts, as well as displays on Indigenous rights, the life of Cabot Yerxa, and the history of the pueblo. It’s free to walk around the outer buildings like the courtyard, trading post, and water gallery, but it costs $13 to do a guided tour of the pueblo.
See the Cacti at Moorten Botanical Garden
If you love Cacti as much as I do, you will not want to miss a visit to the Moorten Botanical Garden.
The Moorten Botanical Garden is one of the coolest botanical gardens I’ve had the pleasure of visiting, mostly because it focuses so much on cacti and other funky-looking desert flora.
This place has become fairly big on Instagram as of late so it’s usually somewhat busy. With that said, it never felt too crowded when I was there and it still had the peaceful atmosphere that you’d expect with a botanical garden.
They also have plenty of cacti for sale once you’re done walking through the botanical garden if you’re looking to take some cute plants home with you. I took home three!
VillageFest
Happening every Thursday night in downtown Palm Springs, VillageFest is where the local community and tourists alike come together to celebrate local artisans and vendors.
Palm Canyon Drive closes down to traffic to make way for this popular street fair, which features arts & crafts, a variety of vendors, food, and entertainment.
VillageFest is completely free to attend and runs from 6 pm to 10 pm October through May and 7 pm to 10 pm June through September.
Tour a Windmill Farm
One of the more unique things to do in Palm Springs, there are two reasons you might tour a windmill farm – you’re interested in alternative energy or you’re an Instagram influencer.
If you’re the latter, you can just drive through one of the wind farms and hop out of your car on the side of the road with the windmills in the background.
The best place to do this is directly off I-10 near the North Indian Canyon Drive exit. You can drive along the frontage roads (either Garnet Avenue or 20th Avenue) alongside the freeway and stop where you like to take photos.
Another way to experience what a windmill farm has to offer is to go on a tour. There’s actually a company in Palm Springs that specializes in windmill tours called Palm Springs Windmill Tours.
They offer self-driving tours that give you access to Southern California’s first commercial wind farm with a companion app. The app guides you around 12 stops and teaches you about the San Gorgonio Pass and the history of wind turbines in about an hour.
Taste a Date Shake
With the vast number of date palms in the greater Palm Springs area, one of the city’s most unique and popular treats is the date shake.
Shakes are made with a combination of vanilla ice cream, date puree, and milk (what’s not to like?) and they’re creamy and delicious.
There are a few places to grab a date shake in and near Palm Springs, including Great Shakes, Windmill Market, and Nature’s Health Food & Cafe (which also has some vegan options).
Go on an Architecture Tour
Palm Springs is all about that desert modernism architecture and a lot of buildings around town give off the vibe that they’ve never left the 60s…or sometimes outer space.
If that sounds like your jam, another fun thing to do around Palm Springs is to go on an architecture tour.
Similar to the famous houses you can tour, this is a good way to explore a different side of Palm Springs history, just this time through design.
There are a number of tour companies that offer guided architecture tours throughout the city, which is probably the route I’d recommend unless you already know a ton about architecture.
The two that I’d recommend looking into are Palm Springs Mod Squad and PS Architecture Tours.
Otherwise, if you want to do a self-guided tour, this is a good resource to get you started.
Experience a Palm Springs Pool Party
After Las Vegas, the most popular place to enjoy a pool party in the US is Palm Springs or Miami.
And it’s not hard to see why with the hot weather that both cities enjoy for most of the year.
Palm Springs is also conveniently located near California’s two largest cities – Los Angeles and San Diego – which makes it perfect for a weekend getaway.
Most of the pool parties in Palm Springs happen at hotel pools around town and mostly in the summer when it’s ridiculously hot.
This is where up-and-coming to full-blown famous DJs spin house music and everyone drinks and cools off in floaties in the pool.
A few of the most popular places to enjoy a pool party in Palm Springs are the following:
- The Saguaro – If there’s one place to experience a Palm Springs pool party, it’s The Saguaro. This is pool party central with the hotel hosting various parties throughout the summer. The Saguaro is where the annual Splash House happens in June and August (the biggest pool party in Palm Springs that takes place at three different hotels) and it’s also where the Swim Meet party happens in July.
- Ace Hotel Swim & Club – They often have themed pool parties on summer weekends.
- Hotel Zoso – They host a pool party every Sunday in the summer.
There are also a number of pool parties offered at other hotels around Palm Springs throughout the summer if you do some research.
These are usually a little less crazy than the above parties and probably involve less dancing and a more chill vibe of lounging near the pool with a DJ.
Otherwise, if you’re feeling like having an even more chill time in a pool, you can experience one of the city’s dive-in movie nights.
ARRIVE Palm Springs has a pool movie night that’s 21 and up on the last Friday of each month.
See Huge Dinosaurs at Cabazon Dinosaurs
The Cabazon Dinosaurs can be a little underwhelming, to say the least.
The plastic dinosaurs are weather-worn and look like they haven’t been updated since the 1960s. It’s also a pretty small place that’s crowded with families and small kids.
I know I’ve already talked this place up a lot, but there are some redeeming qualities to the Cabazon Dinosaurs that still might make it worth a visit.
I’d say if you’re a) really into dinosaurs, b) traveling in Palm Springs with kids, c) Looking for a roadside attraction to quickly stop at on your way out of town, or d) An Instagram influencer who wants to get a photo with the big T-Rex out front, this could be a good place to add to your Palm Springs itinerary.
I’d really only recommend paying the $13 admission fee ($11 for those 12 and under) if you’re traveling with kids.
Otherwise, there are two of the largest dinosaurs (aka Dinny the Dinosaur and Mr. Rex) out front that you can see for free before hopping back on the highway.
Relax by the Pool
If there’s one thing I suggest with a visit to Palm Springs, it’s to make sure the hotel you’re staying at has a pool.
Palm Springs may not have beaches but that pool culture is the real deal.
Lounging by a pool is part of the whole Palm Springs experience so you’ll definitely want to have at least one afternoon that just involves some time poolside.
Unlike the pool parties mentioned above, this is a chance to simply relax and enjoy that desert heat with an easy way to cool off whenever needed.
Enjoy the Nightlife
If you’re looking to explore the nightlife in Palm Springs, you’ll be happy to hear that it doesn’t just revolve around daytime pool parties – there are plenty of indoor bars and clubs at night too!
And one thing that I didn’t realize until I visited Palm Springs myself is that it has a vibrant LGBTQ community. So if you’re looking for gay bars, Palm Springs has plenty.
Most of the nightlife in the city revolves around Palm Canyon Drive and downtown but there are a few gems outside of that area too.
Here are a few spots that I’d recommend for nightlife in Palm Springs:
- Clubs: Copa Nightclub, Bart Lounge, Village Pub
- Cocktail Bars: Bootlegger Tiki, Stacy’s Palm Springs, The Purple Room Supper Club, Seymour’s, Truss & Twine
- Dive Bars: Neil’s Lounge (also has karaoke), Fireside Lounge, Tryst, Hair of the Dog, Palm Canyon Roadhouse, Peet’s Hideaway
- Gay Bars: Toucans Tiki Lounge, Hunters Palm Springs, Chill Bar Palm Springs, Street Bar, RetroRoom Lounge, Tool Shed
Play Golf
Although maybe not surprising with the amount of money and exclusive resorts in Palm Springs, I was still baffled by how many golf courses I came across while I was there.
I can only imagine how much water is needed to keep those courses green. With that said, I can also understand why there would be so many with the great year-round weather and wide-open spaces in the desert.
This is all to say that if you’re a golfer, you’ll have plenty of options for different courses to play at in Palm Springs – over 100 in the greater Palm Springs area.
In fact, Palm Springs is one of the top golfing destinations in California, so it’s a good place to try out the sport whether you’re a pro or a newbie.
Here are a few recommended golf courses to check out around the greater Palm Springs area:
- La Quinta Resort & Club at PGA West – if there’s one golf course in Palm Springs to play at, this one is it.
- Desert Willow Golf Resort
- Escena Golf Club
- Indian Canyons Golf Resort
Say Hello to the Animals at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Located in nearby Palm Desert, the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens features 500 animals and a desert botanical garden to walk around.
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is an ideal place to visit with kids but also a cool zoo to go see even if you’re not traveling with the family – how often is it that you get to see a desert zoo?
Besides seeing the animals, this is also a good place to learn about conservation efforts and desert ecosystems around the world – from Madagascar to Mexico and California.
Go Gambling
Although it’s technically illegal to gamble in California, if it’s a tribally-owned casino it’s not under the jurisdiction of that law. Tribally-owned casinos also allow you to gamble if you’re 18 and up instead of 21.
And Palm Springs is full of casinos – what some people call “Indian casinos.” You can test your luck and have your pick between slot machines, blackjack, poker, and more.
So if you’re looking to live it up like you’re in Las Vegas (okay, maybe not quite like Vegas but still fun), head over to one of the local casinos around the greater Palm Springs area. Most are open 24 hours a day.
These are a few of the top ones in and around Palm Springs:
- Agua Caliente Casino (Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, and Cathedral City)
- Fantasy Springs Resort Casino (Indio)
- Augustine Casino (Coachella)
- Spotlight 29 Casino (Coachella)
Have a Spa Day
Some people come to Palm Springs to party, others to relax and rejuvenate, and some like to do both.
Palm Springs is full of good spas but the place you should head to if you really want to feel pampered is Desert Hot Springs.
Desert Hot Springs is most well-known for its natural mineral water and hot springs that you can soak in. From Moroccan-inspired to Italian-themed spas, there’s a little something for everyone.
If you have the time, plan a half-day or full-day in Palm Springs just to have a spa day. Spend some time soaking in one of the mineral springs and then sign up for a massage, facial, manicure, or all three.
Here are a few good options around the Desert Hot Springs area:
- Aqua Soleil Hotel & Mineral Water Spa
- Azure Palm Hot Springs Resort & Day Spa Oasis
- El Morocco Inn & Spa Resort
- Hope Springs Resort
- Sagewater Spa
- The Spring Resort & Spa
- Tuscan Springs Hotel & Spa
- Two Bunch Palms Resort & Spa
Explore the Nearby Desert Towns
Although there are plenty of things to do in Palm Springs, the city is also surrounded by a bunch of small desert towns that kind of all run into each other.
From Palm Desert to Rancho Mirage, Cathedral City, and more, it’s fun to just drive through these and check out the sights and restaurants in each one.
Chances are you will probably unintentionally visit a lot of these as you’re exploring Palm Springs but make sure to try and hit all nine of the cities that make up the Coachella Valley.
Here’s the full list:
- Cathedral City – Things to see: Boomers, Fountain of Life, and Museum of Ancient Wonders.
- Rancho Mirage – Things to see: The River Mall, Agua Caliente Casino, and Sunnylands.
- Palm Desert – Things to see: The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, El Paseo, and Coachella Valley Vista Point.
- Indian Wells – Things to see: Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Indian Well Golf Course, and Eisenhower Walk of Honor.
- La Quinta – Things to see: Old Town La Quinta, Marvyn’s Magic Theater, La Quinta Resort & Club, and La Quinta Museum.
- Indio – Things to see: Coachella & Stagecoach music festivals, Coachella Valley History Museum, Shields Date Garden, Cabazon Cultural Museum, and Indio murals.
- Coachella – Things to see: Augustine Casino – honestly, there’s not much in Coachella.
- Desert Hot Springs – Things to see: Cabot’s Pueblo Museum, Mission Creek Preserve, and any of the spas in town.
Take a Day Trip to Joshua Tree National Park
Only an hour’s drive from Palm Springs you’ll find one of California’s most popular national parks – Joshua Tree National Park!
If you have the extra time while you’re in Palm Springs, I’d highly recommend doing a day trip to Joshua Tree.
At the park, you’ll be able to explore historic trails with remnants of the area’s mining and pioneer past, see cool rock formations, take in beautiful vista points, and check out all of the funky desert plants that are unique to Joshua Tree.
Joshua Tree is one of my favorite places in California and it’s an easy enough park to see the highlights of in one day.
Plus, there are a few fun sights to check out on the way to Joshua Tree from Palm Springs that you can only get in the California desert.
Read our guide to California’s nine national parks and the national park passport.
Where to Eat in Palm Springs
- Elmer’s Restaurant
- FARM
- Wilma & Frieda’s Cafe
- Las Casuelas Nuevas
- The Sandwich Spot
- La Bonita’s
- Great Shakes
What to Pack for Palm Springs
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Bathing suit(s)
- Pool coverup/sarong
- Pool bag
- Daypack for other explorations
- Sun hat and a good hat for hiking
- Aloe vera (if you’re prone to sunburns)
- Large reusable water bottle
- Electrolytes (to recharge after hiking in the desert and also to recover from hangovers if you’re partying)
- Sundress
- Breathable clothing (shirts, shorts, leggings/pants)
- Light windbreaker or a light jacket (mostly for going out at night or if you’re visiting in the winter)
- Sandals
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Your usual toiletries
- Travel insurance
Best Time to Visit Palm Springs
Palm Springs is a year-round destination in California, although some times of the year are better than others depending on what you’re looking for.
The high season in Palm Springs runs from December through April and June through August.
December through April is the nicest time to visit for the best weather that’s not too hot but still comfortable throughout the day.
The summer months can be unbearably hot but it’s also when there’s the most going on in Palm Springs.
In the summer, you can expect summer pool parties and DJ sets and a lot of packed bars in downtown Palm Springs.
With that said, some of the tourist attractions, tours, and hiking areas might be closed during the summer because of excessive heat.
If you’re looking for a quieter experience in Palm Springs, the best months to visit are September through November.
It can still be very hot in September and early October but the weather starts getting a little cooler towards the end of October and into November.
How to Get to Palm Springs
Palm Springs is only about a two-hour drive from either Los Angeles or San Diego, making it the perfect spot for a weekend getaway.
If you’re coming from further away, there are many destinations that fly directly into Palm Springs International Airport.
And the Palm Springs airport usually isn’t as expensive to fly into as you might expect (especially if you’re flying from within California, like from San Francisco or Sacramento).
You can also get to Palm Springs on the train via Amtrak. Amtrak offers a bus-to-train service from Los Angeles to Palm Springs International Airport.
The Amtrak journey takes anywhere from three to four hours.
How to Get Around Palm Springs
If you’re flying into Palm Springs, the airport is about a 20-minute drive from downtown. The airport is the perfect spot to pick up a rental car.
Otherwise, you can take an airport shuttle, Uber/Lyft, taxi, or public transit into town.
For public transit, you can hop on Sunline’s bus 2 or 4 a short walk from the airport, which will bring you to the downtown area.
In terms of getting around Palm Springs for the rest of your trip, I highly recommend having your own car to get around.
Because of how spread out the Coachella Valley is, it’s not very feasible to get around without a car.
Besides taking the bus from the airport into town, Sunline public transit isn’t the most reliable way to get around Palm Springs.
There’s not much coverage and there are only nine bus lines for the whole Coachella Valley.
Your other alternative for getting around Palm Springs is Uber, Lyft, or a taxi, but these can get expensive quickly.
Local Tips for Visiting Palm Springs
- Ease into that desert weather – If you’re not used to dry desert heat, give yourself some time to get acclimated, drink more water than you think you need, and avoid going out during the hottest parts of the day. Desert heat can sneak up on you, especially if you’re hiking or doing more strenuous activities, so take it slow and make sure you know the signs of heatstroke.
- Be wary of Valley Fever – Although still pretty rare, Valley Fever is caused by fungi from the soil called coccidioides in some parts of the Southwest US (including Palm Springs). It gives you flu-like symptoms and might make you feel more tired than usual. Most cases go away on their own but others sometimes need antifungal medication if symptoms persist for more than a month.
- Budget more than you expect – Although there are some areas where you can save money in Palm Springs, be prepared for a somewhat expensive trip. With its focus on tourism, fancy resorts, and exclusive experiences, a trip to Palm Springs can be more expensive than you might think.
Where to Stay in Palm Springs
Although the accommodation can be on the pricey side in Palm Springs, there are options for every budget if you know where to look. The following would be my top picks.
BUDGET
MID-RANGE
LUXURY
FAQs About Palm Springs
What is Palm Springs Known For?
Palm Springs is known for its hot weather, desert landscapes, famous residents, palm trees, pool culture, spa scene, and golf courses.
Is Palm Springs Worth Visiting?
If you enjoy hot weather and you like the idea of a desert vacation, then yes! Palm Springs is definitely worth visiting.
It’s an ideal Southern California weekend getaway for a wide variety of people – from college students to families and even famous people.
How Many Days Do You Need in Palm Springs?
A weekend is usually a good amount of time to spend in Palm Springs. If you want to explore more of the greater Palm Springs area, give yourself up to a week.
Which Celebrities Live in Palm Springs?
Palm Springs started becoming popular with celebrities in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s, with the likes of Marylin Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Bob Hope, Cary Grant, Elizabeth Taylor, Lucille Ball being local homeowners or regular visitors.
And its status as a favorite celebrity hangout hasn’t slowed down in the 2020s. A few celebrities that currently own homes in Palm Springs include Leonardo DiCaprio, the Kardashians, and Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell.
How Far is the Nearest Beach From Palm Springs?
The nearest beaches to Palm Springs are the Orange County beaches, such as those in Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, and San Clemente. They’re all about two hours away.
What Can Couples Do in Palm Springs?
Palm Springs can be a great destination for a romantic trip away. Some of the most romantic things to do in Palm Springs include doing a spa day together, getting out in nature on a scenic desert hike, and experiencing a hot air balloon ride over the Coachella Valley.
Get your FREE California Travel Planner – including printable checklists and my favorite two-week itinerary for the state.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mimi McFadden
Founder & Editor-In-Chief
Mimi McFadden initially started The Atlas Heart in 2013 to write about her adventures abroad. But since 2019, The Atlas Heart has become a love letter to the Golden State. Mimi enjoys sharing her first-hand knowledge and expertise with the places she knows so well and making the most comprehensive travel guides possible. When she’s not hiking and exploring new places in California, she loves to travel abroad, read in her cozy chaise lounge, play basketball, and connect with friends and family over board games. Over her 28 years in California, she has lived in Santa Cruz (18 years), San Diego (5 years), and the San Francisco Bay Area (5 years), where she currently resides.
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