Season guide · Palm Springs · United States
Palm Springs in autumn
September–November: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, Palm Springs · Photo: Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, CC BY 4.0
Quick answer
Still hot in September, then ideal from late October, with the season and Pride weekend arriving in November. Expect highs up to 39°C (102°F) and lows around 11°C (52°F), with about 3 rainy days across September–November. November is among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- September–November
- Temperatures
- 11°C (52°F) to 39°C (102°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 3
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
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Weather in autumn
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | 39°C (102°F) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 | 12.3 h | 1/5 |
| October | 33°C (91°F) | 17°C (63°F) | 1 | 11.3 h | 3/5 |
| November | 25°C (77°F) | 11°C (52°F) | 1 | 10.4 h | 4/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 32°C (90°F) against a yearly 32°C (90°F), and 3 of the year's roughly 19 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in autumn
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- November: Greater Palm Springs Pride (usually early November)
Make the most of the weather
Garden · South Palm Springs
Moorten Botanical Garden
Founded in 1938 by Patricia and Chester 'Cactus Slim' Moorten, this compact family-run garden on South Palm Canyon Drive packs thousands of desert plants from around the world into walking paths around their 1920s house.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Kids
- Off the beaten path
- Photo spot
Zoo · Palm Desert
Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Arrive at opening in spring or autumn; the animals are most active and the paths are long and exposed by midday.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
Nature · Thousand Palms
Coachella Valley Preserve
Along the San Andreas Fault, the Thousand Palms Oasis supports dense groves of fan palms fed by groundwater pushed up by the fault.
- Time needed
- 1.5–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
Experience · Chino Canyon
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Bring a warm layer even in summer, and in winter check for snow at the top; the trails can need proper footwear from December to March.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Views
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
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
Day trips in autumn
- Idyllwild (About 1 hour 15 minutes) — A mountain village at about 1,650 metres in the San Jacinto Mountains, with pine forest, cabins, art galleries and trails such as Devil's Slide and the climb towards Tahquitz Peak.
- Salton Sea and Salvation Mountain (About 1 hour 45 minutes) — California's largest lake formed by accident in 1905 and is now a shrinking, salty inland sea with eerie half-abandoned resort towns such as Bombay Beach and huge flocks of migratory birds.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is autumn a good time to visit Palm Springs?
Yes: November is among the best months. Still hot in September, then ideal from late October, with the season and Pride weekend arriving in November.
+What is the weather like in Palm Springs in autumn?
Highs of up to 39°C (102°F) and lows around 11°C (52°F), with about 3 rainy days over the season.