Palm Springs is a well-liked resort city with a shocking desert panorama, mid-century trendy structure, and residential to dozens of festivals, resorts, and spas to take pleasure in for an ideal weekend within the desert.
Whether or not you wish to discover the pure wonders of the San Jacinto Mountains or lay out by the pool absorbing the SoCal solar, a weekend in Palm Springs is the right little getaway for everybody.
As a Southern California native, I’ve visited Palm Springs fairly just a few instances for a weekend journey and have had an opportunity to make a productive itinerary that visits the perfect of Palm Springs. On this put up, I’ll be sharing it with you, together with some recommendation alongside the way in which.
Since Palm Springs is such a well-liked vacationer vacation spot, I recommend reserving all my suggestions prematurely to keep away from lacking out on something! When you’ve got any questions, go away me a remark, and I’ll get again to you ASAP!
All proper, let’s get began on the final word weekend in Palm Springs itinerary!
If you’re in a rush
Solely have a weekend in Palm Springs? Listed below are just a few excursions and experiences I like to recommend reserving forward of time to profit from your journey:
And listed here are the perfect accommodations: L’Horizon Resort & Spa (luxurious), Holiday House Palm Springs (mid-range), Arrive Palm Springs (price range)
Day 1
Your 1st day on this Palm Springs weekend itinerary goes to be action-packed with a number of the greatest surroundings, pure wonders, and museums in all of Palm Springs. Right here’s a map to see the place the whole lot is situated:
We’re ranging from the very northernmost a part of Palm Canyon Drive and heading down as we get via the weekend. Don’t neglect your wide-brimmed hat for solar safety as a result of it’s going to be HOT on the market!
1. Begin your day with museums and scrumptious Mexican meals!
After grabbing espresso and cinnamon rolls at Rick’s Restaurant and Bakery (map), cease by the Palm Springs welcome signal for a photograph and head over to the Palm Springs customer middle situated on North Palm Canyon Drive.
Right here, you’ll discover a staff of individuals devoted to creating your weekend journey the perfect it may be! So ask all of your native insider questions and choose up a map when you’re there. The customer middle can also be an incredible spot to cease at first as a result of there are displays showcasing the city’s historical past and tradition. You’ll be able to actually recognize the town for those who perceive its historical past earlier than exploring it!
Alright, now it’s time to make your technique to the guts of downtown Palm Springs to take a look at the classic retailers, mid-century trendy structure, and hottest vacationer sights.
First, head to the Palm Springs Artwork Museum for a various assortment of recent artwork, Native American artifacts, sculptures, and extra. Should you go to Palm Springs on a Thursday evening as a substitute of a weekend, you may get in at no cost for those who make reservations prematurely and get a free tour! Even for those who’re not approaching a Thursday evening, reserve your tickets forward of time.
If exploring the artwork displays doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, take flight on the Palm Springs Air Museum as a substitute! That is such a enjoyable factor for youths and adults, showcasing plane all through historical past, from World Struggle II fighters, bombers, and trainers, in addition to extra trendy plane from later durations. Buy your tickets forward of time.
Listed below are just a few different locations to cease by when you’re within the space (and you probably have time to spare):
- Agua Caliente Band – Respectfully discover the tribal land of the Cahuilla Native Individuals on the Agua Caliente Band. Be taught concerning the tradition and historical past here, and take a look at the pure sizzling springs!
- Desert Sizzling Springs – Discover the numerous sizzling springs situated in Desert Sizzling Springs! I recommend visiting Two Bunch Palms and El Morocco In & Spa for the final word and most stress-free sizzling springs expertise.
Now that you simply’ve explored the artwork and/or aviation displays, it’s time to cease at Las Casuelas Terraza (map) for the perfect Mexican meals in Palm Springs. The family-owned enterprise’ wonderful meals has been serving the realm for 4 generations now! Get your self a Chimichanga and margarita, and relax for a minute earlier than embarking in your subsequent cease within the better Palm Springs space.
TIP: for those who’d relatively skip the museums and go to probably the most uncommon geology phenomena on the planet, take this San Andreas Fault Line tour from Palm Springs as a substitute! It’s a couple of 3-hour expertise of a lifetime. You’ll see the San Andreas Fault line from up shut and have an area information sharing their experience alongside the way in which!
2. Head on over to the Palm Springs Canyons
In any other case known as the Indian Canyons, the Palm Springs Canyons comprise 3 canyons: Palm Canyon, Murray Canyon, and Andreas Canyons. They maintain an enormous cultural significance of the Cahuilla tribe – very attention-grabbing to see and find out about when you’re within the space.
Imagine it or not, many individuals spend their weekends in Palm Springs stress-free by their resort swimming pool and sizzling tubs, however I like to recommend getting exterior and exploring pure treasures like these as a substitute.
Swimming pools and sizzling tubs may be discovered wherever, however you gained’t discover historical past and pure wonders like these wherever on the planet. (I like to recommend having that very same mindset wherever you go!)
Right here’s just a little bit extra about every of the canyons:
- Palm Canyon is the biggest palm oasis within the nation! It’s principally recognized for its superior grove of palm bushes and the climbing trails that result in the attractive palm oasis. It jogs my memory of the same hike (Fortynine Palms Oasis Path) in Joshua Tree (you could additionally try when you’re within the space – extra on that later!)
- Andreas Canyon lies alongside the Andreas Creek and is crammed with a mixture of totally different vegetation and wonderful rock formations. It’s the right space to hike and bird-watch you probably have further time! Hike the Andreas Canyon Path for a straightforward 30-minute loop and breathtaking views of the valley.
- Murray Canyon is one other oasis with waterfalls, streams, and a ton of native vegetation surrounding the realm. So peaceable and beautiful!
Don’t neglect to carry the right clothes and footwear! It is vitally sizzling in the course of the summer time (since Palm Springs is a desert), so remember and don’t go on strenuous hikes throughout that point of yr. I actually recommend visiting Palm Springs within the fall and winter time to keep away from the intense warmth!
3. Get sundown views on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
After your hike, it’s time to go on over to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, recognized to be the biggest rotating tramcar system on the planet! You’ll get an expertise of a lifetime by ascending from the desert ground all the way in which as much as Mount San Jacinto. It’s a surreal expertise and a pleasant technique to chill out and benefit from the view after spending the previous couple of hours exploring the canyons.
The aerial tramway begins at Valley Station, about 2,640 ft (800 m) above sea stage, and finally ends up on the peak of the San Jacinto Mountains at Mountain Station at 8,516 ft (c. 2,600 m) up within the clouds! Should you look down, you’ll see views of the whole Coachella Valley, Chino Canyon, San Jacinto State Park, and the whole lot of Palm Springs. It’s an absolute must-see once you’re right here! Plus, going in the course of the sundown hour is the completely excellent technique to do it.
Should you’re visiting within the winter, it’s necessary to take into account that the height of the mountaintop can get fairly chilly. Carry a jacket to remain heat!
PRO TIP: after your aerial journey to the highest of the mountain, head over to Lulu California Bistro (map) for the perfect dinner offers and outside eating space in downtown Palm Springs.
PRICE: from US$30 per grownup
Book your aerial tramway tickets
Day 2
You made it to day 2 of your Palm Springs Itinerary! Woohoo! Your 2nd day goes to be crammed with much more exploration exterior of the downtown Palm Springs space. See our stops on the map under:
Be sure to get some relaxation and pack your solar safety necessities earlier than embarking on day 2 since you’ll be spending the day trip within the solar once more, and it could actually simply get tremendous draining.
1. Head on over to the gardens and zoo of Palm Springs
After grabbing a cup of joe and a scrumptious cinnamon roll at Rick’s once more, head on over to Moorten Botanical Backyard to start out your day with a desert well-known for its assortment of desert vegetation together with cacti and succulents from everywhere in the world!
You’ll get an opportunity to discover and study all concerning the fascinating world of desert vegetation with their academic sources. Admission is simply US$5 for adults and US$2 for youngsters, making this an superior, inexpensive expertise for everybody.
After you discover Palm Springs’ most well-known desert backyard, take a pit cease at Warnock High-quality Arts for an enthralling little artwork museum and WFM Espresso Bar for an vitality booster earlier than you arrive on the Residing Desert Zoo and Gardens, situated about 24-minutes away from the botanical backyard, close by Palm Desert.
Just like the Moorten Botanical Backyard, The Residing Desert Zoo and Gardens showcase and protect desert wildlife discovered within the USA. This park can also be a zoo – nevertheless it’s completely totally different out of your conventional zoo!
It focuses on all kinds of animals like birds, reptiles, and bugs that decision the desert their house. With over 1,200 acres (486 hectares) to discover on the Residing Desert Zoo and Gardens, it’s so tempting to spend the remainder of your day right here!
Nonetheless, we have to take advantage of out of your weekend in Palm Springs, so it’s time to make your method over to the following location!
TIP: Palm Desert is house to probably the most well-known music festivals within the nation, Coachella! I recommend visiting exterior of the competition season to keep away from site visitors and inflated costs throughout. Examine their website for the competition calendar!
2. Drive right down to Salvation Mountain or Anza Borrego
Salvation Mountain is without doubt one of the coolest sights I’ve ever seen (and likewise fairly actually in the midst of nowhere). You’ll take a drive from Palm Desert, down from Coachella Valley, passing the Salton Sea, and ending up at Slab Metropolis, which is a complete off-the-grid journey to discover by itself.
I like to recommend bringing your digital camera and exploring the ins and outs of the painted canyon. You’ll discover all kinds of memorabilia left over by guests from around the globe, colourful art work masking the mountain and canyon partitions, and spiritual Christian messaging all over the place you flip.
It’s an necessary image acknowledged around the globe and created by artist Leonard Knight. The final time I used to be there, it was useless quiet (as a result of, once more, it’s fairly actually in the midst of nowhere). Be quiet and tread evenly as you and different guests discover the mountain.
If Salvation Mountain doesn’t sound like your factor, I recommend exploring the biggest California state park, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, as a substitute! There are about 600,000 acres (240,000 hectares) to discover all through the Colorado Desert space, nearer to San Diego and simply west of the Salton Sea. It’s a couple of 1-hour drive from the zoo, nevertheless it’s properly value it!
You’ll discover superior desert wildlife like bighorn sheep, roadrunners, foxes, and distinctive hen species you could solely discover within the desert, together with distinctive desert wildflowers within the spring and Native American cultural artifacts situated all through the park.
I do NOT advocate coming in the summertime – it’s method too sizzling and harmful. As an alternative, come within the spring and catch their well-known “Superbloom” seasonal pure incidence.
Because you’re out right here in the midst of nowhere, there’s a restricted quantity of locations you’ll be able to cease to eat. I recommend shopping for a light-weight lunch (a sandwich is all the time a good suggestion) from a grocery market in Palm Springs beforehand and packing it in a cooler.
After exploring Salvation Mountain or Anza Borrego Desert State Park, it’s time to drive again to your resort and unwind for the very last thing on this Palm Springs itinerary: chill out by the pool 👙.
3. Unwind by the pool earlier than saying goodbye to Palm Springs
Final however not least, Palm Springs is well-known by SoCal natives and locals to be the final word pool-time-relaxing spot. I wished to make the right Palm Springs itinerary by including all of the outside must-see spots and supplying you with choices to decide on what you please.
Nonetheless, if you wish to spend 2 days having solo pool time or having pool events with the youngsters with no care on the planet to see something in Palm Springs – all glory to you!
It’s all the time a great time to swim in Palm Springs, which is why you’ll discover nearly each resort or resort has a swimming pool and sizzling tub so that you can chill out in. See our prime picks on best hotels with a lazy river, and top hotels with water slides. Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it?!
Simply word that the solar is blistering sizzling, so make sure to slap on that sunscreen each half-hour or so to keep away from getting sunburned.
Should you’re within the temper to get together, there’s one enormous music and pool get together occasion held yearly in Palm Springs referred to as Splash House. It’s recognized for the EDM performances by well-liked world-renowned DJs, the colourful pool get together ambiance, and each daytime and nighttime events held for a number of weekends in the course of the summer time. I recommend planning your journey based on the competition if this feels like your factor!!
Can’t get sufficient of the desert views and really feel? I don’t blame you! Should you resolve to spend an additional day and have a protracted weekend within the better Palm Springs space, I recommend taking a day journey to Joshua Tree Nationwide Park!
Joshua Tree is east of Palm Springs, heading in direction of the well-known Colorado Desert. It’s a bucket-list location that you simply completely have to see not less than as soon as in your life.
I like to recommend testing the Cholla Cactus Backyard for a wide range of desert vegetation, cacti, and wildflowers throughout spring and testing all of the wonderful rock formations by way of climbing trails that you’ll find all about in our devoted put up on the top-rated hiking trails in Joshua Tree National Park.
(Psst! There’s this Red Jeep tour that I like to recommend for those who’re spending the whole day there!)
FAQs about your Palm Springs itinerary
🌵 What ought to I do for two days in Palm Springs?
I recommend exploring the character situated all all through the better Palm Springs space, however if you would like a extra chill, laid-back weekend, discover the golf programs, sizzling springs, and keep on the resorts by the pool. Saguaro Palm Springs and Sands Hotel are 2 majorly well-liked decisions to select from.
🏜️ What are the perfect outside landmarks in Palm Springs?
One of the best outside landmarks to discover in Palm Springs are the Palm Spring Canyons, Salvation Mountain close by, Joshua Tree Nationwide Park, and the San Andreas Fault.
😅 How can I discover the perfect of Palm Springs stress-free?
The right weekend getaway to the desert oasis of Palm Springs can go tremendous easy for those who plan your journey prematurely, be sure to ebook the whole lot on time and take into account reserving guided excursions to keep away from headache.
✔️ What ought to I carry on my journey to Palm Springs?
Carry a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, sun shades, and your bathing swimsuit! Should you plan on happening hikes across the space, put on your greatest climbing boots and convey a reusable water bottle to remain hydrated!
Conclusion
Now you’re prepared to go to Palm Springs! I hope you loved studying this Palm Springs weekend information as a lot as I loved writing it.
Listed below are just a few of my favourite issues I discussed:
- Salvation Mountain – It’s merely one of many coolest issues to see! I took loads of wonderful pictures whereas I used to be right here and actually admired the inspiring art work left on the partitions.
- Joshua Tree Nationwide Park – I like going to Joshua Tree anytime I’m across the Palm Desert/Palm Springs space. I’ve been so many instances and made nice recollections through the years that I had to decide on it as one in all my favs!
As all the time, you’ll be able to go away me a remark under you probably have any questions, and don’t neglect to ebook your actions and lodging prematurely! Bear in mind, you solely have 2 days on this Palm Springs itinerary, so that you don’t wish to waste them in search of what to do or the place to remain!
Xoxo,
Esabel S.
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