Palm Springs

Desert Modernism and Mountain Views

Palm Springs sits in California’s desert, where hot days give way to cool nights under clear skies. The city features mid-century modern homes and resorts that reflect its history as a wellness retreat. Visitors can explore palm-lined streets, visit art galleries or relax at outdoor pools surrounded by mountain views. Local markets sell fresh produce, while nearby hiking trails lead into rugged terrain. The area’s dry climate makes it popular for those seeking warmth without humidity. Cultural events and historic sites add depth to its relaxed atmosphere.

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City in United States

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 9.1

General Safety:	9
Health & medical:	9
Accessibility:	9
Tap water:	10

Read details

5/5

English is universally spoken throughout Palm Springs. As a major U.S. tourist destination, all services, attractions, and businesses operate primarily in English, making communication seamless for English-speaking visitors.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

* We earn a commission from some links on this page.

Palm Springs Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
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Read how our scores work

Known for desert resorts and mid-century architecture. Relax by pools, hike desert trails, explore design landmarks and enjoy golf and spas.

Place score

8.1

Best at:

Golf

Spa & wellness

Spotless

Mountains

Deserts

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 9

Seniors

🛡️ 9

Travel Beginners

❤️ 9

Couples

United States – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	120 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	US Dollar (USD) £1 ≈ US$1.33
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 The U.S. is highly cashless, with credit and debit cards accepted almost everywhere. Mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary and expected in the U.S. In restaurants, 15-20% is standard. Taxi drivers, hotel staff, and tour guides also expect tips, usually around 10-20% depending on the service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking laws vary by state, but it is generally prohibited in public spaces without a permit.
Public smoking:	Smoking is restricted in most indoor public spaces and some outdoor areas. Local laws vary.
Etiquette:	Greet with a firm handshake, maintain eye contact, respect personal space, and avoid discussing politics or income unless invited to share opinions. Politeness and friendliness are appreciated.

Thanksgiving (November)	A major holiday with closures and domestic travel surges.
Independence Day (July)	Expect parades, fireworks, and celebrations nationwide.
Christmas (December)	Markets, festive events, and crowded tourist spots.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Lyft, Bolt
Helpful links:	Wikipedia Visa regulations Customs & border control Travel with medicine
Other:	The U.S. is known for its diverse landscapes, cultural experiences, and regional cuisines. Public transport is efficient in cities but less so in rural areas. Renting a car is recommended for exploring national parks.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Palm Springs, United States

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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Jun

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High season:	Jan. - April, Nov. - Dec.
Shoulder season:	May, Oct.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Daytime highs above 40 °C (105 °F) June to September; hotel prices drop and some restaurants close

Coachella festival in nearby Indio, two weekends in mid April; hotels book out and prices spike

Modernism Week, mid to late February; hotels book out well ahead

Don't miss

🚠 Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to Mount San Jacinto
🏡 Admire mid-century modern homes on an architecture tour
💦 Relax in a natural hot spring at nearby Desert Hot Springs
🌵 Explore desert flora at the Moorten Botanical Garden
🎬 Attend the Palm Springs International Film Festival
🥾 Hike the scenic trails of Indian Canyons

You've been here?

Why travel to Palm Springs?

Palm Springs offers a fascinating mix of cultural richness and natural beauty that's unlike anywhere else. Architecture enthusiasts will be in heaven, as the city is a living museum of mid-century modernism with its clean lines, dramatic roofs and indoor-outdoor living designs by renowned architects like Albert Frey and Richard Neutra. Outdoor lovers can explore the stunning landscapes, from the lush Indian Canyons with their genuine desert oases to the dramatic aerial views from the Palm Springs Tramway that whisks you from desert floor to mountain peak in just 10 minutes. The wellness scene is exceptional, centered around the natural hot springs that give the city its name, with the recently renovated Spa at Séc-he offering one of the nation's top spa experiences. However, Palm Springs isn't without its challenges. The desert climate means extremely hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 100°F (38°C), making outdoor activities uncomfortable or even dangerous during midday. The city is surprisingly spread out, making a rental car essential for exploring effectively, which adds to your vacation costs. While winter and spring offer perfect weather, they're also peak tourist seasons when prices surge and popular attractions become crowded. Some visitors might find the pace too slow or the entertainment options limited compared to major cities, especially for younger travelers seeking nightlife beyond resort bars.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
2 House of Tomorrow
3 Moorten Botanical Garden
4 Palm Springs Air Museum
5 Palm Springs Art Museum

🎡Places for activities

1 Indian Wells Golf Resort
2 Silver Rock Resort Golf Club
3 Mount San Jacinto State Park
4 Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
5 The Rowan
6 The Spa at Séc-he
7 Thermal Club

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Indian Canyons
2 Joshua Tree National Park
3 Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument
4 West Tahquitz Canyon Way

🛍️Shopping

1 Cabazon Outlets
2 Destination PSP
3 Palm Canyon Drive

🎈Events

Desert X (March-May 2025)
Thermal Club INDYCAR Grand Prix (March 2025)
Coachella Festival (April)
Modernism Week
Palm Springs International Film Festival

Explore on map

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Knowledge before you go

Book Palm Springs Aerial Tramway tickets in advance online.
Expect extreme summer heat over 110°F; visit October-May for comfortable desert weather.
Explore midcentury modern architecture via self-guided tours; Modernism Week happens biannually.
Hike Indian Canyons on Agua Caliente tribal land; guided tours reveal ancient petroglyphs and waterfalls.

How to travel to Palm Springs

Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) offers direct flights from many major U.S. cities, with new food and beverage options arriving in early 2025. The airport is conveniently located near downtown. Alternatively, many visitors drive from Los Angeles, which is about 2 hours away. The city is also accessible by bus from major California cities, though having your own transportation once you arrive is highly recommended.

Access summary

From Palm Springs Airport (PSP): 5–10 min taxi or 15 min bus.
From Los Angeles: Drive I-10 east, usually around 2–2.5 hours.
From San Diego: Drive via I-15/I-10 or CA-74, about 2–3 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Palm Springs

Palm Springs offers diverse accommodation options, from historic mid-century modern hotels to luxury resorts with multiple pools and spas. La Quinta Resort & Club, approaching its centennial year, has just completed a stunning renovation. Many properties feature distinctive architecture and pool-centric experiences. Vacation rentals in mid-century homes are popular for longer stays or groups. Prices tend to be higher during peak season (winter and spring), so book well in advance for these periods.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Aqua Soleil Hotel and Mineral Water Spa California

8.3

The Saguaro Palm Springs

7.9

Caliente Tropics Hotel

8.3

The Infusion

7.5

Palm Mountain Resort And Spa

8.7

Travelodge by Wyndham Palm Springs

7.5

Hotel Zoso

8.4

Hyatt Vacation Club at Desert Oasis

8.9

Ace Hotel and Swim Club Palm Springs

8.3

The O Spa + Resort - Adults Only

8.3

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Palm Springs

Having a car is essential in Palm Springs, as attractions are surprisingly spread out across the city and surrounding areas. While downtown areas can be explored on foot or by bicycle, you'll need a vehicle to reach hiking trails, golf courses and nearby attractions like Joshua Tree National Park. Rideshare services are available but can have longer wait times than in major cities. Some resorts offer shuttle services to popular destinations.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-1 %

Daily expenses in Palm Springs are around 1% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend around the same on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to USD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£83	£178	£580
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£44	£92	£349
🍝 Food per day	£34	£78	£204
🚕 Transportation per day	£5	£7	£28

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£28
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£23
🍟 Fast food combo	£7.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£12.50
☕ Cappuccino	£4.20
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£4.10

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.30
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£17
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.90

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£9
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£95
🤧 Cold medication	£8.50
💇 Basic haircut	£18

Safety information overview

General safety

Palm Springs is generally safe for tourists, with most areas well-patrolled and well-lit. Exercise normal precautions regarding valuables. The main safety concern is heat-related illness during summer months – stay hydrated and avoid strenuous outdoor activities during peak heat hours.

Health & Medical

Good medical facilities are available in Palm Springs, with several hospitals and urgent care centers. Heat exhaustion is the most common health issue for visitors, especially in summer. Bring necessary medications and stay hydrated, as the dry desert air can be deceptively dehydrating.

Accessibility

Palm Springs is relatively accessible, with many resorts, restaurants and attractions designed to accommodate visitors with mobility challenges. Downtown areas have good sidewalks, though some mid-century buildings may have limited accessibility features. Many hiking trails are not wheelchair accessible.

Tap water

Tap water in Palm Springs is safe to drink, though it may have a slightly mineral taste due to the desert location. Many hotels and restaurants offer filtered water. Staying well-hydrated is essential in the desert climate.