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20 Best Things to Do in Palm Springs, California
Liz Ostoich, who owns several Palm Springs restaurants including Farm and Tac/Quila, describes her hometown as an “International city with a village vibe,” adding that its “architecture, climate, restaurant scene, and proximity to countless Southern California destinations make it a unique place to visit.”
The desert city has been a glamorous escape since movie stars flocked here from Hollywood in the 1930s to unwind. But there’s a lot more to experience in Palm Springs than lounging by the pool. From getting your fill of midcentury modern art and architecture to snapping silly selfies with giant dinosaurs at a wacky roadside attraction, here are the 20 best things to do in and around Palm Springs.
Top 5 Can’t Miss
- Enjoy the view from the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the world’s largest rotating tram.
- Hit the links at Escena, a Nicklaus Design championship golf course.
- Soar above the Coachella Valley aboard a fully restored vintage WWII warbird at the Palm Springs Air Museum.
- Leave light pollution behind and take up a telescope on a stargazing tour in Joshua Tree National Park.
- Celebrate the area’s architecture on a midcentury modern homes tour.
Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.
Mariah Tyler / Travel + Leisure
For great views of Chino Canyon, take a ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which travels 2.5 miles up to Mount San Jacinto’s 8,516-foot-tall peak. “Palm Springs is home to the largest rotating tram in the world, taking you up to an alpine forest in minutes,” Ostoich says. Once there, you can hop off and explore nearly 50 miles of hiking trails before riding the tram back down to the base.
Play a round of golf at Escena.
Courtesy of Escena
While there are plenty of places to golf in Palm Springs, Escena is one of the best. The Nicklaus Design championship golf course offers gorgeous views of the San Jacinto Mountains towering in the distance. After you hit the links, you can enjoy a lovely meal at the Escena Grill as you watch the sun go down.
Take flight at the Palm Springs Air Museum.
Taylor McIntyre / Travel + Leisure
The Palm Springs Air Museum works to preserve wartime aircraft from World War II and beyond, featuring many planes that can still fly today. Visitors can also book a flight aboard a vintage P-51 Mustang or PT-17 Stearman warbird for a memorable trip over Coachella Valley.
Spend a night stargazing.
Buena Vista Images / Getty Images
Trade light pollution for a twinkling night sky on a two-hour Skywatcher Stargazing Tour outside Palm Springs. Far from city lights under dark desert skies, you’ll be able to use high-tech binoculars and a 10-inch telescope to get a closer look at the star clusters and constellations above. Note that guests are expected to meet at the Hidden Valley tour location inside Joshua Tree National Park, located a little over an hour’s drive from Palm Springs. That said, the setting is unmatched, with the park’s legendary trees and impressive rock formations adding to the area’s allure.
Take a midcentury modern architecture tour.
Mariah Tyler / Travel + Leisure
Palm Springs is a design lover’s dream, packed with enough midcentury modern houses to delight anyone who appreciates clean lines and pops of color. See all the best buildings in town on a self-guided architecture tour of some utterly cool homes while learning about the architects behind them. Alternatively, you can book a guided tour with a local operator for a more in-depth experience.
Get inspired at the Palm Springs Art Museum.
Mariah Tyler / Travel + Leisure
After viewing homes that are works of art themselves, make your way downtown to see art of a different kind. The Palm Springs Art Museum showcases modern and contemporary work with a particular focus on California artists as well as architecture and design. Outside, the Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden impresses with 14 pieces set within a lovingly landscaped space.
Have a date shake at Hadley Fruit Orchards.
Courtesy of Hadley Fruit Orchards
For anyone driving to or from Palm Springs along I-10, either as a day trip from L.A. or as part of a larger cross-country adventure, stopping by Hadley Fruit Orchards for a date shake is a must. Just 18 miles from the city center in Cabazon, Hadley’s was founded in 1931 and has long been loved for its vast produce selection. But its thick and perfectly sweet date shakes are what really draw a crowd. Enjoy, and thank us later.
Get some sun at Sunnylands.
Mariah Tyler / Travel + Leisure
Find a little zen at the desert oasis that is Sunnylands, a 200-acre ranch that’s open to the public Wednesday through Sunday from mid-September to early June. Check out the gardens, then grab a quick coffee and a snack at the cafe and take a self-guided tour of the impressive mid-1960s estate.
Greet the animals at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens.
Mariah Tyler / Travel + Leisure
Head to the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens to see animals ranging from leopards and rhinos to mongooses and lizards. You’ll even find a few wallabies and giraffes in the mix, as the zoo’s collection represents over 150 species from Africa, Australia, and North America. You can also learn about the conservation work being done to help save critically endangered desert tortoises as well as the organization’s other habitat restoration and anti-poaching projects worldwide.
Indulge in some retail therapy.
MattGush / Getty Images
In need of some new threads? Head to the El Paseo Shopping District in Palm Desert, where you’ll find everything from luxury fashion and jewelry brands to locally owned boutiques and vintage shops. It’s also a great place to practice some self-care at a beauty bar or treat yourself to some new nail designs. Post-pampering, stop by one of the many art galleries and see if anything speaks to you. Try to time your visit to the first Friday of the month (from November to early May) when there are live musical performances and art exhibitions, among other festivities.
Visit Moorten Botanical Garden.
Cavan Images / Getty Images
Explore local flora at Moorten Botanical Garden, which began as a public arboretum in 1938. Discover the more than 3,000 plant varieties, including spiky cacti and desert-dwelling trees. Pick up a plant or two at the nursery or book a guided tour to learn more about the vast collection.
Snap epic photos with the Cabazon Dinosaurs.
Mariah Tyler / Travel + Leisure
If you’ve ever wanted to snap a selfie with a pink brontosaurus or a T-Rex dressed as Santa Claus, here’s your chance. Drive about 20 minutes from Palm Springs to this quirky roadside attraction on Interstate 10. In addition to two massive concrete dinos made in the 1960s, the Cabazon Dinosaurs boast more than 100 colorful figures.
Find your favorite celeb on Palm Springs Walk of the Stars.
Robert Alexander / Getty Images
Hollywood isn’t the only place where the sidewalk pays tribute to popular artists, entertainers, and humanitarians. Celebrate the A-listers and local legends who have loved Palm Springs throughout the years by visiting the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars. Count more than 450 names as you stroll, or just hunt down your favorite.
Book an outdoor adventure with Red Jeep Tours.
Mariah Tyler / Travel + Leisure
Explore some of the most remote corners of Palm Springs by hopping aboard one of Red Jeep Tours’ signature red open-air vehicles. You’ll be taken through spectacular landscapes, with a few stops along the way to explore while guides teach you about the region’s natural features and Indigenous history.
Explore Tahquitz Canyon.
Kim Grosz / Getty Images
Get even closer to the land by hiking to Tahquitz Canyon, located on the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Reservation. First, stop by the Visitor Center to learn about the area’s unique history and culture. Then, hit the two-mile desert loop trail, where you can spot native flora and fauna before reaching a stunning 60-foot waterfall.
Go for a drive to spot Joshua trees.
Mariah Tyler / Travel + Leisure
Cruise about 45 minutes outside of Palm Springs to Joshua Tree National Park. Once there, you can hike, drive, or do a little bit of both in this otherworldly landscape dotted with puffed-up Joshua trees. Stop for lunch in the artsy enclave of Joshua Tree, and don’t miss the extraordinary outdoor museum featuring installations created by artist Noah Purifoy using found objects.
Get behind the wheel at the BMW Performance Center.
Courtesy of BMW Performance Center
Feel the need for speed? Indulge it at the BMW Performance Center, where you can learn about the cars themselves and how to drive like a pro — or even take one out and zoom around the track for an hour or two. Want more? Check out some of the BMW Driving Excursions hosted all over the globe.
Tour fabulous homes during Modernism Week.
Lisa McDennon Design / Courtesy of Modernism Week
Ostoich points to popular local events as a main reason to visit the area. “One of my favorite events is Modernism Week. Twice a year, people come from all over the world for well-curated home tours, parties, and presentations.” Plan your Palm Springs trip for late October to experience it yourself, or check the tourism board’s events calendar to see what will be happening during your desired dates.
Attend the Palm Springs International Film Festival.
Amy Sussman / Getty Images for Palm Springs International Film Society
Sure, you’ll have to time your visit just right, but if you consider yourself a film buff, visiting during the Palm Springs International Film Festival is a must. The festival has been running since 1990 and is held each year in January, showcasing some of the best new talent from around the world.
Party at Palm Springs VillageFest.
Walter Bibikow / Getty Images
Palm Springs loves a good party, so much so that it hosts one weekly. Palm Canyon Drive closes down to vehicles every Thursday evening for Palm Springs VillageFest, a street fair filled with food, music, drinks, and fun.