Things to Do in Palm Springs, California

Palm Springs Outdoor Activities. In this desert city the sun shines nearly every day, making the climate perfect for the multitude of popular outdoor activities, such as golf, tennis, hiking and horseback riding. Palm Springs boasts numerous parks and other recreational facilities, public and private golf courses and tennis courts, extensive hiking trails, bicycle routes, a water park and riding stables, libraries and a variety of fascinating museums. Take a breathtaking ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, traveling 8,500 feet up Mt. San Jacinto in about 15 minutes. On horseback or hiking, discover the serenity and beauty of the Indian Canyons, with their hidden waterfalls, wildflowers, unusual rock formations and towering palms. Or make your pulse race on a rented ATV, mountain bike or Harley-Davidson motorcycle, or as a guest on a desert Jeep tour. Take in the Palm Springs Desert Museum, or enjoy a show at the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies.

Shopping & Dining Palm Springs. Spend your days shopping and dining at an extensive list of fine shops and restaurants. In downtown Palm Springs on the city’s main drag - Palm Canyon Drive - parades and festivals are staged, and every Thursday night it is closed to traffic for a delightful Street Fair featuring food, crafts and entertainment. This famous strip is lined with antique shops, art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, nightclubs as well as their own “Walk of Stars”. In January, the Palm Springs International Film Festival, for over 10 years, draws thousands to its more than 100 screenings of the best of international films. Come share the legend.

Palm Springs Attractions

• Palm Springs Aerial Tramway – Since the 1960’s, a favorite attraction is the world-famous Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which ascends 8,500 feet up the side of Mt. San Jacinto in new, Swiss-made rotating tram cars. Starting in Chino Canyon near Palm Springs, the tram takes passengers on a breathtaking 15-minute journey up the sheer cliffs of Chino Canyon to the “Mountain Station” at an elevation of 8,516 feet—and a temperature drop of 30 degrees! The Mountain Station features a restaurant, gift shop, snack bar, and the Mount San Jacinto State Park Visitor Center. At the top, mountain hiking trails wind among green, lush pine trees in the spring and summer, and the snow is deep enough for cross-country skiing in winter.
  
  In summer, camping, hiking and guided tours are available. In winter, you can cross-country ski, snowshoe or snowtube. Enjoy spectacular views of the desert below and dine at the Top of the Tram Restaurant located within the Mountain Station, where lunch and dinner are served daily. In Long Valley, a short walk from the station, you will find the Long Valley Ranger Station, a picnic area with barbecue stoves and restrooms, a ski center, a self-guiding nature trail, and Desert View Trail which offers panoramas of the high country including several peaks over 10,000 feet in elevation. You can enter the hiking trail system from this point. The tram operates year-round, 10 a.m. weekdays, 8 a.m. weekends and holidays. Cars depart at least every half hour and the last car comes down at 9:45 p.m. For information, call (760) 325-1391 or visit www.pstramway.com.

• Mount San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness – The deeply weathered summit of Mount San Jacinto stands 10,804 feet above sea level, the highest point in the San Jacinto Range and second highest in Southern California. No more than a two-hour drive from either Los Angeles or San Diego, the mountain's magnificent granite peaks, subalpine forests, and fern-bordered mountain meadows offer a unique opportunity to explore and enjoy a scenic, high-country Wilderness area. The park offers two drive-in campgrounds near the town of Idyllwild. Most of the park is a designated wilderness area enjoyed by hikers and backpackers.

• Palm Springs Follies – For over 10 years, the Follies has been a Palm Springs favorite. The Palm Springs Follies features internationally known guest stars, hilarious variety acts and a legendary line of lovely chorus "girls,” a knockout group of glamorous beauties that’s become an audience favorite and a Follies trademark. The catch? None of the performers is less than 50 years young! Each year the Follies has a different theme, with elaborate Vegas-style feathered and bejeweled costumes to match. The Follies runs from November - May annually. For additional information and tickets, visit www.psfollies.com.

• Palm Springs Walk of Stars – The ever-growing "Walk of Stars" on Palm Canyon Drive honors the city's pioneers and the celebrities—such as Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Cary Grant and Sonny Bono—who have contributed to its growth and international reputation.

• Indian Canyons – Listed in the National Register of Historic Places and located on Agua Caliente tribal land, the Indian Canyons’ undisturbed natural beauty is combined with remarkably easy access to downtown Palm Springs. Fifteen miles long, Palm Canyon features indigenous flora and fauna and abundant palm trees in breathtaking contrast to the rocky gorges and barren desert lands beyond. A moderately graded, paved foot path winds down into the canyon for picnicking near the stream, meditating, exploring, hiking or horseback riding.
  
  Andreas Canyon is a lush oasis of magnificent fan palms and more than 150 species of plants within a half-mile radius. A scenic foot trail leads through the canyon, passing groves of stately skirted palms, unusual rock formations and the perennial Andreas Creek making it perfect for photography, bird-watching or a picnic along the trail. An easy hike south from Andreas Canyon. Murray Canyon has its own secluded beauty. Foot and equestrian trails lead to beautiful recreation areas among the many palm trees. Lucky visitors may catch a glimpse of the peninsula Big Horn Sheep (an endangered species), wild ponies or other wild animals still roaming the high ground above the canyon.

• Joshua Tree National Park – Joshua Tree National Park is immense (nearly 800,000 acres), delicate and extremely fragile – a land shaped by strong winds, sudden torrents of rain, and climatic extremes. Winding your way between the park’s two entrances you will experience two different deserts (“high” and “low”) and three distinct ecosystems. Below 3,000 feet, the Colorado Desert, occupying the eastern half of the park, is dominated by the abundant creosote bush and small stands of spidery ocotillo and cholla cactus common to the low desert..
  
  The higher, slightly cooler, and wetter Mojave Desert features extensive stands of the fantastical Joshua tree. (According to legend, Mormon pioneers considered the limbs of the Joshua trees to resemble the upstretched arms of Joshua leading them to the promised land.) Standing like islands in a desolate sea, a third ecosystem of oases provide dramatic contrast. Six fan palm oases dot the park, indicating those few areas where water occurs naturally or near the surface, meeting the special life requirements of those stately trees. The park also features extraordinary rock formations With rugged red mountains and exposed granite monoliths to climb and admire. It’s no wonder that unique place draws visitors from around the world to hike, picnic, climb, explore, camp or simply breathe in the tranquility.

• Knott’s Soak City USA – A deluxe, 16-acre oasis of fun, Knott’s Soak City USA is a family-oriented water playground with 18 major water slides and attractions, including the 800,000-gallon Rip Tide Reef wave pool. Open daily mid March through Labor Day, weekends through October. www.soakcityusa.com.

• Living Desert Zoo & Gardens – The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens is one of the most unique tourist attractions in the Palm Springs desert area, giving visitors a complete introduction to the desert’s indigenous animals and plants. Children are especially fond of "critter close-ups," a chance to see and touch small desert animals, tortoises, snakes and birds.

• Boomers! Family Fun Center – Families can golf kid-style at Boomers! Family Fun Center, with three wacky and colorful 18-hole miniature golf courses. Non-golfers can try bumper boats, go carts, batting cages, a 10,000-square-foot games pavilion and 200 video and sports games.  [Top]

Golf

• Mesquite Golf & Country Club – Less than a 5-minute drive from the Villa Royale Inn, the Mesquite Golf and Country Club is one of Palm Springs’ favorite courses, combining the country club atmosphere of a private resort with the convenience of a public course. Conveniently located in proximity to hotels, shops and restaurants, this exquisite course is cut out among a grove of mature mesquite trees and offers avid golfers–men and women alike–an abundance of beauty and challenges. Moderately rolling with mature trees and spectacular views of the mountains, this Bert Stamps designed 18-hole course is well bunkered, with eight small lakes and many palm trees. The course plays over and along a streambed, so it is much tougher when the water flows. Mesquite has hosted several local PGA and Golden State Tour events. Although relatively short by championship standards, playing 6,400 yards from the tips, Mesquite offers a challenging round of golf with numerous water hazards. On many of the par fours the driver is definitely a no-no, it’s best to use a long iron or fairway wood.

• Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort – The Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort consists of two spectacular 18-hole golf courses, both offering gorgeous views of Palm Springs. Golf Digest recently rated Tahquitz Creek as "one of the best places to play"! The Legend course is a traditional layout that has been a Palm Springs favorite for years. The 6,600 yards of tree lined fairways have been recently renovated with the addition of over 40 challenging new bunkers. The greens on the Legend are severely sloped from back to front. The Resort course, designed by well known architect Ted Robinson and opened in 1995, is a desert links style course with rolling terrain, well placed bunkers, wonderful waterscapes and tremendous mountain views. For information, call 760.328.1005 or visit www.tahquitzcreek.com.

• Cimarron Golf Resort – Located in Cathedral City, about a 15-minute drive from Palm Springs, the Cimarron Golf Resort is the newest resort in Coachella Valley, featuring 36 holes and a beautiful desert setting. The Cimarrón Golf Resort features two world-class layouts designed by John Fought. The long course is a Par 71 and the short course is Par 56. Cimarrón, named after the vibrant purple flower, also means “wild and untamed.” Enhancing the stark beauty of the native desert, Cimarrón utilizes European-style characteristics such as sod-wall bunkers filled with white crushed marble against the creative contouring of the emerald fairways. By combining an imaginative mix of traditional desert golf with the unarguable elements of European links styling reminiscent of old Scotland, Cimarrón stands alone. Cimmaron was named one of the 2002/2003 “Best Places to Play” by Golf Digest. For additional information, call (760) 770-6060 or visit www.cimarrongolf.com.  [Top]

Palm Springs Casinos

• Spa Resort Casino – Just 5 minutes from the Villa Royale in downtown Palm Springs, the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians operates the Spa Resort Casino. Opened in November 2003, this beautiful facility features over 1,000 of the latest slots, 40 table games, the exclusive Salon Prive for frequent players, a 150-seat lounge and restaurants, (as well as natural hot mineral springs and spa services) all within walking distance of Palm Springs’ world-famous Palm Canyon Drive.

• Agua Caliente Casino – Fifteen minutes east on Interstate 10 in nearby Rancho Mirage, the Agua Caliente tribe also operates the Agua Caliente Casino. Opened in 2001, it features over 45,000 square feet of gaming excitement with the latest slot machines and table games. There are also six restaurants, Club Paradise Player’s Club and the Cahuilla Showroom, featuring top entertainment names and championship heavyweight boxing matches.

• Augustine Casino – The Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indian operates the Augustine Casino, found in neighboring Coachella. Tucked away among the equestrian ranches and polo fields just east of PGA West, Augustine Casino offers unique gaming, dining and entertainment with a variety of coin-less slot machines and blackjack games.

• Fantasy Springs Casino – The Cabazon Band of Mission Indians operates Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, offering 1,500 coin-operated and EZ pay slots, 21 gaming tables, two restaurants and three snack bars, Club Fantasy Player’s Club and the 420 seat Fantasy Lounge for music, concerts and dinner shows.

• Spotlight 29 Casino – The Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians operates Spotlight 29 Casino, featuring 2,000 slot machines, 35 table games, two restaurants and a food court, the 2,300 seat Spotlight Showroom for headline acts, and Blue Bar lounge for live weekend entertainment.  [Top]

Palm Springs Museums

• Palm Springs Air Museum – This inspiring and expansive collection features propeller-driven World War II aircraft, the 60-seat Buddy Rogers Theatre of the Air, a restoration center, photographs and memorabilia. The Palm Springs Air Museum is open daily year-round and offers group tours.

• Palm Springs Desert Museum – The Palm Springs Desert Museum is a nationally accredited art and natural science facility, that would be at home in any major city, featuring fine permanent collections and top touring exhibitions, galleries, sculpture gardens, the Annenberg Theater, and the Toor Gallery Cafe. Open Tuesday - Sunday year round except major holidays. Visit www.psmuseum.org for more information.

• Agua Caliente Cultural Museum – The Agua Caliente Cultural Museum focuses on the history and culture of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and other Cahuilla peoples. Exhibitions of pottery, basket-weaving, the Cahuilla language and the unique trdition of "birdsinging" bring the Cahuilla culture alive. Every year, as part of the Native American Cultural Weekend, the museum sponsors a Native American Film Festival featuring more than 20 feature-length and short films by Native Americans from across the country. Visit www.accmuseum.org for dates and other information.  [Top]