Palm Springs is a bright and sunny town in Southern California that is full of amazing things to do. The Greater Palm Springs area encompasses many neighborhoods and towns. From historic homes, to pool parties with DJs, hiking and national parks, there’s something here for everyone. Palm Springs is great for girls’ trips, romantic getaways, or even solo travelers. This post has some of Palm Spring’s bucket list worthy things to do, so keep reading to plan your Palm Springs trip!
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How to Get to Palm Springs
The closest airport to Palm Springs is Palm Springs International Airport, but there are other options to fly into as well. Palm Springs is roughly 2 hour drive from Los Angeles International Airport, or a 4 hour drive from Las Vegas International Airport. Regardless of which airport you fly into, consider taking a Southwest USA road trip like we did to explore all this area has to offer!
If you’re looking for a car rental, check out Discover Cars and opt for an electric or Hybrid vehicle, as gas in this area is expensive. We booked a Jeep 4xE (the hybrid Wrangler) and we loved the freedom it gave us to explore! Plus, if you’re road tripping, there may be long stretches between gas stations, so having the extra efficiency is great!
Book your car rental for Palm Springs Here!
Visit the Moorten Botanical Garden
One of the cutest little botanical gardens I’ve ever been to, the Moorten Botanical Garden is full of native plants as well as the world’s first cactarium! This little garden is perfect to stroll around to see many of the native plant species, especially cactus (which was on my bucket list). There are many little paths to take around the gardens, the cactarium is beautifully lit during the morning hours, and you may even be lucky enough to see some wildlife visit, like the little hummingbird we got to see. Bring your camera, but be sure not to touch the cactuses, no matter how fuzzy they may look!
Explore Las Palmas Famous Houses
The houses in Palm Springs may be some of the more popular attractions, and for good reason! Many of these houses are full of charm and history, and even cute decor. Midcentury modern is an extremely popular architecture style in Palm Springs, with many of the homes, hotels, and shops boasting this design. This area became popular in the 1950s for celebrities and elite, and the unique architecture has stood the test of time, leading to a picturesque neighborhood.
The Las Palmas neighborhood is where you can drive around and find some of the more notable homes, including homes known for their decor like the Pink Door, Party Lions, and even famous celebrities’ homes such as Marylin Monroe’s home or the Elvis Presley Honeymoon home. While you drive around, there are many guided tours you can take, like this one on a bicycle, or you can meander through the neighborhood with a rental car.
If you get out to take pictures, it is important to remember that these are people’s homes, and to be respectful. While some may have signs, others may not, but it is a good rule of thumb to avoid walking up the sidewalk to the door, avoid impeding traffic if any comes by, remain quiet and respectful, and to avoid knocking on any doors. Take your photos respectfully (I took most of mine from the public sidewalk except for one house that had a “for sale” sign).
Indulge in Palm Spring’s Best Ice Cream
Palm Springs can get hot in the summer, or even in the winter when we visited! Ice cream is a great way to cool down and one of my favorite desserts to have. Try Kreem, right off of East Palm Canyon Drive (as you head into downtown Palm Springs). They have so many unique flavors, vegan options, and even an ice cream flight to try 6 of their scoops! I loved the atmosphere and the ice cream was truly amazing.
Take the Famous Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
This was something we did not get to do, but will definitely add to our list next time we visit! This aerial tramway brings you from Coachella Valley up to the peak of the Mt. San Jacinto State Park. This rotating tram crosses the Chino Valley, and rotates while you are riding, making it the largest rotating tram in the world!
Check Out the Hotel California
A quaint, 14 room historic hotel holds the famous song’s namesake, and it stands in Palm Springs! Hotel California is a gorgeous little hotel built in the 1940s, and is definitely eye-catching as you drive by. If you’re a fan of the famous Eagle’s song, it may not look like the bleak, entrapping hotel described in the song, rather is a welcoming and warm desert oasis designed with Spanish architecture. Bring your camera for some cute shots, or choose to join the many repeat customers that return to Palm Springs and stay at the hotel that you may never leave!
Try Some Amazing Mexican Food
Southern California is known to have some amazing Mexican cuisine, with it’s proximity to the border, as well as it’s many cultural influences. Palm Springs is known to have some amazing Mexican restaurants, and I was thoroughly impressed! We ate at a little restaurant called Casa Mendoza and had an amazing time. The margaritas were amazing (and HUGE, even if you order a small), and the food was incredible. Plus, we had live music to enjoy. There are many great Mexican restaurants in the area to try, check out some of these top rated ones!
Stay at the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells
The Hyatt Regency Indian Wells is a short drive to the hotspot of Palm Springs, while providing a much more serene atmosphere. Indian Wells is perfect for balancing a quiet getaway while still being close to explore the town and surrounding areas. It is also closer to some parts of the Coachella Valley, meaning there may be less crowds if you are trying to explore neighboring towns. This property exudes luxury from the drive in to your room, and more. There are other Hyatt resorts around, however, this one provides a sense of seclusion from the hustle and bustle of the popular Palm Springs area.
When we stayed here, we were treated to a King suite and a view of the gorgeous golf course. There are multiple restaurants on site, as well as tons of amenities to check out. I wish we had more time to indulge in the resort, but the handful of nights we stayed were amazing. Book your stay at Indian Wells here!
Visit Joshua Tree National Park
A trip to Palm Springs is not complete without visiting the famous Joshua Tree National Park. Joshua Tree is home to incredible landscapes, hiking, and unique flora endemic to the area. The Joshua Trees are found primarily in the Mojave Desert, so seeing them is definitely a big draw to the park. In addition, the park boasts incredible boulders, some which are great for hiking or climbing, and others that are just gorgeous against the mountain skyline. If you want to avoid rocky or more difficult hikes, there are plenty of easier walking paths, like the Cholla Cactus Garden, try to go at sunrise to see the way the light shines through the cactus spines! (Our visit to Joshua Tree saw over an inch of rain, which is about 1/4 of what the area sees per year, so expect dryer conditions than these pics show!)
Palm Springs Windmill Farm
One of the largest sustainable energy windmill farms is a definite add to your California and Palm Springs itinerary. The windmill farm is one of the largest windmill farms in the US, and it is truly amazing seeing how large these windmills are! Bring your camera for some epic photos, and enjoy meandering through the silent giants.
There are a couple ways to experience the windmills, whether with your own vehicle or with a guided tour. Renting a car provides the most freedom of course, but finding the road to get close to the windmills can be hard. Sunset is a gorgeous time to visit, while the middle of the day can provide some cool shadows for some epic photos from the windmills.
Thousand Palm Oasis
If you want to venture out and explore a desert oasis, then you need to visit the Thousand Palm Oasis. This short hike is an incredible way to see palm trees lining a water-filled valley. The hike is very easy and has a boardwalk over the wetland areas, so this is a great option for most travelers. Bring your camera and some waters, as the palms are truly breathtaking.
The Oasis is located on BLM Land (public lands), so is free to enter. Park your car in the parking lot or up on the side of the road and walk towards the palms. There, you will see a path to follow as well as some informational boards about the area. This is also a great place to see native wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled above, and below you!
The Saguaro Hotel
If you want to have a resort day in Palm Springs, then head over to the Saguaro Hotel. This bright and colorful hotel is an Instagram dream with cute cabanas, brightly colored decor, and that cute vintage feel. They have pool parties with live DJs on the weekends, or opt for a quieter day at the property’s spa.
This hotel is right near the popular spots in Palm Springs and would be a great place to stay, but if you have already booked another place, opt for a day pass at the resort to enjoy the color and fun that is offered here!
Book your stay at the Saguaro here!
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