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North America : United States of America : California : Desert : Palm Springs

Palm Springs

Palm Springs [1][2] is a resort city in the California desert. It became a destination during the 1950s and 1960s when Hollywood movie stars flocked there in droves. Nowadays, the area offers entertainment for all ages, Palm Springs offers a wealth of indoor and outdoor activities. Known for its hiking, mid-century modern architecture, stunning natural beauty and sparkling pools, Palm Springs has the perfect blend of outdoor activities and casual relaxation.

Palm Springs is also a favorite for gay travelers and naturist communities.

Get in

By plane

  • Palm Springs International Airport (IATA: PSP), [3]. Located right in the heart of Palm Springs. Scheduled daily flight connections with major cities throughout the United States and Canada. Served by Air Canada, Westjet and all major US airlines except Southwest, and Continental.
  • LA/Ontario International Airport [4] in Ontario, about 70 miles to the west of Palm Springs, has many more flight connections and is the closest airport served by Southwest Airlines.

By train

  • Amtrak Station, 300 North Indian Canyon Drive (.6 mi south of Interstate 10), 1-800-USA-RAIL (872-7245), [5]. Amtrak's Sunset Limited route connects Palm Springs with Los Angeles and with Arizona and points eastward with three westbound and three eastbound trains per week (arriving Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday). Amtrak also provides Palm Springs with connections to and from the San Joaquins trains, which run up California's Central Valley to the Bay Area and Sacramento, via multiple daily Amtrak Thruway motorcoach runs to and from Bakersfield. Be aware that there are no rental car agencies that provide shuttles to the Amtrak station in Palm Springs and there is no public transportation available there. The "station" is really just an open platform without any building. Taxis from the Palm Springs Amtrak to the Palm Springs airport (where the rental cars are available) is about $30 (2008).

By car

From Los Angeles, take Interstate 10 East towards Phoenix. Palm Springs is about a two hour drive from most Southern California destination if there is not much traffic.

Get around

Palm Springs has a pedestrian friendly downtown. Visitors can enjoy the palm tree lined streets along Palm Canyon Drive and Indian Canyon Drive. Many boutique shops, outdoor restaurant and art galleries line the streets.

By car

Rent a car at the airport, or if you want to splurge, numerous limousine services are available, including West Coast Transportation, Cardiff Limousine and A-1 Sahara Limo. The main drags are Highway 111 and S. Palm Canyon Drive. Highway 111 runs east-west along the mountain side and connects all the cities in the Palm Springs area. This road has lights and lots of traffic, so if you are going far, you should drive out and hop on Interstate 10. S. Palm Drive is always busy and is hard to find a parking place on the weekends and at night. You should try to park on one of the side roads if possible. Most of the major car rental companies are represented at the airport.

By bus

  • Sun Bus, +1-800-347-8628, [6]. Run by the city, it has routes around the town and to some neighboring resort cities.
  • My Chauffeur [7]. 760-321-4001 Bus, Limousine, and Town Car Service.

By bike

Palm Springs and the surrounding environs are mostly flat and dry and can make for good cycling during the cooler months. Numerous rental facilities can be found around town.

Do

  • The Indian Canyons. Tahquitz Canyon, Palm Canyon, Andreas Canyon and Murray Canyon, were sacred Native sites, now open to the public for hiking. [8]
  • Historic Plaza Theatre, 128 South Palm Canyon Dr, 760 327-0225, [9]. The home of the The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies, featuring talented and energetic seniors singing and dancing. Matinee at 1:30PM and evening show at 7PM.
  • Palm Springs Art Museum, 101 Museum Drive, 760 325-7186, [10]. Founded in 1933, the museum hosts special exhibits and work from its permanent collection which includes Ruscha, Robert Arneson, Nathan, Charles Russell, Frederic Remington and Native American and Mesoamerican Art.
  • Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, 1 Tramway Rd, 760 325-1391, [11]. A good place to go to get away from the heat. Incredible views at night, and snow in the winter.
  • Palm Springs Air Museum 745 N. Gene Autry Trl, 760 778-6262, [12]. Nice place to go to if you have half a day to spare. Home to great condition WWII airplanes and more.
  • Palm Springs International Film Festival, [13]. Held the first two weeks of January. One of the largest film festivals in North America. A star-studded black tie gala, it is open to public with the purchase of gala tickets.
  • Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films, [14]. Largest short film festival in North America; second largest in the world. An Academy sanctioned festival. Fifty of the short films screened at this festival have been nominated for Academy Awards. The public can meet up-and-coming directors and actors at special parties. Held Aug 23-29th, 2007.

Golf in Palm Springs

Golf Outside of Palm Springs

  • Rancho Las Palmas Country Club, 77-200 California Dr, Rancho Mirage, 760 862-4551, [15]. Open to Rancho Las Palmas Resort guests, 27-holes.
  • Shadow Ridge Resort, 9002 Shadow Ridge Rd, Palm Desert, 760 674-2700. 18 holes designed by Nick Faldo.
  • Palm Desert Country Club, 42-000 Bob Hope Dr, Palm Desert, 760 345-2525, [16]. Open to public, 18-holes.
  • SilverRock Resort, LaQuinta, 760 776-6688, [17]. 18 holes, open to public, designed by Arnie Palmer.
  • The Desert Princess Country Club, 67967 Vista Chino Cathedral City, 760 322-7000, [18]. Features 27 holes of championship PGA-rated golf among three 9-hole courses.
  • Shadow Ridge Resort, 9002 Shadow Ridge Rd, Palm Desert, 760 674-2700. 18 holes designed by Nick Faldo.

Gaming

  • Spa Resort Casino, 401 E. Amado Rd, 760 883-1000, [19]. Offers live entertainmant, restaurants, a players club, and over 1000 slot machines.

Buy

  • Art. Palm Springs has more than a dozen art galleries featuring local artists and desert themes.
  • Desert Hills Premium Outlets in Cabazon, [20]. Large outlet mall with over 100 stores.

Eat

Get a taste of Palm Springs by going to the annual Palm Springs Desert Resorts Restaurant Week

  • Tylers Burgers, 149 South Indian Canyon Dr. This small hamburger joint, famous for their sliders, has the best hamburgers in all of Palm Springs. Only open for lunch. Be sure to get there early or be prepared to wait because this is where all the locals eat.
  • Kaiser Grille, 205 S. Palm Canyon Dr, 760 323-1003, [21]. Good American food right in the middle of downtown Palm Springs.
  • The Chop House, 262 S. Palm Canyon Dr, 760 320-4500. Steakhouse along the main drag of Palm Springs.
  • Le Vallauris, 385 W. Tahquitz Canyon Way, 760 325-5059, [22]. Expensive, but good french food off of S. Palm Canyon Drive.

Sleep

Palm Springs has over 130 hotels and resorts available including mid-century classics, historic bed and breakfasts, private villas, condos and luxury resorts.[23]

Palm Springs also has a diverse collection of boutique hotels, historic inns, bed and breakfasts and vacation rentals. [24]

  • Chase Hotel at Palm Springs, 200 West Arenas Road, toll free: 1 888-320-8867, [25].
  • Courtyard Palm Springs, 1300 Tahquitz Canyon Way, 760 322-6100, Toll-free: 800-321-2211 (Fax: 760 322-6091), [26]
  • Palm Court Inn 1983 N. Palm Canyon Dr., 800-667-7918 [27] Offers rooms at affordable prices.
  • Terra Cotta Inn Clothing Optional Resort and Spa, 2388 E. Racquet Club Rd. 800-786-6938 [28]. Considered a "mainstream" nudist resort.
  • Villa Royale Inn, 1620 Indian Trail, 760 327-2314, fax 760 322-3794, [29] Our Palm Springs luxury hotel, Villa Royale Inn, features spacious guestrooms, an award-winning restaurant for breakfast and dinner, two heated pools, and exquisitely landscaped grounds framed with panoramic mountain views.
  • Palm Springs Rental Agency, 225 S. Civic #7, ☎ 866-785-8907, [30]. checkin: 3:00 PM; checkout: 10:00 AM. Luxury vacation homes, condos and golf villas located throughout Palm Springs and the surrounding communities of Palm Desert, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage and Cathedral City. 
  • Old Ranch Inn ~ Palm Springs(oldranchinn @dc.rr.com), 220 South Patencio Road('An Award Winning Historic Palm Springs Retreat'), ☎ Toll Free (877) 565-3726, [31]. checkin: 3:00 PM; checkout: 11:00 AM. In the spirit of the 'Old West', the heritage of Old Palm Springs awaits you at the Old Ranch Inn. The Old Ranch Inn is located in the exclusive Historic Tennis Club District and in the heart of the Downtown Village, and is nestled up against the beautiful San Jacinto Mountains. The Inn is steps away from the famed Palm Canyon Drive and the many Village attractions. The Old Ranch Inn is a quaint, intimate hotel with an informal, relaxed atmosphere. Its' 8-poolside Suites range in size from large charming, well-appointed Full-Suites to a 1-Bedroom Luxury Apartment with fireplace. The Old Ranch Inn offers Palm Springs' legendary charm and western hospitality at its' best~! $169 ~ $219 USD.  
  • Old Ranch Inn(oldranchinn@dc.rr.com), 220 South Patencio Road, Palm Springs, ☎ Toll Free (877) 565-3726, [32]. checkin: 3:00 PM; checkout: 11:00 AM. "An Award Winning Historic Palm Springs Retreat" In the spirit of the 'Old West', the hertiage of Old Palm Springs awaits you at the Old Ranch Inn. The Old Ranch Inn is located in the Historic Tennis Club District and in the heart of the Downtown Village, and is nestled up against the beautiful San Jacinto Mountain range. The Inn is just steps away from the famed Palm Canyon Drive and the many Village attractions. The Old Ranch Inn is a quaint, intimate hotel with an informal, relaxed atmosphere. Its' 8-poolside Suites range in size from large charming, well-appointed Full-Suites, to a 1-Bedroom Luxury Apartment with fireplace. The Old Ranch Inn offers Palm Springs' legendary charm and western hospitality at its' BEST~!$169 ~ $219 USD.  
  • Hampton Inn & Suites(Palm Desert), 74900 Gerald Ford Dr(Exit Cook St from I-10, Head South, Right on Gerald Ford), ☎ 760-340-1001, [33]. Clean, comfortable accommodations at a reasonable price. All rooms and suites include free hot breakfast, high-speed internet access, use of pool, spa, fitness center, and business center.  

Budget

  • Best Western Inn at Palm Springs, 1633 South Palm Canyon, Palm Springs, CA 92264, (760) 325-9177, Toll-free: (800) 222-4678, Fax: (760) 325-9177, [34]. Best Western Inn at Palm Springs is a Southern California hotel with renovated guestrooms that offer resort features like a 24-hour outdoor pool, spa, and sundeck, and wireless broadband Internet access.
  • Best Western Las Brisas, 222 S Indian Canyon Drive, (760) 325-4372, Toll-free: 1 800-346-5714, Fax: (760) 320-1371, [35].
  • Cambridge Inn Palm Springs, 1277 South Palm Canyon Drive, [36]. Discover 66 lodging accommodations, many with private patios, and the heated pool and Jacuzzi spa, at Cambridge Inn in Palm Springs. Book your hotel reservations online today!
  • El Rancho Lodge, 1330 E Palm Canyon Dr., 760 327-1339, fax 760 327-7689 [37]. Small motels with some nice features A great library of books and DVDs and DVD players in every room, friendly owners/managers, nice pool and hot tub in the courtyard and Louise, the resident dog will win over your heart.
  • Motel 6 Palm Springs Downtown, 660 South Palm Canyon Drive, 760 327-4200, Fax: (760) 320-9827, [38]
  • Motel 6 Palm Springs East-E Palm Canyon, 595 East Palm Canyon Drive, 760 325-6129, Fax: (760) 320-9304, [39]

Mid-range

  • Rendezvous Bed & Breakfast, 1420 N. Indian Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA 92262(From Hwy 111, Turn L on Vista Chino, Turn R on Indian Canyon Dr., L at Stevens. Located on the corner of Stevens and Indian Canyon Dr.), ☎ (800) 485-2808, [40]. checkin: 3:00pm; checkout: 12:00am. Where the romance of the 50’s comes alive! With brilliant colors and great themes this fabulous bed and breakfast is an experience, not just another place to stay. From our scrumptious breakfast, luxurious massages, heated pool, and gorgeous courtyard, to our complimentary cocktail hour we pamper you all along the way. All rooms feature a King bed, Flat Screen TV, DVD & CD players, Mini-fridge, Microwave, and eight of our rooms have two-person whirlpool tubs. For a romantic trip to the desert there is no other choice! Check out our website at www.palmspringsrendezvous.com.$160-240.  

Splurge

  • Alexander Inn, 1425 S. Via Soledad, ☎ +1 (760) 327-4970(info@alexander-inn.com), [41]. Palm Springs' newest luxury Inn. Beautiful gardens and great mountain views. Walk to many great restaurants. 
  • Colony Palms Hotel, 572 N. Indian Canyon Dr, [42]. Recently overhauled, this Moroccan themed hotel is comfortable and charming, and staff are welcoming and helpful. Accommodation ranges from simple king rooms, to jr suites and casitas with outdoor patios and tubs. The Purple Palm restaurant/bar sits at the edge of the pool, and is a busy but not too raucous scene on the weekends. Free wifi and self parking for guests, valet available on weekends.From $199.  
  • Le Parker Méridien, 4200 East Palm Canyon Drive, ☎ +1 (760) 770-5000, [43]. A fancy boutique hotel with quirky art and fun modern design. Norma's is a "five-star diner with a twist", is popular and tasty.$285-615.  
  • Wyndham, 888 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, ☎ +1 (760) 322-6000(fax: +1 (760) 322-5351), [44]. A good hotel for business or pleasure. Located three blocks from fashionable Palm Canyon Drive and directly linked to the Palm Springs Convention Center. 
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Signature Events in Palm Springs

January – March

  • Palm Springs International Film Festival
  • Modernism Week
  • Desert Concours d’Elegance
  • Festival of Native Film & Culture
  • Tour de Palm Springs

April – June

  • Arthur Lyons’ Film Noir Festival
  • Restaurant Week
  • Girls Weekend (formerly Dinah Shore Weekend)
  • White Party

July-September

  • Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films
  • 4th of July Celebration
  • Cinema Diverse Gay and Lesbian Films

October – December

  • American Heat Bike Show
  • Exotic Car Show and Auction
  • Festival of Lights Parade
  • Veterans Day Parade
  • Walk of the Inns
  • Tree Lighting Ceremony at Aerial Tramway

Fun in the Sun Guide

Day One – Arts and Entertainment • Take a tour or segway of the desert’s most notable architecture, mid-century modern architecture • Take a docent tour of the Palm Springs Art Museum or Agua Caliente Cultural Museum • Take home a unique piece of Palm Springs from the many “art walks” throughout town. • Catch a performance at the Palm Springs Fabulous Follies, or try your luck at the Spa Resort Casino, and then kick into high gear at one of the local dance clubs.

Day Two – Outdoor Adventure Climb aboard the world's largest rotating tramcar at The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway • Pack a picnic and hike the majestic Indian Canyons or join a ranger interpretive guided tour to learn about the Agua Caliente Cahuilla Indians who settled in the Palm, Murray, Andreas, Tahquitz and Chino Canyons. • Begin your off-road adventure by exploring the San Andreas Fault or the spectacular Joshua Tree National Park. • Soar along the sand dunes on an ATV, or discover the outdoors on horseback through the majestic canyons and mountain vistas.

Day Three – Family Fun • Visit the Palm Springs Air Museum, an inspiring collection of World War II aircraft and memorabilia. • Enjoy nature's beautiful San Jacinto Mountains from the best vantage point of a helicopter tour with mountain-experienced pilots or take flight in a sunrise or sunset hot air balloon. • Soak up the sun and splash around at Knott’s Soak City, or cheer on Palm Springs’ hometown baseball team at the seasonal Palm Springs Power Stadium. • Visit The Living Desert, a 1,200-acre wildlife and botanical park, featuring rare and endangered desert animals. • End the day at VillageFest, held every Thursday evening, featuring hundreds of exhibitors, entertainment and other street fair activities.

Day Four – Fun, Sun and Relaxation • Enjoy a morning round of golf at Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort or Indian Canyons Golf Resort. • Spend the day pampering yourself at a spa resort or day spa. • Soak up the sun and lounge by the sparkling pool while reading your favorite book at a luxury resort or at a secluded boutique inn. • Dine alfresco amidst the charming and hip village, or shop the many retro boutiques, mid-century modern furniture stores, art galleries and chic consignment and thrift shops along Palm Canyon Drive. • Cap the evening with a horse-drawn carriage ride around the village of Palm Springs to enjoy the warm, star-studded desert evening.

Day Five – Hollywood’s Favorite Playground • Discover the secluded retreats and exclusive estates of Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe or Elvis Presley by taking a celebrity tour, or staying overnight in one of the celebrity hideaways. • Follow Palm Springs’ own Walk of Stars throughout downtown Palm Springs • Catch sight of a celebrity at one of the seven film festivals in Palm Springs including annual Palm Springs International Film Festival, or one of the many signature events happening throughout the year.

Visitor Information

Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism Palm Springs Boutique Hotels and Vacation Rentals Palm Springs Gay Travel

Get out

  • Joshua Tree National Park. This desert park is a great day trip to take while at Palm Springs. You can get there in less than an hour by going north on route 62. Take a minimum of four hours to do the loop from the north through the south of the park. Camping is allowed as well as rock climbing.
  • Idyllwild is a mountain resort approximately 45 minutes drive away on the beautiful Palms to Pines highway. It can also be reached by a scenic 10 mile hike from the top of the Palm Springs Tramway.

Other nearby desert resort cities include Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta and Indio.


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This page was last edited at 17:32, on 23 March 2009 by Open Hospitality. Based on work by San Francisco Girl and Colin Jensen, Wikitravel user(s) PalmSpringsCA, PerryPlanet, Old ranch inn and Cacahuate, Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel and others.