Escape to Paradise with this Palm Springs Weekend Getaway Guide
*Disclosure: I only recommend products/services that I would use myself & all opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links, meaning that, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission, which in turn helps fund my next adventure! Please read the Privacy Policy for more information.
Desert air, swaying palms, and those iconic colored doors of mid-century modern homes—Palm Springs has long been a playground for the glamorous, but there’s so much more to this desert gem than poolside lounging. If you’re craving a weekend escape that mixes stylish boutique stays with off-the-beaten-path adventures, you’re in the right place.
From easily accessible hiking trails nestled in the canyons to some of the best food spots in town, this guide is your shortcut to experiencing Palm Springs like a pro. Whether you're vacationing for a solo recharge or a couple’s retreat, get ready to uncover your desert paradise in a weekend getaway to Palm Springs, California!
I first visited Palm Springs in April of 2019 and was immediately captivated by the stunning mid-century modern homes, the art scene, and the pure beauty of nature in the desert. It was my first time in the desert, and I was hooked. In early June of 2025, I had the opportunity to visit again and was able to explore some of the surrounding towns, which are just as charming as the town of Palm Springs.
This time, I experienced the extraordinary spa scene in Palm Springs and learned about the agricultural side of things in the area. Did you know that this region produces over 90% of the dates grown in the United States? I sure didn’t! That’s why you’ll find things like the iconic date shake in the Palm Springs area.
Joshua Tree National Park
When to Visit Palm Springs
The town of Palm Springs is located in the Coachella Valley, and although this area gets about 300 days of sunshine out of the year, timing your visit can significantly impact your Palm Springs weekend getaway. Here's what you need to know about the best times to visit this sun-soaked destination:
Best Seasons to Visit
The most popular and pleasant times to visit Palm Springs are October through May. During these months, you'll enjoy warm, sunny days and cool, comfortable nights – perfect for outdoor activities and poolside relaxation.
Off-Season
Summer (June to September) in Palm Springs is scorching hot, with temperatures often exceeding 100°F (38°C). Many of the restaurants and attractions have limited hours during this time, and exploring the outdoors can be challenging throughout these months. However, if your main priority is to lounge at the pool or check out the world-class spa scene, this can be a great time to take advantage of lower hotel prices.
Events and Festivals to Plan Around
Palm Springs International Film Festival (January): A star-studded event showcasing the best in international cinema.
Modernism Week (February): Celebrate Palm Springs' iconic mid-century modern architecture and design.
Coachella and Stagecoach Music Festivals (April): While not in Palm Springs proper, these nearby events draw huge crowds to the area.
Palm Springs International ShortFest (June): The largest short film festival in North America.
Greater Palm Springs Pride (November): A vibrant celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.
Palm Springs Three-Day Itinerary
After visiting Palm Springs twice (and planning to visit again soon), I’ve crafted the ultimate Palm Springs weekend getaway itinerary that’s perfect for first-time visitors or anyone who’s looking to maximize their time in Palm Springs.
Day 1: Immerse Yourself in a Desert Oasis
Moorten Botanical Gardens
Day one is all about discovering what the desert has to offer! Start your first day in Palm Springs early with a Red Jeep Tour to the San Andreas Fault. Unfortunately, the tour companies that offer trips to the San Andreas Fault or Joshua Tree National Park don’t offer hotel pick-up, and have meeting points in Palm Desert. Palm Desert is about a 30-minute drive from downtown Palm Springs and completely worth the drive. The magical part of visiting Palm Springs is experiencing the natural beauty of the area, so I highly recommend either booking a tour similar to this one or exploring Joshua Tree National Park on your own.
The Red Jeep Tour to the San Andreas Fault begins at 8am and is about 3 hours long. You’ll be with a naturalist the entire time and will go on short, easy hikes while riding around in a 7-passenger open-air Jeep Scrambler - there’s really no better experience than this!
Have lunch at either Porta Via or Casa Mendoza in Palm Desert before heading to the Living Desert Zoo. Now, I’m not typically a huge fan of zoos, but this zoo does things differently. This 1,000-acre zoo is home to over 150 species that inhabit desert environments from North America to Australia. On top of caring for over 600 animals, the Living Desert Zoo offers miles of hiking trails and desert gardens with over 1,200 species of plants - it’s pretty fascinating. My favorite thing to do at the Living Desert Zoo is to feed the giraffes! It’s offered daily and costs $10. Plan to spend at least two or three hours here so that you can see all of the animals that call this place home.
Next, make your way back to Palm Springs and stop at Moorten Botanical Gardens. I visited Moorten Botanical Garden during my first trip to Palm Springs and was in awe of the beautiful plants growing wildly throughout the property. The botanical gardens opened in the 1940s, and the original owners had a landscape business, designing yards for icons like Walt Disney and Frank Sinatra. Today, the property is run by the 2nd generation and houses over a thousand species of cacti and succulents - it’s a real treat! A self-guided tour here takes around 45 minutes, and admission is under $10 per person.
End your first day in Palm Springs with dinner at El Patron. This restaurant was recommended to me by a staff member at one of the hotels I stayed at in Palm Springs, and it did not disappoint. They offer handmade tacos filled with mouthwatering meats, salsas, and refreshing margaritas - the perfect way to end day one!
View from the top of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Day 2: Iconic Palm Springs
One of the most iconic and most touristy things you can do in Palm Springs is take the aerial tram up to the top of Mt. San Jacinto State Park. Is it crowded? Yes, especially during peak season. Is it worth it? Yes!
The juxtaposition of going from a hot, dry desert environment to a wooded forest on a mountaintop that can have snow on the ground depending on the time of year you visit is a wild concept and something special to experience. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is the world’s largest rotating tram car and is 2.5 miles long. It only takes 10 minutes to get to the top, and by then, you’ll have climbed over 8,500 feet in elevation. At the top, you can find an observation deck, two restaurants, and tons of hiking trails.
My personal tip on visiting busy tourist attractions is to get there right when they open. The first tram goes up at 8am on weekends, and I would highly recommend trying to catch a tram before 9am and purchasing your tickets online well in advance.
After a morning of soaking in the views, have lunch at The Heyday in downtown Palm Springs. It’s on Palm Canyon Drive, and you can find one of the best burgers in the area here. This no-frills, small diner-like restaurant is cozy, inviting, and full of flavor!
Once your belly is full, opt to rent a bike and go on a self-guided mid-century home tour. As you probably know, Palm Springs is the mecca for mid-century architecture and their famous colorful doors. Most hotels in Palm Springs have complimentary bikes for guests to use, but if your hotel doesn’t offer any, you can check out BIKE Palm Springs and rent one for a few hours. They’ll give you a small map of where to see some of the colorful doors and easy routes to take. If you’re looking for a more structured experience, there are also guided bike tours like this one.
Spend the rest of your afternoon cooling off at the Palm Springs Art Museum. Another popular spot, and for good reason. There always seems to be a new, exciting exhibit at this museum, including the ever-changing art installations out front. Before entering, you can find a larger-than-life-sized installation called Forever Marilyn that’s perfect for snapping a picture in front of. This museum is full of European and Native American pieces, and you can plan to spend a couple of hours here. Admission is about $20 per adult, with free admission every Thursday from 5-8pm.
End your day with dinner at my favorite restaurant in Palm Springs, 4 Saints. This rooftop bar and restaurant is perfect if you’re looking for a nicer dinner out on the town. It’s seven stories high and sits at the top of the Kimpton Rowan Hotel. Every table has a dreamy view of the San Jacinto Mountains thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the restaurant. The menu at 4 Saints changes with the seasons so that they can have the freshest, in-season ingredients as possible. I’ve dined here both times I was in Palm Springs, and I plan to dine here every trip!
Day 3: Relax at the Best Spa in North America
One thing you might not know about Palm Springs and the surrounding area is that it’s known for being home to some of the best spas in the country. During my last trip to Palm Springs, I had the pleasure of indulging myself at The Spa at Sec-he. I was only able to spend a couple of hours here, but I highly recommend spending the day here. Séc-he means “the sound of boiling water,” and the land this spa sits on is a mineral spring discovered by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, who are native to the Palm Springs area. The water from this mineral spring is not connected to any other water source and sits 8,000 feet below the surface, heating naturally to about 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Mineral springs have proven health benefits, like improving skin conditions and reducing inflammation in the body.
This spa is not only special because it uses water from the mineral spring, but their services are unlike any other that I’ve seen and come at surprisingly customer-friendly prices. I booked the Taking of the Waters Day Pass which gets you a very relaxing 15-minute mineral soak in your very own private room and access to to all of the spa amenities which include the salt room, sauna, steam room, cold plunge, outdoor pool, and zero-gravity chairs where I took the best nap of my life. The day pass is under $200 and can be purchased on their website or over the phone.
If you really want to indulge yourself, book one of their treatments, like a Date Sugar Scrub or Healing Quartz Massage. During my time, I was able to tour the facilities and get a look inside some of their state-of-the-art treatment rooms. The Spa at Sec-he won Best Spa in North America in 2024 because they are taking innovation to a whole new level. You can expect to lie on a heated, crushed quartz bed while you’re getting a massage, while some treatments incorporate virtual reality and treatment stones tailored to your needs. And one thing that I love about the Spa at Sec-he is that they're environmentally conscious with a focus on helping save the coral reefs - a cause that I’m also passionate about!
Where to Stay in Palm Springs
You can find all types of accommodation options in Palm Springs. From family-friendly resorts to glamorous boutique hotels and private vacation rentals, you'll have no issues finding the ideal place to rest and rejuvenate during your desert retreat.
Popular Neighborhoods
Downtown Palm Springs: The heart of the action, with easy access to shops, restaurants, and nightlife.
Uptown Design District: Known for its trendy boutiques, galleries, and mid-century modern architecture.
Indian Canyon: A quieter area with stunning views of the San Jacinto Mountains.
Palm Desert: A nearby city offering a more relaxed atmosphere and excellent golf courses.
Luxury Resorts
The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage: Perched on a bluff with panoramic valley views, a stay here is pure luxury.
La Serena Villas: Where luxury meets boutique hotel. This hotel was originally built in 1933, has 18 stunning guest rooms (think outdoor slipper tubs on your private patio), and sits on 1 acre with the San Jacinto Mountains behind you.
Parker Palm Springs: A stylish retreat with lush gardens and eclectic decor. This hotel is a Palm Springs icon and is the perfect whimsical stay.
Boutique Hotels
Dive Palm Springs: Experience a taste of St. Tropez in the desert at this perfectly designed 11-room hotel.
The Sands Hotel: With an ode to Morocco, this 46-room, adults-only hotel is perfect for those wanting some serious R&R.
Holiday House Palm Springs: Stay in this boutique property for the history. Holiday House opened its doors in 1951 and hosted an exclusive clientele. Now, you can experience the glam yourself!
Vacation Rentals
Mid-century modern home: Immerse yourself in Palm Springs' iconic architecture.
Poolside bungalow: Perfect for lounging and soaking up the desert sun.
How Many Days Should You Spend in Palm Springs?
Palm Springs is one of the best weekend destinations because you can see a lot in a short amount of time. I would recommend spending at least 3 full days in Palm Springs; anything shorter and you’ll feel rushed or short on time.
For those with more time, consider extending your stay to 4 or 5 days. This longer duration allows you to rent a car on your own for a day and explore Joshua Tree National Park, or spend time in one of the surrounding towns like Indio or Coachella.
Ultimately, whether you're looking for a quick weekend escape or a more extended desert retreat, Palm Springs offers enough diversity to keep you entertained for as long as your schedule allows. Just remember, once you experience the laid-back luxury of this Californian gem, you might find yourself wishing you had planned for a few extra days!
How to Get Around in Palm Springs
Getting around Palm Springs without a car is doable, depending on where you want to go and how much walking you're up for. Here's what to know about transportation options in Palm Springs:
Public Transportation
The main public transportation option is the SunLine transit system. It has over a dozen routes serving most parts of Palm Springs, as well as connections to neighboring cities like Cathedral City and Palm Desert.
While the bus system is decent, routes generally run every 30-60 minutes, so you'll need patience if relying solely on public transportation.
Walkability
Downtown Palm Springs is compact and very walkable, especially the areas along Palm Canyon Drive and adjacent streets. You can reach shops, restaurants, and attractions on foot pretty easily, and most of the hotels provide free bikes that you can use for the day.
Outside of downtown, Palm Springs is spread out, so walking between destinations becomes less practical. The summer heat also limits walkability, so as it gets later in the day, you’ll need to rely on ride-share services like Uber or Lyft.
Many sidewalks are well-shaded, making walks doable on cooler winter days. Hydrating and using sun protection are always essential in this region.
I walked, biked, or booked a ride-share service during both of my times in Palm Springs and only rented a car for one day when I drove out to Joshua Tree National Park.
Driving
Having a car makes getting around Palm Springs much easier and opens access to outlying areas. My personal rule of thumb is that if you plan on exploring the surrounding areas, including taking a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park, then I would recommend renting a car. But if you plan on spending most of your time in downtown Palm Springs, then you likely won’t need to rent a car for the entirety of your trip.
With its stunning mountain views, abundance of palm trees, and retro mid-century modern architecture, it’s no wonder that Palm Springs is a favorite vacation destination for those of all ages.
Throughout a weekend in Palm Springs, you can lounge by the pool at one of the city's many chic hotels, go hiking in the surrounding canyons and mountains, have a world-class spa experience, and indulge in delicious food and drink. The city comes alive at night with its vibrant music and arts scene, and it’s a destination that’s truly inclusive of everyone.
The ideal weather and a glimpse into old Hollywood glamour are what make me keep going back to Palm Springs. Whether it’s your first time visiting Palm Springs or you’re a seasoned visitor, I hope this guide has given you some insight into what a weekend in this desert oasis could look like. Have a favorite place in Palm Springs that I didn’t mention? Leave a comment below and I’ll check it out next time I’m in town!
Tess Arnold
Hi! I’m Tess, founder of TravelingTessie.com, and not only do I love to travel, but I love immersing myself in new places and finding off the beaten path experiences wherever I go! I’ve lived in 4 different states & traveled to 13 countries and counting. I believe that tourism is meant to benefit both visitors and locals alike—and I want to bring that idea back into the travel industry by highlighting companies run by locals such as tours, hotels, restaurants, and more. On Traveling Tessie you can find hidden gems in top destinations around the world, travel tips, detailed city guides, and tons of inspiration for your next trip! If you love travel as much as I do, then please join me on this journey! I hope you enjoy my content as much as I enjoy providing it for you!
