Palm Springs Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

A road lined with palm trees and flowers, leading towards a mountain range.
A desert landscape with tall palm trees and large rocks.
A waterfront with a dock, a large house with a balcony, and a forested hillside in the background.
A kayaker on a calm lake surrounded by large boulders and tall pine trees.
A modern art museum with glass railings, wooden floors, and a central sculpture.

Palm Springs Travel Guide Video

Once a swinging spot for Hollywood’s celebrities, today this Southern California city welcomes holiday makers from across the country to enjoy its warm weather.

Bob Hope, Dinah Shore, Frank Sinatra and others are perennially remembered in Palm Springs with streets bearing their names. Soon after World War II the city offered a luxurious getaway for an interesting mix of Hollywood celebrities and top politicians. Enjoy your own holiday getaway at today’s Palm Springs with golf and poolside relaxation at lavish resorts.

In one of the world’s most concentrated golf locations, select from more than 120 courses in and around Palm Springs. Get early morning tee times to beat the heat. Then gather floats or frosty drinks to cool off at the pool at your accommodation.

The area experiences very warm and dry conditions, making multiple daily trips to resort swimming pools common for visitors. For another cooling experience, ride on the rotating Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to enjoy views over the valley, noting green areas of civilisation amid the brown rocky topography. At the 8,516-foot (2,596-metre) summit, have lunch or hike on the 50 miles (80 kilometres) of trails through Mt. San Jacinto State Park. Temperatures here are much cooler than in the valley.

Hike or climb winding roads into the San Jacinto Mountains to look down at the oases of the city and see snow-capped mountains in the distance. The Indian Canyons feature additional vegetation varieties and artefacts from early Cahuilla people.

Come to Palm Springs in April for food, art and a range of musical acts at the Coachella festival in nearby Indio. Drive into Joshua Tree National Park to see the unusual spiky trees and nearly 750 other plant varieties growing in the Mojave Desert and Colorado Desert.

Drive about 2 hours east from Los Angeles International Airport to reach Palm Springs or fly to the city’s small international airport. Stop at the Palm Springs Air Museum next to the airport to see numerous aircraft from World War II and beyond. Several miles west, the Palm Springs Art Museum features modern and contemporary artworks including Chihuly glass.

Our guide on where to stay in Palm Springs

Find the best Palm Springs areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Palm Springs
Learn more about Palm Springs

Downtown Palm Springs

Downtown Palm Springs is known for its popular shops, and with sights like Agua Caliente Cultural Museum and Agua Caliente Casino, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Palm Springs.

Uptown Design District

Uptown Design District is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by San Jacinto Mountains and Desert Art Center while in the area.

Warm Sands

When in Warm Sands, you can plan a visit to Palm Springs Convention Center and Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

The Movie Colony

While The Movie Colony may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Palm Springs Convention Center and Agua Caliente Casino.

Tahquitz River Estates

Though Tahquitz River Estates may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Tahquitz Canyon and Moorten Botanical Garden.

Palm Mountain Resort and Spa

Palm Mountain Resort and Spa

3 out of 5
155 S Belardo Road Palm Springs CA
The price is AU$234 per night from 9 Aug to 10 Aug
AU$234
9 Aug - 10 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Palm Springs. Enjoy a fitness centre, on-site spa services and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
Palm Mountain Resort and Spa
Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel

Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel

4 out of 5
888 East Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs CA
The price is AU$198 per night from 5 Aug to 6 Aug
AU$198
5 Aug - 6 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Palm Springs. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 bars/lounges and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,469 reviews)
"Well where do I start. This property is my go to when in PS. It is local to some fabulous bars where the bartenders pour heavy handed is you are cool. The pool is why we go mainly, massive, friendly, a bit warm due to the heat and people enjoying there drinks in there and not really getting out of ..."

Reviewed on 21 July 2026

Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel
Hilton Vacation Club Palm Canyon Palm Springs

Hilton Vacation Club Palm Canyon Palm Springs

3.5 out of 5
2800 South Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs CA
The price is AU$205 per night from 30 July to 31 July
AU$205
30 July - 31 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this golf hotel in Palm Springs. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and 2 hot tubs. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,658 reviews)
"Everything was fine and stuff was good."

Reviewed on 22 July 2026

Hilton Vacation Club Palm Canyon Palm Springs
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
7 Springs Inn & Suites

7 Springs Inn & Suites

2.5 out of 5
950 N Indian Canyon Dr Palm Springs CA
Stay at this aparthotel in Palm Springs. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 hot tubs. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
7 Springs Inn & Suites
Vista Mirage Resort

Vista Mirage Resort

3.5 out of 5
400 S Hermosa Dr Palm Springs CA
Stay at this condo in Palm Springs. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (934 reviews)
"The only thing I can say anything about is that the shuffle board upstairs was off balance. There were bugs in the outside BBQ''s but I don't think they have too much control over that. Our room was wonderful, they supplied floats, and added some shade over the pool, it was a great addition."

Reviewed on 20 July 2026

Vista Mirage Resort
Palm Springs Tennis Club

Palm Springs Tennis Club

4 out of 5
701 W Baristo Rd Palm Springs CA
Stay at this aparthotel in Palm Springs. Enjoy free parking, 3 outdoor pools and 5 hot tubs. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (629 reviews)
"Very nice space, clean and great location for downtown restaurants and shops."

Reviewed on 20 July 2026

Palm Springs Tennis Club
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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