Travel guide · United States
Palm Springs travel guide
Mid-century modern homes, palm canyons and pools under the San Jacinto peaks
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Visitor7, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
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 surrounding streets hold one of the largest concentrations of modernist houses in the United States. Days revolve around the pool, desert hikes in the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians' palm canyons and the aerial tramway up the mountain, with a car opening up Joshua Tree and the rest of the valley. Plan 4 days for a first visit; the best months are February–April and November.
Key facts
- Country
- United States
- Best time to visit
- February–April and November
- Ideal stay
- 4 days
- Main airports
- PSP, ONT
- Mid-range daily budget
- US$250–400 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Mid-century modern architecture, Aerial tramway, Desert palm canyons and Pool resorts
Plan a trip to Palm Springs
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
Why visit Palm Springs
- The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway lifts you about 1,800 metres in roughly ten minutes, from desert floor to pine forest that is often around 15–17°C cooler.
- Neighbourhoods such as Vista Las Palmas, Twin Palms and the Movie Colony are an open-air museum of mid-century houses by Albert Frey, E. Stewart Williams, Richard Neutra and the Alexander Construction Company.
- The Indian Canyons and Tahquitz Canyon, on the Agua Caliente reservation, hold fan-palm oases and a seasonal waterfall within a 15-minute drive of downtown.
- From November to April the valley has warm, sunny days around 20–30°C while much of North America is in winter.
- Joshua Tree National Park, the Salton Sea and the pine village of Idyllwild are all day trips by car.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 16 things to do.
Experience · Chino Canyon
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Rotating tram cars climb from the Valley Station in Chino Canyon to the Mountain Station at about 2,600 metres, crossing roughly 4 km of cliffs in around ten minutes while the floor turns slowly so every passenger gets the full view.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Views
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Neighbourhood · Vista Las Palmas and Twin Palms
Mid-century modern homes drive
Palm Springs' modernist houses are best seen on a self-guided drive or bike ride: Frank Sinatra's Twin Palms by E.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- History
- Iconic
Nature · San Jacinto Mountains
Mount San Jacinto State Park
The tramway's Mountain Station opens onto a wilderness of granite, Jeffrey pines and meadows.
- Time needed
- 2 hours to a full day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Active
- Outdoors
- Views
Nature · Agua Caliente Reservation
Indian Canyons
On the ancestral lands of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Palm Canyon holds one of the largest California fan palm oases in the world, with a trail descending from the Trading Post at Hermit's Bench.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Kids
- History
- Photo spot
Nature · South of downtown
Tahquitz Canyon
A loop trail of about 3 km climbs rocky steps into a canyon sacred to the Cahuilla, ending at an 18-metre seasonal waterfall.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Active
- Outdoors
- History
Museum · Downtown Palm Springs
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
Part of the Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza on Tahquitz Canyon Way, this museum tells the story of the Cahuilla people of the Coachella Valley through baskets, oral history and immersive galleries.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Art
Where to stay
Downtown Palm Springs is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 8 areas.
$$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife, food lovers and solo travellers
Downtown Palm Springs
Palm Canyon Drive shops, museums and restaurants within walking distance of most hotels
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$$$ · Best for couples, shopping and food lovers
Uptown Design District
Vintage furniture showrooms, restored motels and brunch spots on North Palm Canyon Drive
$$$$ · Best for couples, quiet stays, luxury and culture
Movie Colony and Old Las Palmas
Quiet streets of walled 1930s–1960s estates where Hollywood stars once wintered
$$ · Best for couples, nightlife and quiet stays
Warm Sands
Small men's resorts, many clothing-optional, a few blocks southeast of downtown
What to eat
- Date shake — Blended dates, vanilla ice cream and milk make a thick, caramel-sweet shake that has been the Coachella Valley's signature treat since the early 20th century, when date palms were planted around Indio.
- Medjool and Deglet Noor dates — Most US dates are grown in the Coachella Valley.
- Tacos and Mexican plates — The valley has a large Mexican-American community, and taquerías serve carne asada, al pastor and fish tacos alongside burritos and tortas.
- Tamales — Masa wrapped in corn husks and steamed with pork in red chile, chicken in green salsa or cheese with jalapeño.
- Chilaquiles — Fried tortilla chips simmered in red or green salsa and topped with eggs, crema and cheese, a standard on Palm Springs brunch menus and in Mexican breakfast cafés.
- Weekend brunch — Brunch is a Palm Springs ritual, especially at weekends: long patio meals with eggs Benedict, avocado toast and mimosas, often with misters running and the mountains in view.
When is the best time to visit Palm Springs?
The best time to visit Palm Springs is from February to April and in November, when days are warm and sunny at about 23–31°C and hiking is comfortable. January, October and December are also pleasant with fewer events. Avoid July and August unless you only want a cheap pool break, as highs regularly exceed 40°C.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Warm, bright days, wildflowers in good years and the big Indio festivals, with temperatures climbing steeply through May. |
| Summer | June–August | Extreme heat above 40°C, the lowest hotel prices of the year and many places on reduced hours; outdoor activity is limited to dawn and the mountain top. |
| Autumn | September–November | Still hot in September, then ideal from late October, with the season and Pride weekend arriving in November. |
| Winter | December–February | Mild sunny days around 20°C, chilly nights, snow on the peaks and the busiest calendar: the film festival and Modernism Week. |
Getting there and around
Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) is about 3 km east of downtown, around 10 minutes by taxi or rideshare, and many routes are seasonal. Ontario International (ONT) is about 110 km west and Los Angeles International about 175 km, usually 2.5–3 hours or more by car depending on traffic.
Downtown Palm Springs is walkable, but the attractions are spread across a valley about 70 km long, so most visitors rent a car. SunLine buses link the valley's cities, and rideshares cover short hops.
How many days do you need in Palm Springs?
Two days covers the tramway, a canyon hike, downtown and an architecture drive. Four days adds a full day in Joshua Tree, a lazy pool day and a trip down-valley to the Living Desert or Sunnylands. How to split your days.
Planning a trip to Palm Springs from the U.S.
Worked out from time zones, airport coordinates and local power standards. Time differences can shift by an hour for a few weeks a year while daylight saving starts or ends on different dates.
Time difference
3 hours behind New York; Same time as Los Angeles
Distance from the U.S.
2,380 miles (3,820 km) from New York (JFK); 107 miles (172 km) from Los Angeles (LAX)
In a straight line between the airport and the city centre, not a flight route.
Plugs and voltage
U.S. plugs fit (Type A and B sockets). Power is 120 V (120 V at home).
Practical information
- Currency
- USD
- Language
- English and Spanish
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink; carry at least 2–3 litres per person for any desert hike.
- Emergency number
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
- Tipping
- Tipping is expected: about 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, a dollar or two per drink at bars, a few dollars a day for housekeeping and 15–20% for taxis and rideshares.
The main risk is heat: dehydration and heat exhaustion are common on canyon and desert trails, so hike early and turn back if you run low on water. Car break-ins can happen at trailheads and downtown parking; keep valuables out of sight.
Flights to Palm Springs
Questions travellers ask
+What is Palm Springs known for?
Mid-century modern architecture, Aerial tramway, Desert palm canyons, Pool resorts, Modernism Week, LGBTQ+ travel and Date shakes. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway lifts you about 1,800 metres in roughly ten minutes, from desert floor to pine forest that is often around 15–17°C cooler.
+Is Palm Springs expensive?
Palm Springs is moderately priced for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly US$250–400 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Palm Springs?
Mostly yes. You can manage a short downtown stay without one, but the tramway, the canyons, Joshua Tree and the down-valley towns are far easier to reach by car.