Things to do in Palm Springs
Welcome to Palm Springs
Palm Springs' reputation as LA’s desert playground began in the 1920s when it became the destination du jour for Hollywood’s brightest stars. A century later, Los Angelenos and SoCal locals still flock to the Sonoran Desert city. Mid-century modern architecture, chic hotels, and pool parties are still top of the list for any Palm Springs trip, with hikes into the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto mountains and Indian Canyon becoming increasingly popular.
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5-Star activities in Palm Springs
Top 14 attractions in Palm Springs
#1
Mojave Desert
The driest desert in North America, the Mojave is home to Death Valley National Park, which is best known for its Badwater Basin, the lowest point on the continent at 282 feet (86 meters) below sea level. The Mojave’s 25,000 square miles (65,000 square kilometers) also encompass Las Vegas, Lake Mead, Mojave National Preserve, and more.More
#2
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park lies at the crux of the Colorado and Mojave deserts and spans 429,690 acres (173,889 hectares) of wind-swept Southern California plains. Famous for its starlit night skies and surreal geological features, the park’s rich landscape and signature flora draws day-trippers, rock climbers, and backpackers alike.More
#3
San Andreas Fault
Running down the state of California, from Cape Mendocino to the Mexican border, the San Andreas Fault forms a continuous, narrow break in the Earth's crust between the Pacific and North American tectonic plates. Seismologists predict that the fault will eventually cause the "big one": a 7.0+ magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale.More
#4
Mt. San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness
Mt. San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness covers 14,000 acres (5,665 hectares) west of Palm Springs, including the second-highest mountain in Southern California. It is home to subalpine forest, hiking trails—including a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail—and cross-country skiing tracks that draw visitors throughout the year.More
#5
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Covering more than 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) on a 10-minute journey, the popular Palm Springs Aerial Tramway provides spectacular views of Chino Canyon and Mount San Jacinto State Park. Activities at the top—accessed by one of the largest rotating aerial tramcars in the world—are offered year-round.More
#6
Indian Canyons
Located on the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation, Indian Canyons is the ancestral home of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and is made up of three canyons: Palm Canyon, Andreas Canyon, and Murray Canyon. The canyons attract hikers with more than 60 miles (95 kilometers of trails.More
#7
Palm Springs Air Museum
Home to a large collection of airplanes from World War II, as well as the Korean and Vietnam conflicts, the Palm Springs Air Museum is a history museum dedicated to the role of aviation in American military conflicts. Not only are the aircraft preserved and displayed, the planes are also flown in air shows and demonstrations.More
#8
Coachella Valley Preserve
Home to more than 25 miles (40 kilometers of hiking trails, Coachella Valley Preserve sits between Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park. The preserve is known for its Thousand Palms Oasis and other palm oases, which are formed by water flowing from the San Andreas Fault.More
#9
Tahquitz Canyon
Part of the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation, Tahquitz Canyon is known for its rock art and 60-foot (18-meter waterfall located at the end of a hiking trail. It’s a popular activity for those looking for an outdoor attraction that’s not too far from Palm Springs.More
#10
Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Springs brings together wildlife and plant life from desert landscapes. From snakes and lizards to mammals including mountain lions and giraffes, the creatures appeal to children and adults alike. Visitors come to learn more about how life thrives in the desert.More
#11
Oasis Date Gardens
Amid the cacti and scrub brush of the desert outside Palm Springs, a 175-acre (70-hectare ranch provides the chance to learn a bit about Southern California agriculture and have lunch surrounded by date palms. At Oasis Date Gardens in Thermal, Medjool and other varieties of dates are grown, sold, and served up in cold milkshakes—perfect for beating the desert heat.More
#12
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
California’s largest state park protects an arid mountain wilderness that’s home to wildlife and vegetation like bighorn sheep, eagles, roadrunners, iguanas, wildflowers, palms, and cacti. Its remote atmosphere attracts visitors who want to hike or explore via 4-wheel-drive vehicle.More
#13
Mission Creek Preserve
Part of the Wildlands Conservancy group of California nature preserves, Mission Creek Preserve spans more than 4,700 acres between the Sonoran and Mojave deserts. In addition to the typical arid landscape of the desert, the preserve features a patch of wetlands and is home to wildlife such as deer, bears, and bighorn sheep.More
#14
Colorado Desert
Southern California’s Colorado Desert, part of the larger Sonoran Desert, stretches from Mexico north to the Mojave Desert, covering 7 million acres (28,000 square kilometers of terrain. Hikers, rock climbers, and campers are particularly drawn to the region for the numerous hiking trails and desert scenery to be explored.More
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When to visit
Every mid-century modern abode in Palm Springs seems to come with its own pool, and for good reason: this desert oasis sees soaring temperatures in the summer. The dry heat and cooler nights make it possible to enjoy Palm Springs in the height of the season, but travelers who favor more moderate weather might consider an autumn or spring visit.
Currency
US Dollar ($)
Time Zone
PDT (UTC -8)
Country Code
+1
Language(s)
English