Comparison · Los Angeles vs Palm Springs · United States
Los Angeles vs Palm Springs
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Gnaphron, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Quick answer
Choose Los Angeles for Hollywood, beaches, beaches and free sights; choose Palm Springs for mid-century modern architecture, aerial tramway and a short break. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 159 km (99 mi) apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 159 km (99 mi)
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Los Angeles
- March–May and September–November
- Best time for Palm Springs
- February–April and November
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Side by side
| Los Angeles | Palm Springs | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Known for | Hollywood, Beaches and Griffith Observatory | Mid-century modern architecture, Aerial tramway and Desert palm canyons |
| Best time to visit | March–May and September–November | February–April and November |
| Ideal stay | 6 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | US$250–400 | US$250–400 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 29°C (84°F) | July, 42°C (108°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 20°C (68°F) | December, 20°C (68°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 10 | 5 |
| Day trips in our guide | 7 | 6 |
| Beaches | Santa Monica State Beach | — |
| Airports | LAX, BUR, LGB, SNA, ONT | PSP, ONT |
Month by month
Going by our guides' own ratings, the better pick is Los Angeles in May–October, and Palm Springs in February. Both are at their best in March–April and November.
| Month | Los Angeles | Palm Springs | Better pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20°C (68°F), 6 rainy days · shoulder season | 21°C (70°F), 4 rainy days · shoulder season | Either: shoulder season |
| February | 21°C (70°F), 6 rainy days · shoulder season | 23°C (73°F), 4 rainy days · best time | Palm Springs |
| March | 22°C (72°F), 5 rainy days · best time | 27°C (81°F), 2 rainy days · best time | Both at their best |
| April | 23°C (73°F), 3 rainy days · best time | 31°C (88°F), 1 rainy day · best time | Both at their best |
| May | 24°C (75°F), 1 rainy day · best time | 36°C (97°F), 0 rainy days · shoulder season | Los Angeles |
| June | 26°C (79°F), 0 rainy days · shoulder season | 41°C (106°F), 0 rainy days | Los Angeles |
| July | 29°C (84°F), 0 rainy days | 42°C (108°F), 1 rainy day · best avoided | Los Angeles |
| August | 29°C (84°F), 0 rainy days | 42°C (108°F), 1 rainy day · best avoided | Los Angeles |
| September | 28°C (82°F), 1 rainy day · best time | 39°C (102°F), 1 rainy day | Los Angeles |
| October | 26°C (79°F), 2 rainy days · best time | 33°C (91°F), 1 rainy day · shoulder season | Los Angeles |
| November | 23°C (73°F), 3 rainy days · best time | 25°C (77°F), 1 rainy day · best time | Both at their best |
| December | 20°C (68°F), 5 rainy days · shoulder season | 20°C (68°F), 3 rainy days · shoulder season | Either: shoulder season |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Los Angeles for…
Hollywood, beaches, beaches and free sights. Los Angeles is a sprawling region of distinct neighbourhoods rather than a single centre: Hollywood and Griffith Park below the hills, Santa Monica and Venice on the beach, a revived Downtown of museums and food halls, and Beverly Hills and West Hollywood in…
Choose Palm Springs for…
Mid-century modern architecture, aerial tramway and a short break. Palm Springs sits on the floor of the Coachella Valley at the foot of the 3,302-metre San Jacinto Mountains, about 175 km east of Los Angeles. Its walkable downtown along Palm Canyon Drive is lined with mid-century modern banks, motels and shops, and the…
Top sights compared
| # | Los Angeles | Palm Springs |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Griffith Observatory | Palm Springs Aerial Tramway |
| 2 | Hollywood Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre | Mount San Jacinto State Park |
| 3 | Getty Center | Indian Canyons |
| 4 | Santa Monica Pier | Tahquitz Canyon |
| 5 | Venice Beach Boardwalk and canals | Agua Caliente Cultural Museum |
Food compared
| Los Angeles | Palm Springs |
|---|---|
| Tacos al pastor | Date shake |
| French dip sandwich | Medjool and Deglet Noor dates |
| Korean barbecue | Tacos and Mexican plates |
| Double-Double burger | Tamales |
Which is cheaper?
Los Angeles and Palm Springs cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly US$250–400 in Los Angeles and US$250–400 in Palm Springs (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Los Angeles on a budget.
Los Angeles or Palm Springs from the U.S.
Worked out from time zones and airport coordinates: straight-line distances, not flight routes.
| Los Angeles | Palm Springs | |
|---|---|---|
| Time vs New York | −3 h | −3 h |
| Time vs Los Angeles | Same time | Same time |
| From New York (JFK) | 2,460 mi (3,960 km) | 2,380 mi (3,820 km) |
| From Los Angeles (LAX) | 12 mi (19 km) | 107 mi (172 km) |
| U.S. plugs | U.S. plugs fit | U.S. plugs fit |
Los Angeles and Palm Springs are about the same distance from New York.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Los Angeles and Palm Springs are about 159 km (99 mi) apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 6 days in Los Angeles and 4 in Palm Springs.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Los Angeles or Palm Springs cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about US$250–400 in Los Angeles and US$250–400 in Palm Springs (estimates).
+Is Los Angeles or Palm Springs better for a first trip?
Pick Los Angeles for Hollywood, beaches, beaches and free sights, or Palm Springs for mid-century modern architecture, aerial tramway and a short break.
+How far is Los Angeles from Palm Springs?
About 159 km (99 mi) in a straight line.