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Things to do in Palm Springs

Things to do in  Palm Springs

Welcome to Palm Springs

Palm Springs' reputation as LA’s desert playground began in the 1920s when it became the destination du jour for Hollywood’s brightest stars. A century later, Los Angelenos and SoCal locals still flock to the Sonoran Desert city. Mid-century modern architecture, chic hotels, and pool parties are still top of the list for any Palm Springs trip, with hikes into the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto mountains and Indian Canyon becoming increasingly popular.

Top 14 attractions in Palm Springs

Mojave Desert

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The driest desert in North America, the Mojave is home to Death Valley National Park, which is best known for its Badwater Basin, the lowest point on the continent at 282 feet (86 meters) below sea level. The Mojave’s 25,000 square miles (65,000 square kilometers) also encompass Las Vegas, Lake Mead, Mojave National Preserve, and more.More

Joshua Tree National Park

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Joshua Tree National Park lies at the crux of the Colorado and Mojave deserts and spans 429,690 acres (173,889 hectares) of wind-swept Southern California plains. Famous for its starlit night skies and surreal geological features, the park’s rich landscape and signature flora draws day-trippers, rock climbers, and backpackers alike.More

Mt. San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness

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Mt. San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness covers 14,000 acres (5,665 hectares) west of Palm Springs, including the second-highest mountain in Southern California. It is home to subalpine forest, hiking trails—including a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail—and cross-country skiing tracks that draw visitors throughout the year.More

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

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Covering more than 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) on a 10-minute journey, the popular Palm Springs Aerial Tramway provides spectacular views of Chino Canyon and Mount San Jacinto State Park. Activities at the top—accessed by one of the largest rotating aerial tramcars in the world—are offered year-round.More

San Andreas Fault

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Running down the state of California, from Cape Mendocino to the Mexican border, the San Andreas Fault forms a continuous, narrow break in the Earth's crust between the Pacific and North American tectonic plates. Seismologists predict that the fault will eventually cause the "big one": a 7.0+ magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale.More

Indian Canyons

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Located on the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation, Indian Canyons is the ancestral home of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and is made up of three canyons: Palm Canyon, Andreas Canyon, and Murray Canyon. The canyons attract hikers with more than 60 miles (95 kilometers of trails.More

Palm Springs Air Museum

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Home to a large collection of airplanes from World War II, as well as the Korean and Vietnam conflicts, the Palm Springs Air Museum is a history museum dedicated to the role of aviation in American military conflicts. Not only are the aircraft preserved and displayed, the planes are also flown in air shows and demonstrations.More
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Coachella Valley Preserve

Coachella Valley Preserve

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Home to more than 25 miles (40 kilometers of hiking trails, Coachella Valley Preserve sits between Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park. The preserve is known for its Thousand Palms Oasis and other palm oases, which are formed by water flowing from the San Andreas Fault.More

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

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California’s largest state park protects an arid mountain wilderness that’s home to wildlife and vegetation like bighorn sheep, eagles, roadrunners, iguanas, wildflowers, palms, and cacti. Its remote atmosphere attracts visitors who want to hike or explore via 4-wheel-drive vehicle.More
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Tahquitz Canyon

Tahquitz Canyon

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Part of the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation, Tahquitz Canyon is known for its rock art and 60-foot (18-meter waterfall located at the end of a hiking trail. It’s a popular activity for those looking for an outdoor attraction that’s not too far from Palm Springs.More
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Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

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The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Springs brings together wildlife and plant life from desert landscapes. From snakes and lizards to mammals including mountain lions and giraffes, the creatures appeal to children and adults alike. Visitors come to learn more about how life thrives in the desert.More
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Oasis Date Gardens

Oasis Date Gardens

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Amid the cacti and scrub brush of the desert outside Palm Springs, a 175-acre (70-hectare ranch provides the chance to learn a bit about Southern California agriculture and have lunch surrounded by date palms. At Oasis Date Gardens in Thermal, Medjool and other varieties of dates are grown, sold, and served up in cold milkshakes—perfect for beating the desert heat.More
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Colorado Desert

Colorado Desert

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Southern California’s Colorado Desert, part of the larger Sonoran Desert, stretches from Mexico north to the Mojave Desert, covering 7 million acres (28,000 square kilometers of terrain. Hikers, rock climbers, and campers are particularly drawn to the region for the numerous hiking trails and desert scenery to be explored.More
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Mission Creek Preserve

Mission Creek Preserve

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Part of the Wildlands Conservancy group of California nature preserves, Mission Creek Preserve spans more than 4,700 acres between the Sonoran and Mojave deserts. In addition to the typical arid landscape of the desert, the preserve features a patch of wetlands and is home to wildlife such as deer, bears, and bighorn sheep.More
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Trip ideas

Top activities in Palm Springs

The Legends & Icons Tour of Palm Springs
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San Andreas Fault Offroad Tour

San Andreas Fault Offroad Tour

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199
From
HK$1,517.22
Palm Springs Windmill Tours
Special Offer

Palm Springs Windmill Tours

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228
From
HK$385.24
per group
HK$481.58  HK$96.34 savings
Operators have paid Viator more to have their experiences featured here

What people are saying about Palm Springs

Yee Haw - had a great time!!
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Tabatha_L
, May 2023
Yee Haw - had a great time!!
Definitely will return the next time we are Palm Springs!
Indian Canyons was a...
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Melissa_L
, May 2023
Indian Canyons was a...
The oasis in the desert needs to be seen if you are in the Palm Springs area.
Great tour
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Dawn_K
, May 2023
Great tour
Highly recommend this to anyone headed to Palm Springs.
The views were wonderful....
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Joanne_Z
, May 2023
The views were wonderful....
Would recommend to family and friends visiting Palm Springs.
Super jeep tour with Darrell!
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Brenda_K
, Apr 2023
Super jeep tour with Darrell!
My sister and I traveled to the Palm Springs area for the first time and decided a jeep tour would be a fun and different experience.
Enjoy the Views and the Hiking Trails
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ChunHeng_H
, Mar 2023
Enjoy the Views and the Hiking Trails
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway offers a friendly and unique experience with rotating tramcars.
Terrific Tour!
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Morgan_P
, Feb 2023
Terrific Tour!
A do not miss in Palm Springs!
Creative way to visit Downtown Palm Springs!
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Lois_T
, Feb 2023
Creative way to visit Downtown Palm Springs!
What a fabulous way to visit Palm Springs and learn some of the history and tidbits of an era gone by.
Don't miss this tour!
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Lisa_B
, Feb 2023
Don't miss this tour!
Learned more about the city of Palm Springs and hiked an incredible canyon that was more like a tropical oasis than a desert landscape.
Memorable!
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Teresa_A
, Feb 2023
Memorable!
Isabelle, our tour guide, was very personable and extremely knowledgeable about the tour content and the Palm Springs area.
Beautiful Day to Explore Palm Springs
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Deborah_W
, Dec 2022
Beautiful Day to Explore Palm Springs
Really enjoyed our day on a scavenger hunt in downtown Palm Springs.
Fantastic hike with Hollis at the helm!
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Brenda_K
, Apr 2023
Fantastic hike with Hollis at the helm!
My sister and I traveled to the Palm Springs area for the first time and decided we needed a more in-depth hike in Joshua Tree National Park.
Highly recommend this sunrise hike with Timothy
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Marc_H
, Mar 2023
Highly recommend this sunrise hike with Timothy
I would go again if I came back to Palm Springs.
A Tour You Will Not Forget
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Gary_S
, Mar 2023
A Tour You Will Not Forget
Of all the tours we took during our stay in Palm Springs this was by far the most memorable and exhilarating of them all.
Amazing time!!!!
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Karla_H
, Jan 2023
Amazing time!!!!
Two hours from Palm Springs may seem like a long drive and the cost may seem high, but boy is it worth it!
Excellent, informative tour...
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ROBERT_O
, Jan 2023
Excellent, informative tour...
My one caveat to those touring Joshua Tree during the winter months - it's COLD.
Sunrise, Sheep, and Meditation
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adrienne_w
, Dec 2022
Sunrise, Sheep, and Meditation
I was in Palm Springs for a birthday vacation and came across this sunrise hike and meditation experience.
Great Experience / Amazing Guide (Susie)
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GabrielL
, Dec 2022
Great Experience / Amazing Guide (Susie)
This is a must for anyone visiting the Palm Springs area.
Such an AWESOME ride up the Canyon!
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Danniel_D
, Feb 2023
Such an AWESOME ride up the Canyon!
It was our first time up in the Tramway & a first in Palm springs California!
Don't miss this Canyon Bike Trip
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LisaGeardino
, Oct 2022
Don't miss this Canyon Bike Trip
I would recommend this to everyone who visits Palm Springs!

All about Palm Springs

When to visit

Every mid-century modern abode in Palm Springs seems to come with its own pool, and for good reason: this desert oasis sees soaring temperatures in the summer. The dry heat and cooler nights make it possible to enjoy Palm Springs in the height of the season, but travelers who favor more moderate weather might consider an autumn or spring visit.

Currency
US Dollar ($)
Time Zone
PDT (UTC -8)
Country Code
+1
Language(s)
English

People Also Ask

What is Palm Springs most known for?

With its focus on leisure, including golf, spa treatments, and poolside lounging, Palm Springs is best known as a warm-weather getaway in Southern California. Hollywood celebrities popularized the destination in the 1920s. Another Palm Springs icon? Its mid-century modern architecture.

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What is there to do in Palm Springs for adults?

Palm Springs is a warm-weather playground in Southern California where golf courses, spas, and pools abound. Mid-century modern architecture touring, vintage shopping, and hiking in nearby Indian Canyons are also popular pastimes. Head up the mountain on the aerial tramway for cooler temperatures and to enjoy the San Jacinto forest.

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Is it worth going to Palm Springs?

Yes, Palm Springs is a great getaway for creative inspiration and to soak up the sun. Visitors flock to this desert town for its stylish accommodations, funky personality, and upbeat charm. Consistently warm weather makes hiking, golfing, pool lounging, and mid-century modern architecture touring easy and accessible, especially in winter.

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What is the nicest part of Palm Springs?

The best part of Palm Springs depends on your interests. The small city’s neighborhoods are bisected by Indian Canyon and Palm Canyon drives, along which are popular hotels, resorts, and restaurants. Neighborhoods known for luxurious mid-century modern and contemporary estates include Vistas Las Palmas, the Movie Colony, and Deepwell Estates.

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Is downtown Palm Springs worth visiting?

Most visits to Palm Springs will include the downtown area, which is hard to miss. Two parallel thoroughfares, Indian Canyon and Palm Canyon drives, bisect the city and are where most businesses are found. Along these streets is a popular farmers market and the weekly VillageFest street fair.

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What is there to do on a day trip to Palm Springs?

Whether you love mid-century architecture, spa treatments, or desert landscapes, Palm Springs is a fun day trip. Families love the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, while art lovers enjoy the Sunnylands Center and Gardens and Palm Springs Art Museum. Outdoor pursuits include hiking Indian Canyons and riding the aerial tramway.

...More

Palm Springs information

Number of Attractions

14

Number of Tours

96

Number of Reviews

4,468

Currency

USD
Frequently Asked Questions
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