11 Best Things to Do in Palm Springs on a Weekend Trip

Sun, design, pools, and desert hikes—this is your insider guide to the best things to do on a Palm Springs weekend getaway.

Palm Springs has long mastered the art of the escape. Sun-drenched days, midcentury-modern architecture, desert landscapes, and a lifestyle that prioritizes leisure above all else. It’s no wonder it remains one of Southern California’s most reliable retreats.

Just a couple of hours from Los Angeles, it’s the kind of place where doing very little somehow feels like a full itinerary, yet if lounging isn’t your thing, there are still plenty of active things to do.

After spending three days in Palm Springs, I quickly realized why it’s ideal for a Palm Springs weekend getaway: everything is easy, close, and designed for maximum enjoyment with minimal effort.

From architecture and hiking to pool time, dining, and design-forward hotels, this guide breaks down the best things to do in Palm Springs and exactly how to experience them over one perfectly paced weekend.

While Joshua Tree National Park is very close and easily combined with Palm Springs, it’s intentionally not included here—look out for a separate guide to Joshua Tree National Park and the surrounding Joshua Tree area, coming soon.

*This ‘things to do in palm springs california’ post may contain affiliate links, meaning I might make a small profit if you choose to book at no extra cost to you. This helps me to keep providing you with top-quality content for free.

Planning a Palm Springs Weekend Trip

Best Time to Visit Palm Springs

Palm Springs is a year-round destination, but timing is everything. Fall (October–November) and spring (March–April) are the sweet spots, with warm, photogenic days in the 70s and 80s and a lively social calendar. But this is high season, especially in spring when festivals drive accommodation prices and crowds up.

Winter (December–February) is also high season, favored by snowbirds and sun-seekers escaping colder climates, offering mild daytime temperatures ideal for golf, hiking, and patio dining.

Summer (May–September) is firmly low season, defined by triple-digit heat and fewer visitors, but also by excellent hotel deals and a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere for travelers happy to stay poolside and indoors during peak heat. That said, many boutiques, restaurants, and small businesses may close during this time.

I happened to be in Palm Springs last in September, and it was extremely hot, definitely not a time I recommend visiting unless you just want to sit by the pool.

How Long to Spend in Palm Springs?

Palm Springs is made for short, stylish escapes. One day in Palm Springs is enough to lounge poolside, cruise past midcentury icons, and squeeze in a downtown dinner, but it will feel more like a teaser than the full experience.

A Palm Springs weekend trip is the sweet spot, giving you time to balance slow mornings, desert hikes, design-driven sightseeing, and long afternoons by the pool without rushing.

Stay longer if you want to explore Joshua Tree, book spa time, or fully commit to the art of doing very little, which, in Palm Springs, is practically an attraction in itself.

Getting to & Around Palm Springs

If you’re coming from Los Angeles, driving is hands-down the easiest and most flexible option—the desert is about 110 miles east of LA, and the drive typically takes just over two hours, traffic willing (a big if on Friday afternoons).

Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) is conveniently close to downtown and serves direct flights from major hubs, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, Dallas, Chicago, New York, and Toronto, with more seasonal routes during high season.

Once you’re in town, having a car is recommended; Palm Springs is spread out, and while rideshares are available and good for the odd trip, driving makes hopping between hotels, design shops, trailheads, and midcentury landmarks far easier. If you also want to explore nearby destinations like the rest of the Coachella Valley or Joshua Tree, you’ll need a car.

Packing Tips for Palm Springs

Pack like you’re heading somewhere stylish but sun-drenched. Swimwear is non-negotiable (bring at least two so one is always dry), along with high-SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, and a wide-brim hat for relentless desert sun.

Lightweight, breathable clothing is key, but toss in a light jacket or sweater for cooler evenings, especially in winter. Comfortable walking shoes or sandals are useful for strolling downtown or light hikes, while a polished daytime outfit will take you seamlessly from pool to lunch. A few cool but polished dinner outfits are a must, too.

A reusable water bottle is also essential, as hydration in Palm Springs is a serious matter.

Best Things to Do in Palm Springs

1. Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is one of the city’s top attractions and an easy way to experience a completely different side of the desert.

The rotating tram travels 2.5 miles up Chino Canyon, rising nearly 8,500 feet to the Mountain Station in Mount San Jacinto State Park. At the top, you will find clearly marked hiking trails, observation decks with sweeping valley views, a natural history museum, a gift shop, and two restaurants, including a sit-down dining room.

In winter, there’s often snow on the ground, making it a popular seasonal contrast to the warm desert below- just bring a layer or two.

2. Visit the Palm Springs Art Museum

For me, the Palm Springs Art Museum is a must-stop, especially if you also love design, architecture, or modern art—which, in Palm Springs, you should. The museum’s permanent collection leans heavily into modern and contemporary art, with works by artists like Andy Warhol, Helen Frankenthaler, Roy Lichtenstein, and David Hockney, alongside rotating exhibitions.

You’ll also find an impressive architecture and design collection (more on that below) that contextualizes the city’s midcentury legacy, plus Native American and Mesoamerican art that grounds the region in a deeper cultural history.

It’s compact, well-curated, and easy to pair with a downtown stroll—culture without the commitment.

3. Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center

Located within a restored midcentury modern bank building by E. Stewart Williams, the Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center is catnip for architecture and design enthusiasts.

The space focuses on modernism, desert architecture, and Southern California design, with exhibitions that explore midcentury icons, contemporary architects, and the evolution of Palm Springs as a design destination.

Rotating shows often feature architectural models, photographs, drawings, and furniture, making it more thoughtful than flashy—and a perfect stop if you want context behind the city’s famously clean lines and flat roofs. The center is a must for design-focused travelers in Palm Springs.

4. Visit the Moorten Botanical Garden

The Moorten Botanical Garden is small, focused, and refreshingly old-school. Family-owned since 1938, this compact garden showcases over 3,000 varieties of desert plants, with a strong emphasis on cacti, succulents, and desert species from around the world.

Some of the highlights I recommend seeking out are the charming “cactarium” greenhouse and an easy, self-guided layout that takes about 30 minutes to explore. It’s a quick stop, but a good one, especially if you want to understand the desert landscape beyond the pool.

5. Go Shopping

Shopping in Palm Springs leans heavily into vintage, design, and well-curated cool. Start at Gypsyland, a standout vintage clothing store known for its expertly edited racks and genuinely great finds.

Thick As Thieves and Mojave Flea Trading Post hit the boho-chic note with stylish homewares, accessories, and giftable objects that feel very Palm Springs.

The Shops at Thirteen Forty Five are a must for anyone serious about modernism, housing multiple dealers specializing in midcentury furniture, art, and collectibles. It’s a great stop when coming into Palm Springs from LA.

For a more traditional hunt, Modernway Vintage and Bridges Over Time are the go-to spots for authentic midcentury and vintage furniture, with pieces that feel well sourced. Also, try Bon Vivant for vintage decorative accessories- their glassware selection is great.

I love Super Simple, and you will too if you like minimalist, Wabi Sabi decor.

6. Take in the Modernist Architecture

Palm Springs is practically a living museum of Desert Modernism, with landmark homes and buildings that helped define mid-century design.

Don’t miss photo-worthy stops like Kaufmann Desert House by Richard Neutra, an International Style masterpiece credited with shaping the city’s architectural reputation, and the striking Frey House II by Albert Frey, perched into the hillside with panoramic views that feel ahead of its time.

You can also seek out iconic neighborhoods like Vista Las Palmas and Deepwell Estates where breeze-block facades, butterfly roofs, and glass walls abound, and even spot mid-century celebrity homes along the way.

For the full context and history without doing all the navigation yourself, consider joining a guided experience like The Modern Tour, which offers curated architectural tours that include interior visits of private residences.

If you prefer to be more active, the Palm Springs Modernism Architecture & History Bike Tour guides you through the most iconic neighborhoods and buildings by bike.

7. Go Hiking

Palm Springs is surrounded by surprisingly accessible hiking, much of it just minutes from downtown. Indian Canyons is the standout, with Palm Canyon being the most popular trail—a scenic route that winds through a lush palm oasis with flowing water and shaded sections, a rare desert luxury.

Nearby, Tahquitz Canyon offers a shorter but rewarding hike with rocky terrain and the seasonal Tahquitz waterfall, while Andreas Canyon is ideal for an easy, flat walk with dramatic canyon walls.

For more elevation and city views, Araby Trail and North Lykken Trail climb into the foothills above Palm Springs, especially beautiful in the early morning or late afternoon.

All are close, well-marked, and manageable without venturing far – you can even grab an Uber or Lyft to the trailhead.

8. Relax by your Hotel Pool

In Palm Springs, the hotel pool isn’t a break between activities; it is the activity. Whether you’re posted up at a buzzy boutique hotel or a quiet desert resort, pool time is practically a civic duty.

Expect loungers, umbrellas, strong cocktails, and a steady soundtrack of laid-back desert cool. Schedule your sightseeing around it, not the other way around, and plan to spend the hottest part of the day doing absolutely nothing.

9. Have a Spa Day

If you’re in town to relax, Palm Springs and the surrounding valley deliver some excellent spa experiences, from classic resort indulgence to desert-wellness immersion.

The Spa At Séc-he is a standout destination spa known for its extensive treatment menu, steam rooms, float therapy, and mineral-based rituals that make a day of it feel like a reset.

The historic Two Bunch Palms in Desert Hot Springs is a legendary desert wellness retreat built around natural, mineral-rich hot springs with outdoor thermal pools, mud baths, saunas, and a range of bodywork and holistic therapies that feel like a true detox and recharge just ~20 minutes from downtown Palm Springs.

For resort-style spa luxury without leaving your hotel, places like Parker Palm Springs’ spa and wellness offerings (including the Palm Springs Yacht Club) bring gourmet pampering and signature massages to your doorstep.

10. See Art at the Janssen Artspace

Located in the heart of downtown Palm Springs, Janssen Artspace is a sleek, contemporary gallery that highlights cutting-edge abstract paintings, photography, sculpture, and works by both local and regional artists.

Housed in an architecturally striking mid-century space by Donald Wexler, the gallery rotates themed exhibitions regularly, so there’s always something fresh to see on each visit.

It’s a great stop if you want to tap into Palm Springs’ thriving art scene beyond the museum circuit and maybe even take home a piece of your trip.

11. Head out to the Coachella Valley Preserve

The Coachella Valley Preserve offers a quieter, more natural counterpoint to Palm Springs’ pool-and-design scene.

This protected area is home to thousands of acres of desert landscape, including palm oases, wetlands, and desert wildlife, with several easy-to-moderate hiking trails to choose from.

The most popular is the Thousand Palms Oasis Trail, where shaded boardwalks wind through native palm groves fed by natural springs. It’s an easy half-day outing and a good reminder that the region’s beauty isn’t just architectural, it’s also ecological.

My Weekend Palm Springs Itinerary

This Palm Springs itinerary is designed for a perfectly paced weekend, equal parts design, desert nature, pool time, and great food. This itinerary lets you experience Palm Springs without rushing or overplanning and is fantastic for first-timers in the city.

Day One: Arrival & Downtown

Arrive in Palm Springs, check into your hotel, and head straight to the pool. As the afternoon heat fades, ease into the city with a visit to the Palm Springs Art Museum, followed by the Architecture and Design Center for a solid grounding in desert modernism.

As you’re nearby, pop into Janssen Artspace for a quick contemporary art fix. Before dinner, start the night with pre-dinner drinks at Seymour’s, a dimly lit, cocktail-forward speakeasy that sets the tone.

Dinner belongs at Workshop Kitchen + Bar, where industrial-chic interiors and seasonally driven plates make it one of the city’s most polished dining rooms.

Day Two: Mountains, Modernism & Pool Time

Get an early start with breakfast at Farm, a downtown favorite for rustic French-inspired dishes and strong coffee—fuel you’ll want before riding the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway up Mount San Jacinto for cooler air, viewpoints, and light hiking.

Back in town, spend the afternoon doing Palm Springs properly: lounging by the hotel pool.

Later, explore the city’s architectural icons either on your own or, better yet, via the Modern Tour, which efficiently ties it all together.

Before dinner, lean into playful excess with drinks at Bootlegger Tiki, then head to Bar Cecil for a delicious dinner that’s consistently worth the wait (make sure to reserve weeks out).

Day Three: Nature, Shopping & Brunch

Start your final morning with a hike in Indian Canyons, focusing on Palm Canyon for its shaded trails and palm-filled scenery.

On the way back, stop by the Moorten Botanical Garden for a quick, focused look at desert flora. Brunch is a must, and Cheeky’s delivers with inventive comfort food and its famous rotating bacon menu.

Spend your remaining hours shopping—vintage at Gypsyland, boho homewares at Thick As Thieves, and midcentury finds at the Shops at Thirteen Forty Five or Modernway Vintage.

If time allows, wind things down with an unfussy lunch or early dinner at Birba, the perfect casual finale to a well-balanced Palm Springs weekend trip.

Where to Eat & Drink

I’ve compiled a full guide to the best restaurants in Palm Springs, which I recommend reading, but if you’re planning a Palm Springs weekend getaway, these are my all-time favorites—the places that consistently deliver on food, atmosphere, and that unmistakable desert cool.

Consider this your short list to Palm Springs’ eats.

Bar Cecil – a refined, art-filled dining room serving confident Mediterranean-inspired dishes in one of the most intimate and stylish settings in Palm Springs.

Farm – A go-to for breakfast or brunch downtown, serving rustic French-inspired dishes, excellent pastries, and strong coffee in a charming courtyard setting.

Workshop Kitchen + Bar – One of Palm Springs’ most refined dining rooms, pairing seasonal, California-driven cuisine with a striking industrial-modern space that feels special without being stiff.

Rooster and the Pig – Casual, energetic, and flavor-forward Vietnamese food that’s always buzzing; no reservations, but absolutely worth the wait.

Birba – Relaxed and unfussy in the best way, known for wood-fired pizzas, pastas, and an easygoing patio that’s perfect for a low-key lunch or early dinner.

El Jefe Desert Cantina – A lively, modern Mexican spot inside The Saguaro with creative tacos, mezcal-forward cocktails, and a fun, social atmosphere that works especially well for late nights.

Bootlegger Tiki – Pure Palm Springs kitsch done right, serving strong rum cocktails in an over-the-top tiki setting that’s more fun than it has any right to be.

Seymour’s – A dimly lit cocktail lounge tucked inside Mr. Lyon’s, ideal for pre-dinner drinks and expertly made classics.

Read more: 19 Best Restaurants in Palm Springs

Where to Stay

Palm Springs hotels are half the experience. While the colorful Saguaro is often the most photographed, there are far more design-forward, atmosphere-rich places to stay that better capture the city’s midcentury roots and desert glamour.

Whether you want secluded luxury, boutique charm, or a social scene with personality, these are the stays that define a Palm Springs weekend.

Side note: Most Palm Springs hotels tack on a nightly resort fee, often not included in the advertised rate, so be sure to factor this into the true cost of your stay before booking.

Parker Palm Springs – Iconic, playful, and unapologetically luxe, with Jonathan Adler interiors, manicured grounds, and a scene that feels both retro and exclusive.

Korakia Pensione – A serene, Moroccan-inspired hideaway made for slow mornings, candlelit evenings, and travelers who value mood over flash.

Sparrows Lodge – Rustic, minimalist, and quietly cool, offering a refined desert escape that feels intentionally unplugged.

L’Horizon Hotel – An intimate midcentury modern property with bungalows, mountain views, and a refined, adults-forward atmosphere.

Yara Hotel – A smaller, boutique option with a personal feel, ideal for travelers looking for calm, comfort, and a more residential vibe.

Ace Hotel & Swim Club Palm Springs – Social, buzzy, and music-driven, perfect if your Palm Springs plans include pool parties and late afternoons that stretch into night.

The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage – Set above the valley with sweeping views, offering polished luxury, a full-service spa, and a more resort-style experience just outside Palm Springs proper.

Kimpton Rowan – A stylish, centrally located option that blends modern comfort with a lively atmosphere, well-suited for travelers who want walkability and personality in equal measure.

Ready to dive into all the best things to do in Palm Springs? Have any questions or comments about your trip? Let me know in the box below.

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