30+ things to do in Palm Springs

30+ things to do in Palm Springs

30+ things to do in Palm Springs: ride the Aerial Tramway, hike Indian Canyons, visit Joshua Tree, tour mid-century homes, shop downtown & relax poolside.

30+ Must See Experiences in Palm Springs

Discover the best of Palm Springs, CA

Palm Springs isn’t just about sunshine and golf courses, this stylish desert city is packed with unique experiences, scenic outdoor adventures, and local attractions that everyone can enjoy. From exploring mid-century modern neighborhoods to hiking through desert canyons, you'll find plenty of things to do in Palm Springs, beyond the poolside.

Spend your days riding the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway for panoramic mountain views, wandering the shops and galleries along Palm Canyon Drive, or hiking scenic trails in Indian Canyons. Staying in one of our Palm Springs vacation rentals adds another layer of comfort, with private pools, spacious living areas, and modern desert-inspired interiors. Many of our Palm Springs vacation rentals also feature private resort-style amenities, making your desert getaway a truly epic experience.

Iconic things to do in Palm Springs

1. Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Location / Neighborhood: Chino Canyon

Best For: First-time visitors, mountain views and families

Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours

Cost / Entry: Paid tram ticket

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is one of the city's signature experiences, carrying visitors from the desert floor high into the San Jacinto Mountains. The rotating tram cars provide changing views across the canyon and Coachella Valley as the landscape shifts from arid desert to cooler mountain forest.

Once you reach the Mountain Station, you can take in the viewpoints, stop for food or continue onto trails through Mt. San Jacinto State Park. The temperature difference can be substantial, so the summit also provides a refreshing escape from Palm Springs during warmer months.

Insider tip: Take an extra layer even on a hot desert day. Conditions at the top can be dramatically cooler.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

2. Explore Palm Canyon Drive

Location / Neighborhood: Downtown Palm Springs

Best For: First-time visitors, shopping, food and evening walks

Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours

Cost / Entry: Free

Palm Canyon Drive runs through the heart of Downtown Palm Springs and is one of the easiest places to begin exploring the city. Restaurants, independent shops, galleries and distinctive mid-century buildings line the route, making it useful for sightseeing without following a rigid attraction list.

During the day you can browse shops and stop for lunch, while evenings bring a livelier atmosphere around restaurants and bars. On Thursday evenings, sections of the street also become part of VillageFest.

Rather than driving from one business to another, park once and explore the central section on foot.

Insider tip: Visit in late afternoon so you can combine shopping, dinner and the evening atmosphere in a single trip.

3. Tour Palm Springs' mid-century modern architecture

Location / Neighborhood: Various Palm Springs neighborhoods

Best For: Architecture, design and photography

Estimated Time Needed: 2–3 hours

Cost / Entry: Self-guided options free; tours extra

Palm Springs is closely associated with mid-century modern architecture, and exploring its distinctive homes and civic buildings is one of the experiences that most clearly separates the city from other California desert destinations.

Self-guided drives can take you through neighborhoods filled with low-slung roofs, dramatic mountain backdrops and classic desert-modern landscaping. Alternatively, specialist tours add background on the architects, homeowners and design principles that shaped Palm Springs during the mid-20th century.

Architecture fans visiting during Modernism Week have access to an even larger programme of tours and special events.

Insider tip: Remember that many famous homes remain private residences, so admire and photograph them respectfully from public areas.

architecture

4. Visit Palm Springs Art Museum

Location / Neighborhood: Downtown Palm Springs

Best For: Art, design and indoor sightseeing

Estimated Time Needed: 2–3 hours

Cost / Entry: Admission arrangements vary

Palm Springs Art Museum provides a strong cultural break from the city's pools, golf courses and hiking trails. Its collections and exhibitions span modern and contemporary art, design, photography and work connected with the American West.

The museum's Downtown location means it fits naturally into a Palm Canyon Drive itinerary rather than requiring a separate trip across the valley. It can be particularly useful during the hottest part of the afternoon when spending several continuous hours outside becomes less appealing.

Check current exhibitions before visiting, as temporary shows can significantly change what is available.

Insider tip: Pair the museum with lunch or dinner Downtown rather than moving the car again immediately afterwards.

Palm Springs Art Museum

5. Explore the Architecture and Design Center

Location / Neighborhood: Downtown Palm Springs

Best For: Architecture and design lovers

Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours

Cost / Entry: Admission arrangements vary

The Architecture and Design Center provides a more focused look at the design heritage that has become central to Palm Springs' identity.

Exhibitions explore architecture, interiors and design, making it a particularly useful addition after seeing the city's modernist homes from outside. Instead of simply appreciating the visual style, visitors can better understand the ideas and personalities behind Palm Springs modernism.

Because the center is comparatively compact, it works well alongside Palm Springs Art Museum or an architecture tour rather than demanding a full day.

Insider tip: Do the architecture tour first and museum second. You'll recognise far more details once you're inside.

6. Walk through Moorten Botanical Garden

Location / Neighborhood: South Palm Springs

Best For: Desert plants, photography and relaxed sightseeing

Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours

Cost / Entry: Paid admission

Moorten Botanical Garden and Cactarium offers a compact introduction to desert plant life without requiring a long hike into the surrounding landscape.

The family-run garden contains thousands of desert plants, with cacti, succulents and other species arranged throughout a peaceful setting close to central Palm Springs. The Cactarium is particularly distinctive and makes this much more than a conventional landscaped garden.

It is small enough to explore without sacrificing half a day, making it useful before lunch or as part of a wider Palm Springs sightseeing route.

Insider tip: Visit earlier in the morning when temperatures are cooler and the desert plants are easier to enjoy at a slower pace.

Moorten Botanical Garden

Best outdoor things to do in Palm Springs

7. Hike Indian Canyons

Location / Neighborhood: Agua Caliente Indian Reservation

Best For: Hiking, desert scenery and nature

Estimated Time Needed: 2–5 hours

Cost / Entry: Paid admission

Indian Canyons provides some of the most memorable hiking close to Palm Springs, with desert trails passing dramatic rock formations and surprisingly lush palm oases.

Palm Canyon, Andreas Canyon and Murray Canyon each offer different routes and landscapes, meaning you can choose an outing suited to your available time and fitness. The contrast between exposed desert and areas shaded by native palms is one of the biggest reasons to visit.

Current visitor information requires hikers to carry water, and operating days and ranger-led programmes change seasonally.

Insider tip: Start early. Even during the cooler season, exposed sections can become much warmer as the day progresses.

Indian Canyons

8. Hike Tahquitz Canyon

Location / Neighborhood: Southwest Palm Springs

Best For: Hiking, waterfalls and shorter outdoor adventures

Estimated Time Needed: Around 2 hours

Cost / Entry: Paid admission

Tahquitz Canyon gives visitors a more compact hiking experience than spending half a day exploring Indian Canyons.

The trail passes through dramatic desert canyon scenery and leads towards a seasonal waterfall, with the rugged landscape offering a surprisingly wild experience close to Palm Springs itself. The exposed terrain means heat and hydration need to be taken seriously, particularly outside the cooler winter months. Conditions around the waterfall also vary throughout the year, so visitors should appreciate the canyon landscape rather than expecting identical water flow every season.

Insider tip: Check current trail conditions before setting out, particularly after extreme heat or unusual weather.

Tahquitz Canyon

9. Hike in Mt. San Jacinto State Park

Location / Neighborhood: Above Palm Springs

Best For: Hiking, mountain scenery and active travellers

Estimated Time Needed: 2 hours to full day

Cost / Entry: Tram ticket usually required for easiest access

The Aerial Tramway is only the beginning of the Mount San Jacinto experience. At the top, a network of mountain trails takes visitors through a much cooler landscape of pine forest, rocky viewpoints and high-elevation wilderness.

Short walks work well for visitors mainly interested in the scenery, while experienced hikers can choose more demanding routes through the state park.

The contrast with Palm Springs below is extraordinary. In a relatively short journey, you move from desert vegetation to a mountain environment that can remain cool even when temperatures in the valley are intense.

Insider tip: Don't assume the summit weather matches Downtown Palm Springs. Check conditions separately before choosing your clothing and route.

Mt. San Jacinto State Park

10. Cycle around Palm Springs

Location / Neighborhood: Palm Springs and Coachella Valley

Best For: Active travellers and sightseeing

Estimated Time Needed: 1–4 hours

Cost / Entry: Free with your own bike; rentals extra

Cycling provides an easy way to explore Palm Springs' residential architecture, quieter streets and surrounding desert landscape at a slower pace than driving.

Casual riders can focus on central neighborhoods and architecture, while stronger cyclists have access to longer routes around the Coachella Valley. Mountain bikers can also seek out desert trails farther from the city.

The biggest consideration is temperature. Summer afternoon cycling can become uncomfortable or unsafe surprisingly quickly, so timing matters as much as route choice.

Insider tip: In warmer weather, ride early in the morning and keep longer desert routes for the cooler months.

Palm Springs

11. Play golf in Palm Springs

Location / Neighborhood: Greater Palm Springs

Best For: Golfers, couples and groups

Estimated Time Needed: Half day

Cost / Entry: Green fees vary

Golf is a major part of the Palm Springs experience, with a huge concentration of courses spread throughout the wider Coachella Valley.

Desert layouts framed by mountain scenery make rounds here particularly distinctive, with options around Palm Springs, La Quinta, Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage. Some courses are designed around resort stays while others welcome visiting golfers through advance tee-time bookings.

The cooler months provide the most comfortable playing conditions and are consequently among the busiest.

Insider tip: Book preferred tee times ahead during winter and spring rather than expecting prime morning slots to remain available.

Palm Springs Golf

12. Take a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park

Location / Neighborhood: East of Palm Springs

Best For: Hiking, road trips, photography and nature

Estimated Time Needed: Full day

Cost / Entry: National park admission

Joshua Tree National Park is one of the strongest day trips from Palm Springs, combining huge boulder formations, desert viewpoints and the unusual trees that give the park its name.

A first visit can include accessible locations such as Hidden Valley alongside scenic drives and shorter trails. Visitors with more time can venture deeper into the park, but trying to cover every major stop in one day usually means spending too much time in the car.

Weather is another major consideration. Summer temperatures can be extreme, while winter and spring are much more suitable for hiking.

Insider tip: Pick a handful of priority stops before leaving Palm Springs instead of attempting to drive every road in the park.

Joshua Tree National Park

13. Take a hot air balloon flight over the Coachella Valley

Location / Neighborhood: Coachella Valley

Best For: Couples, special occasions and views

Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours including preparation

Cost / Entry: Premium paid activity

A hot air balloon flight gives visitors a completely different view of the Coachella Valley, with desert cities, golf courses, agricultural land and mountains spreading out below.

Flights generally take place early because morning conditions are often calmer, meaning this is one experience worth planning before the rest of your day's itinerary.

The activity is particularly suited to special occasions or visitors who have already explored the desert from the ground and want a different perspective. Exact flight routes depend on wind and weather, making each journey slightly different.

Insider tip: Keep your schedule flexible that morning because balloon flights always depend on suitable weather conditions.

Coachella Valley

14. Explore the Coachella Valley Preserve

Location / Neighborhood: Thousand Palms

Best For: Hiking, nature and desert landscapes

Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours

Cost / Entry: Check current access arrangements

The Coachella Valley Preserve offers another opportunity to experience the region's desert environment away from Palm Springs' residential neighborhoods and resort areas.

Palm oases, desert trails and broad mountain views give visitors a chance to see how water completely transforms parts of this otherwise dry landscape.

It is a good alternative if you have already visited Indian Canyons and want another nature-focused outing during a longer stay. As with all desert hiking, conditions can become demanding quickly when temperatures rise.

Insider tip: Save this for the cooler part of the year and carry more water than you think you'll need.

Coachella Valley Preserve

Culture and history in Palm Springs

15. Visit the Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza

Location / Neighborhood: Downtown Palm Springs

Best For: Culture, history and first-time visitors

Estimated Time Needed: 2–3 hours

Cost / Entry: Admission varies

The Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza provides valuable context for the land and culture that existed long before Palm Springs developed into a modern resort city.

The museum explores the history and living culture of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians through exhibitions, objects and storytelling, making it one of the most meaningful cultural stops in the city.

Visiting before hiking Indian Canyons or Tahquitz Canyon can add considerably more context to those landscapes.

Insider tip: Put this near the beginning of the trip if you plan to visit the canyons later.

16. Tour Sunnylands

Location / Neighborhood: Rancho Mirage

Best For: Architecture, gardens and design

Estimated Time Needed: 2–3 hours

Cost / Entry: Garden access and tour arrangements vary

Sunnylands is one of the Coachella Valley's best-known modern estates, set within extensive landscaped grounds in Rancho Mirage.

Visitors can explore the gardens and, depending on ticket availability, book experiences providing a closer look at the estate's architecture and interiors. Its strong modernist design makes it particularly relevant after exploring Palm Springs' mid-century neighborhoods.

The setting is spacious and deliberately tranquil, providing a very different experience from busy Downtown Palm Springs.

Insider tip: If an estate tour is important to you, reserve it in advance rather than relying on same-day availability.

Sunnylands

17. Visit Palm Springs Air Museum

Location / Neighborhood: Near Palm Springs International Airport

Best For: Aviation, engineering and history

Estimated Time Needed: 2–3 hours

Cost / Entry: Paid admission

Palm Springs Air Museum houses an extensive collection of historic aircraft and aviation exhibits, making it one of the city's strongest indoor attractions for visitors interested in engineering and flight.

The scale of the aircraft gives the museum a very different feel from a conventional display-gallery experience. Visitors can move around restored planes and learn more about how aircraft technology developed through different periods.

It also provides a useful indoor option when the desert heat makes a long afternoon outdoors less attractive.

Insider tip: Give yourself longer than an hour if aviation genuinely interests you; the aircraft deserve more than a quick walk-through.

Palm Springs Air Museum

18. Browse the Palm Springs Historical Society

Location / Neighborhood: Village Green, Downtown

Best For: Local history and architecture fans

Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours

Cost / Entry: Check current opening arrangements

For a closer look at how Palm Springs developed from a small desert community into an internationally recognised resort destination, spend time around the Palm Springs Historical Society and Village Green area.

Historic buildings including the McCallum Adobe provide a striking contrast to the modernist architecture for which the city later became famous.

The Historical Society also runs specialist walking tours at different points of the year, including architecture-focused programmes connected with Modernism Week. Palm Springs Historical Society

Insider tip: Check seasonal opening dates because some historical attractions operate reduced schedules during the hottest months.

19. Walk through VillageFest

Location / Neighborhood: Palm Canyon Drive

Best For: Food, shopping, families and evening entertainment

Estimated Time Needed: 1–3 hours

Cost / Entry: Free

Every Thursday evening, Palm Canyon Drive becomes the setting for Palm Springs VillageFest, with around 200 stalls selling food, art, crafts and other locally produced goods. The weekly event provides a much livelier way to explore Downtown than simply visiting the same street during the daytime. Shops, galleries and restaurants also remain open later, making it easy to turn VillageFest into an entire evening out.

Insider tip: If your stay includes a Thursday, build your Downtown evening around VillageFest.

VillageFest

Food, shopping and nightlife in Palm Springs

20. Have brunch in Downtown Palm Springs

Location / Neighborhood: Downtown / Uptown

Best For: Couples, groups and relaxed mornings

Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours

Cost / Entry: Restaurant prices vary

Brunch fits particularly well with the Palm Springs pace of life, especially after an early hike or a late evening out.

Downtown and Uptown contain a strong offering of cafés and restaurants serving everything from classic American breakfasts to lighter California-style dishes. Outdoor terraces are particularly enjoyable during the cooler months when mornings are sunny but comfortable. Rather than treating breakfast purely as fuel between attractions, leave enough time to sit down and enjoy the slower desert atmosphere.

Insider tip: Popular weekend brunch spots can develop queues, so go earlier or make a reservation where possible.

Downtown Palm Springs

21. Dine on a rooftop overlooking the mountains

Location / Neighborhood: Downtown Palm Springs

Best For: Couples, groups and sunset dining

Estimated Time Needed: 1½–2½ hours

Cost / Entry: Restaurant prices vary

Palm Springs' mountain backdrop makes rooftop dining particularly appealing around sunset. Several central venues offer elevated terraces where visitors can combine cocktails or dinner with views towards the San Jacinto Mountains. The experience is less about one specific restaurant and more about choosing a table where the setting is as important as the menu. Warm evenings allow outdoor dining to continue well after sunset, particularly during spring and fall.

Insider tip: Reserve a table around sunset rather than arriving after dark when you will miss much of the mountain view.

22. Browse the Uptown Design District

Location / Neighborhood: North Palm Canyon Drive

Best For: Shopping, vintage design and interiors

Estimated Time Needed: 2–3 hours

Cost / Entry: Free to explore

Palm Springs' design heritage carries over into its shopping scene, particularly around the Uptown Design District.

Vintage furniture, home décor, fashion, art and independent boutiques make this one of the strongest parts of the city for browsing beyond conventional malls.

Visitors interested in mid-century interiors will find the district especially relevant after an architecture tour, as many stores specialize in pieces and styles connected to Palm Springs' design identity.

Insider tip: Give yourself time to browse properly rather than treating Uptown as a quick stop between attractions.

23. Take a Palm Springs food tour

Location / Neighborhood: Downtown Palm Springs

Best For: Food, first-time visitors and groups

Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours

Cost / Entry: Paid tour

A food tour combines several smaller restaurant stops with a walking introduction to Downtown Palm Springs.

This can be particularly useful early in the trip because it helps visitors identify restaurants and neighborhoods they may want to return to later. Good tours also include local history and background between tastings, turning the experience into more than a sequence of snacks. It is a relatively easy activity physically, although summer heat can make daytime walking less comfortable.

Insider tip: Book this near the start of your stay so the restaurant recommendations are still useful afterwards.

24. Spend an evening at a classic Palm Springs supper club

Location / Neighborhood: Palm Springs

Best For: Couples, live music and evenings

Estimated Time Needed: 2–3 hours

Cost / Entry: Food, drinks or tickets

Palm Springs has retained elements of the old-school supper-club atmosphere associated with its mid-century resort years.

Venues such as The Purple Room combine dinner, cocktails and live entertainment in an intimate setting that feels very different from a large modern concert venue.

It is a good choice for visitors who want nightlife without spending the evening moving between crowded bars.

Insider tip: Check the entertainment schedule and reserve ahead if there is a specific show you want to see.

25. Have cocktails at a Palm Springs lounge

Location / Neighborhood: Downtown and surrounding neighborhoods

Best For: Couples and adult groups

Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours

Cost / Entry: Drinks extra

Cocktail bars and intimate lounges are a natural fit for Palm Springs' retro style. Many venues lean into mid-century interiors, low lighting and desert-inspired drinks, making the setting as important as the cocktail menu. The experience works particularly well after dinner or following an afternoon spent around the pool.

Rather than trying to visit multiple bars in one evening, choose one or two distinctive venues and enjoy the atmosphere.

Insider tip: Some of the smaller lounges fill quickly at weekends, so arriving earlier can make finding a table considerably easier.

Relaxing and unique things to do in Palm Springs

26. Spend a day at a mineral spa

Location / Neighborhood: Palm Springs / Desert Hot Springs

Best For: Couples, wellness and rest days

Estimated Time Needed: Half day

Cost / Entry: Spa fees vary

The natural hot mineral water around Greater Palm Springs has made wellness a long-standing part of the destination.

Desert Hot Springs is particularly well known for mineral-water resorts, while central Palm Springs also offers substantial spa experiences. A treatment or several hours using wellness facilities can provide a welcome change after consecutive days of hiking, sightseeing or golf.

This is also one of the few Palm Springs activities where extreme summer heat does not necessarily have to disrupt the day, provided most of the experience is indoors.

Insider tip: Put your spa day in the middle of the trip when tired legs will appreciate it most.

Spa at Palm Springs

27. Visit The Spa at Séc-he

Location / Neighborhood: Downtown Palm Springs

Best For: Wellness, couples and relaxation

Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours

Cost / Entry: Premium spa experience

The Spa at Séc-he offers a wellness experience centred around the hot mineral spring associated with the Agua Caliente people and Palm Springs itself.

Visitors can book treatments or spend time using the spa's wider relaxation facilities, creating an easy way to build downtime into an otherwise active desert itinerary. Its central location also means you do not need to travel to one of the farther Desert Hot Springs resorts to enjoy a dedicated wellness day.

Insider tip: Reserve treatments ahead during winter and spring, when Palm Springs is at its busiest.

28. See the Cabazon Dinosaurs

Location / Neighborhood: Cabazon

Best For: Road trips, families and unusual photo stops

Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours

Cost / Entry: Some areas paid

The enormous Cabazon Dinosaurs have become one of Southern California's most recognisable roadside attractions.

The oversized dinosaur structures make a fun stop if you are travelling between Palm Springs and destinations farther west rather than something that needs an entire day of its own. Their slightly surreal desert setting is part of the appeal, particularly for visitors who enjoy classic American roadside attractions.

Insider tip: Add Cabazon to a travel day or outlet-shopping trip rather than making a long return journey solely for the dinosaurs.

Cabazon Dinosaurs

29. Explore El Paseo in Palm Desert

Location / Neighborhood: Palm Desert

Best For: Shopping, restaurants and galleries

Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours

Cost / Entry: Free to explore

El Paseo provides one of the Coachella Valley's main shopping and dining districts, offering a polished alternative to Downtown Palm Springs.

Boutiques, galleries and restaurants line the area, making it easy to spend several hours browsing before stopping for lunch or dinner. It is particularly useful for visitors staying in Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage or La Quinta, but even Palm Springs-based travelers can combine it with another eastern-valley attraction.

Insider tip: Pair El Paseo with a Palm Desert or Rancho Mirage activity rather than driving east for shopping alone.

El Paseo

30. Spend time in Old Town La Quinta

Location / Neighborhood: La Quinta

Best For: Shopping, food and relaxed afternoons

Estimated Time Needed: 1–3 hours

Cost / Entry: Free

Old Town La Quinta offers shops, restaurants and pedestrian-friendly spaces against the backdrop of the Santa Rosa Mountains.

It makes a particularly useful stop after a morning hike or round of golf around La Quinta, allowing visitors to slow the pace over lunch before exploring the surrounding valley.

The atmosphere is much smaller and quieter than Downtown Palm Springs, which helps demonstrate how varied the wider Coachella Valley can be.

Insider tip: Combine it with another La Quinta activity rather than treating Old Town as a full-day destination.

La Quinta

31. Take a scenic drive through the Coachella Valley

Location / Neighborhood: Greater Palm Springs

Best For: Road trips, photography and relaxed sightseeing

Estimated Time Needed: Half day

Cost / Entry: Free apart from fuel

A scenic drive is one of the easiest ways to understand how Palm Springs fits into the wider Coachella Valley.

Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta and Indio each have a slightly different atmosphere, while the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa mountains provide a constant backdrop.

Instead of racing from attraction to attraction, choose a handful of stops such as Palm Desert, Old Town La Quinta and a desert viewpoint, leaving time for lunch along the way.

Insider tip: Avoid turning the drive into a checklist of every valley city. Three or four well-chosen stops are enough for one day.

32. Visit the Living Desert

Location / Neighborhood: Palm Desert

Best For: Families, nature lovers and first-time visitors

Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours

Cost / Entry: Paid admission

The Living Desert provides an easy way to learn more about desert environments, plants and conservation while exploring landscaped trails in Palm Desert. The grounds focus on desert ecosystems from around the world, with botanical displays, walking routes and educational exhibits spread across a large outdoor setting.

It works particularly well for families or visitors who want a nature-focused activity without committing to a long desert hike. The mountain backdrop also makes the setting especially attractive during the cooler months.

Because much of the experience is outdoors, temperatures can make a big difference to how long you want to stay.

Insider tip: Visit in the morning when temperatures are cooler and you can explore the grounds more comfortably.

Palm Springs Living Desert

Seasonal events in Palm Springs

Modernism Week

Modernism Week is one of Palm Springs' signature annual events, celebrating the mid-century architecture, design and culture for which the city is famous.

The main festival runs on select dates in February, with hundreds of tours, talks and events across Palm Springs and the wider Coachella Valley. A shorter fall edition runs on select dates in October. If architecture is one of the main reasons for your trip, Modernism Week is an excellent time to visit! Do remember to book early, as popular tours can sell out.

Palm Springs International Film Festival

The Palm Springs International Film Festival brings screenings, premieres and film-industry events to the city each winter. The annual festival runs on select dates in January.

Visitors travelling primarily for a normal Palm Springs break should still check festival dates because the event can increase demand for vacation rental accommodation and restaurants.

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival

Coachella takes place in nearby Indio and is one of the biggest events in the wider Palm Springs area.

Festival weekends dramatically increase demand for accommodation throughout Palm Springs, La Quinta, Indio and other Coachella Valley destinations, so travelers visiting during the event should reserve homes and transport well in advance.

Stagecoach Festival

The Stagecoach Festival follows the major spring festival period in Indio and brings country music fans to the Coachella Valley.

As with Coachella, demand extends far beyond Indio itself, with Palm Springs and La Quinta both popular accommodation bases.

BNP Paribas Open

The BNP Paribas Open brings major professional tennis to nearby Indian Wells each spring. For sports-focused travelers, it can be combined easily with a longer Palm Springs stay, although the event also makes the eastern Coachella Valley considerably busier.

Plan your Palm Springs trip