Visiting Palm Springs Visitor Center (Tramway Gas Station)

About Palm Springs Visitor Center (Tramway Gas Station)

Albert Frey and Robson Chambers designed this 1965 gas station at the turn-off to the tramway, with a sharply cantilevered hyperbolic paraboloid roof that has become an emblem of desert modernism. It now serves as the city's visitor centre, with maps, tour bookings and a small shop.

Tip: Stop here on the way to or from the tramway to photograph the roof against the mountains and pick up an architecture map.

Plan your visit

• Time needed: 30 minutes.
• Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
• Book ahead: not needed; you can simply turn up.
• Where: North Palm Springs.

Best time to visit Palm Springs Visitor Center (Tramway Gas Station)

To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:

• May: 36°C (97°F) highs, almost no rainy days, moderate crowds.
• October: 33°C (91°F) highs, about 1 rainy days, moderate crowds.
• December: 20°C (68°F) highs, about 3 rainy days, moderate crowds.

When to visit Palm Springs has the full month-by-month picture.

Fit it into your trip

Palm Springs Visitor Center (Tramway Gas Station) is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and Mid-century modern homes drive.

• No. 9 of the 16 sights in our Palm Springs things-to-do list.
• Day 5 of the 5-day plan.
• Listed in free things to do in Palm Springs.

If you like Palm Springs Visitor Center (Tramway Gas Station)

• Mid-century modern homes drive — Vista Las Palmas and Twin Palms, 2–3 hours
• Architecture and Design Center — Downtown Palm Springs, 45 minutes
• Sunnylands — Rancho Mirage, 1–3 hours

Staying near Palm Springs Visitor Center (Tramway Gas Station)

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