Things to Do in Palm Springs

Last Updated on February 18, 2025 by Daniel Williams

When exploring things to do in Palm Springs, visitors discover a city that rises from the Sonoran Desert floor and defies expectations. Wedged between the stark San Jacinto Mountains and the mystifying Mojave Desert, this improbable oasis melds Hollywood history, stunning architecture, and raw desert beauty into something entirely unique in Southern California and North America.

The Architectural Legacy

The story of Palm Springs architecture began in earnest during the post-war boom. Visionary architects saw the desert’s harsh landscape not as an obstacle but as inspiration. Richard Neutra crafted houses that seemed to float above the desert floor. Albert Frey perched buildings on hillsides, turning rocky outcrops into design elements. Their work, along with other modernist pioneers, created what we now recognize as Desert Modernism.

Vista Las Palmas tells this story in stunning detail. The neighborhood’s “Swiss Miss” houses stand as monuments to architectural creativity – their dramatic A-frames casting sharp shadows across pristine lawns. These aren’t museum pieces, though. People live in these masterworks, maintaining original details down to the door handles while adapting them for modern life. The Architecture and Design Center, housed in a meticulously restored bank building, chronicles this architectural revolution through rotating exhibits that dig deep into the city’s design heritage.

Desert Meets Mountain

The natural world around Palm Springs presents stark contrasts. Take the Indian Canyons – steep rock walls harbor North America’s largest surviving California Fan Palm oasis. Crystal streams cut through ancient groves, creating a microclimate that’s kept these palms alive for centuries. Wildlife thrives here. Bighorn sheep navigate the canyon walls while hawks soar overhead.

Then there’s the engineering marvel of the Aerial Tramway. The cable car system climbs over 6,000 feet through Chino Canyon, rotating steadily to give riders panoramic views. The temperature drops drastically during the ascent – sometimes by 40 degrees. Mount San Jacinto State Park spreads out at the summit, offering trails that wind through pine forests and mountain meadows. In winter, you might find yourself hiking through snow while looking down at sunny palm trees.

Cultural Crossroads When Looking for Things to Do in Palm Springs

The Palm Springs Art Museum reflects the city’s evolution from desert outpost to cultural hub. Its modernist building houses an impressive permanent collection – think Helen Frankenthaler’s bold canvases and Native American artifacts that tell the region’s earlier stories. The museum has grown beyond traditional boundaries, with satellite locations dedicated to architecture and contemporary art engaging both visitors and locals.

Down the road, the Palm Springs Air Museum keeps history flying. Their collection of World War II aircraft isn’t gathering dust – many still take to the desert skies. Military veterans serve as docents, sharing firsthand accounts of the planes they once flew. The museum particularly shines in documenting how the desert’s clear skies and vast spaces made it crucial for wartime pilot training.

Waters of Wellness

The natural hot springs that first put Palm Springs on the map still flow, pushing mineral-rich water heated to 180 degrees Fahrenheit up through ancient fault lines. At Two Bunch Palms, the oldest hot spring resort in the region, these waters fill stone pools nestled among native desert plants. The springs’ high mineral content – mainly calcium, magnesium, and lithium – created the original draw for health seekers nearly a century ago.

Commerce and Cuisine

North Palm Canyon Drive tells the story of Palm Springs’ retail evolution. Mid-century furniture dealers operate alongside contemporary boutiques. Thursdays transform the street into VillageFest, where local artists and craft vendors create an authentic market atmosphere. Long-running establishments like Modernway maintain deep connections to the region’s design heritage, offering museum-quality pieces with documented provenance.

The food scene bridges past and present. Workshop Kitchen + Bar brings contemporary California cuisine to a preserved 1926 movie theater, respecting the building’s history while pushing culinary boundaries. Melvyn’s Restaurant maintains its old-school continental style – the kind of place where tuxedoed waiters still prepare Caesar salads tableside. Both approaches work because they’re genuine.

Seasonal Rhythms

Among the many things to do in Palm Springs, activities vary significantly by season, as the city follows desert rhythms.

For those seeking memorable things to do in Palm Springs, understanding these seasonal patterns helps in planning the perfect visit. November through April brings moderate temperatures hovering between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Summer heat exceeds 100 degrees but drives down prices at luxury properties. Locals know October and May offer the best balance – warm days, cool nights, and fewer visitors.

The surrounding landscape demands respect. Summer hiking requires early starts and plenty of water. Winter nights can turn surprisingly cold as desert heat dissipates into the clear sky. Each season brings its own character to the oasis.

This unlikely desert city succeeds by embracing contrasts. Modernist architecture finds harmony with rugged mountain backdrops. Contemporary art galleries share streets with old-school steakhouses. Alpine forests look down on palm tree groves. It’s these contrasts, along with the clear desert light and mountain-framed sunsets, that keep drawing people back to this improbable oasis.

Accommodation In Palm Springs

Looking at Palm Springs accommodation costs reveals significant seasonal variations that savvy travelers can use to their advantage. Winter commands premium rates, with luxury resorts like The Ritz-Carlton and La Quinta reaching $400-500 per night, while boutique hotels average $250-300. Budget-conscious winter visitors can still find comfortable lodging in the $80-100 range. Summer tells a different story – the desert heat brings substantial discounts, with even top-tier properties dropping to $200-300 nightly, and budget options becoming particularly attractive at $55-75.

Spring and fall represent the shoulder seasons, where prices moderate but still reflect the desirable weather conditions. Spring maintains relatively high rates due to popular events and ideal temperatures, while fall offers a sweet spot of pleasant weather and reasonable pricing across all hotel categories. For the best value, consider booking summer stays at upscale properties that would be out of reach in peak season, or visit during fall when you can enjoy premium locations without peak-season premiums.