Welcome to Palm Springs
Discover some cool places and things to do in this fantastic California desert resort
Palm Springs is an American Shangri-La in a unique desert environment. It boasts endless sun, rediscovered mid-century architecture and a fun, relaxed atmosphere. It's really like no other place. Starting in the 1920s, Palm Springs became popular as a Hollywood stars' playground. It drew actors who wanted to escape the movie business spotlight but whose studio contracts said they couldn't go more than an easy car drive away from LA while in production.
Highway CA-74 is one of the most dramatic drives anywhere and drops thousands of feet down into the Coachella Valley. (Photo M. Harrower)
The city has the largest collection of modernist and mid-century homes in the world, which are celebrated by over 150,000 attendees at Modernism Week every February—not bad in a town with a population of only 48,000. Another quarter-million visitors come for the annual Coachella Music festival , held over two weekends in April. In a town where over half the residents are LGBTQ, it's no surprise that Palm Springs Gay Pride in November is popular, and attracts over 100,000 visitors annually. Throw in the Palm Springs International film festival , the BNP Paribis tennis open in nearby Indian Wells, numerous golf tournaments, not to mention year-round conventions, vacations and art events...I guess it's safe to say "the secret is out" about this once sleepy desert retreat.
The historic Old Las Palmas neighborhood has Spanish-Colonial and modernist homes once owned by stars like Elizabeth Taylor, Judy Garland, and Cary Grant. They sit dramatically against the backdrop of the 10,000 ft San Jacinto Mountains, with shops and galleries nearby. (Photo M. Harrower)
From Instagram influencers at pool parties, to snowbirds escaping winter, you'll find your own personal desert oasis here.
The desert landscape is stunning, slightly surreal, and not hard to access. Many of the best hiking trails start right in the city and climb up quickly. (Photo M. Harrower)
A generation ago, the vibe in town was mostly retirees and golf. Today younger travelers are discovering the charms of the area and come to relax in its laid-back, hip desert aesthetic. There are hundreds of hotels and resorts throughout the valley, including many smaller boutique properties that have retained their old Hollywood seclusion and charm. Or if you prefer a vacation rental property, thousands are available across all budgets. It's safe to say Palm Springs and the surrounding Coachella Valley have never been more popular.
Word to the wise: Summers are astonishingly hot here, with temperatures well above 100°F (38°C). Every. Single. Day. For 3+ months. It can even climb past 120°F (49°C), which is why the valley empties out and the summer population drops by about 75 percent from the winter high season. But the rest of the year we enjoy that famous Southern California indoor-outdoor living at its best. Expect plenty of sun, low humidity, hot or warm days, and cool nights.
Below are some of our favorite places to see and things to do in Palm Springs and the surrounding area!
Want to learn more? Have a look at the links below for more information about the Greater Palms Springs area.
