Top 5 Can’t Miss
Ride the world’s largest rotating tram car, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, for breathtaking canyon views on a 2.5-mile trip to Mount San Jacinto State Park, restaurants, hiking trails, and observation decks.Head to downtown Palm Springs and stroll along Palm Canyon Drive from the Uptown Design District to La Plaza for art galleries, designer boutiques, home decor shops, and a photo with the 26-foot-tall Marilyn Monroe sculpture.Spend a day at the Living Desert, about 15 miles east of Palm Springs, where you can see more than 150 animal species, hike a scenic trail, and ride a carousel.Browse the extensive collection of paintings, sculptures, and photographs at the Palm Springs Art Museum or attend a concert at the museum’s Annenberg Theater.Explore Joshua Tree National Park, about an hour from downtown Palm Springs, to see magnificent rock formations, desert landscape, wildlife, starry skies, and the trees that gave the park its name.

Located in the Colorado Desert and surrounded by mountains, about 100 miles from downtown Los Angeles, is Palm Springs, California. And there’s just something about this palm tree-dotted desert city that’s lured creatives, artists, and travelers for decades.

“I love the air and the quality of the light in Palm Springs,” Josh Agle, the artist known as Shag, tells Travel + Leisure. “The city has a unique microclimate that makes it sunny when the rest of Southern California is drizzly or overcast. That, combined with the relaxed attitude and focus on leisure, makes Palm Springs irresistible to me.” 

The weather (it enjoys 350 days of sunshine per year), ambiance, restaurants, scenery, and places to stay—from intimate boutiques to high-rise hotels—are definite attractions. Events throughout the year, including Modernism Week, the Gay Pride Festival, and the legendary Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, bring visitors, but for many, it’s simply a rejuvenating getaway destination. “My worries melt away upon arrival, with the peace and calm of the desert setting,” says travel writer and Fora Travel Advisor, Melissa Curtin. “Palm Springs can also be exciting. It feels like a small town with the culture of a big city. There are constantly new things to discover.”

The Uptown Design District is currently my latest favorite shopping and browsing haunt. Home decor, clothing, jewelry, and galleries always have something new to add to my wish list. I never miss a chance to visit the Shag Store, where Agle’s vibrant midcentury scenes of poolside gatherings, Tiki parties, and stylish people never fail to lift my mood. 

Known for midcentury modern homes, buildings, and even an iconic gas station, Palm Springs celebrates its architectural pedigree with Modernism Week each year. “Visitors from all 50 states and more than 20 countries visit for Modernism Week,” says Lisa Vossler Smith, CEO of Modernism Week.

But Palm Springs is so much more than its very chic setting. Its reputation as a playground for the wealthy and beautiful has cemented it as arguably one of the most legendary cities in the country. “Palm Springs is one of those cities where the name evokes a lot more than the location itself, like Miami, Venice, or Paris,” says Agles. “Palm Springs means leisure, glamour, poolside living, and endless cocktail parties.”

Here’s what you need to know before planning a trip to Palm Springs, California.

Best Hotels & Resorts

A guest room at Terra Palm Springs.

Pablo Enriquez/Courtesy of Terra Palm Springs

Terra Palm Springs

Named one of the best new hotels of 2025 by T+L, Terra Palm Springs is a 13-room boutique focused on wellness, with a Himalayan salt sauna, cold plunge, a self-led wellness circuit, and a “rain forest room.” Spacious suites include the Terra Spa Suite with a private patio and outdoor soaking tub. 

Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel

Named one of the best hotels in Palm Springs by T+L, this downtown property is located among restaurants, shops, and galleries. The atmosphere around the rooftop pool is lively, especially on weekends. I’ve enjoyed dining at 4 Saints, where you feel you could almost reach out and touch the mountains.

Casa Cody

Dating back to the 1920s, Casa Cody is the city’s oldest operating hotel and is a boutique hideaway set on 1.5 landscaped acres with 30 Spanish revivalist-style casitas, citrus-shaded courtyards, two pools, and Harriet’s Bar & Lounge. Casa Cody is a short walk to downtown Palm Springs and two miles to the airport.

Thompson Palm Springs

Open, airy, and sophisticated, Thompson Palm Springs is the perfect weekend getaway. Its downtown location, spacious rooms, midcentury-inspired decor, and cheeky artwork add to the chic, fun atmosphere. During my recent visit, I stayed in the adults-only Upper Stories, dined at Lola Rose Grand Mezze, sipped wine at the Hall tasting room, and enjoyed a late breakfast at Bar Issi.

Parker Palm Springs

Parker Palm Springs has 144 rooms and villas set along winding paths among lush landscaping, citrus trees, and palms. A few miles from downtown, Parker also has three pools, a spa, Jonathan Adler decor, tennis, padel, and croquet. After an active day, guests can indulge in a late breakfast at Norma’s and an elegant dinner at mister parkers.

Best Things to Do

A large military aircraft at the Palm Springs Air Museum.

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

Visit the Palm Springs Air Museum.

A perfect stop for families, history buffs, and flight fans, the Palm Springs Air Museum features one of the world’s largest collections of military aircraft from World War II to the present. Exhibits, opportunities to sit in open cockpit planes, and actual flights on WWII aircraft make the museum a local favorite.

Explore Tahquitz Canyon and Indian Canyons.

Whether you’re a nature lover, a hiker, or a history buff, you’ll enjoy Indian Canyons, where trails are lined with native plants and wildlife. In Tahquitz Canyon, you can see rock art, palms, a seasonal waterfall, and ancient irrigation systems.

Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.

Enjoy spectacular views during a 10-minute journey in a glass tram car on your way to 8,516 feet of elevation. When you’re at the top, check out the observation decks, visitors center, gift shop, and natural history museum. There’s camping, winter skiing, and 50 miles of hiking trails here, too.

Book a concert, live theater, or sporting event.

See a big name concert, Broadway-style show, or sporting event in Greater Palm Springs. At Acrisure Arena, there’s professional hockey, the McCallum Theatre offers Broadway-style plays, the restored downtown Palm Springs Plaza Theatre presents classical music, and the Palm Canyon Theatre hosts local shows. 

Explore Joshua Tree National Park

About an hour from downtown Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National Park has fascinating rock formations and wildlife that includes desert tortoises, snakes, lizards, coyotes, and more than 250 species of birds. There are also plenty of opportunities for camping, hiking, rock climbing, and stargazing. Pro-tip: For the best starry skies, go during the new moon phase when the sky is darkest.

Best Shopping

Storefronts along a main road in Palm Springs.

Heather Durham/Travel + Leisure

El Paseo

Shop ‘til you drop in this upscale Palm Desert shopping area that includes restaurants, designer shops, home furnishing stores, locally-owned boutiques, and art galleries. The Shops on El Paseo include retailers and restaurants, and The Gardens on El Paseo hosts Fashion Week and the Palm Desert Food and Wine Festival. 

Uptown Design District

“There’s a concentration of shops and boutiques that celebrate the design, fashion, and furnishings of midcentury Palm Springs in the Uptown Design District,” Agle says. “It makes sense that the Shag Store should be right there in the middle of the area.”

Palm Springs Village Fest

Every Thursday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., a section of downtown Palm Canyon Drive becomes a pedestrian mall with live music, dining, and vendors selling baked goods, fresh produce, art, and unique handmade items. The atmosphere at Village Fest is always festive, and when I visit the street fair, I enjoy chatting with vendors.

Farmers Markets

The Coachella Valley is known for table grapes, citrus, and vegetables, including broccoli, peppers, and dates. Visit the Saturday Palm Springs Farmers Market, the College of the Desert Street Fair, and markets in La Quinta, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, and other desert cities where farmers and locals sell their fresh produce.

Nightlife

Bar seating inside Bar Cecil.

Bar Cecil

Agua Caliente Casinos

Try your luck or enjoy a show at one of the Agua Caliente casinos in downtown Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, or Cathedral City, where you’ll find gaming and entertainment. The Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa is home to the The Show, a luxurious theater featuring popular artists and comedians.

Michael Holmes Purple Room

This intimate supper club takes you back to the 60s Rat Pack era, with Jazz performances on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, along with dinner shows on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday nights, The Judy Show parodies the entertainment icons of the 60s for a trip to the past. 

Reforma

This Palm Springs venue has a spacious dance floor, light shows, and an upscale vibe with music that includes hip-hop, reggaeton, Latin beats, and throwback. There’s entertainment and dancing until 2 a.m. with DJs, performers, and bottle service. 

After Hours

This late-night spot serves up classic and creative signature cocktails in a sleek “Miami-esque” environment, along with music, dim lighting, and neon in a sophisticated atmosphere.

Best Restaurants

Patio seating at Copley’s on Palm Canyon.

Copley’s Palm Springs

Bar Cecil

This popular dining spot—and coveted reservation—is known for its stylish ambiance, vibrant decor, modern art collection, and pricey martini that comes with a caviar-topped deviled egg. Bar Cecil’s entry in the Michelin Guide notes its “hearty American fare.”

Lola Rose Grand Mezze

This stylish dining spot and cocktail lounge at the Thompson Palm Springs specializes in Eastern Mediterranean food. “Don’t miss the Celebration Bread, hummus, and shareable kebabs that arrive with a huge spread of thin pita and blistered vegetables,” says Curtin.

Johannes

Austrian Chef Johannes Bacher helms one of my favorite Palm Springs restaurants, where my husband and I have dined frequently over the past 25 years. I nearly always order the wiener schnitzel, always accompanied by a chilled glass of Grüner Veltliner.

Ash & Vine

Open daily for brunch and dinner, this downtown restaurant is set in a 1936 bungalow. “It’s my new favorite, with outstanding food in an intimate space with an adorable bougainvillea-laden area for dining outside,” Curtin says.

Copley’s on Palm Canyon

Set on the historic estate of actor Cary Grant, Copley’s is a classic Palm Springs fine-dining spot with indoor and outdoor patio dining. A favorite for special occasions and romantic date nights, Copley’s menu includes prime meats, fresh seafood, and an extensive wine list.

Best Time to Visit

View of palm trees from a rooftop in Palm Springs.

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

If you’re after sunny weather, a luxe hotel, pool, and great dining, the best time to go is any time you need a getaway. Events from entertainment to sports attract visitors, beginning in early January with the Palm Springs International Film Festival, which brings filmmakers, celebrities, and fans to the desert. The best part is hearing from directors, writers, and actors who introduce the films or moderate discussions.

Modernism Week in mid-February highlights the area’s iconic architecture. “Modernism Week’s interior home tours spotlight historically significant midcentury modern architectural properties, and we highlight global modernism through our world-class lecture series,” says Smith, CEO of Modernism Week. 

Sports fans head to the desert for the January PGA TOUR American Express golf tournament, and the BNP Paribas Open professional tennis at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in March. The November Greater Palm Springs Pride Festival celebrates the LGBTQ+ community with block parties and a downtown parade. In April, Coachella and Stagecoach bring visitors from around the world.

How to Get There

A convertible car driving on a desert road.

Monkey Business/Adobe Stock

Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) is minutes from downtown and is a small, efficient, and picturesque airport. There’s a designated area for ride-hailing services, convenient parking, car rental counters, and dining. SunLine Transit provides affordable transportation to downtown Palm Springs. Alternatively, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is about 120 miles west of Palm Springs. After making this drive many times, I suggest leaving Los Angeles before noon or after 7 p.m. to avoid the worst of traffic.

FlixBus offers service from Union Station in downtown Los Angeles to Palm Springs, Indio, and Desert Hot Springs. Greyhound operates from Union Station to Indio, about 20 miles east of Palm Springs.

Neighborhoods to Visit

The neighborhood of Old Las Palmas.

Heather Durham/Travel + Leisure

Palm Springs has more than 35 neighborhoods, from new contemporary-style developments to historic midcentury locales. Uniquely designed neighborhood identification signs are posted above street signs, recognizing the distinctions among local areas. You can learn about history and architecture, plus see celebrity homes, with guided walking and biking tours presented by the Palm Springs Historical Society. Here are a few neighborhoods you’ll want to check out when you’re there:

The Movie Colony

Developed during the 1930s and 1940s, this neighborhood is located in central Palm Springs. Hollywood stars discovered Palm Springs as a convenient escape from Los Angeles, and early residents included Marilyn Monroe, Dinah Shore, and Frank Sinatra. “Frank Sinatra’s Twin Palms estate is always a highlight of every tour,” says Smith. “Dating to 1947, it is a significant California ranch-style property.”

Deepwell Estates

Another neighborhood with Hollywood connections and midcentury homes, Deepwell Estates offers a self-guided bike tour that takes riders past the homes of famous residents like William Holden, Jerry Lewis, Loretta Young, and Brazilian-born entertainer Carmen Miranda.

Old Las Palmas

Steps from downtown Palm Springs, this historic neighborhood was once a citrus grove. Nearly 300 homes in various architectural styles boast past residents that include Judy Garland, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, Kirk Douglas, Elizabeth Taylor, and Liberace. The neighborhood includes the Palm Springs Art Museum and the exclusive O’Donnell Golf Course.

How to Get Around

A traffic light in Palm Springs.

Heather Durham/Travel + Leisure

Driving around Palm Springs and the other cities of Greater Palm Springs is convenient, with easy freeway access or local streets. Having a car provides the best experience, and parking is rarely a problem. Ride-hailing services, such as Uber and Lyft, are widely available in Palm Springs. Alternatively, SunLine Transit Agency operates bus service with 10 local routes in the Coachella Valley.