Season guide · Palm Springs · United States
Palm Springs in winter
December–February: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Palm Springs Visitor Center (Tramway Gas Station), Palm Springs · Photo: Bryanb7, CC BY-SA 4.0
2.jpg){kind=link}
Quick answer
Mild sunny days around 20°C, chilly nights, snow on the peaks and the busiest calendar: the film festival and Modernism Week. Expect highs up to 23°C (73°F) and lows around 7°C (45°F), with about 11 rainy days across December–February. February is among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- December–February
- Temperatures
- 7°C (45°F) to 23°C (73°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 11
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Plan a trip to Palm Springs
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
Weather in winter
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21°C (70°F) | 8°C (46°F) | 4 | 10.1 h | 4/5 |
| February | 23°C (73°F) | 9°C (48°F) | 4 | 10.9 h | 5/5 |
| December | 20°C (68°F) | 7°C (45°F) | 3 | 9.9 h | 3/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 21°C (70°F) against a yearly 32°C (90°F), and 11 of the year's roughly 19 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 4/5 and hotel prices 4/5 on average.
What's on in winter
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- January: Palm Springs International Film Festival (usually early to mid-January)
- February: Modernism Week — tours, talks and open houses (usually mid-to-late February)
- February: Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival in Indio (usually February)
- December: Festival of Lights Parade on Palm Canyon Drive (usually early December)
- December: Indio International Tamale Festival (usually early December)
Make the most of the weather
Nature · Thousand Palms
Coachella Valley Preserve
Walk the short McCallum Trail to the oasis pond in the early morning, when birds are active and the temperature is bearable.
- Time needed
- 1.5–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
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
Nature · San Jacinto Mountains
Mount San Jacinto State Park
Pick up the free wilderness permit at the ranger station below the Mountain Station before any hike beyond the short loops, and start the summit trail early.
- 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
Visit in winter or early spring, when snowmelt and rain mean the waterfall is actually flowing; by late summer it can be a trickle.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Active
- Outdoors
- History
Day trips in winter
- 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.
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (About 2 hours) — California's largest state park surrounds the small town of Borrego Springs with badlands, slot canyons and palm oases.
What to pack
- Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is winter a good time to visit Palm Springs?
Yes: February is among the best months. Mild sunny days around 20°C, chilly nights, snow on the peaks and the busiest calendar: the film festival and Modernism Week.
+What is the weather like in Palm Springs in winter?
Highs of up to 23°C (73°F) and lows around 7°C (45°F), with about 11 rainy days over the season.