Tours, sightseeing tours, activities & things to do | Viator.comPalm Springs Aerial Tramway
based on On a hot summer's day, one of the best things to do in Palm Springs is to take a ride from the dry desert floor with the Aerial Tramway, 5,873 feet up into the cool, moist climate of the San Jacinto Mountains. Come and ascend into a pristine wilderness aboard the world's largest rotating tramcars! Truly one of the greatest experiences in Southern California!
The world's largest rotating tramcars carry visitors from an elevation of 2,643 feet to a Mountain Station located at the 8,516-foot level of Mt San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness. It has the steepest vertical cable rise in the U.S. and the second steepest in the world. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is truly one of the greatest experiences in Southern California.
What is remarkable about the ride, aside from the breathtaking views of the valley, is the change in temperature. At the bottom of the tram route, the temperature on the desert floor can reach 120 degrees. Rising up through mountain canyons and chimneys, you arrive in an arctic-alpine forest with giant Ponderosa pines. The thrilling vertical ascent gives you views of the Chino Canyon and the San Jacinto Mountains from the front of the car, while the Sonoran Desert is splayed out below from the rear of the car. Look to the top of Chino Canyon, snap a few photos, then look behind and below as you move from one ecological zone to another.
At the Mountain Station, you can walk from the car into the large, 3-story facility which has a cocktail lounge, dining facilities, gift shop and observation decks. The station theater features "Building on a Dream", an 18-minute film on the history of the history and construction of the Tramway. At the top you can also explore the 14,000-acre Mt. San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness Area, which has 54 miles of hiking trails, rustic campgrounds, and granite outcroppings providing clear views of the cities below.
Hikers
Daily
Departure Point:The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, located at: 1 Tramway Rd, Palm Springs, CA
Departure Time:Cars depart at least every half hour from:
- 10:00am - Monday-Friday
- 8:00am - Weekends and Holiday periods
Last car up is 8:00pm. Last car down is at 9:45pm
Duration: Flexible Hotel Pickup:Hotel pickup not available
- Prices are listed as a guide only. For an exact price quote, select a date
- Infants aged 0-2 years are free of charge.
- Child prices are applicable for children aged 3-12 years.
- Senior pricing is applicable for adults aged 60 years and over.
- Prices are per person.
- Currency is set to USD. Change currency
- Our pricing is updated constantly to ensure you always receive the lowest price possible.
- Learn more about our low-price guarantee.
- Round-trip tram ride
- Gratuity (optional)
- Hotel pickup and drop off
- This tour must be booked at least 48 hours in advance of your travel date
- Confirmation for this tour will be received at time of booking
- There is free parking in 13 paved lots near Valley Station. There is free shuttle service from parking lots to Valley Station entrance available weekends and holiday periods
- The Tramway is subject to delays and periodic shutdowns due to unforeseen circumstances and is not responsible for ticket refunds or the inability to redeem a voucher
- Tramway cars hold 80 people each and there are no seats. Passengers remain standing throughout the journey up the mountain
- Distance is approximately 12,800 feet, with a vertical ascent of 5,873 feet - 15 minutes travel time one way
- The tramway is known as a double reversible type of aerial tramway. Each car remains on one pair of track cables moving up and down without turning around. Each car serves as a counter balance to the other, the descending car is helping pull the ascending car up the mountain
- This tour is wheelchair and walker accessible
- Strollers are permitted on this tour
All sales are final and attract 100% cancellation penalties
Local Operator Information:Complete Operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, are included on your Confirmation Voucher. Our Product Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind.
Was this information helpful?
We want to know what you think
Is there additional information we could provide to help you decide if this tour or activity is right for you?
Share your feedback »
Note: Do not use this link for customer support. Instead you must click the 'Customer Care' link at the very top of this page.
Book before you go!
Trust the worldwide leader
- Save money & time
- Avoid disappointments!
- Flexible cancel policy - no fee for changes
- Customer care available 24/7
Since 1999, over 3 million travelers have experienced more with Viator!
First time and we liked it. Will do it again in the summer, the ride up was smooth and fast, the whole ... Read more ›
Ricardo R, United States of America, February 2008
We absolutely loved it! I will recommend this package to all my visitors. The tram ride was excellent ... Read more ›
Dawn H, United States of America, March 2008
