12 Reasons You Need to Visit Palm Springs
![Palm Springs is a cosmopolitan desert oasis where visitors can revel in nature, art, design, food and drink](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/20x11/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/cody-board-quug8onm61a-unsplash-e1603493267152.webp)
Palm Springs, California, was once the proverbial playground of movie stars, but now it’s a fun and laid-back destination for anyone who wants to enjoy a posh desert getaway. With a focus on art and design, Palm Springs is the perfect blend of nature and sophistication, with just the right amount of kitsch.
Mid-century modern style
Natural Feature, Shop, Historical Landmark
![Modernism Week in Palm Springs, California](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/don-stouder-beabewthrpk-unsplash.webp)
Hiking
Natural Feature
![Agua Caliente Indian Reservation, Palm Springs, CA, USA](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/michael-kirsh-brslv_0gtoo-unsplash.webp)
You will find some truly breathtaking hikes in Palm Springs, especially in the winter when the average daytime temperatures are in the mid-60s (18C). The Palm Springs Indian Canyon is one of the most popular areas to hike due to the beauty of the terrain. The lush Palm Canyon is full of native plants, and you can stop by the Trading Post for sundries and to see Native American artifacts. Tahquitz Canyon is beautiful, too, and it features a 60ft (18m) waterfall.
The Aerial Tramway
Architectural Landmark
The history
Museum
![Palm Springs, CA, USA](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/peter-thomas-fy1isdeixho-unsplash.webp)
Palm Springs owes much of its glamour to the film industry in the early days of Hollywood. The story goes that film stars who used to sign exclusive contracts with various studios were required to always be within two and a half hours of Los Angeles. Palm Springs was within those parameters, and so it became something of a desert oasis for movie stars looking to get away from it all. Various tours offer a glimpse of the homes of the rich and famous, from the former residence of Frank Sinatra to a place currently owned by Leonardo DiCaprio. Additionally, movie history can be found in storied locations such as the Ingleside Inn and its accompanying Rat Pack favorite restaurant, Melvyn’s.
For something completely different, but no less historically significant, check out the Palm Springs Air Museum. The museum boasts 59 planes dating back to WWII and beyond, as well as numerous other artifacts spread out over their large facility.
The food
Palm Springs has a great culinary scene, with lots of diverse options from creative chefs. Find Greek dishes at Koutouki, schnitzel at Austrian restaurant Johannes, or visit a classic American steakhouse with Mr Lyons. For innovative and upscale modern cuisine, try Workshop Kitchen + Bar or SO.PA at L’Horizon Resort & Spa. If you want to try it all without breaking the bank, visit during Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week, where dozens of restaurants offer multi-course meals for a steal.
The cocktails
Fans of tiki will feel right at home in Palm Springs, where mid-century style and Polynesian cocktails seem to go hand in hand. Tonga Hut is the oldest of them all, and it also serves food. Toucan’s Tiki Lounge is a gay nightclub with a tiki milieu. Bootlegger Tiki sits behind Ernest Coffee Co. and offers an extensive menu of unique tiki concoctions in an intimate, red-lit space.
For a broader menu, Truss & Twine offers some of the most balanced cocktails in downtown Palm Springs. It might not sound like it, but the Game Changer (gin, lime, cucumber, sugar, onion brine, sea salt and celery) is effortlessly refreshing – the perfect summer answer to a Bloody Mary. Craft cocktails are also available at Seymour’s, the small, yet charming speakeasy at Mr Lyons.
The pool parties
Hotel
![Aerial view of a swimming pool in Palm Springs, United States](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/karsten-gohm-di5efsyszy0-unsplash.webp)
When your summers can easily flirt with dry desert temperatures of 110F (43C) or more, there’s nothing better than diving into a cool pool. Hotels including Ace Hotel & Swim Club, Hotel Zoso and the Saguaro offer day passes to use their facilities, with free access for hotel guests. DJs and a vivacious atmosphere cater to a youthful crowd. For a more relaxing environment, try the Desert Hot Springs Spa Hotel, where a day pass is $10 (£7.70) on the weekends and includes admission to multiple pools, a sauna and showers. Or you can hit up the Palm Springs Swim Center, where it’s $15 (£11.50) for non-residents and $3 (£2.30) for children ages 4 to 12.
The Living Desert
Zoo, Botanical Garden
Robolights
Architectural Landmark
Unique hotels
Boutique Hotel
![Hotel California Palm Springs, Palm Springs, United States](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/bob-osias-f0vgsyx7uve-unsplash.webp)
Though more traditional hotels are an option, Palm Springs has some of the coolest boutique hotels in the state. The Saguaro is a relatively affordable spot with bright colors everywhere and raging pool parties. Korakia is a Moroccan-inspired hotel with just 28 rooms; guests can partake in outdoor massages, sip some Moroccan tea and wander the serene candlelit grounds by night. The Willows is a historic home that has been restored and turned into a gorgeous hotel with just 17 rooms. There’s also Sparrows Lodge, a charming, rustic-chic property for adults only.
Art
Art Gallery, Museum
Palm Springs is an ideal getaway for those who wish to bask in creativity. A must-stop is the Palm Springs Art Museum, where guests can see a diverse collection of works including modern European and Californian art, as well as pieces dating back to the 19th century. Live performances take place at the Annenberg Theater, and they may include dance, music, theater and lectures.
You can also check out the area’s many galleries, found in the Backstreet Art District and the Uptown Design District. On Thursdays, check out VillageFest, an outdoor market for arts and crafts.
Unwind
Building
Many vacationers to Palm Springs come simply to enjoy the desert air and unwind. Palm Springs Yacht Club, located in Parker Palm Springs, offers luxury with a playful sense of humor. It is, after all, in the desert – definitely not on a yacht. The day spa at the Spring is open to hotel guests, as well as the public. Those who book a treatment may hang out at the resort’s three pools for two hours, either before or following their appointment. Two Bunch Palms is a resort built around hot mineral springs and boasts an extensive spa menu that emphasizes wellness for both the mind and body.