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Palm Springs Travel Guide

Best neighborhoods, things to do, and when to visit

Palm Springs, CA

Palm Springs sits against the steep wall of Mount San Jacinto, where midcentury modern homes with butterfly roofs line streets shaded by date palms. Winter days often reach 75°F (24°C), while summer heat pushes past 105°F (41°C) and pool decks stay quiet until dusk.

Midcentury architecture · Desert hiking · Poolside lounging

  • Airport

    Palm Springs International Airport, just outside downtown

  • Language

    English, with Spanish widely spoken

  • Currency

    US dollar ($), cards accepted nearly everywhere

  • Ideal trip length

    Three to four days, longer for desert day trips

Best time to visit Palm Springs

March – May

Average temperature

48-75°F (9-24°C), Sunny days with little rain, mild mornings, and warm, dry afternoons.

Crowd Level

High

Reason To Visit

Spring brings long sunny days near 72°F (22°C), very little rain, and desert wildflowers on the canyon trails. Mornings stay cool enough for hiking before an afternoon by the water.

Fall event

Palm Springs Pride

Palm Springs Downtown Park

Things to do

Hike the Indian Canyons in the cool morning, ride the Aerial Tramway to pine forest above the desert, then browse midcentury design shops and the Thursday street market downtown.

Popular events

Spring

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival - Weekend 1, Palm Springs Fine Art Festival, 2026 Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival

Summer

Splash House - August, Shortfest, Vintage Vinyl with DJ Dusty

Fall

Palm Springs Pride, The Johnny Sky Queer Festival, Bloom Together: An Interactive Mural Experience - BZP Palm Springs

Winter

Palm Springs International Film Festival, Tour de Palm Springs, Modernism Week

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Where to stay in Palm Springs

Six Palm Springs areas, from walkable downtown blocks to quiet streets under the mountains.

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Historic Tennis Club

Mountain views, Walkable

Steep streets rise into the San Jacinto foothills, with town a short walk downhill.

Known for

Foothill streets and easy walks into town

Things to do nearby

Palm Springs Desert Museum, Tahquitz Canyon

Nearby neighborhoods

Downtown Palm Springs, Old Las Palmas, Deepwell Estates

Downtown Palm Springs

Central, Nightlife

The city center, with shops, restaurants and hotels within a few blocks.

Known for

Central base for dining and galleries

Things to do nearby

Palm Springs Desert Museum, Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Nearby neighborhoods

Historic Tennis Club, Old Las Palmas, The Movie Colony

Old Las Palmas

Quiet, Historic

Wide, hedge-lined streets north of downtown, shaded by mature palms.

Known for

Hedged estates a short drive from downtown

Things to do nearby

Palm Springs Desert Museum, Ruth Hardy Park

Nearby neighborhoods

Vista Las Palmas, Downtown Palm Springs, The Movie Colony

Vista Las Palmas

Midcentury, Design

Low-slung midcentury homes sit close under the mountain wall.

Known for

Midcentury architecture and mountain backdrops

Things to do nearby

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, Palm Springs Desert Museum, Ruth Hardy Park

Nearby neighborhoods

Old Las Palmas, Downtown Palm Springs

The Movie Colony

Leafy, Relaxed

Quiet blocks east of downtown, close to parks and a short ride to restaurants.

Known for

Quiet streets minutes from the center

Things to do nearby

Ruth Hardy Park, Palm Springs Desert Museum

Nearby neighborhoods

Ruth Hardy Park, Downtown Palm Springs, Old Las Palmas

Deepwell Estates

Family-friendly, Poolside

Ranch-style homes on South Palm Springs streets, with room for groups and a pool.

Known for

Ranch homes with pools for larger groups

Things to do nearby

Moorten Botanical Garden, Indian Canyons

Nearby neighborhoods

Historic Tennis Club, Downtown Palm Springs

Must see places in Palm Springs

Desert canyons, mid-century design and museums within reach of downtown Palm Springs

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Indian Canyons

Canyon$

Hiking trails wind past palm groves and cultural history in this nature reserve.

Things to do nearby

Tahquitz Canyon, Moorten Botanical Garden

Time needed

3-4 hours

Tahquitz Canyon

Canyon park$

A seasonal waterfall, rock art and cultural exhibits sit at the edge of town.

Neighborhood

Palm Springs

Things to do nearby

Indian Canyons, Palm Springs Desert Museum

Time needed

2 hours

Palm Springs Desert Museum

Museum$$

Modern art, native artifacts and rotating exhibitions fill this downtown cultural hub.

Neighborhood

Downtown Palm Springs

Things to do nearby

Walk of the Stars Palm Springs

Time needed

2 hours

Palm Springs Air Museum

History museum$$

Interactive hangars hold flyable aircraft from WWII, Korea and Vietnam.

Neighborhood

Desert Park Estates

Things to do nearby

Palm Springs International Airport, Ruth Hardy Park

Time needed

2-3 hours

Moorten Botanical Garden

Botanical garden$

A family-owned garden with cacti and succulents from deserts around the world.

Neighborhood

Palm Springs

Things to do nearby

Indian Canyons

Time needed

1 hour

Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center

Design museum$

Mid-century architecture and design exhibitions anchor this small museum and its programs.

Neighborhood

Downtown Palm Springs

Things to do nearby

Palm Springs Desert Museum, Walk of the Stars Palm Springs

Time needed

1 hour

Joshua Tree National Park

National park$$

Park roads connect Hidden Valley, Skull Rock and wide desert overlooks.

Neighborhood

Joshua Tree

Time needed

Full day

Sunnylands Center & Gardens

Historic estateFree

Nine acres of desert gardens surround a modernist estate; book house tours ahead.

Neighborhood

Rancho Mirage

Time needed

2 hours

Places to eat and drink in Palm Springs

Garden patios, scenic views and craft cocktails across Palm Springs

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Sherman's Deli & Bakery

Jewish Deli$$

A longstanding downtown deli known for hand-sliced pastrami, matzo ball soup, and a full bakery case.

Highlights

House-baked rye bread

Why do locals love it

Breakfast runs all day, and the bakery counter sells cakes by the slice.

Tyler's Burgers

Burgers$

A counter-service burger stand in a former bus depot beside La Plaza, serving griddled patties and slaw.

Highlights

Housemade potato salad

Why do locals love it

Orders arrive on paper plates, and the line moves along the shaded courtyard.

Las Casuelas Terraza

Mexican$$

Family-run Mexican kitchen on Palm Canyon Drive with hacienda-style courtyards and misted patios.

Highlights

Live music

Why do locals love it

The tiled courtyard stays cool while mariachi plays near the fountain.

Cheeky's Palm Springs

Breakfast and Brunch$$

Small brunch spot with a menu that changes weekly around Coachella Valley produce.

Highlights

Bacon flight

Why do locals love it

The chalkboard menu shifts each week, so regulars read it before sitting down.

Mr. Lyons Steakhouse

Steakhouse$$$$

Dry-aged steaks and chilled seafood in a 1940s dining room with dark banquettes and low lighting.

Highlights

Steak

Why do locals love it

The original supper-club room still frames every table in leather and lamplight.

Copley's on Palm Canyon

New American$$$

Seasonal California cooking served in and around a 1930s house once owned by Cary Grant.

Highlights

historic 1930s estate building

Why do locals love it

Tables sit under mature trees on the grounds of a former private estate.

Seymour's

Cocktail bar$$

A small speakeasy-style bar with craft cocktails, vintage details and an outdoor patio.

Highlights

Craft cocktails, outdoor patio

Why do locals love it

Vintage room and patio make an easy late stop for a cocktail.

Farm

French$$

French-inspired brunch with crepes, omelets and brioche French toast.

Highlights

Brioche French toast, garden patio

Why do locals love it

Crepes and omelets arrive on a garden patio.

Explore Palm Springs: The best travel itineraries

One well-paced day through Palm Springs, pairing downtown art and architecture with a canyon walk and dinner in the village.

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1 Day trip

A compact day that links downtown art and architecture with a canyon walk, then a courtyard dinner on South Palm Canyon.

Morning

Modern art before the heat

Arrive near opening for the quietest galleries.

Afternoon

Canyon trails and a seasonal waterfall

Carry water and check trail hours before you set out.

Evening

Dinner in a shaded courtyard

Ask about courtyard seating when you arrive.

3 Day trip

Three days built around downtown walking, Cahuilla canyons and a ride up the mountain, with time set aside for long patio meals.

Morning

Downtown on foot

Follow Palm Canyon Drive early, before the pavement heats up.

Afternoon

Modern art indoors

A cool stop when the afternoon sun peaks.

Evening

Courtyard Mexican dinner

Ask for a table in the shaded courtyard.

Morning

Palm-lined canyon trails

Carry water and start at opening for shade in the palm groves.

Afternoon

Cactus under glass and sky

Small site, so an hour is usually enough.

Evening

Piano bar supper

Reserve ahead for weekend tables near the piano.

Morning

Up the tramway

Layer up; the summit runs much colder than town.

Afternoon

Summit overlooks

Check trail conditions at the station before walking far.

Evening

Bacon flight to finish

Expect a wait; the counter turns over quickly.

5-7 Day trip

Five days in Palm Springs: sidewalk stars and museums downtown, palm-lined canyons, alpine trails above the valley and a full-day excursion east to Joshua Tree.

Morning

Downtown orientation

Walk the stars early, before midday heat settles on the sidewalk.

Afternoon

Art indoors

Save the museum for the hottest hours of the afternoon.

Evening

Mexican in the courtyard

Ask for a shaded courtyard table when you arrive.

Morning

Palm oases

Bring water and a hat; shade comes only from the palms.

Afternoon

Waterfall trail

Check the visitor exhibits before heading up to the falls.

Evening

Speakeasy nightcap

The patio is the best seat once the air cools.

Morning

Up the mountain

Book a tram time slot ahead and pack a warm layer.

Afternoon

Pine forest trails

Trails at the top stay cool even in summer.

Evening

Uptown dinner

Reserve ahead; the dining room fills on weekends.

Morning

Bacon flight breakfast

Arrive early on weekends; the wait grows fast.

Afternoon

Design center

A quick stop that pairs well with a downtown architecture walk.

Evening

Piano and dinner

Sit near the piano for the live music.

Morning

Deli breakfast before the drive

Grab house-baked goods to carry on the hour-plus drive east.

Afternoon

Boulders and Joshua trees

Fill the gas tank and water bottles before entering the park.

Evening

Valley overlook at dusk

The lookout sits at 5,185 feet, so bring a jacket.

  • Family travel

    The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens suits curious kids, and Knott's Soak City plus the Palm Springs Air Museum fill an easy afternoon.

  • Couple travel

    Wander the palm-shaded Andreas Canyon trail, then take a Mid-Century Modern architecture tour through Twin Palms and Vista Las Palmas.

  • Solo travel

    Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to Mount San Jacinto, then browse the Palm Springs Art Museum and the shops along Palm Canyon Drive.

How to get around Palm Springs

  • Metro and train

    Long-distance trains stop north of town at an unstaffed platform, so arrange a ride ahead. Check the rail operator for current schedules.

  • Bus

    Local buses link downtown with neighboring desert cities. Check the regional transit agency for routes, stops, and payment options before you set out.

  • Rental car

    A car makes canyon trailheads and desert drives easy. Streets are flat and well signed, though downtown parking fills on weekend evenings.

  • Walking

    Flat streets and wide sidewalks suit morning walks or bike rides. Carry water and shade up when afternoons climb past 100°F (38°C).

Generated with AI and may contain mistakes. Sources include third-party travel data and Airbnb data from listings, hosts, and host guidebooks. Updated September 2026.

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