Curator’s statement
Palm Springs is an oasis — it’s far enough from Los Angeles to feel like a true getaway, yet its vibe is a chic blend of upscale sophistication and desert charm. It’s a fascinating contrast: when you think of deserts, you picture heat, sand, cacti and endless vistas, often dotted with jagged rocks. While that’s part of the landscape, Palm Springs offers so much more. You’ll find miles of lush greenery, swanky pools, mid-century-modern architecture and stylish shops and hotels that retain their 1950s flair. The culinary scene is vibrant and modern, and the sunrises and sunsets are nothing short of breathtaking. This is a vacation destination brimming with unique experiences, but you could easily spend your days soaking up the sun or enjoying a round of golf instead.
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Things to do in Palm Springs
Palm Springs Air Museum
Spend a few hours at the Palm Springs Air Museum learning about the aircrafts and the people that helped safeguard American Democracy and American ideals. This museum is awesome — filled with fantastic planes, and they even offer vintage plane flights!
The Palm Springs Art Museum
The Palm Springs Art Museum is a focal point for the downtown area — the building’s architecture alone is enough to bring you here. Exhibits are terrific and the space feels vast and fresh…and always a great place to get out of the heat!
Palm Springs Cemetery District
Clearly entering a cemetery just to see footstones of famous people could come across as morbid, but this serene space, the final resting place of Sonny Bono, longtime entertainer, former husband to Cher and one-time mayor of Palm Springs, and Frank Sinatra — yes, that Frank — among others, is a beautiful location for some thoughtful walking.
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
The coolest Zoo! Take a few hours to walk through Palm Springs’ living desert zoo and check out the incredible wildlife and the gorgeous flora.
El Paseo
There’s never really enough time to shop! Take some time to meander through the various shopping opportunities there are between Rancho Mirage and downtown Palm Springs.
Cabazon Dinosaurs
Should you choose to drive to Palm Springs from LA, for example, you’ll surely pass the Cabazon Dinosaurs off the side of the road. The dinosaur park, featured in pop culture hits like Pee Wee’s Great Adventure, is such a fun activity that you can’t help but laugh the whole way through.
Visit Greater Palm Springs
Check out a guided — or self-guided — tour of some of the coolest mid-century-modern homes. Palm Springs and the surrounding area claim some of the following residents: Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Elvis and Priscilla Presley on their honeymoon and Former US President Gerald Ford and his wife, Betty.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
The Tramway is outstanding! This is the world’s largest rotating tram car that travels over two-and-a-half miles — about a 10-minute trip — over stunning cliffs and depositing riders in the wilderness of the Mt. San Jacinto State Park. The tram closes for annual maintenance in mid-September and re-opens mid-October.
Day trips
Joshua Tree National Park (about one hour drive). Wake up early and get a move on so you can enter Joshua Tree National Park near sunrise. Make sure you purchase tickets head of time and be sure to stop at the welcome center to make a restroom (porta-potty) stop before driving into the Park. There are so many things to see here, so many short, medium and long hikes that you must read up before you arrive. But on a day when the sky is bright blue and it’s not 100+ degrees, this Park is beyond spectacular. And of course, being able to see the San Andreas Fault makes one feel very humble.
Marconi Automotive Museum (about two-hour drive). Should you be flying out of LAX or another coastal airport, instead of out of Palm Springs, or if you have the time during your stay, this exotic car museum is one-of-a-kind and, on top of the incredible collection, the entrance fees help support children with cancer. If you’re a real car aficionado, this is a museum collection for you!
Places to eat & drink in Palm Springs
Wilma Frieda - An awesome brunch/lunch hotspot with an incredibly innovative menu. Be sure to get there early – or late – to avoid a wait. Everything was amazing, but who could pass up the outstanding grown-up, homemade pop-tarts (though I don’t think we can call them that without getting into some trademark trouble).
Mr. Lyons Steakhouse — Everything about this 1942-established restaurant screams Old Hollywood. Naturally, it’s been refurbished since 1942, but the essence is the same: low lighting, a warm atmosphere, wait staff in tuxedos and killer cocktails. The Beef Wellington is a work of art. Reservations required.
The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage — When you arrive at the Ritz Carlton, you feel as though you’ve ascended an incredible mountain with a massive view across the entire canyon. Eat outside and enjoy the warmth of the spectacular firepits and the views. Dinner was great, too!
Las Casuelas Nuevas — Being fairly close to Mexico means there is a greater chance of having more authentic Mexican food, which is always a good thing. This was a hit and it’s a beautiful restaurant, to boot.
The Real Italian Deli — I mean…Fuhgeddaboudit! This is the real deal – New York-Italian heroes with perfectly salted, cured and sliced prosciutto, roasted red peppers and fresh mozzarella cheese. It’s worth the short drive outside of the stylish downtown. Enjoy your sandwich outside on the cute tables and chairs.
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This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Palm Springs. Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out my guide, Paris: Rest When You Return – A Short Trip Itinerary.