The best time to visit Palm Springs
Best time to visit Palm Springs is November to April. Read on for the best weather, crowds, and events, plus when to poolside, hike, and save.
When to go to Palm Springs for the best weather, crowds and events?
The best time to visit Palm Springs is usually November to April, when the weather is sunny and comfortable enough for hiking, golfing, sightseeing, and outdoor dining. These months suit most travelers, whether you want a winter-sun escape with pool time and spa days, a design-focused city break with architecture tours and galleries, or active days exploring Indian Canyons and nearby Joshua Tree. March and April are especially strong for all-round travel, while June to September is best for resort stays, poolside relaxation, and lower prices if you do not mind intense desert heat.
Some travelers prefer to avoid festival weekends in spring, when Palm Springs and the wider Coachella Valley are busier and vacation rentals book up faster. For the cheapest time to visit Palm Springs for optimum vacation rental rates and fewer crowds, summer often sees better rates. The trade off is high desert heat though, so booking a home with A/C and private pool is key.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- The best time to visit Palm Springs for different travel styles
- Answer common FAQs
- Explain the difference between the seasons
- Share a month-by-month guide to help you choose the right time to go.
A quick guide to the best months to visit Palm Springs
What are the best months to visit Palm Springs overall?
For most travelers, the best months to visit Palm Springs are November, December, January, February, March, and April. These months usually offer the best balance of sunshine, comfortable temperatures, and easy conditions for hiking, golf, pool time, and sightseeing.
When is the best time to visit Palm Springs for pool days?
If you want warm pool weather without extreme summer heat, March to May is usually best. If you want the hottest resort weather and lower rates, June to September is the low season, but daytime heat is intense.
When is the best time to visit Palm Springs for hiking and golf?
For hiking, golf, and outdoor sightseeing, November to April is usually best. These months make places such as Indian Canyons, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, and nearby desert trails much easier to enjoy than in midsummer.
When is the best time to visit Palm Springs for events?
Palm Springs has major events across the year, including the Palm Springs International Film Festival in January, Modernism Week in February, the BNP Paribas Open in nearby Indian Wells in March, Coachella in April, ShortFest in June, Splash House in August, Palm Springs Pride in November, and the Festival of Lights Parade in December.
What is the cheapest time to visit Palm Springs?
For better value, look at June through September, when resort rates often drop because of the extreme heat. You can still enjoy pool days, spas, indoor attractions, and evening dining, but outdoor plans need to be limited to early morning or after sunset.
What are the best Palm Springs events by season?
In winter, highlights include the Palm Springs International Film Festival in January and Modernism Week in February. In spring, major draws include the BNP Paribas Open in March and Coachella in April. In summer, look out for Restaurant Week in late May to early June, ShortFest in June, and Splash House in August. In fall and early winter, standout picks include Palm Springs Pride in November and the Festival of Lights Parade in December.
The best time to visit Palm Springs: a month-by-month guide
From winter festivals and spring tennis to summer pool weekends and festive December lights, the best time to visit Palm Springs depends on what you want to do.
Use our month-by-month guide to plan around the city’s top seasonal experiences, events, and attractions.
Palm Springs in January
January is one of the best months to visit Palm Springs for hiking, golf, and poolside relaxation without summer heat. It is also one of the city’s biggest cultural months thanks to the Palm Springs International Film Festival, which typically takes place in early January and brings screenings, premieres, and awards-season energy to the city.
Weather in Palm Springs in January
Mild, sunny, and ideal for outdoor plans, with cool mornings and evenings. Average temperature: 47-70°F (8-21°C).
Palm Springs in February
February stays warm and very travel-friendly, making it a strong month for architecture lovers, couples, and anyone planning a stylish desert escape. The biggest draw is Modernism Week, the city’s flagship design and architecture festival, which takes place each February and fills Palm Springs with tours, talks, exhibitions, and events.
Weather in Palm Springs in February
Warm by day and cool after dark, with very little weather disruption for sightseeing. Average temperature: 49-73°F (9-23°C).
Palm Springs in March
March is one of the strongest months in the calendar and one of the best months to visit Palm Springs overall. Temperatures are ideal for hiking, pool days, and outdoor dining, and the wider Coachella Valley gets a lift from the BNP Paribas Open in nearby Indian Wells each March. In some years, large-scale outdoor art programming such as Desert X also falls in the spring period.
Weather in Palm Springs in March
Warm, bright, and comfortable, with long sunny days that suit hiking and golf. Average temperature: 54-80°F (12-27°C).
Palm Springs in April
April is peak shoulder season in Palm Springs and a standout month for visitors who want sunshine without the full intensity of summer. It is also one of the busiest times because the wider valley comes alive with Coachella in nearby Indio, which typically runs across two weekends in April.
Weather in Palm Springs in April
Hotter than early spring, but still manageable for mornings outdoors and afternoons by the pool. Average temperature: 59-87°F (15-30°C).
Palm Springs in May
May brings early-summer heat but remains one of the last good months for mixing outdoor activity with resort time before the hottest part of the year. It is a strong month for golf, early-morning hikes, and VillageFest, the weekly Thursday street fair that runs year-round in downtown Palm Springs.
Weather in Palm Springs in May
Very warm and increasingly hot, with dry conditions and lots of sunshine. Average temperature: 66-95°F (18-35°C).
Palm Springs in June
June marks the start of the low season, but it still has a lively events calendar. It is a good month for indoor attractions, spa stays, and long pool days, while food lovers can time a trip with Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week and film fans can catch Palm Springs International ShortFest, which typically takes place in late June.
Weather in Palm Springs in June
Very hot and dry, with intense daytime heat and warm evenings. Average temperature: 72-104°F (22-40°C).
Palm Springs in July
July is peak desert summer in Palm Springs and best for travelers who want resort deals, private pools, spas, and indoor attractions. Outdoor plans need to be limited to early morning or after dark, but the city still works well for laid-back luxury stays and stargazing nights.
Weather in Palm Springs in July
Extremely hot, sunny, and dry, with classic desert heat from morning through evening. Average temperature: 79-108°F (26-42°C).
Palm Springs in August
August remains extremely hot, but it is one of the liveliest summer months thanks to Splash House, the poolside music festival that comes to Palm Springs for two weekends each August. It is a strong month for travelers who want summer nightlife, private villas, and long days by the pool.
Weather in Palm Springs in August
Extremely hot and very dry, with little cloud cover and long, bright days. Average temperature: 79-108°F (26-42°C).
Palm Springs in September
September starts to cool slightly compared with midsummer, though it still feels very hot by most standards. It is a good month for quieter resort stays, photography, golf later in the day, and returning to outdoor dinners as evenings become more comfortable.
Weather in Palm Springs in September
Hot and dry, but a little less extreme than July and August. Average temperature: 74-102°F (23-39°C).
Palm Springs in October
October is one of the best shoulder-season months in Palm Springs, with much better conditions for hiking, architecture tours, and relaxed weekends. It also gets an extra lift from the smaller Modernism Week fall event, which typically returns in October with tours and design-focused programming.
Weather in Palm Springs in October
Warm and sunny, with cooler mornings and much more comfortable evenings. Average temperature: 64-91°F (18-33°C).
Palm Springs in November
November is one of the best times to visit Palm Springs for all-round travel. The weather is excellent for outdoor dining, golf, hiking, and pool time, and the city also hosts Palm Springs Pride, which brings a major parade, festival, and citywide celebrations each November.
Weather in Palm Springs in November
Warm and very pleasant, with clear days and cool evenings. Average temperature: 53-78°F (11-26°C).
Palm Springs in December
December is festive, busy, and one of the most appealing months for a winter-sun break. Holiday lights, decorated streets, and seasonal dining all add to the atmosphere, and the headline event is the Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade, traditionally held on the first Saturday in December in downtown Palm Springs.
Weather in Palm Springs in December
Mild and sunny by day, with crisp evenings and strong winter-sun appeal. Average temperature: 45-69°F (7-20°C).
Popular Palm Springs vacation rentals
