When people think of Palm Springs, they often picture a glamorous oasis outside Hollywood where LA’s glitterati bask under the desert sun at their hotel poolside. But there is more to Palm Springs than meets the eye. This city nestled in the Coachella Valley also boasts natural beauty, rocky mountain hiking spots, and rich history of Native Americans early settlement. So, if you think Palm Springs is only for celebrities, think again. This Viyahe guide will convince you that Palm Springs can be an ideal vacation spot for you and your family.
It’s ok to visit Palm Springs any time of the year but because the city is situated in the desert, the hot climate can be unbearable for some during the summer season (June to August). So, it’s more ideal to visit Palm Springs from January to April, or even as early as October—it might be a little chilly for a dip in the pool in fall and winter, though.
There are plenty of great accommodation options in Palm Springs and choosing the ideal hotel or home rental may depend on your travel group. If you are traveling with friends, we recommend V Palm Springs, Hotel Zoso, The Marley, and the very instagrammable Les Cactus Hotel. For couples longing for a romantic retreat, you can’t go wrong with the famous Spanish Mission-style Hotel California, La Maison Hotel, Andreas Hotel and Spa, and the Hyatt Palm Springs. If you’re traveling as a family with kids, we recommend hotels with complete amenities like Best Western Inn Palm Springs, Holiday Inn, Palm Springs Deauville, and Courtyard by Marriott.
Nature reserves and iconic landmarks in Palm Springs will complete your weekend or week-long stay in the valley. On your first day, you can go downtown and check out Palm Springs’ very own walk of stars at Canyon Drive, which includes legends like Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, and Elvis Presley who frequented the oasis back in the day. Hip restaurants are also sprawling around town, some local favorites are Lulu California Bistro, Rooster and the Pig, The Farm, and Trio Restaurant.
For some scenic adventure, we highly recommend taking the Palm Springs Aerial TramWay and doing the 2-mile Tahquitz Canyon Hike to get a panoramic view of the town. Palm Springs also has some fascinating museums, the ones you shouldn’t skip are the Palm Springs Art Museum, where a collection of modernist paintings, sculptures, furniture, and architecture designs are stylishly curated, and the Palm Springs Air Museum at the airport where antique planes are on display.
The Indian Canyons along South Palm Drive is also worth the visit. Here you can hike or even go horseback riding to explore the Agua Caliente Indian Reserve.
Exploring Palm Springs is just a few taps away. Chat with us using the Viyahe app to plan your California Valley vaca.
