Visit Palm Springs, a Charming Oasis in the California Desert

As you travel along the vast desert highways of California, you might be surprised to suddenly catch a glimpse of a true oasis, abundant with palm trees, swimming pools, and golf courses. You have arrived in one of the most unique cities in the state – Palm Springs, known for its natural attractions and much more.

During the post-war and Rat Pack era, many Hollywood celebrities chose this affluent oasis to build their villas. Here, you can see where Elvis spent his honeymoon, stay in Frank Sinatra’s vacation home, and visit the residences of other prominent American figures.

Palm Springs Architecture

Palm Springs is a small city located at the base of San Jacinto Peak, a tall mountain that provides precious shade to the entire town, tempering the desert climate in the afternoon hours. The main characteristic of the city is the unique architecture that defines a large part of its buildings: we are talking about the Desert Modernism Style, a distinct blend of Spanish Colonial and Modernist influences (based on the principles of Frank Lloyd Wright).

The most commonly used material here is adobe, a mixture of clay, sand, and dried straw. Together with the abundance of palm trees, this type of material gives the homes in the area a truly distinctive appearance.

How to get there

Getting to Palm Springs is straightforward. From Los Angeles, you can simply take the I-10 East and follow Highway 111 South. If you’re coming from Las Vegas, you would take the I-15 and then the I-215 South.

Things to Do in Palm Springs

Palm Springs is a pleasant town to explore on foot (despite the heat, which can be unforgiving in the summer). Strolling along the palm-lined streets and admiring the small villas is already a delightful experience. However, there are many things to see in and around Palm Springs, and you might miss them if you aimlessly wander around.

In that case, head to the Palm Springs Visitors Center (2901 Palm Canyon Drive), which you’ll immediately notice due to its peculiar spaceship-like roof. The building, formerly a gas station, was designed in the 1960s by Albert Frey (we’ll tell you more about him later in the article) and was originally conceived as the departure station for the Tramway, which we’ll discuss shortly. So, grab a map and begin your tour, reaching the places indicated in this paragraph.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Climbing aboard a tramway might not be the first thing that comes to mind when visiting a desert city, right? Well, Palm Springs will change your perspective because the city’s most popular and beloved attraction is the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the world’s largest rotating tramway.

The cabins depart from the desert station located northwest of the city and ascend to the breathtaking Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Mountain Station, nestled in the alpine forest of Long Valley within the heart of Mount San Jacinto State Park. In just over 12 minutes, you will ascend to an elevation of 8,517 ft aboard a slowly rotating cable car that provides passengers with a 360-degree view without even having to move.

At the mountain summit, there are activities for every taste. Those who enjoy hiking can explore one of the available trails, perhaps even reaching the actual peak of San Jacinto State Park at 10.830 ft. For those looking to satisfy their appetites, there are two restaurants: Peaks and Lookout Lounge. As the name suggests, Lookout Lounge offers the opportunity to savor a drink with an excellent view.

Purchase tickets

Palm Canyon Drive

The center of Palm Springs stretches along Palm Canyon Drive, a pleasant street filled with shops, local businesses, and stores housed in Spanish Colonial-style buildings. Among them is Trina Turk, a famous boutique that sells vibrant retro clothing, embodying the chic California style.

Every Thursday evening (from June to September, 7 PM to 10 PM; from October to May, 6 PM to 10 PM), the street hosts the Villagefest, a lively event featuring various stalls and remarkable street performers. During my visit, there was even a stall run by a Jewish rabbi, where you could seek advice and perhaps receive some biblical guidance.

Palm Springs Art Museum

Not far from Palm Canyon Drive, at the foot of one of the mountains overlooking the town, you will find the main location of the small yet remarkable Palm Springs Art Museum. The museum houses highly appreciated galleries that often surprise visitors who don’t expect such a rich and interesting art museum in the desert. If you decide to visit, you will encounter a wide variety of Native American artifacts, paintings, modern sculptures, contemporary art installations, as well as a notable collection of design and architecture.

• Museum hours: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM. On Thursdays, it is open from 12 PM to 8 PM.
• Ticket prices: $16 (ages 18-62), $14 (ages 62 and over), free for visitors under 18. On Thursdays from 5 PM to 8 PM, admission is free, but reservations are required, which can be made here.

Forever Marilyn and Palm Springs Babies

Near Downtown Park, in front of the museum, you will come across a giant statue depicting Marilyn Monroe (Forever Marilyn, located in Museum Way) and an eerie installation by Czech artist David Černý called “Tower Babies,” later renamed “Palm Springs Babies.” PLEASE NOTE: The artwork has been temporarily moved to Tijuana until January 2024. As of the current time (June 2023), it is uncertain whether it will be returned to Palm Springs after its exhibition in Mexico.

Frey House II

In the museum’s architecture collection, you will also find works by Albert Frey (1903-1988), a renowned Swiss architect who lived and perfected a particular style called “Desert Modernism” in Palm Springs. Some of his notable works include the City Hall and the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Valley Station. One of Albert Frey’s houses, known as Frey House II, is located very close to the main museum building and can be visited through a tour as part of the museum’s heritage. The house is truly fascinating, with walls entirely made of glass nestled into undulating roofs, emerging from the canyon rocks and creating a unique spectacle.

Palm Springs Air Museum

Aviation enthusiasts will find plenty to satisfy their interests at the Palm Springs Air Museum, located at 745 North Gene Autry Trail, right next to the city’s airport. Established in 1996, the museum consists of five hangars housing an extensive collection of military aircraft from various conflicts in recent American history (from World War II to the War on Terror).

One of the most impressive aircraft on display is the Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk “Black Devil,” a stealth fighter (meaning it is invisible to radar) housed in the James R. Houston Pavilion. You can get a preview of the entire fleet here. In addition to touring the museum, during the summer months, you can also book a flight experience on a P-51 Mustang or a PT-17 Stearman.

• Museum hours: Open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM.
• Ticket prices: $22; $20 for teenagers aged 13-17; children under 12 enter for free.

Indian Canyons

Located just a short 10-minute drive from downtown Palm Springs, the Indian Canyons is one of the most frequented natural areas in the region. It is the original settlement of the Cahuilla Indians, who manage a vast portion of the desert where three canyons filled with palm trees can be explored through a network of approximately 62 miles of hiking trails. We have discussed this in more detail in our article dedicated to the Indian Canyons.

The homes of the stars in Palm Springs

As mentioned before, the town is filled with villas and residences of prominent figures. Here are a few of them:

• Alexander Estate: Named after the renowned architect Bob Alexander, it gained fame when Elvis Presley spent his honeymoon here with Priscilla Beaulieu after their Las Vegas wedding. This modernist architectural masterpiece is known as the “House of Tomorrow” and is located at 1350 Ladera Cir. Except for special events, it is not open for public tours.
• Twin Palms Frank Sinatra Estate: This residence was specifically built for “The Voice” and features a unique piano-shaped swimming pool. It is not easy to get a good view of it unless the gate is open, but it is possible to rent the house for a minimum of 3 nights. The address is 1145 E Vía Colusa.
• Kaufmann Desert House: Located at 470 W Vista Chino, this captivating house was designed by Austrian architect Richard Neutra for Edgar J. Kaufmann, who also commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright’s famous Fallingwater (and collaborated with Neutra as well). Unfortunately, it is not open to the public.

Robolights

Robolights is a true gem of Palm Springs, but unfortunately, its existence is in jeopardy, and our hope is that you can visit it one way or another. Start walking along Granvia Valmonte and reach the address 1077 at the corner of Arquilla Road. Here you’ll find the residence of the eccentric artist Kenny Irwin, and I assure you that you won’t have trouble figuring out exactly where it is.

Begin discreetly exploring beyond the low fence that separates Irwin’s enormous garden from the sidewalk. Along Arquilla Road and Valmonte, amidst the palm trees, you’ll witness an impressive crowd of brightly colored robot-like Transformers, metal pseudo-dinosaurs, strange angelic (or diabolical?) figures with skulls and clown heads, statues of Disney cartoon characters, Santa Clauses, snowmen, mannequins, car shells, aliens, monsters, zombies, abandoned carousels, horse skeletons, stagecoaches, fairy castles, and much more. You won’t believe your eyes, and like me, you’ll struggle to find words to describe what you see. You’ll wonder what kind of madness lies within and to whom this collection belongs. Kenny Irwin began accumulating this “stuff” in 1986, and over time, he has created his own personal kitsch museum. It can be visited through a scheduled tour or, if you’re lucky enough to find him around the house, simply by asking him for a tour of the garden.

But that’s not all: especially during the Christmas season, Robolights is, or would be, an incredible light spectacle. However, it is not easy to see because the neighborhood protested so much that Irwin had to promise to move his collection to a location far from the residential area, in the desert. As of now (June 2023), we don’t know how long Robolights will remain a corner of madness in the heart of Palm Springs, but we will try to keep you updated on the new destination of Irwin’s luminous robots.

• Phone: +1 760-774-0318
• Email: [email protected]

Moorten Botanical Gardens

Moorten Botanical Gardens are located just outside Downtown and serve as a small oasis of tranquility within the oasis itself. If you’d like to spend an hour in peaceful surroundings while observing the strangest and most fascinating varieties of cacti, trees, and desert plants, head to 1701 Palm Canyon Drive. The botanical garden, which its owner Chester Moorten has referred to as a “cactarium,” houses over 3,000 specimens of desert vegetation, arranged along several nature trails designed to recreate different habitats.

• Opening hours: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 9 AM to 1 PM
• Prices: Adults $5, Children (ages 5-15) $2

Tahquitz Falls

If you find yourself in Palm Springs during the spring months, you may consider spending an hour of your time to visit Tahquitz Falls. It is an 59-feet waterfall nestled within the Tahquitz Canyon, which is part of the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation of the Cahuilla Indians. While the trail is open year-round, the falls are active only during that specific time period in this beautiful desert oasis.

The hike is of moderate difficulty, covering a round trip of 1,8 miles with an elevation gain of approximately 328 feet, which can be completed in a little over an hour. However, please note that there is an admission fee required (adults $15, children aged 7-12 $7) upon arrival at the trailhead.

Opening hours:

• From October 1 to July 4: Open daily from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry at 3:30 PM)
• From July 5 to September 30: Open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, same operating hours.

Angel Cove Monument and Shiprock Monument

Are you fans of rock formations? You will definitely find something to your liking in nearby Joshua Tree. However, if you happen to pass by here, consider stopping to observe the Shiprock Monument (a rock that vaguely resembles a ship) and the Angel Cove Monument. The latter is not easy to see: read the roadside plaque to learn the story of this formation and try to spot the profile of the angel within the heart of the mountains.

Palm Springs Windmill Tours

A particularly fascinating experience I had in the Palm Springs area is driving along a road surrounded by an endless expanse of wind turbines in the desert. If you’re traveling on the I-10 from Los Angeles to Palm Springs, you will undoubtedly see them too and won’t be able to resist the temptation to take some photos. If you’re coming from Palm Springs, you will start seeing the gigantic wind turbines from this point. They will accompany you for almost 5,6 miles.

Does this kind of landscape captivate you? Instead of just glimpsing it while driving from one point to another, you can visit Palm Springs Windmill Tours (62950 20th Ave, Palm Springs), purchase a ticket, and explore the wind farm with your own car or through a guided tour. You can find the prices here.

VW Spider Sculpture

If you enjoy bizarre roadside desert attractions, before venturing into the windmill forest, in the town of Garnet, make your way to the VW Spider Sculpture, a creepy spider with the body of a Volkswagen Beetle. Here’s the address to enter in your GPS.

Things to Do Near Palm Springs

Palm Springs is indeed an excellent base for day trips and excursions to the surrounding areas. The most famous destination is, of course, Joshua Tree National Park, but don’t overlook the other attractions mentioned in this section of the article.

Joshua Tree National Park

Pioneertown

Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve

Cabazon Dinosaurs

Cabot’s Pueblo Museum

Living Desert Zoo & Gardens

Desert Christ Park

Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Art Museum

Desert X

Desert X is not so much a static tourist attraction as a recurring event of contemporary art where artworks are installed in various locations throughout the Coachella Valley desert. On this website, you can find the program for the current year’s edition, including details of the artworks and the geographic coordinates to reach them. Below is a summary of Desert X 2023.

Painted Canyon and Ladder Canyon

Salton Sea

General Patton Memorial Museum

Palms to Pines Scenic Byway

Places to Eat in Palm Springs

Among the historic restaurants from the Rat Pack era, Melvyn’s may be an interesting option. Frank Sinatra was one of the first customers of this restaurant that also has a dance floor. If you spend Sunday afternoons there, you might enjoy some interesting jazz concerts.

On Palm Canyon Drive, you can find  Sherman’s Deli & Bakery, a more casual venue and a great place for a sandwich. Actually, the sandwiches here are huge and perhaps this is the main reason why this place is so popular.

How Many Days in Palm Springs?

Places to Stay in Palm Springs