Recently updated on September 6th, 2022 at 09:01 am
I love showing my love for a place with a classic love letter post (see Laos, San Diego, and New Orleans). But this is more than that. I’m running down all the things you should have on your list for your trip. Palm Springs is one of those magical places that I have a lot of lovely feelings about. Seriously, there are tiny hearts in my eyes just thinking about it.
The hot, dry desert air instantly warms your skin. When you start to feel a little too warm, you can dive into a cold, turquoise-blue pool or step inside any of the colorful little shops with AC blasting. The mornings are filled with golf carts whizzing down the road. You’ll see people in matching jogging suits getting in their speed walking exercises before the heat picks up. Palm trees tower directly overhead. In the distance, you are surrounded by mountain peaks that are often dusted with snow.
There is so much about the area that makes you feel like you are stuck in a time decades ago. But it’s an ideal vacation destination. Not to mention, you can choose from a variety of day trips. You’ll get a taste of the Southern California landscape that is like any other place in the United States.
So, without further ado, here are all the things I love about Palm Springs.
Reasons I Love Palm Springs
Relaxing by the Pool is Mandatory
Where else will you get consistently hot and perfect pool weather? There is no better place if you are looking to spend lots of time lounging by the pool. Many days, it’s so hot in the middle of the day that it is all you will want to do.
You can explore other resorts and pools while there if you want a change of scenery day-to-day. The Ace Hotel & Swim Club offers day passes on weekdays. The Rancho Mirage Oasis has multiple day pass options depending on how many people you’re traveling with.
Date Shakes
Yep, I’ve shoved dates into my smoothies before. Then I rolled my eyes at the people who replace different dessert items with these weird-looking foods. But, date shakes changed my mind.
Dates are grown in the Palm Springs area. If you’ve never tried a date shake, add it to your list. You can visit the Oasis Date Gardens and do a tasting of the different varieties of dates that they grow from Medjool to Zahidid to Khadrway and more. The cultivation process is intense and you can see firsthand how much work goes into harvesting this sweet treat.
If you want to skip the lesson and miss out on the beautiful gardens, you can find this tasty treat all over town. Or be like me and have it multiple times at multiple destinations. And if you’re wondering, I will never try and recreate at home. It’s mine to enjoy in this magical place only.
Palm Canyon Drive is a Hotspot for Art and Colorful Gifts
I’m not a big shopper, but I love wandering and seeing what unique things I can find. There are nine blocks of different retailers and boutiques. You’ll find vintage shops, art galleries, snarky gift shops, and other shops. My favorites are the Shag Store and Just Fabulous Palm Springs. Don’t worry, there are plenty of bars and coffee shops sprinkled in between so you can take a break to eat or drink.
Plus, every Thursday night, they shut down the road and host VillageFest which is a mix between an artisan market and a farmer’s market. There are live performances and all kinds of great people watching.
The Visitor Center Here is Cooler Than Every Other Visitor Center
Palm Springs is known for its midcentury modern architecture and the visitors center is the perfect place to see this desert modernism design. It was originally the Tramway gas station, but when that closed down in the ’90s, there was work to save the building. Now, it’s the official home of the Palm Springs Visitors Center where you can get all kinds of information about Palm Springs attractions and sightseeing opportunities.
Browse the Collections at the Palm Springs Art Museum
The Palm Springs Art Museum is located right off the main drag in Palm Springs with a backdrop of the San Jacinto Mountains. Air conditioning is flowing so you can take a break from the pool and see some incredible art. Sometimes, art museums get overwhelming for me and I feel like I’m not taking it all in. This one was a perfect size and had exactly the right variety for me. The art galleries hold a great permanent collection of contemporary art, Native American art, and American photography, plus there are constantly new, rotating temporary exhibits.
You Can Cruise Around to See the Gorgeous Midcentury Retro Homes
Palm Springs is famous for its desert modernism style of architecture. Fun fact: Palm Spring houses cannot be higher than one story so no one has blocked views and everyone has a private yard. So many of these homes were built back in the 1950s and ’60s and have maintained their midcentury charm. You can rent a bicycle, walk or even drive through the neighborhoods to check out some of these homes.
The neighborhood of Las Palmas is great to see a lot of the A-Frame homes. Indian Canyons is famous for its brightly colored doors and older charm. Head to the other side of downtown to see Frank Sinatra’s Twin Palms estate and others in the movie colony.
Elvis Presley famously lived in Palm Springs in the ’60s with his wife, Priscilla in their honeymoon hideaway. It is one of the only celebrity homes that ever offered tours in Palm Springs. Even though he lived here for only a year, it is still a huge draw for many Elvis fans. Their wedding was originally supposed to happen in this house, but they ended up eloping to Las Vegas after the press found out.
Cold, Fruity Drinks are Standard Here
We were on a budget when we visited, but that didn’t stop us from sipping a few ice-cold cocktails. Blue Coyote Grill had some great margaritas and wonderful food. MidMod Cafe was a favorite food stop for us for breakfasts and smoothies (a non-alcoholic fruity drink). And for a later evening drink, stop in Bootlegger Tiki.
Read our favorites from our time in Palm Springs here.
Just Outside of Palm Springs
One of the things I love about this town is the amount of weird and wonderful places you can visit on a quick day trip. The list is longer than this for options, but these were the spots we took advantage of and would recommend.
Take Pictures With the Giant Cabazon Dinosaurs
The Cabazon Dinosaurs are a famous roadside attraction just outside of Palm Springs. It’s a perfect stop if you’re coming from LA. The Brontosaurus is named Dinny the Dinosaur and is 150 feet long and actually houses the gift shop inside his body. Mr. Rex is a 65-foot-tall Tyrannosaurus rex that was added later. The creator put them here to help bring people to his restaurant back in 1975 (the second added in 1986), but now the Dinos are the main attraction. It’s kitschy and perfect.
Step Into a Western Movie Set at Pioneertown
About 30 miles outside of Palm Springs near Yucca Valley, you can visit an old western town that has been used in many different film and tv backdrops. The drive there is beautiful and you can spend a day playing around and pretending like you’re John Wayne.
Pioneertown was started in 1946 by actor Dick Curtis as a place to film westerns and had investors like Gene Autry and Roy Rodgers. There is a full replica of a town you can walk into and explore. Stop in Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace where they have live music shows and food. This whole town feels like you’re stepping back into the 1880s.
Explore Nearby Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park is an easy day trip from Palm Springs. It’s famous for the Yucca trees, also known as Joshua Trees, that can only be found in the Mojave Desert. The main road through the park will lead you to many of the popular viewpoints. Wander through the Cholla Cactus Garden, climb around the boulders, and head to Key’s View the see the entire valley floor from the highest point in the park.
Take the Palm to Pine Drive and Visit the Art Town of Idyllwild
Highway 74 heads out of town just south of Cathedral City and is called the Palms to Pines Scenic Byway. Take the switchbacks into the mountains and enjoy some beautiful views on the 90-minute drive. Idyllwild is a cool mountain artist town with galleries and a few great spots to grab lunch. You can find some shorter hikes up there or just enjoy the pine trees that are quite a contrast from the valley.
Things I Have on My List for Future Palm Springs Trips
Trust me, I’m already planning a return to this sunny desert paradise this winter, so I have a few things I want to check out. I figured I’d share my research in case you’re planning a trip there this winter too (maybe I’ll see you there.)
Head to the Top of the Mountains on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
It takes about ten minutes to get from Chico Canyon to Mountain Station which is at 8,516 feet above sea level on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. It takes off near the Visitor Center. You can take one of the many hiking trails to explore a little more of the area or just hang out at the restaurants or observation decks.
Soak in the Hot Springs (or the Cold Springs)
Desert Hot Springs is one of the only places on the planet that has naturally occurring hot AND cold mineral springs. It sounds like it would be a great add-on to a relaxing getaway. There are multiple hotels and resorts that you can visit for the day to just enjoy the healing waters.
Go Chase Some Waterfalls
Tahquitz Canyon is on the land of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. There is a trail less than 2 miles that takes you to Tahquitz Falls. The trail can be steep and rocky in parts with very little shade, it will be an early morning for us (hopefully in matching tracksuits to fit in.) There are many legends about the spirit of the shaman, Tahquitz, that still lives in the canyon. Watch for a green fireball streaking across the night sky.
Refrain from Touching Plants at the Cactarium
I love prickly desert plants. Moorten Botanical Garden is a family-owned spot that has an incredible collection of cacti and succulents from all over the southwest. This is the same family that is famous for their landscape designs for previous clients like Frank Sinatra and Walt Disney. I want to see the layout of the gardens.
Visit the new Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
There will soon be another museum in the area called the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum that will feature Native American art and history exhibits. It is set to open sometime this year and so I’ve added it to my list.
Other Important Details for Visiting Palm Springs
- California residents often get discounts at hotels for being “locals” so make sure to call the hotel if you have a California ID.
- You will probably want to rent a car if you want to get out. There are rideshares available or you could use a bicycle, but things are a little spread to walk everywhere.
- Restaurants I have flagged for the future that were recommended are El Mirasol Restaurant and John’s Restaurant.
- There is an airport in Palm Springs, but if you love shopping for a budget flight, try San Diego or Los Angeles which are both two hours away (or less depending on traffic).
So, let me know if you’ve ever been to Palm Springs or if it’s on your list.
