Are you thinking about visiting Palm Springs, California? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Palm Springs worth visiting?
This city is a good place to visit for two to four days. Located in the Sonoran Desert, Palm Springs has long been a vacation destination for California's upper class. It's year round sunny weather and scenic desert setting make it a great destination to escape the city crowds and relax by the pool with a fancy drink. You'll also find shopping, hiking, and plenty of outdoor activities in the area.
Palm Springs, California
Reasons to Visit Palm Springs
Nightlife
The area is filled with nightlife options that range from cocktail bars to nightclubs or breweries. You can party into the early morning at the dance clubs or enjoy a bottle of wine with friends at one of the lounges.
Resorts
Resorts range from luxurious to more laid back. Most have impressive pools and many have their own spas, restaurants, and entertainment options.
Food
Fresh ingredients and typical California cuisine is common around town. Brunch is a popular option for visitors and you'll find countless brunch cafes in the area. You'll also find Mexican food, pizza, and plenty of vegan and vegetarian options.
Hiking
There are more than 100 trails in the Greater Palm Springs area that take you through scenic desert landscapes and unique ecosystems. Some of the most popular trails include Andreas Canyon Trail and Araby Trail.
Shopping
Shopping ranges from outlets to boutique vendors. For the most local options head to Palm Canyon Drive and for an upscale shopping experience, visit the El Paseo shopping district.
Museums
The Palm Springs Air Museum has an impressive collection of military planes. It's also worth visiting the Palm Springs Art Museum, which has a mix of fine art, natural history, and performing arts. You'll also find botanical gardens and even a zoo around town.
Is Palm Springs worth visiting in the Summer?
This is the low season for travel in Palm Springs. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the low season you'll still see plenty of other travelers when you visit, but less than other times of the year. Good deals are to be found on hotels and tours because it's not the best time of year to visit.
The warm weather in summer is one of the reasons people visit at this time of year. Temperatures average around 23°C (73°F) with daily high temperatures often more than 29°C (84°F).
The nearby hiking this time of year is a must-do, so take some time to get out on the trails, take in some fresh air, and enjoy the scenery. During this season it's fun to experience the hiking, the famous sights and museums, and the resorts. Also, you can grab some drinks at a bar.
Summer Weather in Palm Springs
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| August | 24°C (74°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| September | 23°C (73°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
Is Palm Springs worth visiting in the Autumn?
The warm weather in autumn is one of the reasons people visit at this time of year. Temperatures average around 20°C (69°F) with daily high temperatures often more than 26°C (79°F).
Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Palm Springs, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the shoulder season you'll still see plenty of other tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found on hotels and tours.
This is a great time of year to browse the museums and discover the nearby hiking trails.
Autumn Weather in Palm Springs
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 20°C (69°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| November | 17°C (62°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| December | 14°C (57°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
Is Palm Springs worth visiting in the Winter?
Winter is the high season for travel in Palm Springs, so expect more visitors and higher prices. This destination is very popular with tourists, and in the high season it's even busier than usual as this is when most people like to visit. Expect tourist crowds to be very large, and prices to be higher than normal. However, there's plenty to do here this time of year, too.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during winter with average temperatures around 14°C (57°F).
You'll find plenty to do during winter, as you'll be able to spend time at the museums, sample the delicious cuisine, and enjoy the evening activities.
Winter Weather in Palm Springs
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 14°C (57°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| February | 15°C (58°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| March | 15°C (59°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
Is Palm Springs worth visiting in the Spring?
This is the shoulder season for travel in Palm Springs. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the shoulder season you'll still see plenty of other tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found on hotels and tours.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during spring with average temperatures around 17°C (62°F).
During this season it's fun to experience the many shops, the museums and landmarks, and the nightlife.
Spring Weather in Palm Springs
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 17°C (62°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| May | 18°C (65°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| June | 20°C (69°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Palm Springs
Lots of Tourists
Palm Springs sees a high number of visitors every year, which means you might have to wait in line and deal with large crowds during your visit.
Getting Around
The area is not very walkable, and public transit is not great here, so it might be difficult to get around without arranging your own transportation.
The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Palm Springs might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Palm Springs here or see if Palm Springs is expensive here.
Related
What is Palm Springs most famous for?
Palm Springs is most famous for its golfing, shopping, and mid-century modern architecture. The city is very popular for its nightlife and resorts. It is also known for its great food, hiking, and shopping. And many visitors also come to this city for its museums. It is often described as outdoorsy, ritzy, and chic.
What is the most famous sight in Palm Springs?
The most popular sight in Palm Springs is the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Palm Springs on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and other attractions here.
How touristy is Palm Springs? Is it a popular city to visit?
Palm Springs is a very touristy city that attracts travelers from around the globe. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Rappelling Adventure in Joshua Tree National Park (4 Hours): $255
- Walking Palm Springs "Twin Palms" Private Tour: $156
- Self-Guided Audio Tour Joshua Tree: $13
- 10+ Self-Guided Driving Tours from Las Vegas: $50
- Tour of California Self-Guided Driving Bundle: $50
- 100+ Self Guided Driving & Walking Tours by Action: $100
- South Palm Springs Architecture, History and Bike Tour: $99
- Covered Wagon Adventure & BBQ: $129
How long should I spend in Palm Springs?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Palm Springs is two to four days. Since Palm Springs has a variety of activities such as nightlife and resorts, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Palm Springs?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Palm Springs?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Palm Springs?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.