Palm Springs is a resort city in the California desert. It became a destination during the 1950s and 1960s when Hollywood movie stars flocked there in droves. Nowadays, the area offers entertainment for all ages, although the most common demographics consists of retirees. Palm Springs offers a wealth of indoor and outdoor activities. Known for its hiking, mid-century modern architecture, stunning natural beauty and sparkling pools, Palm Springs has the perfect blend of outdoor activities and casual relaxation.
Palm Springs is a favorite for gay travelers, naturist communities, and many other people.
- Palm Springs Visitor Center, 2901 N Palm Canyon Dr, +1 760 778-8418.
Palm Springs Visitor Center, 2901 N Palm Canyon Dr, +1 760 778-8418.
- Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, 1 Tramway Rd, +1 760 325-1391. Sep to late May: first tram up M-F 10AM, Sa Su hols 8AM, last tram up 8PM and down 9:45PM; late May to Aug: M–Th first tram up 10AM, F-Su hols 8AM, Su-Th last tram up 8PM and down 9:45PM, F Sa last tram up 9PM and down 10:30PM. The one thing to do in Palm Springs if you only have a limited amount of time, and a good place to go to get away from the heat. Incredible views at night, and snow in the winter. From the Visitor Center, you must drive 10 minutes or walk about 2 hours. There is no shuttle. Adults $26, children (3-10) $17, seniors (65+) $24.
- Indian Canyons. Tahquitz Canyon, Palm Canyon, Andreas Canyon and Murray Canyon, were sacred Native sites, now open to the public for hiking.
- Palm Springs Art Museum, 101 Museum Dr, +1 760 325-7186. Founded in 1933, the museum hosts special exhibits and work from its permanent collection which includes Ruscha, Robert Arneson, Nathan, Charles Russell, Frederic Remington and Native American and Mesoamerican Art.
- Palm Springs Air Museum, 745 N. Gene Autry Trail, +1 760 778-6262. Nice place to go to if you have half a day to spare. Home to great condition World War II airplanes, etc.
- Palm Springs International Film Festival. Held the first two weeks of January. One of the largest film festivals in North America. A star-studded black tie gala, it is open to public with the purchase of gala tickets.
- Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films. Largest short film festival in North America; second largest in the world. An Academy sanctioned festival. Fifty of the short films screened at this festival have been nominated for Academy Awards. The public can meet up-and-coming directors and actors at special parties.
- Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, 219 S. Palm Canyon Dr, +1 760 778-1079. The history and culture of the Agua Caliente Tribe is on display. Admission is free.
- Thursdays – Thursday Street Fair, downtown with craft and food booths, and during the spring season live music
- Saturdays - Farmers Market, 8AM–12:30PM adjacent to the Camelot Theatres at 2300 E. Baristo Road (2 miles from downtown) and a Saturday Flea Market in nearby Palm Desert
January–March
- Palm Springs International Film Festival
- Modernism Week
- Desert Concours d’Elegance
- Festival of Native Film & Culture
- Tour de Palm Springs
April–June
- Arthur Lyons’ Film Noir Festival
- Restaurant Week
- ANA Inspiration – One of the five major championships of women's golf, held at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage and ending on the first Sunday of April.
- Girls Weekend (formerly Dinah Shore Weekend) – An annual gathering of lesbians (and those who sympathize with LGBT causes) that coincides with the ANA Inspiration. (The former name of "Dinah Shore Weekend" honors the late entertainer, who founded the golf tournament that once bore her name.)
- White Party
July–September
- Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films
- 4 July Celebration
- Cinema Diverse Gay and Lesbian Films
October–December
- American Heat Bike Show
- Exotic Car Show and Auction
- Greater Palm Springs Pride
- Festival of Lights Parade
- Veterans Day Parade
- Walk of the Inns
- Tree Lighting Ceremony at Aerial Tramway
- Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort. Consists of two spectacular 18-hole golf courses, both offer gorgeous views. Golf Digest has rated Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort as "one of the best places to play"
- Indian Canyons Golf Resort.
Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort. Consists of two spectacular 18-hole golf courses, both offer gorgeous views. Golf Digest has rated Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort as "one of the best places to play"
Indian Canyons Golf Resort.
- Spa Resort Casino, 401 E. Amado Rd, +1 760 883-1000. Offers live entertainment, restaurants, a players club, and over 1000 slot machines.
- Morongo Casino Resort & Spa.
Spa Resort Casino, 401 E. Amado Rd, +1 760 883-1000. Offers live entertainment, restaurants, a players club, and over 1000 slot machines.
Morongo Casino Resort & Spa.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, 1 Tramway Rd, +1 760 325-1391. Sep to late May: first tram up M-F 10AM, Sa Su hols 8AM, last tram up 8PM and down 9:45PM; late May to Aug: M–Th first tram up 10AM, F-Su hols 8AM, Su-Th last tram up 8PM and down 9:45PM, F Sa last tram up 9PM and down 10:30PM. The one thing to do in Palm Springs if you only have a limited amount of time, and a good place to go to get away from the heat. Incredible views at night, and snow in the winter. From the Visitor Center, you must drive 10 minutes or walk about 2 hours. There is no shuttle. Adults $26, children (3-10) $17, seniors (65+) $24.
Indian Canyons. Tahquitz Canyon, Palm Canyon, Andreas Canyon and Murray Canyon, were sacred Native sites, now open to the public for hiking.
Palm Springs Art Museum, 101 Museum Dr, +1 760 325-7186. Founded in 1933, the museum hosts special exhibits and work from its permanent collection which includes Ruscha, Robert Arneson, Nathan, Charles Russell, Frederic Remington and Native American and Mesoamerican Art.
Palm Springs Air Museum, 745 N. Gene Autry Trail, +1 760 778-6262. Nice place to go to if you have half a day to spare. Home to great condition World War II airplanes, etc.
Palm Springs International Film Festival. Held the first two weeks of January. One of the largest film festivals in North America. A star-studded black tie gala, it is open to public with the purchase of gala tickets.
Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films. Largest short film festival in North America; second largest in the world. An Academy sanctioned festival. Fifty of the short films screened at this festival have been nominated for Academy Awards. The public can meet up-and-coming directors and actors at special parties.
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, 219 S. Palm Canyon Dr, +1 760 778-1079. The history and culture of the Agua Caliente Tribe is on display. Admission is free.
- Art. Palm Springs has more than a dozen art galleries featuring local artists and desert themes.
- Desert Hills Premium Outlets in Cabazon, 48400 Seminole Dr, Cabazon. Large outlet mall with over 100 stores.
Art. Palm Springs has more than a dozen art galleries featuring local artists and desert themes.
Desert Hills Premium Outlets in Cabazon, 48400 Seminole Dr, Cabazon. Large outlet mall with over 100 stores.
The annual Palm Springs Desert Resorts Restaurant Week offers an opportunity to try a number of restaurants at a discounted rate.
- Tyler's Burgers, 149 South Indian Canyon Dr. This small hamburger joint, famous for their sliders, is considered by locals to have the best hamburgers in Palm Springs. Only open for lunch. Be sure to get there early or be prepared to wait.
- Kaiser Grille, 205 S. Palm Canyon Dr, +1 760 323-1003. Good American food right in the middle of downtown Palm Springs.
- Le Vallauris, 385 W. Tahquitz Canyon Way, +1 760 325-5059. Expensive, but good French food off of S. Palm Canyon Drive.
- Riccio's Steak & Seafood, 495 N Palm Canyon Dr. Steak and seafood from an iconic restaurant family. Patio dining on Palm Canyon Drive.
- El Mirasol, 140 E. Palm Canyon Dr. Voted the best Mexican food in the desert by the readers of Palm Springs Life.
- Melvyn's, 200 W. Ramon Rd. Old world style featured on "Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous. Live entertainment and happening bar scene.
Tyler's Burgers, 149 South Indian Canyon Dr. This small hamburger joint, famous for their sliders, is considered by locals to have the best hamburgers in Palm Springs. Only open for lunch. Be sure to get there early or be prepared to wait.
Kaiser Grille, 205 S. Palm Canyon Dr, +1 760 323-1003. Good American food right in the middle of downtown Palm Springs.
Le Vallauris, 385 W. Tahquitz Canyon Way, +1 760 325-5059. Expensive, but good French food off of S. Palm Canyon Drive.
Riccio's Steak & Seafood, 495 N Palm Canyon Dr. Steak and seafood from an iconic restaurant family. Patio dining on Palm Canyon Drive.
El Mirasol, 140 E. Palm Canyon Dr. Voted the best Mexican food in the desert by the readers of Palm Springs Life.
Melvyn's, 200 W. Ramon Rd. Old world style featured on "Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous. Live entertainment and happening bar scene.
- Joshua Tree National Park. This desert park is a great day trip to take while at Palm Springs. You can get there in less than an hour by going north on route 62. Take a minimum of four hours to do the loop from the north through the south of the park. Camping is allowed as well as rock climbing.
- Idyllwild is a mountain resort approximately 45 minutes drive away on the beautiful Palms to Pines highway. It can also be reached by a scenic 10 mile hike from the top of the Palm Springs Tramway.
Other nearby desert resort cities include Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta and Indio.
[[Joshua Tree National Park]]. This desert park is a great day trip to take while at Palm Springs. You can get there in less than an hour by going north on route 62. Take a minimum of four hours to do the loop from the north through the south of the park. Camping is allowed as well as rock climbing.
[[Idyllwild]] is a mountain resort approximately 45 minutes drive away on the beautiful Palms to Pines highway. It can also be reached by a scenic 10 mile hike from the top of the Palm Springs Tramway.