Palm Springs Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Palm Springs
Palm Springs
Palm Springs
Palm Springs
Palm Springs

Palm Springs Travel Guide Video

Once a swinging spot for Hollywood’s celebrities, today this Southern California city welcomes holiday makers from across the country to enjoy its warm weather.

Bob Hope, Dinah Shore, Frank Sinatra and others are perennially remembered in Palm Springs with streets bearing their names. Soon after World War II the city offered a luxurious getaway for an interesting mix of Hollywood celebrities and top politicians. Enjoy your own holiday getaway at today’s Palm Springs with golf and poolside relaxation at lavish resorts.

In one of the world’s most concentrated golf locations, select from more than 120 courses in and around Palm Springs. Get early morning tee times to beat the heat. Then gather floats or frosty drinks to cool off at the pool at your accommodation.

The area experiences very warm and dry conditions, making multiple daily trips to resort swimming pools common for visitors. For another cooling experience, ride on the rotating Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to enjoy views over the valley, noting green areas of civilisation amid the brown rocky topography. At the 8,516-foot (2,596-metre) summit, have lunch or hike on the 50 miles (80 kilometres) of trails through Mt. San Jacinto State Park. Temperatures here are much cooler than in the valley.

Hike or climb winding roads into the San Jacinto Mountains to look down at the oases of the city and see snow-capped mountains in the distance. The Indian Canyons feature additional vegetation varieties and artefacts from early Cahuilla people.

Come to Palm Springs in April for food, art and a range of musical acts at the Coachella festival in nearby Indio. Drive into Joshua Tree National Park to see the unusual spiky trees and nearly 750 other plant varieties growing in the Mojave Desert and Colorado Desert.

Drive about 2 hours east from Los Angeles International Airport to reach Palm Springs or fly to the city’s small international airport. Stop at the Palm Springs Air Museum next to the airport to see numerous aircraft from World War II and beyond. Several miles west, the Palm Springs Art Museum features modern and contemporary artworks including Chihuly glass.

Our guide on where to stay in Palm Springs

Find the best Palm Springs areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Palm Springs
Learn more about Palm Springs

Downtown Palm Springs

Downtown Palm Springs is known for its popular shops, and with sights like Agua Caliente Cultural Museum and Plaza Theatre, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Palm Springs.

Uptown Design District

Uptown Design District is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by San Jacinto Mountains and Desert Art Center while in the area.

Warm Sands

When in Warm Sands, you can plan a visit to Plaza Theatre and Palm Springs Convention Center, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

The Movie Colony

While The Movie Colony may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Palm Springs Convention Center and Agua Caliente Casino.

Tahquitz River Estates

Though Tahquitz River Estates may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Tahquitz Canyon and Moorten Botanical Garden.

Palm Mountain Resort and Spa

Palm Mountain Resort and Spa

3 out of 5
155 S Belardo Road Palm Springs CA
The price is NZ$278 per night from 11 June to 12 June
NZ$278
11 June - 12 June
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Palm Springs. Enjoy a fitness centre, on-site spa services and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,721 reviews)
"Resort fee or some fee for bike usage? The bikes may have costed a fee, also I checked out early and asked politely to refund my last day and was denied. This wasn’t my cup of tea but definitely will get the job done if you’re on a budget…"

Reviewed on 3 June 2026

Palm Mountain Resort and Spa
The Dunes Hotel

The Dunes Hotel

2.5 out of 5
390 S Indian Canyon Dr Palm Springs CA
The price is NZ$229 per night from 7 June to 8 June
NZ$229
7 June - 8 June
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Palm Springs. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,866 reviews)
"Great hotel in the heart of downtown"

Reviewed on 3 June 2026

The Dunes Hotel
Hilton Vacation Club Palm Canyon Palm Springs

Hilton Vacation Club Palm Canyon Palm Springs

3.5 out of 5
2800 South Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs CA
The price is NZ$231 per night from 16 June to 17 June
NZ$231
16 June - 17 June
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this golf hotel in Palm Springs. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and 2 hot tubs. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,618 reviews)
"Love it!"

Reviewed on 3 June 2026

Hilton Vacation Club Palm Canyon Palm Springs
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
7 Springs Inn & Suites

7 Springs Inn & Suites

2.5 out of 5
950 N Indian Canyon Dr Palm Springs CA
Stay at this aparthotel in Palm Springs. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 hot tubs. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (4,033 reviews)
"Really fun, cool spot to stay in Palm Springs."

Reviewed on 1 June 2026

7 Springs Inn & Suites
Palm Springs Tennis Club

Palm Springs Tennis Club

4 out of 5
701 W Baristo Rd Palm Springs CA
Stay at this aparthotel in Palm Springs. Enjoy free parking, 3 outdoor pools and 5 hot tubs. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (606 reviews)
"Such a beautiful property! Far far exceeded my expectations!"

Reviewed on 1 June 2026

Palm Springs Tennis Club
Vista Mirage Resort

Vista Mirage Resort

3.5 out of 5
400 S Hermosa Dr Palm Springs CA
Stay at this condo in Palm Springs. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (905 reviews)
"Staff was friendly, grounds are very well manicured and pretty. Room was clean and had all the necessities."

Reviewed on 21 May 2026

Vista Mirage Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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