The Most Beautiful Gardens In Palm Springs

The desert city of Palm Springs, in southern California, is not the place you’d expect to find much flora and fauna. Yet it’s bursting with wildflowers and exotic plants. Our local insiders offer up their favorite green spaces.

1. Moorten Botanical Garden

Botanical Garden

Did you know that Palm Springs is home to the world’s first cactarium? Moorten Botanical Gardens is a 1-acre (0.4ha) arboretum containing 3,000 varieties of plants, including some of the rarest desert plants in the world. Its founders provided landscaping for the desert homes of Walt Disney, Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby. The arboretum also makes the ideal location for weddings and photoshoots. Make your visit extra special and call ahead to coordinate a guided tour of the grounds. Recommended by local insider Jennifer Weil

2. Sunnylands Center and Gardens

Historical Landmark, Park

Sunnylands, a 200-acre (80ha) winter home in Rancho Mirage, has opened its doors to some of the biggest entertainment, business and political professionals in the world. Along with providing a peaceful desert retreat, the center and gardens are free to the public. Explore an easy 1.25 miles (2km) of tranquil walking paths while discovering more than 70 species of plants from around the world. The center also offers guided walks, yoga and other family activities between November and April. Grab tickets online for the 90-minute Historic House Tour. Recommended by local insider Jennifer Weil

3. Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden

Art Gallery

Enjoy a peaceful stroll through the desert oasis and outdoor art gallery of the Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden. Wind around the base of the Santa Rosa mountains, surrounded by succulents and desert plants, waterfalls and fountains, and curated sculptures from the Palm Springs Art Museum’s permanent collection. Whether you’re looking to find the perfect nook for a morning meditation, or you just want to soak up the arts and culture of Palm Springs, these four acres (1.6ha) of perfectly landscaped garden are a welcome respite from the buzz of Coachella Valley. Recommended by local insider Lauren Malestic

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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