Set against the tawny slopes of the San Jacinto Mountains, Palm Springs is more than a desert escape; it is a curated mash-up of mid-century glamour, canyon adventure and mineral-spring wellness wrapped in 350 days of sunshine. Whether you come to scramble up boulder-strewn trails, sip poolside martinis under a cluster of swaying palms, or shop vintage Pucci on El Paseo, this oasis delivers a choose-your-own-paradise experience.
Below you’ll find the definitive roundup of Palm Springs things to do—from sunrise hikes to starlit mud baths—plus insider tips on when to visit, how to get around, and where to snag bargains without sacrificing cool factor.
Palm Springs 5 Things To Do
1 · Outdoor Adventures – From Canyon Floors to Skyline Ridges
Hike: Tahquitz & Indian Canyons
Stand beneath a 60-foot fan-palm canopy, the largest native-palm oasis in the U S. Switch-back up Andreas Canyon Trail (1.2 mi) for petroglyphs and creekside picnics, or tackle the South Lykken Trail (1,000 ft gain) for jetliner views of the Coachella Valley.
Bike: CV Link & Snow-Cap Loops
Rent an e-bike downtown and roll the new CV Link, a 40-mile multi-use path skirting golf courses and mid-century neighborhoods. Roadies can climb the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway road—nine hairpins, 4,000 ft vertical—then coast into town for a cold-brew recharge.
Climb: Joshua-Tree Day Trips
One hour north, granite monoliths beckon. Local outfitters shuttle guests and supply shoes for half-day guided top-rope sessions—no experience required.
2 · Resort-Hopping – Decadence in the Desert
Resort | Vibe | Don’t-Miss Feature |
---|---|---|
Parker Palm Springs | Retro-chic Jonathan Adler maximalism | Hammock garden + Norma’s boozy brunch |
The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage | Hilltop serenity | Couples Hammam Ritual in 25,000-sq-ft spa |
Miramonte Resort & Spa | Tuscan village in Indian Wells | Champagne sabering at sunset |
Ace Hotel & Swim Club | Hipster-mod motor-lodge | DJ-scored pool parties & communal fire pits |
Budget hack: Book weekdays August–September when ADR (average daily rate) drops 20–30 percent and pool misters keep temps tolerable.
3 · Spa & Wellness – Desert Hot Springs to Mineral Mud
Miracle Waters of Desert Hot Springs
An underground aquifer pumps 120 °F lithium-rich water to more than 20 boutique inns. Azure Palm Hot Springs sells day passes (from $59) that include Himalayan-salt sauna, zero-gravity chairs, and five mineral pools.
Two Bunch Palms – Grotto & Yoga Dome
- Grotto soak at 104 °F under tamarisk shade.
- Watsu (water-shiatsu) pool—first in California.
- Daily schedule: sunrise Qi Gong, aerial yoga, crystal-bowl sound baths.
Mud & Massage
— The Spa at Séc-he (new 2024) uses ancestral Agua Caliente hot spring water and clay wraps in a 73,000-sq-ft complex downtown.
— The Ritz-Carlton Spa offers a three-hour Desert Sage Purification—sage smudge, prickly-pear scrub, and hot-stone massage overlooking Coachella lights.
4 · Retail Therapy – El Paseo to Uptown Design District
District | Best For | Highlights |
---|---|---|
El Paseo (Palm Desert) | Luxury labels & art galleries | Saks Fifth Avenue, Tiffany, CODA Gallery; mountain-view café patios |
Uptown Design District | Mid-century modern, indie fashion | Trina Turk flagship, Modernway furniture, vintage Gucci sunglasses |
Desert Hills Premium Outlets | Bargain luxury (20 min west on I-10) | Prada, Saint Laurent, and Off-White up to 65 % off |
Pro tip: Visit El Paseo during Fashion Week El Paseo (March) for runway shows and trunk-sale pricing.
5 · Celebrity & Culture – Old Hollywood, New Festivals
- Rat Pack Roots: Frank Sinatra’s Twin Palms Estate and the pink-door house (1100 E. Via Coloso) are selfie catnip.
- Modernism Week (Feb) draws 100k+ mid-century fans for home tours and poolside cocktail lectures.
- Coachella & Stagecoach (April) inflate hotel rates valley-wide—book early or pivot to summer.
Celeb spotting is likeliest at Melvyn’s, The Colony Palms, or private lounges at Palm Springs International (PSP).
Practical FAQs
Best time to visit?
October–April. Day highs 70-85 °F, cool nights. May–September sees triple-digits but slashed hotel rates.
No car—what then?
SunLine bus, rideshares, and hotel shuttles link resorts to downtown. CV Link bike path covers 40 mi; many hotels loan cruisers free.
Family-friendly attractions?
Living Desert Zoo (giraffe feedings), Palm Springs Aerial Tramway (snow play in winter), Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert (re-opens 2025).
Budget lodging?
Skylark Hotel, Infusion Beach Club, and boutique hostels like Crashpod start ~$119.
Hiking permits?
Indian Canyon day pass $12; no permit for Joshua Tree day hikes via Park Blvd entrances.
Final Word – A Desert Where Glam & Grit Coexist
Palm Springs stitches together silent sunrise canyons, mineral-rich grottos, pop-icon hotels, and retail streets that gleam like a heat mirage. Whether you’re climbing granite domes before brunch or drifting in a lithium pool after dark, the oasis lets you toggle between rugged freedom and polished indulgence at will. Pack sunscreen, rent a cruiser bike, and leave space in your suitcase—both for vintage ceramics and the easy calm you’ll carry home.

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