Palm Springs, California, has long been a popular destination for many people. The city is popular
with retirees, and also “snowbirds”, travelers who spend winter in the city to escape harsher
climates. But there’s more to do in Palm Springs than just beat the cold. Make yourself comfy and
get your travel journal, here are the best things to do in Palm Springs, California.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
One of the best things to do in Palm Springs is also one of its most iconic and spectacular.
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is the largest rotating aerial tramway in the world,
and in 10 minutes you’ll ride more than 8,500 feet up into the spectacular San Jacinto Mountains.
The entire journey is more than two miles long, and the tram car slowly rotates throughout the
journey, offering stunning 360-degree views of the city and the Chino Canyon below.
The adventure doesn’t stop there. Once you disembark at the Mountain Station,
you’ll have two restaurants to choose from, gift shops, museums, and plenty of scenic lookouts on
offer. At an elevation of 8,516 feet, be sure to pack for cool weather; the temperature on the base
is often much hotter than at the summit. And from Mountain Station, visitors will be able to explore
over 50 miles of hiking trails, go skiing, take guided tours, or even camp overnight.
It's record setting, iconic, and spectacular, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is unmissable.
Joshua Tree National Park Located less than an hour’s drive
from Palm Springs, California, is the weird and wonderful Joshua Tree National Park. And given
how close the park is, it makes perfect sense to schedule a day trip or two, especially if you want
to see the park without camping there. There’s plenty to do in the Park, but it’s also perfect
if you just wanted to visit for a few hours to make some memories and snap some stunning photos.
The best thing to do for a day trip from Palm Springs, California, is hit the Hidden Valley
Nature Trail. This easy loop takes you around some of the epic rocks that the Park is known for,
giving you plenty of opportunities and excuses to go bouldering. If you have time,
check out the Cholla Cactus Garden Trail, then drive up to Key’s View for the incredible scenery.
After a day in the Park, it’s just a short drive back to the comforts and luxuries of Palm Springs.
Palm Canyon Drive Stretching across nearly the length of the city,
and deep into the mountains, is Palm Canyon Drive. Considered the heart of
Palm Springs, CA, this palm tree-lined street is a hub of activity and a destination for art lovers,
shoppers, and foodies. This is the best thing to do if you have one day is Palm Springs, as the
street offers a unique experience to any traveler. Inside the historic and mid-century modern
buildings, you’ll find endless shopping options ranging from antiques to cacti,
to boutique fashion and more. The cultural side of Palm Springs is on display here,
with more than 10 art galleries, and seven historical sites. There are dining and gourmet
options no matter your appetite, and this is a great place to sample international cuisine,
unique Californian fusion food, or just a good, old fashion burger. And every Thursday night,
part of Palm Canyon Drive closes to traffic to host the Palm Springs VillageFest. This open-air
market invites you to browse over 200 booths of local produce, arts, crafts, antiques, and more.
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The Cabazon Dinosaurs There are few attractions that truly
deserve the phrase: you can’t miss ‘em. Well, the Cabazon Dinosaurs are a 65 foot tall T-rex
and a 150-foot long brontosaurus. Seriously, you can’t miss them. Since 1975, the Cabazon Dinosaurs
have been an iconic part of Palm Springs and they’re definitely worth visiting.
Besides snapping some photos with the dinos, who have been featured in movies and video games,
there’s a gift shop inside the brontosaurus, and you can even climb to the top of the T-rex
for a really unique view of the city. The Cabazon Dinosaurs are also part of a larger museum complex
with fossil hunting, and other dinosaurs to check out. The Cabazon Dinosaurs also get
painted according to the season, so any time is a good time to check them out.
Tahquitz Canyon and Falls Palm Springs, CA, is surrounded by rugged
and dramatic mountains and nature, and one of the best things to do is get into the great outdoors.
For an accessible and well-maintained hike, check out Tahquitz Canyon. It’s a great way to explore
both the nature and the history of the region. Located in the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla
Indian Reservation, the Tahquitz Valley has long been significant and inhabited to the first people
of the area. After paying an entrance fee, visitors can explore the visitor center to
learn more about the history of the Canyon. Then, embark on a 1.7-mile loop through the mountains,
with the seasonal Tahquitz Falls as the highlight. This 60-foot waterfall is a sacred area,
and its tranquil beauty should be seen up close. The hike also takes you past other sacred areas
and ancient cave paintings. Besides being a great walk in the desert, Tahquitz Canyon will connect
you to the history of the land. Just remember to pack sunscreen and watch out for rattlesnakes.
Palm Springs Air Museum Aviation enthusiasts, general history buffs,
and everyone in between will get a kick out of the Palm Springs Air Museum. This huge facility pays
tribute to the airplanes and pilots of WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Spanning
more than 120,000 square feet, most of that indoors and air-conditioned, the Palm Springs
Air Museum keeps over 70 flying and static craft in immaculate condition by passionate volunteers.
Visitors are not held back by silk ropes but are encouraged to get as close to these planes
as they like. There are activities and flight simulators for younger visitors, and entire cargo
planes to enter and explore. The Palm Springs Air Museum even offers the chance to book a flight
in one of the aircraft that still operate, which will be a unique and unbeatable experience.
It’s an ideal destination for family holidays in Palm Springs, CA, and it’s even pet friendly.
Indian Canyons This series of three
canyons are found just six miles from Palm Springs, CA, and is a spectacular opportunity
to explore the stunning surrounding landscape. Murray Canyon offers visitors horseback trails
through groves of California palms, and even the chance to see endangered and rare wild animals.
Andreas Canyon and Palm Canyon take hikers and visitors through extensive groves of desert trees,
offering travelers a chance to see how life finds a niche even in a harsh environment. Palm Canyon
is easily the most scenic of the three, with dramatic gorges and riverways. There’s also a
trading post, which sells refreshments, maps, and authentic Native American arts and crafts.
Palm Springs Art Museum Although relatively small in size,
the Palm Springs Art Museum packs a lot of culture into a compact space. At the core of Palm Springs
Art Museum’s collecting ideology are prominent collections of modern art, including paintings,
sculptures, prints, and photographs, and a sizable collection of Native American baskets,
textiles, everyday items, and more art objects. Besides that, the Museum features
frequent exhibitions and installations. Besides the main Museum, Palm Springs
has satellite collections as well. The Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and
Design Center collects photos, drawings, diagrams, models, and objects of design.
Here you’ll see how trends in interior design and architecture shaped the Modernist movement.
The Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden is operated by the Museum, and exhibits 14 sculptures and a large
number of desert plants in a 4-acre garden, and is worth a visit if you want art and fresh air.
Coachella Valley Preserve Palm Springs, CA, takes full advantage
of its position in the Coachella Valley. Remaining warm in the winter, and offering a diverse array
of flora, fauna, and outdoor activities, one of the best things to do in the city is exploring
the outdoors. And visiting the Coachella Valley Preserve is the best way to do that. Located 10
miles outside of Palm Springs, the Coachella Valley Preserve is 17,000 square acres of
magnificent mountain and desert wilderness. The Coachella Valley Preserve is ideal for a
short walk or an entire day trip. Nature lovers and families will find plenty to enjoy here.
The Preserve features a rustic, log cabin-style visitor’s center and several miles of hiking
trails. The Preserve is also the home of the Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard,
as well as a broad range of fascinating creatures. The jewel of the Coachella Valley Preserve is the
Thousand Palms Oasis. This magnificent grove of iconic California fan palms is fed by water
brought to the surface by the San Andreas fault. This place of life in a dusty desert makes for
some spectacular and otherworldly photos and is one of the best things to do in Palm Springs, CA.
An Oasis of LGBTQ Community Palm Springs has long held a particular
reputation and standing in the LGBTQ+ community. The city became a hub for gay lifestyles in a
time when they were frowned upon, and a number of classic Hollywood celebrities would live out their
true selves in Palm Springs. It’s estimated that over half of the city identifies as lesbian, gay,
bisexual, trans, or queer, and the city wholeheartedly welcomes their lifestyles. Its
city council is even entirely LGBTQ, and the mayor is trans. Not bad for a small town in the desert.
These lifestyles are supported in many aspects of life in Palm Springs. Visitors can support
LGBTQ-owned businesses, gay bars, a large number of festivals, drag shows, and more.
Every November, join the fun or be an ally at the Great Palm Springs Pride, a massive parade
and celebration. No matter who or how you love, Palm Springs will welcome you with open arms.
If you were planning to take a break in Palm Springs, CA, what would you do? What is on
your list? Or if you’ve already been there, what did we miss? Let us know
in the comments below, and don’t forget to like the video. And if
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