Palm Springs, United States travel guide

Desert chic: mid-century modern style, poolside glamour, hot springs and dramatic mountain scenery.

Best time to visit: October-May (warm, sunny, comfortable)
Average daily budget: $180 to $350 USD
Ideal trip length: 3 to 4 days

Palm Springs is the desert playground of Southern California, a glamorous oasis of mid-century modern architecture, poolside resorts, dramatic mountain backdrops and endless sunshine. Once Hollywood's getaway, it blends retro cool with hiking, hot springs, art and an LGBTQ+-friendly, laid-back vibe. Ride the rotating tram up San Jacinto, explore design icons, and soak up the desert light. Joy Plus times the pools, the hikes and the design tours so you get desert relaxation and adventure in balance.

Palm Springs itinerary

Day 1, Get oriented

Morning: Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Rotating cable cars climb to the cool pine forests atop Mount San Jacinto, with stunning desert views.

Afternoon: Explore Downtown & Uptown Design District, Walkable heart of restaurants, galleries, mid-century design shops and the Saturday VillageFest.

Evening: Tour mid-century modern architecture. Palm Springs is a mecca of modernist design, explore its iconic homes and buildings, especially during Modernism Week.

Day 2, Go deeper

Morning: Relax poolside or at a spa. The city's resorts and hot springs (especially in nearby Desert Hot Springs) are made for unwinding.

Afternoon: Explore The Movie Colony, Historic neighbourhood of classic mid-century homes once owned by Hollywood stars.

Evening: Hike Indian Canyons or Tahquitz Canyon. Palm-lined desert canyons with streams, waterfalls and trails on Agua Caliente tribal land.

Day 3, Hidden side

Morning: Explore the Palm Springs Art Museum. A strong collection of modern and contemporary art and design in the heart of town.

Afternoon: Explore Las Palmas, An upscale enclave of iconic modernist estates beneath the mountains.

Evening: Soaking in the natural mineral hot springs of Desert Hot Springs.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Best neighbourhoods

Downtown & Uptown Design District: Walkable heart of restaurants, galleries, mid-century design shops and the Saturday VillageFest.
The Movie Colony: Historic neighbourhood of classic mid-century homes once owned by Hollywood stars.
Las Palmas: An upscale enclave of iconic modernist estates beneath the mountains.
Palm Canyon Drive: The main strip of dining, nightlife, shopping and people-watching.
Greater Coachella Valley (nearby): Palm Desert, Indian Wells and La Quinta extend the resort, golf and spa scene.

Must-do experiences

Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway: Rotating cable cars climb to the cool pine forests atop Mount San Jacinto, with stunning desert views.
Tour mid-century modern architecture: Palm Springs is a mecca of modernist design, explore its iconic homes and buildings, especially during Modernism Week.
Relax poolside or at a spa: The city's resorts and hot springs (especially in nearby Desert Hot Springs) are made for unwinding.
Hike Indian Canyons or Tahquitz Canyon: Palm-lined desert canyons with streams, waterfalls and trails on Agua Caliente tribal land.
Explore the Palm Springs Art Museum: A strong collection of modern and contemporary art and design in the heart of town.

Hidden gems

Soaking in the natural mineral hot springs of Desert Hot Springs.
Sunset cocktails at a retro mid-century hotel bar.
The surreal sculptures and outsider art around the desert.
A day trip to Joshua Tree National Park, under an hour away.

Daily budget

$180 to $350 USD per day.

What to eat

Date shakes (a Coachella Valley specialty)
Poolside California cuisine
Farm-to-table desert dining
Craft cocktails at retro lounges

Getting around

Downtown Palm Springs is walkable, but the wider Coachella Valley is spread out, so a rental car is recommended for reaching the canyons, neighbouring resort towns and day trips to Joshua Tree. Rideshare works for getting around town and to dinner. The Aerial Tramway and many attractions have parking. In the warmer months, plan outdoor activities for early morning or evening and rely on the car's air conditioning midday.

Safety

Palm Springs is a very safe, relaxed and welcoming destination, including for LGBTQ+ travellers, with normal low-key precautions sufficient. The main risk is the desert heat: summer temperatures are extreme, so hike early, carry water and use sun protection year-round. Watch for flash floods in rare desert storms, and never underestimate the sun, even in the pleasant winter season.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in Palm Springs?

Three to four days is ideal. A couple of days cover the Aerial Tramway, downtown, a mid-century design tour and poolside relaxation, while extra days let you hike the canyons, visit a spa or hot springs, and take a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park. It's perfect for a relaxed long weekend.

Is Palm Springs safe for solo travellers?

Yes, very. Palm Springs is a safe, relaxed and famously welcoming destination, including for LGBTQ+ travellers, where normal low-key precautions are sufficient. The main risk is the desert heat rather than crime, so hike early, carry water and use sun protection at all times of year.

When is the best time to visit Palm Springs?

October to May is the best time, with warm, sunny, comfortable weather ideal for pools, hiking and exploring, peaking in the pleasant winter and spring months. Summers (June-September) are extremely hot, often exceeding 40°C/110°F, though resort prices drop steeply. Spring also brings popular events like Modernism Week and Coachella nearby.

Do you need a car in Palm Springs?

It's recommended. Downtown is walkable, but the wider Coachella Valley is spread out, so a rental car helps for reaching the canyons, neighbouring resort towns and day trips to Joshua Tree. Rideshare works for getting around town and to restaurants, but a car gives the most flexibility, especially in the heat.

Is the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway worth it?

Yes, it's a signature experience. The world's largest rotating tramway climbs over 8,500 feet from the desert floor to the cool pine forests of Mount San Jacinto State Park in minutes. The views are spectacular, the temperature can be 30°F cooler at the top, and there are hiking trails and a restaurant. Bring a jacket even in summer.

Why is Palm Springs famous for architecture?

Palm Springs is a world capital of mid-century modern architecture, with one of the largest concentrations of preserved 1950s and '60s modernist homes and buildings. Designed by figures like Richard Neutra and Albert Frey, these clean-lined desert houses drew Hollywood stars and design lovers. The annual Modernism Week celebrates this legacy with tours and events.

Is Palm Springs expensive?

It can be, especially during peak winter and spring events when resort prices climb. Save by visiting in the shoulder seasons, taking advantage of cheaper summer rates if you can handle the heat, enjoying free hikes in the canyons and downtown strolls, and staying in smaller boutique hotels rather than the big resorts.

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