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.

Where to stay in Palm Springs

Downtown Palm Springs

Downtown Palm Springs

4.5/5(17 area reviews)

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.

Downtown Palm Springs
Baristo

Baristo

While visiting Baristo, you might make a stop by sights like Plaza Theatre and Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center.

Baristo
Midtown

Midtown

If you're spending some time in Midtown, Palm Springs Convention Center and Agua Caliente Casino are top sights worth seeing.

Midtown
Watering lawn grass palm trees and plants

Sunrise Park

If you're spending some time in Sunrise Park, Palm Springs Swim Center and Palm Springs Public Library are top sights worth seeing.

Sunrise Park
Snow Capped San Jacinto mountain towering over Palm Springs at Sunrise

Tahquitz River Estates

5/5(4 area reviews)

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.

Tahquitz River Estates
Sonora Sunrise

Sonora Sunrise

4/5(1 area review)

Sonora Sunrise might not have many top sights, but Palm Springs Swim Center and Palm Springs Convention Center are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Sonora Sunrise
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$328 per night from 5 May to 6 May
NZ$328
5 May - 6 May
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! (1,652 reviews)
Nice place to stay near downtown!

Reviewed on 16 Apr 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$236 per night from 11 May to 12 May
NZ$236
11 May - 12 May
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! (1,624 reviews)
My room had no phone. No food on property

Reviewed on 17 Apr 2026

The Dunes Hotel
The Saguaro Palm Springs

The Saguaro Palm Springs

4 out of 5
1800 E Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs CA
The price is NZ$286 per night from 17 May to 18 May
NZ$286
17 May - 18 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa resort in Palm Springs. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in their reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,148 reviews)
Good

Reviewed on 15 Apr 2026

The Saguaro 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! (4,001 reviews)
Parking seemed to be limited but was still available great place staff was amazingly helpful clean friendly facility cozy clean room and the hot tub was the perfect place to spend the evening nice and quiet property

Reviewed on 16 Apr 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! (574 reviews)
Everything I needed was available. The room was well stocked and very clean. The desk clerk was very friendly. All the accommodations were top notch.

Reviewed on 16 Apr 2026

Palm Springs Tennis Club
Desert Vacation Villas

Desert Vacation Villas

3 out of 5
250 West Vista Chino Palm Springs CA
Stay at this aparthotel in Palm Springs. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (486 reviews)
Big room

Reviewed on 13 Apr 2026

Desert Vacation Villas
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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