Palm Springs is a bit of a quirky destination- think “retro resort chic” meets “desert hippie”, with just a dash of “pool party” thrown in for good measure. With its undeniably cool vibes, it should be no surprise that people have been flocking here for decades, from Frank Sinatra and the rat pack to the ultrahip Instagram influencers taking over the Coachella Valley every spring at the eponymous music festival.
If you, too, are planning on visiting Palm Springs for two days but aren’t sure how to make the most of your time- fear not! After my husband, Justin, and I planned our own weekend getaway to Palm Springs and had an absolute blast, I’ve put together this complete guide on having a fabulous two-day trip here, from where to stay, what to pack, and the off-beat sites that are absolutely worth your limited time there.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, we may receive a small commission, for which we are extremely grateful, at no extra cost to you.
How do you get to Palm Springs?
Palm Springs is located in Southern California, about two hours southeast of Los Angeles. Though the city itself is fairly small, with a population hovering under 50,000, the city boasts its very own international airport (creatively named the Palm Springs International Airport), with about 12 airlines directly servicing it, including Southwest, Alaska, and JetBlue.
Given that Palm Springs is such a popular destination, you can usually snap up some decently priced tickets here if you keep your eyes peeled- I swear by Skyscanner to score the cheapest airfare. If airfare directly to Palm Springs is too expensive, you can alternatively fly into Los Angeles and make the four hour roundtrip drive there.
Palm Springs, in and of itself, is not that large, so if you are planning to only stay within the city limits, you could probably get by on just using rideshare apps, like Lyft or Uber, or, if you’re a budget traveler, the Sunline public bus system. However, there are so many cool gems to explore in Palm Springs’ surrounding area, which require you to have a car, so if it’s within your budget, I’d highly recommend picking up a rental car.
When should you visit Palm Springs?
One of the great things about Palm Springs is that it’s the perfect year round destination. Peak season is between March and April, when the weather is perfect for pool lounging and desert exploring (think lows in the upper 50s and highs in the mid-80s).
While the summer (May through September) is triple digits HOT, the low humidity makes for great pool weather and you’ll likely enjoy a less crowded and cheaper desert oasis.
Come fall (October through December), the weather cools off again, with more manageable temperatures bringing in lots of business travelers and conventions to the area.
And while winter (January through February) will be too cool for pool days, it’s a wonderful time to indulge in Palm Springs’ spas, hike around its rocky desert, or explore the curated shops lining Palm Springs’ streets. In fact, with its moderate and dry weather, Palm Springs is one of the best places to visit in California during winter!
Things to Know About Palm Springs Before Visiting
Palm Springs was originally settled by the Cahuilla native people, who arrived in the Coachella Valley some 2,000 years ago. The land was colonized by European settlers in 1862 and soon began attracting other residents for the “health benefits” of dry heat.
By the 1930s, Palm Springs had become a full-blown resort town, attracting stars from Hollywood, like Frank Sinatra, Clark Gable, and Bing Crosby, who built homes here, seeking the city’s sunny weather and seclusion. Thanks to these celebrities’ homes, and other houses built by well-to-do desert dwellers, the city became famous for its mid-century modern architecture, which bleeds over into the design and vibe of the city today.
Additionally, Palm Springs still is a resort city, attracting visitors with its luxurious spas, golf resorts, and high end designer boutiques. While there are certainly affordable prices that can be found within the city, the resort vibe is still alive and strong today and reflected in the prices of most things here, including accommodations, gas, and food. So be prepared for a bit of sticker shock during your visit!
While Palm Springs is now attracting a much younger, hipper crowd, due to Coachella and Stagecoach Music Festivals, the city has a predominant population of wealthy retirees, many of whom leave the city during the scorching heat of summer- in fact, the city’s population triples between November and March!
Beyond being a hotspot for the retiree crowd, Palm Springs is also known for being an LGBTQ+ mecca, with around 50% of residents over the age of 55 identifying as LGBTQ+. The city is also home of the world’s largest lesbian festival (the epic-sounding Dinah Shore Weekend), and you’ll see rainbow flags proudly flapping throughout the town (so if any of that makes you uncomfortable, it’s probably best that you stay home and do some work on yourself).
What to Pack for Palm Springs
I assume you’ll have the big ticket items covered (i.e., toothbrush and undies), but here are a few unique items that you should be sure to throw in your carry-on (I’m planning on upgrading my well-loved carryon to this backpack) that will make your Palm Spring vaycay that much better.
- Swimwear: What’s a trip to Palm Springs without a day lounging by the pool? I dig packing a suit with a vintage vibe (like this one for the ladies or this one for the fellas), so you can feel like you’re slinging back Mai Tais poolside with Elvis and Priscilla.
The Palm Springs sun can be brutal, so don’t forget to pack your sunnies, a fabulous hat (the bigger, the better, y’all), and some sunscreen.
Finally, I somehow always forget to pack appropriate footwear to wear with my swimsuit and wind up rocking Chuck Taylors to the pool (it’s a lot of look). If you don’t want to make such interesting fashion choices as myself, pack sandals that will double as hiking shoes, like my beloved Tevas (this is the pair that I have and this is the pair Justin has).
- Resort casual wear: The city generally has an upscale, retro vibe, with more and more young fashionistas from L.A. flocking here for work and play. This recent shift has created a distinctive Palm Springs style- think elevated daywear, with a vintage twist.
I tend to dress pretty casually, but, for our dinners out in Palm Springs, I’m really glad I brought along some dresses. While dressier clothing was by no means required at any of the restaurants we stopped at, I do think I would’ve felt a little out of place if I was wearing my usual uniform of yoga pants or some ripped up old jeans.
Pack at least one outfit that can be dressed a bit up for a night on the town, like this dress for women or this shirt for men.
- Hiking accoutrements: Palm Springs and the surrounding areas have so many cool hikes (here’s looking at you, Joshua Tree), it would be a damn shame to miss hitting the ol’ dusty trail.
So bring along pants that are comfortable enough to hike around in and hiking boots. This is the pair that I’ve used (and LOVED) for years and this is the pair that Justin has.
The Sonoran Desert’s arid climate can lead to severe dehydration year round, so be sure to bring along plenty of water on any of your hikes, regardless of when you visit. We each have one of these comically giant Nalgene bottles and use them all the time.
- America the Beautiful Pass: If you plan on visiting Joshua Tree during your time in Palm Springs (spoiler alert- I’m going to totally recommend that you do!), it will cost you $30 for one car to enter the park, which is good for up to a week. However, if you have plans to stop by a couple of U.S. National Parks within a year span, these fees are included if you pick up an America the Beautiful Pass, an annual pass that costs just $80 and gets you into more than 2,000 U.S. national parks, forests, shorelines (and on and on).
The proceeds support the National Park Service and if you plan to go to at least three national parks per year (which usually cost around $30-$35 per car per visit), picking up one of these bad boys is a no brainer. You can either pick one up here, at your local REI, or at most staffed entrance stations at U.S. National Parks.
Obviously, if your adventures this year don’t include some National Park visits other than your trip to the only National Park to inspire a U2 album, purchasing a pass probably doesn’t make a ton of financial sense. But, if you’re a national park nerd like me, it’s a STEAL!
Where to Stay in Palm Springs
When booking your accommodations here, it’s helpful to note that there aren’t that many “not-to-be-missed” tourist attractions in the city- visitors are usually looking to soak up the sun by the pool, attend a music festival, or browse all the fantastic vintage shops.
That being said, if you prefer to stay in a walkable neighborhood close to the action, your best bet is going to be downtown Palm Springs, an area packed with coffee shops, boutiques, and cute restaurants. On the other hand, you’re likely to find more affordable accommodations on the outskirts of Palm Springs, which, luckily, is usually only a 10 minute car ride from downtown.
With that in mind, here are my recommendations of some of the best places to stay in Palm Springs:
- Skylark Hotel– This hotel was built in the 1950s and while it has been updated with modern amenities, it retains all of its mid-century modern charm. Between the affordable rates and the pool with knockout views of the San Jacinto Mountains, this place is one of the best hidden gems in Palm Springs.
- The Saguaro– If you’re looking more for party vibes as opposed to rest and relaxation, The Saguaro may be the perfect spot for you. Its pool features deejays every weekend and private cabanas, making this the go-to choice for girls trips and bachelorette parties. Plus, the hotel’s colorful exterior is Instagram-famous- what’s not to like?
- Caliente Tropics– If you’re on a budget and love a hint of kitsch, look no further! This resort not only is tiki-themed (and, yup, they have a tiki bar!), but it also boasts extraordinary customer service, a solid pool, and an on-site restaurant.
- Ace Hotel and Swim Club– If you’re into the whole “see and be seen” scene (say that five times fast), the Ace Hotel is renowned for its intentional design, pool parties, and ultra hip food and beverage program. Similar to The Saguaro, this hotel is better for people more interested in partying in the hot tub until the early hours of the morning, rather than visitors intent on waking up for a sunrise hike, so I’d keep that in mind.
Protip- Similar to Vegas, most hotels in Palm Springs charge a resort fee, meaning an additional fee (usually ranging from $15-50) per room per night for your use of the amenities (you can check out the full list of hotels charging resort fees here). This fee is usually not included when you book through the hotel’s or third party’s site and generally is paid when you check in onsite. Depending on how much the resort fee is, this can REALLY add up, especially if you’re staying for more than a couple of days.
How to Spend a Weekend in Palm Springs
Now to the good part- how you’re actually going to spend your weekend in Palm Springs! To be clear, it would be super easy to spend an entire weekend laying by the pool, lazily browsing the antique shops and boutiques dotting downtown, and sampling miso lattes at hipster coffee stands. But if you’re anything like me, you’ll want to get up off that lounge chair and explore the beautiful and, at times, downright weird things that Palm Springs and the surrounding desert has to offer.
Day 0:
- Assuming you get in on Friday afternoon, head to your accommodations for the weekend and, after you get settled in, it’s pool time. This will be your one shot in this action-packed weekend to lay around and do absolutely nothing other than soak up that sun (after faithfully slathering on sunscreen, of course!)- after all that rushing around airports and whatnot, you’re surely in need of some serious R&R.
- Once you hit your Vitamin D quota, it’s time to get some dinner! Head toEl Patron, located in downtown Palm Springs, for a roasted pineapple serrano margarita and all the tacos your heart desires. This Baja-inspired eatery is fairly new to the Palm Springs culinary scene, but has quickly become a crowd favorite (read: expect a wait!). Snag a seat on the palm-tree lined patio and watch the fashionable passerbys, chips and guac in hand.
Note: Justin and I follow a vegan diet, so I only recommend restaurants that offer at least one vegan or vegan-izable dish and that I think everyone will find delicious and enjoyable! If you want a deep dive into the best vegan eats in Palm Springs, check out this post here.
- Are you a sucker for bougie cocktails like me? If so, end the night with a nightcap at Truss and Twine, an epically cool cocktail bar that uses local ingredients from the surrounding desert and specializes in unique and creative drinks (think, a reimagined version of the “Long Island Iced Tea” you’d be proud to take home to meet your parents).
Can’t stand paying upwards of $20 for a cocktail? Visit instead between 4-6 pm, when the bar runs a great happy hour daily ($8 hand-crafted Old Fashioneds? Yes please!). If dive bars are more your scene, check out Pete’s Hideaway, with friendly (usually slightly older) locals and bartenders (kinda like the bar from Cheers, but y’know, in Palm Springs), a constant soundtrack of Frank Sinatra, and frequent live music.
After your night on the town, head back to your accommodations and rest up- we got a busy day tomorrow.
Day 1:
- Rise and shine bright and early! First stop: breakfast.
If you didn’t have an organic blue algae wellness shot, did you even go to Palm Springs? Even if elixirs made with cinnamon bark aren’t your jam, hit up Palm Greens Cafe, a restaurant focusing on organic and local ingredients, for a huge selection of healthy eats, like the aforementioned wellness shots, cold-pressed juices and acai bowls, and not-so-healthy eats, like biscuits and gravy and huevos rancheros.
You can either eat inside in the bright, airy cafe or better yet, grab a table on the colorful patio, with a glorious view of the mountains. Don’t forget your bottomless cup of coffee- we have a long day of adventuring ahead of us!
- Once you have your fill of caffeine, hop in the car and make the 35-minute drive north to Pioneertown. This tiny city, modeled after a Wild West town of the 1880s, was created in the late 1940s as a filming location for Western movies. It quickly became a kitschy getaway spot for Los Angelans and a permanent residence for those in the movie industry, desert dwellers, and ranchers. More than 50 Westerns were filmed here in the 1940s and 50s, but as the popularity of this type of movie died down, so did Pioneertown’s prosperity.
Now, the town still functions as a backdrop for films, but is mostly a relic from the past- you can walk around Pioneertown’s three blocks, made up mostly of false fronts, like the bank, jail, and bathhouse. But in addition to some fun and silly photo ops with the fake old buildings, there are some really unique, functioning stores, like Jessie Keylon’s Art Studio for whimsical prints and the Pioneertown General Store, with vintage duds and tastefully curated road trip books and postcards.
If you’re looking for some noms or drinks (hey, you’re on vacation, no judgment from me), you can grab some chili fries and a beer at Pappy and Harriet’s or some fresh fruit with tajin and a mango chamoy Michelada at the Red Dog Saloon. Take all the goofy pictures, soak in the old Wild Western vibes, and do your best John Wayne impression.
- Next stop- Joshua Tree National Park, which is the convergence of the Mojave and Colorado Deserts and known for the namesake Seussian trees, unusual rock formations just waiting to be climbed, and excellent stargazing opportunities.
Unless you stuffed yourself silly in Pioneertown, stop in the town of Joshua Tree first to pick up some ridiculously giant sandwiches to take on your hikes from The Natural Sisters Cafe, a vegetarian cafe specializing in organic, seasonal ingredients and simple dishes, like wraps and salads.
Once your lunch is squared away, drive to the Joshua Tree entrance of the park (admission is $30 per car per week, unless you have an America the Beautiful Pass, discussed in the What to Pack section above) and get to exploring!
Protip- If you skip out on visiting Pioneertown, I would still advise entering the park from the Joshua Tree entrance as opposed to the park’s southern entrance in Indio. The joshua trees are not located near the southern entrance and you have to drive pretty far into the park (almost to the Joshua Tree entrance) to see them anyway!
So what should you do once you’re in the park? Some not to be missed spots are:
- Hidden Valley Nature Trail: A one mile flat loop trail with tons of interesting rock formations, cool vegetation, and views of the Little San Bernardino Mountains. I assumed this was going to be a quick twenty minute trail, but it probably took Justin and I almost an hour, with many stops to climb on the rocks and take photos of the epic scenery.
- Ryan Mountain Trail: A more challenging 3 mile hike, with an elevation increase of 1,050 feet, to a mountain summit near the center of the park, providing sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and joshua tree forests below.
- Arch Rock: Walk a 1.2 mile out-and-back trail through yucca plants and jumbled boulders to a 30-foot long natural arch. Perfect for climbing on or picnicking under!
- Cholla Cactus Garden: A 0.25 mile loop leads around a field full of unique cholla cacti, affectionately known as the “teddybear cactus.” While the cholla cactus steals the show here, there’s plenty of other types of unique succulents and this spot is especially beautiful with springtime blooms. If you can time your visit with golden hour, I’d highly recommend doing so.
- Keys View: Oh, boy- one of the most gorgeous spots I’ve ever gotten to watch the sunset in my life! This wheelchair accessible lookout leads up to the crest of the Little San Bernardino Mountains, providing jaw dropping views of the Coachella Valley below. Come here for sunset and be prepared to battle for a parking spot. It’s worth it- I promise!
- Once the sun sinks beneath the mountains, it’s time to make the hour-long drive back to Palm Springs for the night.
Head to dinner at Juniper Table on the ground floor of the Kimpton Hotel, a restaurant which dishes up modern American fare with some Mediterranean inspired twists. With plenty of seating on its breezy courtyard and fun cocktails, this is perfect for a more upscale night out (i.e., be forewarned- the menu here is a bit on the pricier side, with entrees running about $20+). - What’s a stop in Palm Springs without a tiki bar? After dinner, stop in Bootlegger Tiki for delightfully kitschy decor and rum-based tropical cocktails (again, if the high-priced drinks scare you away, consider returning during the bar’s daily happy hour from 4-6 pm).
The building used to be a Don the Beachcomber restaurant, one of the very first tiki bars in the country, and attracted the likes of Bing Crosy, Frank Sinatra, and Bob Hope. Now, some of Bootlegger’s cocktails are named after the stars who used to suck down libations here!
- End the night there or, if you feel like burning the midnight oil, consider checking out drag queen karaoke at the Retro Room Lounge, from 7-10 pm every Saturday, followed by a drag show. The city’s vibrant LGBTQ scene is evidenced by the many drag shows (and drag bingo and drag trivia events) every day of the week- you can see a list of events here.
A few friendly reminders if you’re attending a drag show: Most of the drag shows in Palm Springs take place in gay bars- please remember to be a respectful and courteous visitor while you’re in these spaces, which, even today, are often one of the only places in many communities (around the world and the United States) where LGBTQ+ people can go safely without fear of judgment, violence, or legal repercussions.
Also, don’t forget to bring lots of dollar bills to MAKE IT RAIN on the performers.
Day 2:
- It’s another beautiful day in Palm Springs. Start off the day grabbing breakfast at Kings Highway, a once abandoned Denny’s that has been turned retro chic by its hipster magnet parent, the Ace Hotel. Between the yummy breakfast offerings, like avocado toast topped with broccoli sprouts and espelette (hey, I warned you it was hipster, right?), the funky decor, and interesting clientele (so many wide brim hats and you may even catch a celebrity every once in a while), this is the perfect spot to kick off your last day in Palm Springs.
- Time for another road trip- today’s adventure is going to get a bit weird, y’all (like post-apocalyptic weird). This time you’re going to cruise southeast about an hour and a half to Salvation Mountain. This religious folk art structure, a literal manmade mountain concocted of concrete, tires, and half a million gallons of latex paint in the middle of the desert, was built over the course of 30 years by the artist Leonard Knight. You can climb on and around the 50-foot tall mountain, exploring the structure and the surrounding art cars and sculptures.
If you’re an intrepid traveler, you may be interested in driving about half a mile up the road to check out Slab City, the former home of Leonard Knight and a fascinating mixture of a Burning Man artist commune, squatters village, and snowbirds getaway (so the “city” is much bigger in the winter and spring than the summer). People flock to this spot to live off-grid, creating an unincorporated and thus, somewhat “lawless” community.
The city features a section called East Jesus, a dynamic series of art installations made by residents from found objects and an open-air library made entirely of pallets, boasting plenty of artwork and even a small (donations-based) bar. Slab City can attract an interesting crowd of artists and freethinkers, but also folks that may be a bit down on their luck, so be sure to stay aware of your surroundings during your visit.
- Head back towards Palm Springs, making a stop at Bombay Beach. This desert ghost town was once a popular getaway destination until a sudden decline in the 1980s, when the salinity of the neighboring Salton Sea increased to a dangerous amount.
For decades, the town sat abandoned, but in recent years, artists and hipsters started flocking to the area, creating yet another Burning Man-esque vibe. Wander around the tiny town to see the countless sculptures, murals, and art installations and stop by the diviest of dive bars, the Ski Inn, for a cheap bottle of beer and to gawk at the hundreds and hundreds of dollar bills precariously shellacked to the walls (notably, the bar is both Anthony Bourdain-recommended and cash only!).
- Make a 20 minute drive back to Palm Springs stopping at the Salton Sea State Recreation Center. The Salton Sea is one of the lowest spots on Earth, at 227 feet below sea level and kind of a morbid ecological nightmare.
The Sea came into existence in the early 1900s when a heavy rain caused millions of gallons of water to flood a dried out lake bed in the desert. This accidental body of water became a vacation destination, for stars like the Beach Boys and Sonny Bono, through the 1970s, when salt, fertilizers, and pesticides from the surrounding farmland started to seep into the sea and made it inhospitable to life. The water was so inhospitable to life that the millions of fish living in it died, which, unsurprisingly, drove away all the hoards of visitors. Now, the white beach lining the Salton Sea are not, in fact, made of grains of sand, but are actually made of bones, gills, and vertebrae from fish.
It’s one of the strangest places I’ve ever been and definitely worth a quick stop (if you have a sensitive nose, note that it can allegedly get pretty fishy smelly on some days, although there was no smell when we visited). If you’re interested in learning more about the history or ecology of the area, the visitor center is staffed by super knowledgeable rangers and volunteers and has an incredibly informative video about the sea.
- Before we head back to Palm Springs, we have one more stop a bit outside the city- Palm Springs’ iconic windmills! There are 4,000 towering white windmills north of the city, enough, in fact, to power the entire Coachella Valley with clean energy. And while the windmills themselves are quite impressive, the backdrop of the San Jacinto and San Gorgonio Mountain ranges make the wind farms jawdroppingly gorgeous and oh so photogenic.
If you want to get up close and personal with the windmills, put the Jack in the Box at 6555 N Indian Canyon Dr, North Palm Springs, CA 92258 in your GPS. Once you reach the Jack in the Box, take a left onto Garnet Avenue for about a mile, where you’ll see plenty of neat spots where you can pull off and get some cool photos of the windmills.
- Head back into the city and, after a busy morning in the hot sun, grab a plant-powered lunch at Chef Tanya’s Kitchen, a lowkey eatery, tucked away in an unassuming industrial area, serving up vegan takes on deli classics like the Cuban, Reuben, and barbecue rib sandwiches. While this cafe is usually served on a grab-and-go basis, there are a few tables outside for you to enjoy its myriad of colorful salads, daily special agua fresca, and mouthwatering sandwiches.
Vegans and non-vegans alike, you’ll be raving about every bite (especially if it happens to contain the house-made and incredibly addictive cashew-based crack cheese. *drools*).
- Save room for dessert! Up next is Kreem, one of those hipster artisanal ice cream places (which, to be clear, are totally my jam), with inventive flavors like ube (a type of purple yam), studded with marshmallows, and coconut latte. This retro-chic storefront is always scooping a wide variety of both dairy and non-dairy flavors, all of which are lovingly made by hand in-house. And if you need an afternoon pick me up? You can always get your ice cream as a coffee float!
- Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring downtown Palm Springs, where you’ll find a huge variety of edgy art galleries, antique shops full to the brim of vintage costume jewelry, and well-curated shops with tongue-in-cheek souvenirs and home decor.
Some shops I enjoyed were Just Fabulous, a, well, fabulous boutique with artful knick knacks and Palm Springs-inspired coffee-table books; Thick as Thieves, for the home decor and apparel I wish I was cool enough to buy; and Peepa’s, a funky mix of a thoughtfully selected home goods and clothing store, with a hearty mix of an art gallery tossed in.
- If you’ve got time to squeeze in one last thing in, head to El Jefeat the photogenic Saguaro Hotel for an outstanding spicy guava margarita. Grab a seat on the colorful patio and bask in your last rays of that sweet Palm Springs sunshine.
- Sadly, it is time to go home. Head back to the airport and start planning your next trip to Palm Springs!
Got more time in Palm Springs? Here are some additional activities to consider….
- Take a tour of the city’s famous mid-century modern architecture. The Palm Springs Mod Squadlooks like it has really fun tours (including a Rat Pack-themed one) and spectacular reviews on TripAdvisor.
- Hop in the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the world’s largest rotating tram car, and travel two and a half miles along the cliffs of Chino Canyon.
- Visit the ancestral home of Cahuilla native people atIndian Canyonsfor hiking trails featuring lush flora and fauna, including the stunning fan palm, and rugged rock formations.
- Road trip to Anza Borrego State Park, where 130 larger than life metal sculptures are strewn across 10 miles of the barren desert landscape.
I hope your weekend in Palm Springs is as jampacked with fun as mine was. What are you most excited to see during your 48 hours in Palm Springs? Let me know in the comments below!
Thank you for reading our post! Check out our latest stories here and follow us on Instagram (@UprootedTraveler), YouTube, or on Facebook to see what we’re up to next!
Great news for all us