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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

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

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

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

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
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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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Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

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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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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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

Top activities in Palm Springs

Operators have paid Viator more to have their experiences featured here

Recent reviews from experiences in Palm Springs

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Enjoy the Views and the Hiking Trails
ChunHeng_H, Mar 2023
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Admission Ticket
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway offers a friendly and unique experience with rotating tramcars.
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A Highlight of my Palm Springs visit
Don_S, Mar 2023
Modern & More Bike Tours Palm Springs
An enjoyable, interesting and informative tour of old Palm Springs.
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Perfect architectural overview of Palm Springs
Denise_d, Mar 2023
Modern & More Bike Tours Palm Springs
Fantastic survey of the evolution of residential architecture in Palm Springs - Brennan is both very knowledgeable and interesting, as well as lots of fun!!
star-5
Terrific Tour!
Morgan_P, Feb 2023
Palm Springs Indian Canyons Bike and Hike
A do not miss in Palm Springs!
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Creative way to visit Downtown Palm Springs!
Lois_T, Feb 2023
Game-Guided Walking Tour in Palm Springs: Scavenger Hunt + Trivia
What a fabulous way to visit Palm Springs and learn some of the history and tidbits of an era gone by.
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Don't miss this tour!
Lisa_B, Feb 2023
Palm Springs Indian Canyons Bike and Hike
Learned more about the city of Palm Springs and hiked an incredible canyon that was more like a tropical oasis than a desert landscape.
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Memorable!
Teresa_A, Feb 2023
San Andreas Fault Offroad Tour
Isabelle, our tour guide, was very personable and extremely knowledgeable about the tour content and the Palm Springs area.
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Such an AWESOME ride up the Canyon!
Danniel_D, Feb 2023
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Admission Ticket
It was our first time up in the Tramway & a first in Palm springs California!
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Definitely a Hike!!
Alma_S, Feb 2023
Palm Springs Hike to an Oasis and Amazing Desert Views
Carlos was a great tour guide and the views of Palm Springs and the neighboring cities were beautiful.
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Entertaining and informative!
Ingrid_H, Feb 2023
Modern & More Bike Tours Palm Springs
Brennan was a knowledgeable and entertaining guide to history and architecture of Palm Springs.
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Beautiful Day to Explore Palm Springs
Deborah_W, Dec 2022
Game-Guided Walking Tour in Palm Springs: Scavenger Hunt + Trivia
Really enjoyed our day on a scavenger hunt in downtown Palm Springs.
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Don't miss this Canyon Bike Trip
LisaGeardino, Oct 2022
Earthquake Canyon Express Downhill Bicycle Adventure
I would recommend this to everyone who visits Palm Springs!
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Highly recommend this sunrise hike with Timothy
Marc_H, Mar 2023
Mountain Sunrise Hike and Meditation in Palm Springs
I would go again if I came back to Palm Springs.
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A Tour You Will Not Forget
Gary_S, Mar 2023
Earthquake Canyon Express Downhill Bicycle Adventure
Of all the tours we took during our stay in Palm Springs this was by far the most memorable and exhilarating of them all.
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Amazing time!!!!
Karla_H, Jan 2023
ATV/UTV 28-Mile Off-Road Jackrabbit Tour (4-Riders)
Two hours from Palm Springs may seem like a long drive and the cost may seem high, but boy is it worth it!
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Excellent, informative tour...
ROBERT_O, Jan 2023
Half-Day Guided Hike in Joshua Tree National Park
My one caveat to those touring Joshua Tree during the winter months - it's COLD.
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Well done tour
Daniel_A, Feb 2023
Modern & More Bike Tours Palm Springs
Brennen was very knowledgeable and we learned TONS about Palm Springs!
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Spectacular Views
Catherine_C, Feb 2023
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Admission Ticket
70 degees down below in Palm Springs but 2 feet of snow at top of tramway.
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My day in the desert
adrienne_w, Dec 2022
Half-Day Guided Hike in Joshua Tree National Park
I was in Palm Springs for a birthday vacation and was looking for ways to decompress and reset.
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Sunrise, Sheep, and Meditation
adrienne_w, Dec 2022
Mountain Sunrise Hike and Meditation in Palm Springs
I was in Palm Springs for a birthday vacation and came across this sunrise hike and meditation experience.
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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.

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Palm Springs information

Number of Attractions

14

Number of Tours

96

Number of Reviews

4,387

Currency

USD
Frequently Asked Questions
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