Discover and have a quick browse through Top 10: Things to Do in Palm Springs
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Tucked away between four mountain ranges, Palm Springs is an oasis in the Sonoran Desert that offers a refreshing stop on your travels, or a fun weekend break away from nearby Los Angeles or San Diego. The town is famous for its golf courses, restaurants, natural beauty, and friendly locals – expect a welcome that's as warm as the weather. With regular festivals, events and celebrations, there's always something going on in Palm Springs. We've put together a few of our favorite activities that are available year-round and guaranteed to make your desert vacation an unforgettable experience.
Remember, if you're jetting off to Palm Springs, you can book your flights and accommodation with Trip.com…
1. Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Take a ride on the world's biggest aerial tram car (source: Todamo / Unsplash)
Climbing more than 10,000 feet up into the gods of Chino Mountain, the tramway gives you an awesome birds-eye view of Palm Springs. First opened to the public in 1963, this monstrous ski lift is the world's largest aerial tram car. At the summit, you'll find plenty to see and do – there are viewing platforms, restaurants, and a network of hiking trails that let you explore deeper into the landscape. It's so high up here, you may even find snow on the peaks!
Location: 1 Tram Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Opening hours: Mon-Fri, 10am to 4:30pm; Sat-Sun, 8am to 4:30pm
Don't miss: For amazing views, set off on one of the desert trails at the summit
Looking for a hassle-free way how to reach Palm Springs from Los Angeles? Book a private transfer with Trip.com.
2. Play a Round of Golf
There's no better way to get into the swing of Palm Springs living, than with a round of golf on one of the town's championship-level greens. Golf is bordering on an obsession here, so there are plenty of courses to choose from (more than 100 at the last count!) Some of the most popular include PGA West (home to the American Express Desert Classic, formerly the Bob Hope Classic), the Indian Wells Golf Resort (home to the Renaissance Indian Wells, the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells, and the Indian Wells Resort Hotel), Marriott's Shadow Ridge, and the Indian Canyons Golf Resort.
Location: 74855 Country Club Dr, Palm Desert, Greater Palm Springs
Opening hours: Daily, 6am to 7pm
Don't miss: Grab a meal in the Hazard restaurant at the Palm Springs Golf & Country Club
3. Climb a Dinosaur
Yes, you did read that right. Palm Springs is home to its very own population of prehistoric monsters – the Cabazon Dinosaurs are an iconic roadside attraction that make the already epic landscape just a little more so. There's the 150-feet-long Dinny the Dinosaur and Mr. Rex, who stands an impressive 65 feet tall. You can climb all the way up to his mouth. With a shop and dino exhibit nearby, this is one pitstop on your journey that's sure to stand the test of time.
Location: 50770 Seminole Dr, Cabazon, CA 92230
Opening hours: Sat-Sun, 9am to 7:30pm; Mon-Fri, 10am to 5:30pm
Don't miss: Join a dino dig and try fossil panning on the Dinosaur Walk.
4. Take Flight at the Palm Springs Air Museum
The Palm Springs Air Museum is an aeronaut's playground.
Located at the international airport, the Palm Springs Air Museum is home to a massive collection of military aircraft, dating back to World War II, and the Korean and Vietnam wars. One of the big highlights is a huge B-17 bomber, which you can get inside. Cool and refreshing thanks to its air-conditioned hangars, the museum is a great place to escape the heat of the day and feed your curiosity. You can even arrange a flight in one of the exhibits!
Location: 45 N Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Opening hours: Mon-Sun, 10am to 5pm
Don't miss: Step back in time on one of the museum's Warbird Rides
Looking for a place to stay near the Palm Springs Air Museum? Our recommendation would be the Margaritavalle Resort Palm Springs. Along with comfortable rooms and free Wi-Fi, there's a spa and a restaurant with pool views. Plus, it's also conveniently close to Palm Springs Visitor Center and the O'Donnell Golf Club.
5. Go Bargain Hunting at Villagefest
Every Thursday night on Palm Canyon Drive, in the stretch between Indian Canyon Drive and Belardo Road, residents of Palm Springs come out in force for a bright and colorful pop-up market, where you can find everything from souvenirs to clothes, food and household items. Rub shoulders with locals, explore the stretch and take in the cool evening air. With over 180 local vendors, you're sure to find what you're looking for.
Location: N Palm Canyon Dr, California 92262
Opening hours: Thursdays, 6pm to 10pm
Don't miss: Get in touch with your inner artist during Recreation Paint Night
6. Go Hiking in the Indian Canyons
Take a hike on the Indian Canyon trail
The Indian Canyon Hike is one of Palm Springs' most awe-inspiring natural attractions. Stretching 5.4 miles long, this out and back trail is popular for hiking and trail running and is considered a pretty challenging route, as it takes an average of 3 hours 15 minutes to complete. With stunning views and the peacefulness of solitude, this is a wonderful way to get away from it all and explore the great outdoors. Other nearby attractions include the Tahquitz Canyon, the Indian Canyons Golf Resort, and the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum.
Location: S.Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA
Opening hours: Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 8am to 5pm
Don't miss: Take a ranger-led interpretive hike for a closer look at the landscape
Another great thing about Palm Springs is how close it is to other top destinations in California. From here you can travel east into Joshua Tree National Park, or head west to visit Los Angeles. If L.A. is next on your itinerary, get there in comfort with an affordable RapidShuttle private transfer from Trip.com.
7. Follow in the Footsteps of the King
Take a drive out to the Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway on the outskirts of town (source: emrecan arik / Unsplash).
This charming house in the hills outside Palm Springs was once a sanctuary for Elvis and Priscilla Presley, who lived here from 1966 to 1967, spent their honeymoon here, and welcomed their daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, into the world here too. The building has been preserved as a shrine to America's most popular and revered musician, and features some very personal memorabilia. Away from all the glitz of Elvis' showbiz days, this house provides a poignant and personal look into his private life. Tours are available at 1, 2 and 3pm, but you'll need to book in advance.
Location: 1350 Ladera Cir, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Opening hours: Daily, 10am to 5pm
Don't miss: Book ahead for a 30-minute tour of the interior, which costs around US$30
8. Take a Stroll in the Garden
Built in 1938 by a husband and wife with green fingers and a love of desert flora, the Moorten Botanical Garden bears their name and continues their legacy of appreciation for the natural world. Featuring an arboretum, a cactarium (the first of its kind in the world) and nursery, this amazing site continues to grow and evolve with the popularity of its exhibits. In addition to thousands of plants, visitors will discover colorful rocks, ancient fossils and relics from the days of gold prospecting that give an insight into the human history of Palm Springs and its connection to the land. All in all, a day of treasures and golden memories in the desert.
Location: 1701 S Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264
Opening hours: Daily, 10am to 4pm (closed on Wednesdays)
Don't miss: Visit the Cactus Castle – the Moortens' very own Mediterranean-style home
9. Get Off the Grid in Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree National Park is one of Palm Spring's most amazing natural wonders.
Just outside Palm Springs is the Joshua Tree National Park. This is where two distinct desert ecosystems, namely the Mojave and the Colorado, converge. The result is a stunning variety of plants and animals, all dotted across a wide and otherworldly landscape that's perfect for trekking, photography, and exploration. The Park is open every day, all year round. The Oasis and Joshua Tree Visitor Centers are open from 8am to 5pm each day, while the Cottonwood Visitor Center usually opens from 9am to 3pm.
Location: 74485 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
Opening hours: 24/7, 365 days a year
Don't miss: Panoramic views of the Coachella Valley from up on Keys View.
Looking for a little extra adventure in Joshua Tree? Set off on an epic 8-hour family rock climbing trip – a tour that's sure to take your family vacation to new heights.
10. Escape the Desert Heat at Palm Springs Art Museum
The Palm Springs Art Museum is a great place to explore American art through the decades.
With over 12,000 objects covering spanning modern and contemporary art, architecture and design, the Palm Springs Art Museum collection incorporates mind-bending exhibits with education programs, entertainment, and local cultural discovery. From the nostalgic post-war romanticism of Devin Reynolds paintings to the minimalist simplicity of Leon Polk Smith and the eye-catching patterns of color and collage by Jacqueline Groag – the museum's collection of artworks takes visitors on a journey through decades of American design and creativity.
Location: 101 N Museum Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Opening hours: Fri-Sun, 10am to 5pm (Thursdays 10am to 7pm)
Don't miss: The Gonzalo Lebrija History of Suspended Time (a monument to the impossible)
Framed by dramatic mountain scenery, filled with engaging attractions, and bathed in year-round sunshine, Palm Springs is a fantastic holiday destination. Make your visit even more special with a stay in one of our recommended hotels:
Travel Lodge by Wyndham Palm Springs
FAQs About Things to Do in Palm Springs
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What is Palm Springs famous for?
Palm Springs is best known as the Golf Capital of the World, but the area actually used to be synonymous with tennis. This legacy continues over at the Palm Springs Racquet Club and the Palm Springs Tennis Club.
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Are there beaches in Palm Springs?
Palm Springs is very much in the desert and the closest you're going to come to the water is a swimming pool or desert hot spring. The nearest Pacific Ocean beaches — Newport Beach, Dana Point, and Carlsbad — are all about a two-hour drive (without traffic) from the Palm Springs area. Southern California has some of the finest beaches in the USA, so consider taking a drive and booking a beach hotel during your stay.
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What is the best time of year to visit Palm Springs?
The best time to visit Palm Springs is between January and April, when the weather is the most hospitable. Fall temperatures are almost as nice, but unless you love the heat we wouldn't recommend visiting in the summertime, when daily highs regularly reach the triple digits.
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Can I drive from L.A. to Palm Springs?
Covering the 107 miles (172 km) between the two places usually takes about 1 hour 40 minutes, unless you're traveling from the beach cities, which can add on another 20 or 30 minutes. There are many ways to get to Palm Springs, but the fastest route is via U.S. 101 S to I-10 E, then State Route 111.
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Is Downtown Palm Springs walkable?
Yes. Downtown Palm Springs is very walkable, bikeable, and arguably the best area to stay for first-time visitors.