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Destinations / United States

Palm Springs

Desert sun, midcentury style and mountain views

couplesluxuryarchitecturenaturenightlife
Plan your trip to Palm SpringsSee the top 10
45,453Population
English, SpanishLanguage
USDCurrency
4 daysIdeal stay
$260-400Typical day

Palm Springs is a desert resort city in Southern California's Coachella Valley, about two hours east of Los Angeles under the steep San Jacinto Mountains. It is famous for its midcentury modern architecture, poolside hotels and a welcoming LGBTQ scene. Visitors come for winter sunshine, hiking in palm canyons, golf and easy trips to Joshua Tree National Park. It suits couples, design lovers and anyone after a sunny, relaxed escape.

Where to start

Top 10 things to do

Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.

  1. A rotating cable car that climbs about 1,800 m up the cliffs of Chino Canyon to the forested Mount San Jacinto State Park. Views stretch across the desert, and trails start at the top.

    3 hoursTime needed
    about $21-37Cost
    recommendedBook ahead

    Adult round trips were about 37 dollars and children about 21 dollars on the official site in 2026.

    Tip. Buy tickets online and bring a warm layer for the top.
    Official siteSee on the map

  2. A vast desert park where two deserts meet, famous for its spiky Joshua trees, giant boulder piles and dark night skies. Short trails suit all levels.

    Full dayTime needed
    about $30Cost
    noBook ahead

    The private vehicle entry fee was 30 dollars on the official park site in 2026.

    Tip. Drive about 1 hour to the west entrance; bring water and fuel up first.
    Official siteSee on the map

  3. Palm-filled canyons on Agua Caliente tribal land, with streams and trails through North America's largest fan palm oasis. Palm Canyon is the highlight.

    2 to 3 hoursTime needed
    noBook ahead

    Check the official site for current prices.

    Tip. Go early in the day and check seasonal opening, which can close in extreme summer heat.
    Official siteSee on the map

  4. The main downtown street of shops, restaurants and bars, with a walk of stars in the sidewalk. Thursday evenings bring a street fair in the season.

    2 hoursTime needed
    noBook ahead

    Not confirmed on an official page; check locally for any fees.

    Tip. Come on Thursday evening for VillageFest.
    See on the map

  5. A museum of modern and contemporary art, Western and Native American work, and architecture and design. It is a cool escape on a hot afternoon.

    1.5 to 2 hoursTime needed
    noBook ahead

    Check the official site for current prices.

    Tip. Check for free evening hours.
    Official siteSee on the map

  6. A zoo and botanical garden focused on desert animals and plants from around the world, from giraffes to cheetahs. It is about 30 minutes down valley.

    3 to 4 hoursTime needed
    about $35-45Cost
    recommendedBook ahead

    Adult tickets were about 45 dollars and children about 35 dollars on the official site in 2026.

    Tip. Arrive at opening; animals are more active before the heat.
    Official siteSee on the map

  7. A museum and spa plaza downtown telling the story of the Agua Caliente Cahuilla people and the hot spring the city is named after. It is a modern addition to the center.

    1 to 1.5 hoursTime needed
    noBook ahead

    Check the official site for current prices.

    Tip. Pair it with a visit to the tribe's Indian Canyons.
    Official siteSee on the map

  8. A collection of flying World War II and later military aircraft in hangars by the airport. Volunteer veterans share stories.

    2 hoursTime needed
    noBook ahead

    Check the official site for current prices.

    Tip. Check for days when visitors can sit in cockpits.
    Official siteSee on the map

  9. The former winter estate of Walter and Leonore Annenberg, where presidents and royalty stayed, with a visitor center and desert gardens. House tours are sold separately.

    2 hoursTime needed
    recommendedBook ahead

    Check the official site for current prices.

    Tip. Book house tours as soon as they open; they sell out.
    Official siteSee on the map

  10. A small family-run garden of cacti and desert plants from around the world, including one of the first cactus greenhouses. It is a quirky, quiet stop.

    45 minutes to 1 hourTime needed
    about $3-7Cost
    noBook ahead

    Adult admission was 7 dollars on the official site in 2026, less for children.

    Tip. Check closing days, which change by season.
    See on the map
Map: OpenStreetMap contributors.
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Ready-made itineraries

Choose how many days you have.

Palm Springs in three days

Day one on the tram and downtown, day two in the Indian Canyons with the cultural museum and Moorten Garden, day three in Joshua Tree.

  1. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway3 hours · about $21-37
  2. Palm Canyon Drive2 hours
  3. Palm Springs Art Museum1.5 to 2 hours
  4. Agua Caliente Cultural Museum1 to 1.5 hours
  5. Indian Canyons2 to 3 hours
  6. Moorten Botanical Garden45 minutes to 1 hour · about $3-7
  7. Joshua Tree National ParkFull day · about $30
Beyond the city

Day trips

Salton Sea

A strange, shrinking desert lake with birdlife and art at Bombay Beach.

56 mi · Car, about 1 hour 15 minutes each way

Idyllwild

A pine-forest mountain village with hiking.

50 mi · Car on a mountain road, about 1 hour 15 minutes each way

Pioneertown

A 1940s Western movie set town with a famous music venue.

37 mi · Car, about 1 hour each way

Desert Hot Springs

Mineral spa hotels and a quiet desert town.

12 mi · Drive about 25 minutes

El Paseo, Palm Desert

A shopping street with galleries and restaurants.

16 mi · Drive about 30 minutes

Plan your dates

Weather and seasons

Best: October to May. Warm, sunny days and cool nights, while summer often tops 40 degrees Celsius.

Busy and priceyShoulderQuiet and cheaper

Temperature

Daily high and average, by month

32°50°68°86°104°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecDaily highAverage

Rain

Typical inches per month

0.00.81.6JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

January

58°F
Typical daily high
Average47°F
Rain0.9 in
About3 rainy days
Sun strength3.4 kWh/m²

Busy season. Higher prices, bigger crowds.

Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.

Main events

Jan

Palm Springs International Film Festival

January

A major film festival drawing stars and premieres.

Feb

Modernism Week

February (February 11 to 21 in 2027)

Home tours, talks and parties celebrating midcentury design.

Apr

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival

April, two weekends

A major music festival in nearby Indio, with demand across the whole area.

Going on specific dates? A Hodolog trip shows the forecast and the usual weather for your exact days. Request access
Know before you go

At a glance

4/5
Safety

There is no US government advisory for domestic travel, so this follows the UK FCDO USA advice, which says violent crime rarely affects tourists; crime is generally low in visitor areas; extreme heat and dehydration, especially on hikes, are the main risks.

3/5
Walkability

Downtown along Palm Canyon Drive is walkable, but most sights are spread across the valley.

2/5
Public transport

SunLine buses serve the valley and a free downtown trolley runs in season, but a car is much easier.

Pick your base

Where to stay

The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.

Map: OpenStreetMap contributors. Shapes where OpenStreetMap has a boundary; dashed circles mark areas it only has a point for.
123456

1. Downtown

$$$WalkabilityWalkable along Palm Canyon Drive.

Best for: first-timers, nightlife

Walk to restaurants, shops and the art museum.

See on the map

2. Uptown Design District

$$$WalkabilityWalkable strip north of downtown.

Best for: couples, architecture

Boutique midcentury hotels and design shops.

See on the map

3. Warm Sands and Arenas Road

$$WalkabilityClose to downtown.

Best for: LGBTQ travelers, nightlife

Small resorts close to the bars of Arenas Road.

See on the map

4. Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert

$$$WalkabilityCar-based.

Best for: families, luxury

Big resorts with golf and pools down valley.

See on the map

5. Movie Colony

$$$$WalkabilityResidential streets that are walkable to downtown.

Best for: couples, architecture

Quiet streets with midcentury homes and boutique hotels.

See on the map

6. Indian Canyons area

$$$WalkabilityResort and trail areas that need a car.

Best for: nature, golf

Resorts near the canyons and mountain trails at the southern edge.

See on the map

Getting there and around

Main airportPalm Springs International Airport (PSP), 2 mi from the center
To the centerThe airport is just minutes from downtown by taxi, rideshare or rental car.
Around townRent a car for Joshua Tree, the canyons and the wider valley; downtown is easy on foot or by bike.
Ride appsUber, Lyft
Taste it

What to eat

Date shake

A thick milkshake made with local Coachella Valley dates.

Mexican food

Strong local tradition across the valley.

Poolside brunch

A Palm Springs ritual at hotels and cafes.

Fresh citrus

Grown in the valley, in drinks and desserts.

Brunch

A leisurely meal at a downtown patio is a local ritual.

Mexican and Mediterranean dishes

Popular across the Coachella Valley.

Good to know

PlugsType A and B, 120 V
Tap waterSafe to drink
TippingTip 18 to 20 percent at sit-down restaurants, a dollar or two per drink at bars, and 15 to 20 percent for taxis and rideshares.
PaymentsCards and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere; carry a little cash for small vendors, parking meters and tips.
EtiquetteDress is casual and resort-style. Respect tribal land rules in the Indian Canyons and stay on marked trails.
  • Summer temperatures are extreme; hike only early in the morning and carry lots of water.
  • The Aerial Tramway rises to cooler mountain air, often 15 to 20 degrees Celsius cooler, so bring a jacket.
  • Joshua Tree National Park has an entrance fee and very limited services inside.
  • Many rental homes require a minimum stay and permits.
  • Some restaurants and shops shorten hours in summer.
  • Summer highs often exceed 40 C, so do outdoor activities early or late.
  • Book hotels well ahead for Coachella and Modernism Week weekends.
  • The tramway can be cold at the top, even in spring.

A short history

The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians has lived around the area's hot springs for centuries and still owns much of the land in the city in a checkerboard pattern. Health seekers and then Hollywood stars began wintering here in the early 1900s, drawn by the dry air and privacy. From the 1940s to the 1960s architects built the glass-walled modernist homes and buildings the city is now known for. Modernism Week and a revived downtown have made it popular again with a new generation.

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Researched 2026-10-13. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.

Plan Palm Springs