{"id":54944,"date":"2021-07-30T08:55:06","date_gmt":"2021-07-30T15:55:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/?p=54944"},"modified":"2025-08-27T07:51:05","modified_gmt":"2025-08-27T14:51:05","slug":"palm-springs-ultimate-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/palm-springs-ultimate-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"PALM SPRINGS ULTIMATE GUIDE"},"content":{"rendered":"

Palm Springs is an upscale city in the Sonoran Desert, in Southern California that will make you feel like you’re stepping back in time. Palm Springs is just a one-hour, forty-five-minute drive from Los Angeles which makes it an ideal destination for a weekend escape!<\/p>\n

Palm Springs<\/a> is known for its upscale hotels, midcentury modern architecture, excellent dining, vintage boutiques, golf courses, spas, and hot springs. The surrounding Coachella Valley (made famous by Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival<\/a>) also offers excellent hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails. <\/p>\n

Whether you’re looking to relax poolside, unwind at a spa, get outdoors, shop, or dine, Palm Springs has something for everyone. To help you make the most of your visit to this desert oasis, here’s my Palm Springs ultimate guide!<\/p>\n

\"Palm<\/p>\n

Top 12 Things To Do In Palm Springs<\/h2>\n

There are a plethora of things to do and see in and around Palm Springs, and as I mentioned above, there is something for everyone! Palm Springs is a popular destination year-round, but especially between December and April when it’s not quite so hot.<\/p>\n

Regardless of when you visit, you should pack plenty of sunscreen, and plan to do most of your activities in the morning or in the evening to avoid the harsh, mid-day heat.<\/p>\n

1) Wander Downtown Palm Springs<\/h3>\n

The Block<\/a> in downtown Palm Springs offers upscale shopping, dining, art, museums, and great public spaces. There is so much to do and see here that you can easily spend an entire afternoon exploring downtown!<\/p>\n

2) Take In The View From Palm Springs Aerial Tramway<\/h3>\n

On the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway<\/a>, you will ascend two-and-one-half miles to the beautiful mountains above Palm Springs. This is the world’s largest rotating tramcar and at the top, you will be rewarded with sweeping views of Coachella Valley!<\/p>\n

3) Visit The World’s Largest Dinasour Museum <\/h3>\n

You’ll feel like a kid again at the Cabazon Dinosaurs Museum<\/a> which claims to be the world’s largest dino museum. Located in the town of Cabazon (which is off the 10 freeways just north of Palm Springs), this museum includes a dinosaur garden and robotic dinosaurs.<\/p>\n

This educational facility features work from scientists around the world and offers an opportunity to learn the cool dinosaur facts and the history of the planet and the human race. Open daily 8:30am-8pm.<\/p>\n

\"Cabazon<\/p>\n

4) Explore Palm Springs By Bike<\/h3>\n

A fun way to see Palm Springs is by bike! Head over to Bike Palm Springs<\/a> for bike rentals and tours. My tip is to go on your bike early morning or early evening and save this activity for late fall, winter or spring because in June, July, August, and September the temperatures in Palm Springs hit highs in the 100s Fahrenheit!<\/p>\n

5) Spend An Evening At Palm Springs Village Fest<\/h3>\n

Palm Springs Village Fest<\/a> is a street fair held every Thursday night from 7pm-10pm in downtown Palm Springs featuring arts, crafts, food, and entertainment. <\/p>\n

6) Read Poolside<\/h3>\n

Palm Springs is the perfect destination to throw on your swimsuit and spend an afternoon catching up on reading, poolside – preferably with a cocktail in hand! I recently spent a long weekend in Palm Springs and spent an entire afternoon doing nothing but reading at my hotel pool. It was the perfect way to relax, unwind and dive into a book I had been meaning to read for months.<\/p>\n

If you’re looking for book recommendations, I put together this list of 20 Of The Best Coffee Table Travel Books<\/a> and you can also check out our list of 10 Novels To Inspire Your Wanderlust<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\"Vanessa<\/p>\n

Pay Less, Travel More eBook<\/h2>

Subscribe to get our FREE eBook with tips on saving money when you travel!<\/p>\n\t\t\t

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7) Hike And Stargaze In Joshua Tree National Park<\/h3>\n

Joshua Tree National Park<\/a> is 1,235 square miles of protected desert wilderness that lies just 40 miles from Palm Springs and is known for excellent hiking and stargazing. Whether you take a day trip to Joshua Tree or book a unique Joshua Tree Airbnb<\/a> for the night, it’s worth the short drive from Palm Springs to experience the peacefulness and beauty of this quiet desert landscape.<\/p>\n

8) Visit The Palm Springs Art Museum<\/h3>\n

Spend an afternoon at the Palm Springs Art Museum<\/a> to experience incredible art and architecture. The museum features 19th, 20th, and 21st century works focusing on contemporary California art, classic western and Native American art; Mesoamerican art, Mexican art,  European modern art; glass studio art, American mid-twentieth century architecture, and American photography.<\/p>\n

In addition, the Annenberg Theater<\/a> offers an eclectic calendar that includes Broadway, cabaret, jazz, classical, opera, dance, and entertainment industry speakers.<\/p>\n

9) Golf At A World-Class Course<\/h3>\n

With over 300 days of sunshine each year and an array of excellent golf courses, Palm Springs is an ideal destination for golfers. Check out this Palm Springs Golf Course Guide<\/a> for a list of the best golf courses in Coachella Valley. <\/p>\n

\"Palm<\/p>\n

10) Wander Moorten Botanical Garden<\/h3>\n

Moorten Botanical Garden<\/a> is a family-owned garden that dates back to the 1930s and is home to more than 3,000 desert plants from around the world, all grouped by region. There’s also a nursery if you want to shop for plants to take home. <\/p>\n

This whimsical garden is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 9am-1pm. Admission is $5 for adults and seniors, $2 for children 15 to 5, and free for children under 5 years old. <\/p>\n

11) Experience Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival<\/h3>\n

If you’re going to be visiting Palm Springs in April checking out the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festiva<\/a>l is a must! Coachella is held annually, just south of Palm Springs at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California.<\/p>\n

At this infamous festival, you’ll get to see top artists performing rock, pop, indie, hip hop, and electronic dance music. <\/span>The next Coachella dates are April 15th -24th, 2022!<\/p>\n

12) Take Instagram Worthy Photos<\/h3>\n

Palm Springs is a Crayola-colored oasis, where the architecture, desert landscape, and bright colors allow you to step back to the 1960s (when the area was at its peak of popularity), making it the perfect destination to snap drool-worthy Instagram photos. <\/p>\n

Check out our Instagram Guide To Colorful Palm Springs<\/a> by contributor Anna Kloots!<\/p>\n

\"PALM<\/p>\n

Where To Stay In Palm Springs<\/h2>\n

Palm Springs has an array of chic hotels and resorts spread across many neighborhoods<\/a>. Here are 10 of the best hotels<\/strong> in Palm Springs:<\/p>\n