When checking off the list of reasons, you should plan a visit to Palm Springs, including the sunshine, outstanding resorts, shopping, outdoor adventures, museums, and spectacular scenery. This beautiful oasis in the Mojave Desert has it all. While Palm Springs is often associated with beautiful green golf courses and millionaires, visitors often miss the more “close-in” experience.
Family Activities – Shopping Dining – Hiking Trails – Gardens Nature – Day Trips
Palm Springs has been a sought-after vacation destination since the 1930s, attracting movie stars who claimed ranch estates and frequented the many luxurious resorts. Located just 120 miles east of Los Angeles, Palm Springs boasts clean, dry air and ample sunshine, making it an irresistible getaway spot for Californians. The travel time from Orange County is less than two hours.
With the massive Mount San Jacinto Mountains hovering over its sprawling suburban lifestyle, Palm Springs embodies an eclectic mix of Spanish Colonial and mid-twentieth-century modern architecture. As you leave the downtown area, you will begin to discover that Palm Springs and the surrounding desert cities – make up the outdoor recreational playground of Southern California.
Palm Springs Family Activities
Living Desert Zoo & Gardens
The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens is 15 miles southeast of Palm Springs, California. This family-friendly attraction is a breathtaking experience that is a worthwhile day trip. Tickets are very affordable compared to many other Southern California attractions. Add The Living Desert Zoo to your Palm Springs to-do list if traveling with kids. 47900 Portola Ave Palm Desert, California.
Palm Springs Tramway
Suppose you’re planning a trip to Palm Springs, including a visit to the iconic Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. It’s a must-see attraction that takes you up to the peak of the San Jacinto mountains, providing breathtaking views of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley. Be sure to allocate at least half a day for your visit to appreciate the experience fully. Afterward, you can cap off your Palm Springs adventure with a relaxing dinner and shopping at Palm Canyon Drive.
Shields Date Garden
Shields Date Garden has stood as a historic landmark at the exact location since 1924. It opened its doors on Christmas Day of that year and has provided high-quality date, citrus, and organic food products to customers worldwide. Don’t forget to try their delicious date shake and take home some date samples or gift packs. 80225 CA-111, Indio, California.
Oasis Date Gardens
Oasis Date Gardens – a 175-acre ranch that specializes in growing Organically Certified Medjool Dates. Although not as large as Shields Date Garden, it’s worth a visit!
Palm Springs Air Museum
Palm Springs Air Museum is home to one of the nation’s most extensive World War II flying aircraft collections. The Air Museum is a great place to bring the kids, and they are encouraged to explore and participate in the various programs geared toward children. Wander through the Museum and surround yourself with thousands of artifacts and memorabilia.
Palm Springs Shopping and Dining
Palm Canyon Drive
Palm Canyon Drive is at the center of the downtown. Nestled along Palm Canyon Drive and intersecting side streets is the central shopping district with numerous designer shops, boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, museums, and one-of-a-kind stores. Everything is within walking distance, so park your car and start shopping.
Palm Springs VillageFest
One of the better ways to explore the downtown experience is Villagefest. Many of the shops stay open late, and you can cap off the day with a pub crawl to one of the many upscale nightclubs that are scattered along Palm Canyon Drive, including The Hair of the Dog, a small English pub and a favorite hangout of late entertainer, and former mayor of Palm Springs, Sonny Bono. Website.
Palm Springs Walk of Stars
As you weave through downtown Palm Springs, 330 sidewalk stars honoring various show business celebrities, pioneers, civic leaders, humanitarians, and congressional medal awardees. Golden Palm Stars celebrate people who have lived in the greater Palm Springs area, including several United States presidents—map of the Stars.
Desert Hills Outlet Mall
Desert Hills Outlet Mall is only 20 minutes away and has shops for every taste and budget. Anchored by major retail stores, Desert Hills is the perfect place to find exclusive merchandise at affordable prices. The shops are set up in two blocks, the West Village and the East Village. Sales are featured year-round, with some stores offering as much as 50% off—48400 Seminole Dr, Cabazon, California.
Hadley Fruit Orchards Cabazon California
Even though the original building was replaced in 2016, Hadley Fruit Orchards is still a popular stop for travelers to Palm Springs. Located in Cabazon near Palm Springs, Hadley Fruit Orchards has been serving tasty date shakes and dried fruit snacks to travelers since 1953 at this location. 47993 Morongo Trail, Cabazon, CA 92230.
Palm Springs Hiking Trails
Whitewater Preserve Trails
Whitewater Preserve is a natural treasure and a great place to escape with miles of hiking trails. Wildlife enthusiast will get their fill as they will enjoy catching a peep of Big Horn sheep, bobcats, coyotes, bears, and deer that live on the Preserve lands.
Tahquitz Canyon Palm Springs
Before leaving the area, Tahquitz Canyon is another great spot to explore—a short, easy two-mile loop hike with lovely scenery to a spectacular seasonal 60-foot waterfall. Families could easily do this hike with children, which takes less than two hours. Parking is free, but there is a small admission price. Hiking sticks are available at the Visitors Center near the entrance.
Indian Canyons Palm Springs
Indian Canyons is just a short drive from downtown Palm Springs. The Agua Caliente Cahuilla Indians preserve four canyons. The canyons are open – for a fee – to the general public for hiking, horseback riding, and picnicking. It is a moderate hike good for the entire family, with a gradual grade and partially paved footpath that weaves its way down into the canyon.
Big Morongo Canyon Preserve
Once home to several powerful clans of the Serrano First Nation, the park today is a permanent home for many creatures, none of them human. Big Morongo Preserve is internationally recognized as one of the top bird-watching sites in North America. National Geographic has featured the preserve in its popular Guide to Bird Watching Sites.
Coachella Valley Preserve
Located 10 miles east of Palm Springs near 1,000 Palms and fed by water seeping out of the San Andreas Fault. This 17,000-acre preserve is a natural refuge for visitors to discover rare and incredible wildlife. Over 28 miles of trails lead to a wide range of habitats, most of which are well-marked, with some having picnic areas atop beautiful vistas overlooking the surrounding valley.
Palm Springs Gardens
Moorten Botanical Gardens
Did you know about the hidden gem Moorten Botanical Gardens in Palm Springs? It’s a serene place where guests can stroll and appreciate the stunning collection of over 3,000 varieties of desert plants. The gardens are conveniently located just a few blocks from Palm Springs City Hall and are worth visiting.
Sunnylands Estate
Once only accessible to the rich and powerful, this oasis in the desert outlands of Palm Springs is accessible to the public for tours. Ringed by the San Jacinto Mountains of the Coachella Valley — known for its annual music festival — visitors to Sunnylands will be immersed in the estate’s glory years.
Easy Day Trips From Palm Springs
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park covers nearly 800,000 acres. The main park entrance is just over 40 miles from Palm Springs. The park contains two deserts, each with an ecosystem that varies according to elevation. The Mojave Desert part is the higher elevated section, drier and more relaxed. Plan a full day to explore this vast desert park.
Cabot’s Pueblo Museum
The history of the Pueblo people has been beautifully captured by Cabot and integrated into every room of the building. It took Cabot more than two decades to construct this multi-level structure comprising numerous stairways, narrow entrances, and hallways. On the other hand, Yerxa built a massive 5000 square foot mansion with over sixty rooms, each with a unique window or door design.
Desert Hot Springs Spa City
Desert Hot Springs is a relaxed spa town with abundant hot mineral water streams piped to the surface. Soaking in hot mineral water is just one of the activities you can do in the Desert Hot Springs. Local spas offer a day pass entrance along with overnight accommodations.
Pioneertown Yucca Valley
If you are interested in the Wild West, Pioneertown is a hidden gem worth exploring despite being a bit off the beaten path. During weekends, you can catch a free western show in front of the saloon, where cowboys display their skills in roping, shooting, and other tricks.
Integratron Sound Bath
Integratron is a hidden gem in the desert near Yucca Valley, California. It’s not much to look at from the outside, but inside, it is something out of this world that provides visitors with a far-out vibe. With a reservation, you can take a sound bath — a 60-minute sonic healing session with a series of quartz crystal bowls played live in the Integratron highly resonant, multi-wave sound chamber.
Noah Purifoy Museum
Artist Noah Purifoy (1917-2004) moved to the desert to escape because Los Angeles was too expensive to live in. He spent the last 15 years creating unique sculptures, buildings, and artwork from recycled material, about a one-hour drive from Palm Springs.
Mount San Jacinto State Park
Mount San Jacinto State Park can be reached via the Palm Springs Tram (the quick way) or Highway 74 near Palm Desert (the long way.) Visitors to the park enjoy camping and hiking during the summer. Wintertime activities include tubing and cross-country skiing.
Getting There
One day is not enough, with many things to do and see in Palm Springs. Consider a weekend getaway to explore all the attractions Palm Springs offers. Palm Springs is about a two-hour drive from Los Angeles or San Diego.
The General Patton Museum was not mentioned in your list of interesting things to do. I was there today It was a bit of a trip but worth the drive.
Thanks for the info. We will check out the Patton Museum next time we are in the area.
Is there a hotel stay that you recommen ? Also, if we can take this trip by an Amtrak ?
Hello
There is no direct train service to Palm Springs, however, Amtrak does offer a bus service.
I would suggest booking a hotel on or near South Plam Canyon Drive.
Is there a shuttle or bus from Palm Springs to universal studios for a 1 or 2 day trip?
Hello Nancy
That is a good question. I did some research and it looks like no tour bus service runs a shuttle bus to Universal Studios from Palm Springs.
You can take a tour with Southern California Gray Lines to Universal from Anaheim.
Bus departs at 9:00 a.m. returns around 9:00 pm. These tours include admission to Universal Studios.
The problem would be getting to Anaheim if you do not have a car.
Amtrak trains run daily from PS to Anaheim.
You could rent a car or perhaps use Uber to get to Anaheim by 9 am. Sounds like a very long day so consider spending a night in the Los Angeles area.
Hope this helps