Palm Springs Tours & Activities

Plan your trip to Palm Springs, California — handpicked tours and activities, the best time to visit, where to stay and eat, how to get there, and a sample itinerary.

Top things to do in Palm Springs

• Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The world's largest rotating tram car climbs 2.5 miles from the desert floor up to the cool pine forests of Mt. San Jacinto State Park, delivering 360-degree views and a 40-degree temperature drop in under 10 minutes. At the summit, more than 50 miles of hiking trails fan out through wilderness that feels worlds away…
• Indian Canyons — Agua Caliente Nature Preserve. Three dramatic palm-studded canyons — Palm, Andreas, and Murray — cut through the ancestral homeland of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, offering more than 60 miles of trails through towering native fan palms, ancient rock art, and desert streams. Admission supports the tribe that has stewarded this…
• Palm Springs Art Museum. Founded in 1938, this 150,000-square-foot institution houses more than 24,000 works spanning modern and contemporary California art, Native American baskets and pottery, Mesoamerican sculpture, and fine-art photography — with pieces by Chagall, Picasso, Warhol, Ansel Adams, and Alexander Calder. The building itself,…
• Mid-Century Modern Architecture & Modernism Week. Palm Springs holds one of the world's largest concentrations of preserved mid-century modern architecture, shaped by masters including Albert Frey, Richard Neutra, William Cody, and Donald Wexler. Modernism Week — held each February and again in October — brings more than 450 events: home tours, lectures, evening…
• Agua Caliente Cultural Museum & Cultural Plaza. Opened in 2023 as the second-largest tribal cultural plaza in the United States, this 48,000-square-foot museum uses immersive video, 8,000-year-old artifacts, and interactive exhibits to tell the living story of the Cahuilla people. The adjacent Seché Spa draws on a 12,000-year-old hot mineral spring aquifer beneath…
• Joshua Tree National Park. About 45 minutes from downtown Palm Springs, two desert ecosystems — the Mojave and the Colorado — collide across 800,000 acres of surreal boulder piles, cartoon-silhouette Joshua trees, and among the darkest night skies in Southern California. Designated an International Dark Sky Park, it rewards day hikers, rock…
• Palm Springs Air Museum. Ranked by CNN as one of the world's top air museums, this collection of more than 75 flyable WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam-era aircraft sits inside climate-controlled hangars with no ropes or barriers — visitors walk right up to a B-17 Flying Fortress, P-51 Mustang, and C-47 Skytrain. Flight-experience rides in…
• VillageFest — Thursday Night Street Fair. Every Thursday evening since 1991, three blocks of Palm Canyon Drive close to traffic and transform into a free open-air market with 200-plus vendors selling handmade crafts, local art, gourmet food, and live entertainment. Started when Sonny Bono was mayor, it remains the city's most beloved weekly tradition and a…

Best time to visit Palm Springs

February and March (shoulder: November–December and April). February–March offer the best balance of mild temperatures (daytime highs 68–73°F), minimal rain, and a full calendar of signature events including the Palm Springs International Film Festival (January) and Modernism Week (mid-February). Spring wildflower blooms in the surrounding desert are an added attraction. Avoid June through September when daily highs average 99°F+ and outdoor activity becomes dangerous

Palm Springs weather by month

Getting to Palm Springs

A rental car is the most flexible option for exploring the full Coachella Valley, Joshua Tree, and Desert Hot Springs. Downtown Palm Springs itself is very walkable within a 1–2 mile radius. Rideshare (Uber and Lyft) is reliable and cheap for downtown evenings when you don't want to drive. SunLine bus connects valley cities for $1–$3 per day. Free parking garages downtown allow up to four hours at no charge.

• PSP Palm Springs International Airport — 5 min drive
• ONT Ontario International Airport — 60 min drive
• LAX Los Angeles International Airport — 120 min drive

Where to stay in Palm Springs

Where to base yourself, by neighborhood.

• Downtown / Palm Canyon Drive Corridor. The city's most walkable hub, where boutique hotels and historic inns sit steps from Palm Canyon Drive's restaurants, galleries, VillageFest, and nightlife. A compact, pedestrian-friendly grid means most first-time visitors can explore the city's core… Good for: First-time visitors, couples, solo travelers, anyone who wants maximum walkability and nightlife access.
• Uptown Design District. Stretching along North Palm Canyon Drive between Alejo Road and Vista Chino, this stylish residential-and-retail neighborhood blends vintage design showrooms, art galleries, and brunch spots with boutique hotels like Arrive Palm Springs and The Weekend. The… Good for: Design enthusiasts, Modernism Week attendees, couples seeking a curated aesthetic experience.
• Old Las Palmas. Palm Springs' most prestigious residential enclave, tucked against the San Jacinto Mountains foothills on curvilinear palm-lined streets. Historic estates once owned by Frank Sinatra, Cary Grant, Elizabeth Taylor, and Lucille Ball now serve as private… Good for: Couples, romantics, anyone seeking privacy, luxury vacation-rental travelers.
• Desert Hot Springs. A 20-minute drive north of Palm Springs, this small city sits atop North America's largest cold-water aquifer and a geothermal hot-water aquifer — a combination that supports dozens of boutique mineral-spring spa resorts (Two Bunch Palms, Azure Palm, Tuscan… Good for: Wellness travelers, couples, anyone whose primary goal is soaking in natural hot springs.
• Arenas Road / Warm Sands. Palm Springs' recognized LGBTQ+ district, centered on East Arenas Road with its rainbow crosswalks, gay bars, drag venues, and inclusive restaurants, and extending into the adjacent Warm Sands neighborhood where several clothing-optional resorts and men's… Good for: LGBTQ+ travelers, nightlife seekers, Pride and Dinah Shore Weekend attendees.

Where to eat in Palm Springs

A curated set of standout tables and local favorites.

Local favorites & classics

• Birba. North Palm Canyon Drive / Downtown · Italian — Wood-fired pizza & handmade pasta — A chic Italian courtyard restaurant open since 2011, serving Milanese and Tuscan-style wood-fired pizzas, handmade…
• Copley's on Palm Canyon. North Palm Canyon Drive · Contemporary American — Set on the grounds of Cary Grant's former estate, this award-winning restaurant serves inventive California-American cuisine — think Asian-spiced…
• Norma's at Parker Palm Springs. Warm Sands / West Side · California Breakfast & Brunch — An all-day breakfast destination inside the boutique Parker hotel, open to non-guests, with a sunny terrace and an indulgent menu running…
• Kaiser Grille. South Palm Canyon Drive / Downtown · California-Mediterranean Chophouse — Family-owned since 1992 and housed in a landmark 1956 E. Stewart Williams-designed building, Kaiser Grille pairs an in-house…
• Clandestino. Downtown / Near Marilyn Monroe Statue · Elevated Mexican — A vibrant downtown restaurant serving elevated, fresh Mexican food steps from the famous Marilyn Monroe statue. Known for creative…
• Elmer's Restaurant. 1030 E Palm Canyon Dr · 4.6★ (7,058 reviews)
• Billy Reed's Restaurant, Bakery, and Bar. 1800 N Palm Canyon Dr · 4.6★ (4,846 reviews)
• Farm. 6 La Plaza · 4.7★ (3,838 reviews)

Cafés, bakeries & casual

• Chef Tanya's Kitchen. South Palm Canyon / Eugene Road · Vegan / Plant-based — A beloved gourmet vegan deli and marketplace open since 2017, turning organic local produce into comfort-food classics like the El Cubano…
• Sherman's Deli & Bakery. 401 E Tahquitz Canyon Way · 4.6★ (8,212 reviews)
• Manhattan in the Desert. 2665 E Palm Canyon Dr · 4.3★ (2,426 reviews)
• L'Atelier Café Palm Springs. 129 La Plaza · 4.7★ (1,049 reviews)
• Koffi Palm Springs North. 515 N Palm Canyon Dr Ste A-7 · 4.5★ (1,202 reviews)
• Townie Bagels | Bakery | Cafe. 650 E Sunny Dunes Rd #5 · 4.5★ (1,066 reviews)
• Koffi Palm Springs South. 1700 S Camino Real Ste 2 · 4.5★ (1,023 reviews)
• Koffi Palm Springs Central. 650 E Tahquitz Canyon Way · 4.5★ (824 reviews)

Fine dining & Michelin

• Cheeky's. North Palm Canyon Drive / Downtown · American Breakfast & Brunch — Michelin-recognized brunch institution known for its rotating seasonal menu and iconic bacon flight — five strips in different…
• Tac/Quila. North Palm Canyon Drive / Downtown · Modern Mexican — Michelin-recognized for its polished take on Jalisco flavors, with standout dishes like lobster tacos and short rib enchiladas paired with an…
• Spencer's Restaurant. 701 W Baristo Rd · 4.5★ (2,173 reviews)
• Eddie V's Prime Seafood. 73040 El Paseo · 4.7★ (803 reviews)
• Workshop Kitchen & Bar. 800 N Palm Canyon Dr · 4.3★ (1,393 reviews)
• LG's Prime Steakhouse. 255 S Palm Canyon Dr · 4.4★ (1,001 reviews)
• Sandfish Sushi & Whiskey. 1556 N Palm Canyon Dr · 4.2★ (1,166 reviews)
• Melvyn’s at the Ingleside Estate. Ingleside Estate · 4.2★ (1,087 reviews)

A 7-Day Palm Springs Plan

1. Day 1 — Desert Welcome & Downtown Soul. Begin with a leisurely breakfast at Cheeky's on North Palm Canyon Drive, a beloved local brunch spot known for its rotating seasonal menu. Stroll the Palm Springs Walk of Stars along Palm Canyon Drive to get a feel for the heart of downtown. Spend the afternoon at the Palm…
2. Day 2 — Sky-High Tramway & Mountain Air. Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway first thing — arrive early to beat the crowds. The rotating tram cars ascend nearly 6,000 feet from the desert floor to the cool pine forests of Mount San Jacinto State Park, where temperatures can be 30–40°F cooler than the valley below.…
3. Day 3 — Ancient Canyons & Agua Caliente Culture. Drive to the Indian Canyons — the Agua Caliente Nature Preserve — and hike Palm Canyon, the world's largest native California fan palm oasis. The 15-mile canyon is lush and dramatic; Andreas Canyon and Murray Canyon are equally stunning shorter options. Visit the Agua…
4. Day 4 — Mid-Century Modern Architecture Tour. Join a Modernism Week Architecture Tour (offered year-round, not just during the February festival) or download the PS Modern self-guided walking map and explore the iconic mid-century neighborhoods — the Movie Colony, Old Las Palmas, and Twin Palms — on your own. See…
5. Day 5 — Joshua Tree's Otherworldly Landscape. Make an early start for Joshua Tree National Park, about an hour's drive east. Enter at the north entrance in Twentynine Palms and stop at the Cholla Cactus Garden, a surreal half-mile loop through thousands of jumping cholla cacti. Continue to Skull Rock for a short…
6. Day 6 — Desert Wellness & Botanical Wonders. Start the day with a soak at one of the Desert Hot Springs Natural Mineral Spas, a short drive north of Palm Springs. The Two Bunch Palms Resort & Spa offers day-visit access to its world-famous geothermal mineral pools for a restorative morning ritual. Visit Moorten…
7. Day 7 — Music, Markets & Desert Farewell. Spend a relaxed final morning revisiting your favorite neighborhood — the Uptown Design District is ideal for last-minute vintage shopping, picking up mid-century art prints, or settling into a café like Ernest Coffee for a slow pour-over. If your visit falls during Coachella…

Events & festivals in Palm Springs

• Palm Springs International Film Festival (January 2–12, 2026 (37th annual edition)). Held every January since 1990. The 37th annual festival ran January 2–12, 2026, with the Film Awards Gala on January 3 at the Palm Springs Convention Center. Considered the largest world cinema film festival in the…
• Modernism Week (February 12–22, 2026 (primary festival); October 15–18, 2026 (fall edition)). Annual 11-day celebration of mid-century modern architecture, design, art, interior design, and vintage culture in Palm Springs. The February festival is the signature event; a smaller fall preview edition runs in…
• Stagecoach Country Music Festival (April 24–26, 2026). Annual three-day outdoor country music festival held at Empire Polo Club in Indio, CA — approximately 22 miles southeast of Palm Springs in the Coachella Valley. NOT in the city of Palm Springs proper. 2026 headliners:…
• Palm Springs Pride (November 6–8, 2026 (40th anniversary edition)). Founded 1986 as 'Sizzle' at Riviera Resort. The first formal Desert Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade was held in 1992; moved to November (Veterans Day weekend) in 1995. The 40th anniversary edition (2026) carries the theme…

Palm Springs travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Palm Springs?

February and March (shoulder: November–December and April).

What are the top things to do in Palm Springs?

Top experiences include Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, Indian Canyons — Agua Caliente Nature Preserve, Palm Springs Art Museum, Mid-Century Modern Architecture & Modernism Week, Agua Caliente Cultural Museum & Cultural Plaza.

Which airport is closest to Palm Springs?

Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) is the nearest, about 5 minutes away.

Where should I stay in Palm Springs?

Popular areas to base yourself include Downtown / Palm Canyon Drive Corridor, Uptown Design District, Old Las Palmas, Desert Hot Springs.

How do I get around Palm Springs?

A rental car is the most flexible option for exploring the full Coachella Valley, Joshua Tree, and Desert Hot Springs.