The Ultimate Long Weekend in Palm Springs Itinerary
Last Updated on 6th May 2023 by Sophie Nadeau
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If you’re looking for the perfect long weekend in Palm Springs itinerary, look no further. We have you covered with everything you need to know for your trip to Palm Springs.
Palm Springs, California is quite a popular weekend getaway for both Californians and visitors. It’s a great place to escape the chill of winter and bask in the sunshine with countless outdoor activities. Since the 1930s, Palm Springs has been frequented by Hollywood stars.
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When to Visit
The weather is best in Palm Springs between January and April, but you’ll find decent weather from November to May. This is also when most other tourists will visit. Once summer hits, Palm Springs becomes scorching hot because of its desert climate.
How to Get There
If you’re coming from the LA area, you can take U.S. 101 S to I-10 E, then State Route 111. If you’re coming from farther away, fly into Palm Springs International Airport (PSP). Once you’re in the area, you can get around by car, rideshare, walking, or biking.
Where to Stay
Palm Springs has lots of hotels for a range of prices. For those on a budget, check out the Homewood Suites by Hilton Cathedral City Palm Springs.
If you’re looking for a little more luxury, there’s the Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage, or L’Horizon Resort & Spa. There are also a number of Airbnbs and vacation rentals in the area.
If you can’t get enough of the outdoors, you can camp nearby. In Palm Springs, there’s the Cathedral Palms RV Resort. Joshua Tree National Park is not too far, and it has several campgrounds. You can also camp at Round Valley or Tamarack Campground, which are outside the city.
Day 1 in Palm Springs
Depending on how early you arrive on your first day, you can simply check into your accommodation and get familiar with the area, or you can start your adventure.
Hiking
If you have a full day, here’s what I recommend. Before it gets too hot, you can go hiking. There are lots of great hikes in the area, and many of them are quite easy.
The Andreas Canyon Loop Trail is among these. The 1-mile trail runs along Andreas Creek, and in the canyon, you’ll find an oasis of California fan palms.
This canyon is part of the Indian Canyons, which is owned by the Agua Caliente band of the Cahuilla Indians, so there is an admission fee. If you prefer to see this attraction as part of a guided tour, consider booking this Indian Canyons Hiking Tour by Jeep.
If you’re looking for a longer, harder hike, you can also do the 5.4-mile out-and-back Indian Canyon West Fork Trail. This trail gains 1,581 ft in elevation and takes you to some beautiful areas showcasing the desert landscape.
Sunnylands Center & Gardens
Once you’re done hiking, head to the Sunnylands Center & Gardens. These free stunning desert gardens are perfect for a relaxing stroll. Along the way, you’ll be able to see selections of desert vegetation arranged to look like an Impressionist painting.
If you make a reservation, you can tour Walter and Leonore Annenberg’s former estate on which the gardens reside.
From the gardens, you can see a spectacular view of the mountains, and you’ll likely see and hear the many birds that love to enjoy the gardens too.
Palm Springs Art Museum
Stop in for lunch at the Lulu California Bistro, which has a vibrant atmosphere and delicious food and cotton candy, before making your way to the Palm Springs Art Museum. As it gets hot outside, you can stay inside and enjoy the wonderful art on display.
Founded in 1938, the museum focuses on contemporary art from national and international artists. In 1974, it moved to its current building, designed by architect E. Stewart Williams.
Both the building itself and the exhibits are beautiful. Don’t forget to check out the sculpture garden as well.
Palm Canyon Drive
Spend your evening on Palm Canyon Drive, a cute street with lots of shops and restaurants. The stores range from well-known chains to unique local shops. Wander the streets, finding great Palm Springs souvenirs.
Have dinner at one of the delicious restaurants, then head back to your hotel to spend the night relaxing and preparing for the next day of fun.
Day 2 in Palm Springs
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and Mt. San Jacinto State Park
Start your second day in Palm Springs with the Aerial Tramway. Many say this is the best thing to do in Palm Springs. The tramway transports visitors 2.5 miles along the cliffs of Chino Canyon through Mount San Jacinto State Park.
It is the largest rotating tramway in the world. In 1963, the tramway opened as a way to get from the floor of Coachella Valley to close to the top of San Jacinto Peak. The ride only takes about ten minutes, but it cuts around 6,000 feet of climbing off the hike that takes you to the same place.
While you’re in Mt. San Jacinto State Park, you can hike and enjoy the gorgeous views. You can also enjoy a picnic or eat lunch in one of the nearby restaurants. Purchase your Aerial tramway ticket here in advance.
Moorten Botanical Garden
Next, visit the Moorten Botanical Garden. This 1-acre botanical garden specializes in cacti and other desert plants. It’s a family-owned business and a favorite for visitors to Palm Springs.
The Moortens display more than 3000 varieties of plants on their estate. The garden is like a living museum with shiny crystals, vivid rocks, ancient fossils, pioneer artifacts, and gold mining relics.
Pool Party
Enjoy the afternoon swimming in the pool or lounging by its side. Most of the hotels in Palm Springs have pools, but if yours doesn’t, there are plenty of hotels that will let you use their pool for a fee. And a lot of them aren’t simply a rectangle of water; they have water slides, lazy rivers, poolside DJs, and more.
If you want a nice private pool, consider staying in a vacation rental with one in the backyard. Splash around, take it easy, and enjoy the sunshine in the water.
Workshop Kitchen + Bar
For dinner, check out Workshop Kitchen + Bar, which serves farm-to-table cuisine and craft cocktails in a stylish setting. Dinner is served in a classic 1920s-style building with a modern twist.
In the 1930s, the building was used as Palm Springs’ first theatre. From 1944-1948, it was home to the Palm Springs City Council. After that, it was a Design Within Reach showroom. Chefs Michael Beckman and Joe Mourani repurposed the historic building in 2012.
Delight in the inventive setting at a private booth or the communal table in the restaurant’s center. The New American menu features food from a garden behind the restaurant and the chef’s garden.
Day 3 in Palm Springs
Cheeky’s
Start with breakfast at Cheeky’s, a place with creative and tasty dishes and a cult following. Here everything is made from scratch with fresh local ingredients. They even have their own chickens, which they feed a special diet so they can get perfect eggs for your breakfast.
Try their famous cinnamon rolls or one of their five types of flavored bacon.
Desert X
If you go at the right time, you may be able to see the Desert X exhibition, a site-specific, contemporary art exhibition in Coachella Valley. The exhibition takes place every other year, and the dates vary.
2023’s exhibition was curated by Artistic Director Neville Wakefield and Co-Curator Diana Campbell. Artists from Europe, North America, and South Asia have come together to produce 12 installations that cross sculpture, painting, photography, writing, architecture, design, and more.
Hit the Spa
Your vacation in Palm Springs wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the spa, and it’s the best way to end your weekend to keep you relaxed as you travel back home. From deep massages to mineral pools, the area has a lot to offer when it comes to spas.
Many spas in Palm Springs offer a variety of services such as facials and body treatments. Some popular spas include the Estrella Spa at the Avalon Hotel, the Spa at Desert Springs, and Two Bunch Palms Resort and Spa.
These spas are the perfect place to unwind, forget all your stress, and end your trip to Palm Springs. If you feel the need for some extra time, you can spend all day at the spa.
A final note on planning a weekend in Palm Springs
Palms Springs is a great California destination, ideal for enjoying the nice weather, especially in the winter months. From pools to hikes to museums to spas, there are plenty of things to do in the area.
Be sure to wear sunscreen and drink lots of water while you’re in this desert oasis. Have fun on your vacation!
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About the author: Lexi Cooper is a freelance editor and writer. Her parents taught her a love for traveling, seeing new sights, and learning about the world. Along with her passion for travel, she loves stories and dreams of spending her days reading and writing books and wandering the globe.
