If a Palm Springs weekend getaway is on your mind, go for it!
Palm Springs is a vibrant city in the Coachella Valley in southern California. The city’s desert mystique and mid-century modern architecture are renowned for creating the perfect landscape for a retreat.
As somebody who travels for work, I enjoyed spending many months in Palm Springs and the greater Coachella Valley. It’s one of my favorite places in California, and I love to visit regularly.
I created this Palm Springs weekend getaway itinerary for those travelers who are spending the weekend there.
However, I added some extra things at the end of the post for you to check out if you have more time in Palm Springs and want to explore the Coachella Valley further.
P.S. The photo below, along with many other excellent photos in this post, was taken by a professional photographer from Flytographer. I love using local photographers to capture the essence of a place I visit, and Flytographer is my favorite site for booking photographers. You can get a discount on your first shoot with them using code “JuliaKuhn.”
How To Get To Palm Springs
You can drive to Palm Springs or fly to their airport.
- Los Angeles is two hours away.
- San Diego is a two-and-a-half-hour drive away.
- Las Vegas is a little over four hours away.
- Phoenix is a four-and-a-half-hour drive away.
Palm Springs’s close location to many major cities makes it a great place to travel for a weekend getaway.
Palm Spring International Airport (PSP) is iconic if you fly there. The airport has outdoor walkways lined with palm trees, which feel more like a breezy outdoor boulevard than an airport.
If you choose to fly, arrange a rental car from the airport. You’ll need a vehicle to comfortably move around the greater Palm Springs area.
Where to Stay in Palm Springs
Palm Springs is home to many boutique-style hotels and mid-century modern vacation rentals.
If you’re coming for a family vacation or bachelorette party, you may enjoy a vacation rental with a pool and kitchen.
Popular Hotels in Palm Springs Include:
- Parker Palm Springs: This elevated property is synonymous with Palm Springs’s luxury. It’s home to multiple pools and a rejuvenating spa.
- Ace Hotel and Swim Club is a trendy property that hosts pool parties that draw vibrant crowds.
- ARRIVE Palm Springs is a pet-friendly resort that allows pets at no additional cost. It blends modern touches, like digitally controlled rooms, with the tranquility of the desert.
- The Saguaro is a bold-colored, budget-friendly hotel popular with younger crowds and partygoers. It’s a place to stay, party in the pool, and have a crash pad.
When to Visit Palm Springs
Palm Springs’s location in the desert makes it a great place to visit in the winter if you want to escape the cold wherever you are.
From November to April, temperatures are seemingly perfect, with highs in the mid-70s to low 80s.
Summer heats up rather quickly, with temperatures jumping to the 90s and over 100 degrees Fahrenheit from May through October.
In my opinion, the best time to visit Palm Springs temperature-wise is during the shoulder months of October and March.
I’d be remiss to talk about Palm Springs without talking about April….
Over 100,000 people visit the Coachella Valley every April for its infamous music festivals, Coachella and Stagecoach.
While the festivals are 40 minutes from Palm Springs at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, they drive up chaos, congestion, accommodation prices, and traffic everywhere in the valley.
I recommend avoiding Palm Springs in April unless you visit to attend one of the festivals.
Are you looking for other places to travel to in the desert?
May I suggest Sedona and Las Vegas as well for a southwest roadtrip
Must-Haves For Your Palm Springs Visit
Palm Springs’s location in the desert makes it an extremely arid and sunny vacation spot. Here are some essential things to pack for your getaway.
- Polarized sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Lip Balm with SPF
- Bathing suite for the pools and hot tubs
- Hat
- Water bottle
- Layers to accommodate for changes in temperature and elevation during your stay
Palm Springs Weekend Getaway Itinerary
Here are the top things I recommend for your Palm Springs weekend getaway itinerary.
If you’ve already been to Palm Springs and have these things, scroll down; I have more recommendations that are a bit out of town.
Relax at The Pool
You may spend your whole weekend relaxing by the pool, and that’s perfectly okay!
Palm Springs hotels and vacation rentals have iconic pools that are meant to be enjoyed. You can have a full vacation in Palm Springs without leaving your accommodations.
If you want to venture out of your hotel, read on for more ideas on how to do so.
Admire The Mid-Century Modern Architecture
Palm Springs is famous for its mid-century modern architecture, accentuating the desert lifestyle.
Famous architects like John Lautner, Richard Neutra, Albert Frey, and others have modernist-style buildings in Palm Springs.
Visit The Palm Springs Visitor Center
The Palm Springs Visitor Center is an architectural attraction in itself. Designed by Albert Frey in 1965, it was originally a gas station.
Now, you can visit and learn more about Palm Springs, using that knowledge to help jumpstart your tour.
Ride The Aerial Tramway
In less than ten minutes, you can glide a gondola from the floor of the desert to the peak of San Jacinto mountain.
When you ride the Aerial Tramway, you experience 360-degree views of the Coachella Valley as you ascend to the valley’s top.
Once you are at the top of the mountain, there’s a lodge where you can relax with a drink or a meal and get epic pictures of the valley.
If you’re adventurous, you can venture out on the trails that start at the lodge’s base.
When hiking, be prepared for the change in elevation and temperature. There’s often snow on the mountain, and it’s significantly cooler than the valley floor.
Go For a Shopping Spree
The Greater Palm Springs area is home to some world-class shopping.
Stroll down Palm Canyon Drive and explore the shops. This is the shopping center in the heart of Palm Springs, where you can find unique shops, restaurants, and coffee shops that you’ll enjoy.
To find local artists’ unique pieces, visit The Shops at Thirteen Forty-Five.
The Shops on El Paseo in nearby Palm Desert has a mix of luxury designers and eclectic boutiques.
Desert Hills Premium Outlets, located in nearby Cabazon, sells your favorite brands at outlet prices. You can also see the famous Cabazon Dinosaurs here.
If you love thrifting, you’ll love the Angel View Resale Stores, Revival Stores, and Goodwill Stores. All of those stores have multiple locations in the Coachella Valley.
Moorten Botanical Garden
Explore the beautiful desert plant life at Moorten Botanical Gardens.
This easy stop from downtown Palm Springs features stunning succulents and other desert vegetation. This is a must-see garden in Palm Springs!
Enjoy Coffee and Cuisine
Palm Springs isn’t distinctly known for its culinary experience, and I wouldn’t call Palm Springs a foodie destination. However, there is a mix of different food styles throughout town.
Here are some of my picks for restaurants.
- Elmer’s for a yummy American-style breakfast
- Cheeky’s for a classic California brunch
- Koffi North Palm Springs for a bold coffee brew
- Mr. Lyons for a modern steakhouse experience
- Rooster and The Pig for flavorful Vietnamese food
Bonus Attractions in The Coachella Valley
The list above will keep you occupied during a weekend in Palm Springs.
However, if you’re visiting for an extended time or want to venture further away from Palm Springs, read on to learn more fun attractions for your Palm Springs weekend getaway.
Tour Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park sits an hour away from Palm Springs and transports you into the serene desert landscape.
The Mojave and Colorado deserts collide in Joshua Tree, home to unique vegetation and rock formations, such as the Joshua Tree itself.
Joshua Tree is a paradise for rock climbers who want to scale its many boulder formations. There are many trails for more experienced hikers, and there are plenty of scenic lookout points and walking paths if you don’t want to exercise.
You can absolutely do a day trip to Joshua Tree from Palm Springs.
I recommend driving to the following locations to admire while inside the park:
- Cholla Cactus Garden
- Skull Rock
- Arch Rock Trail
If you want to stay until dark, Joshua Tree is a prime location for night photography as it is unobstructed from light pollution.
Take A Step Back In Time At Pioneertown For Dinner
Pioneertown is located near Joshua Tree, about 40 minutes from Palm Springs. It is the perfect place to stop for dinner when you return from your day at Joshua Tree.
Imagine walking through an old wild wild West movie set, that’s Pioneertown.
Pioneertown was built as a movie set for Hollywood in the 1950s, and more than 50 movies were shot there. Stars like Annie Oakley and the Range Rider graced its sets.
Now, it stands as a tourist attraction with shops and restaurants.
Pappy and Harriets is the top place to go for food in Pioneertown. It is home to a restaurant and live music venue that draws large crowds. The food is an American BBQ/steakhouse menu with a Southwest flair.
Be prepared to wait for a table here; they don’t take reservations.
Living Desert Zoo & Gardens
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is a stunning botanical garden and zoo in Palm Springs.
The Living Desert’s unique aspect is that it seamlessly blends vegetation and animals from around the world. It’s a zoo that doesn’t feel like a zoo.
If you’re visiting with family, there’s a kids play area. Plus, you can access The Living Desert Wilderness Loop Trail from inside the zoo.
Beginner To Moderate Hike At The Coachella Valley Preserve
The Coachella Valley Preserve, located in the middle of the desert about 30 minutes east of Palm Springs, is a beautiful hiking and nature option if you want to get out of town but not to Joshua Tree.
The preserve is home to multiple trails and palm tree oases that embody the natural beauty of the desert.
Advanced Hike With 4WD: Painted Ladder Canyon
This is my favorite hike for avid hikers visiting the greater Palm Springs area.
It’s a 4.4-mile canyon trail where you traverse up and down ladders and through slim slot canyons.
It’s a physically challenging hike and not for people who are claustrophobic or afraid of heights.
Hikers Beware: This trail requires a 4×4 vehicle with high clearance to reach the trailhead.
You also need physical endurance, sun protection, and plenty of water.
I’ll repeat this one: the Painted Canyon Road, which you need to drive down to access the hike, is a dirt road that requires 4WD. Do not attempt this hike if you don’t have an adequate car to clear the road.
See Salvation Mountain
Salvation Mountain is one of those roadside American tourist traps that is so quirky and eclectic that you just have to see it to believe it.
It is in the middle of nowhere in the desert, 1.5 hours from Palm Springs. When driving there, make sure you have a full tank of gas and some water because you go long distances without any places to stop.
The man-made mountain is an art installation made of adobe and straw. The exterior is painted with colorful Biblical phrases and designs.
Honestly, this is the last thing on the list to do in Palm Springs; it’s not that exciting of a place to drive three hours round trip to and from.
Recap: Palm Springs Weekend Getaway Itinerary
Palm Springs combines bold mid-century architecture and a serene desert landscape. It’s a perfect place to escape for a weekend or an extended time. From shopping, pools, and hiking to architecture, there’s something for everyone to enjoy here.
I hope that this Palm Springs weekend getaway itinerary will help you make the most of your time in Palm Springs.
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Great article! Looking forward to trying out a few of these places.
Thanks Suzanne! Hope you enjoy your time in Palm Springs! 🙂