One Weekend In Palm Springs, California: A 3-day Palm Springs Itinerary
Old Hollywood, retro vibes, palm trees, pools, and eternal sunshine – does this sound like a dream getaway to you? If so, go ahead and book your flight to Palm Springs, California! Here is everything you need to know to plan your own glamorous getaway. In my (not-so-biased) opinion, it’s the best way to spend one weekend in Palm Springs…the perfect 3-day itinerary!
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Side note: This post was written by Julie, who once called Palm Springs home. This way, you can ensure you are reading the best and most accurate Palm Springs weekend trip guide! Read more about Julie in the author’s bio at the end of this post!
Table of Contents
How do I get to Palm Springs?
Palm Springs has its own airport (Palm Springs International, PSP), so if you plan to fly, getting here will be a breeze. The airport starts the vibes off right with its mid-century modern design and stress-free navigability.
While most of the restaurants and shops in Palm Springs are located on Palm Canyon Drive, you will likely need a rental car for this itinerary. If you are up for a bit of a splurge, vintage cars are the way to go in Palm Springs. Check out Palm Springs Classic Cars for your insta-worthy ride.
While Palm Springs does have a bus route (the Sunline), it’s not going to be usable for all the places we want to go on this itinerary.
What is the best time to visit Palm Springs?
Palm Springs has amazing weather *almost* year-round, so anytime is a great time to visit. The exception being summer. Palm Springs is hot as hell in the summer- like 120 degrees Fahrenheit in August. I know… I was there, and I hibernated until temps dropped below 110.
So, 100% skip summer in Palm Springs, but for spring, winter, and fall you can expect sunny, warm weather. It’s so reliably sunny, in fact, that I rode my bike to work every day for 3 months and never once had to ride in the rain. Winter is peak tourism season, but you may be able to find cost savings with equally nice weather in spring or fall.
Average Palm Springs Weather by season:
- Winter (Dec-Feb): 72/46 (1.5 days of rain) –It’s a great January getaway in the US!
- Spring (March-May): 88/58 (0-1 days of rain)
- Summer (June-Aug): 106/76 (0 days of rain)
- Fall (Sept-Nov): 91/62 (0 days of rain)
One more thing that affects tourism in Palm Springs are major events. Here are 3 of the biggest events that take place in Palm Springs:
- Coachella
While technically outside of Palm Springs, Coachella is one of the most famous music festivals bringing foot traffic to the city. The festival takes place 3 consecutive weekends each April.
2. Pride Week
LGBQT+ pride is a major part of Palm Springs culture, so of course, pride week is a big event. Pride week starts the first of November.
3. Modernism Week
Another major part of Palm Springs culture is mid-century modern art and architecture which brings us to another major event for this city- Modernism Week (and by week, they mean 11 days). For 2024, Modernism Week will be held February 15-25.
Where should I stay in Palm Springs?
Palm Springs is a fairly small city with one main strip- Palm Canyon Drive. I recommend staying within a few blocks of Palm Canyon for easy walkability to restaurants and shops.
When looking for a hotel, you need 1 thing to make it a true Palm Springs experience: a pool!
There are a ton of great options for hotels in Palm Springs. Here are my recommendations (yes, they all have a pool):
- Budget-friendly Option: Vagabond Motor Hotel
- Mid-range Option: Casa Cody
- Luxury Option: Kimpton Rowan
- Most iconic: The Saguaro (reviews of this hotel are mixed. It tends to be a party hotel, and it isn’t upscale for the price- but the hotel is famous and truly iconic)
- Dog-friendly Stay: All of the above! If you’re traveling with your pup, be sure to check out Boozehounds for a drink on their large, dog-centered patio.
3-Day Palm Springs Weekend Itinerary
It’s time! I’m SO excited to share how to have the BEST Palm Springs weekend trip! I truly hope this saves you hours of planning AND that you leave with the most memorable experiences.
Day 1: Quintessential Palm Springs by bike
For day 1 of our itinerary, we are going to get a feel for the layout of Palm Springs and see what makes Palm Springs feel like Palm Springs.
Morning:
Wake up and have your coffee/breakfast early at your hotel because bike tours start at 9:00 am. Make sure you bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and comfortable shoes.
You can rent your bike from BIKE Palm Springs. There are two locations, but you want to rent from the 267 East Tahquitz Canyon location since that’s where the tour starts.
You will have the choice of an electric bike or a standard pedal bike. When making your choice, know that Palm Springs is fairly flat, but we will be putting in a good bit of mileage. Choose accordingly.
There are 2 tour options: Bike Like a Star or Bike the Mid Mod Oasis. Both tours run roughly 2.5 hours. I prefer the Bike the Mid Mod Oasis tour because it has a better variety of architecture and scenery.
Bike Like a Star, however, is the most popular tour. If you want to see more celebrity homes from old Hollywood, then go with the Bike Like a Star Tour.
See more Palm Springs Bike Tours here!
Afternoon:
Now that you’ve worked up an appetite, return your bike and head over to Lulu’s California Bistro for lunch. It’s a 6-minute walk from BIKE Palm Springs.
I LOVE Lulus for both the atmosphere and the martinis. If you are up for it, try their key lime pie martini. It’s like drinking a key lime pie. Be careful though, the alcohol will sneak up on you!
After lunch, head back to your hotel and take some time to enjoy the pool before getting ready for dinner with a view.
Evening:
After you have had a chance to relax and freshen up, it’s time to make your way to one of Palm Spring’s most unique attractions, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.
The tram is a large, rotating tram car that takes you up Chino Canyon to an elevation of over 8,500 feet in Mt. San Jacinto State Park. Enjoy the views and the changing landscape on your ride up. If you have time, there are some pretty epic hikes up here!
The last tram going up departs at 8:00 pm and the last tram down departs at 9:30 pm. To give yourself ample time, try to get started around 5:00 pm.
Dinner will be at the Peaks Restaurant. The food there is great, and the views are even better!
Be sure to make your reservations for both the tram and for Peaks Restaurant ahead of time, as they tend to sell out during the busy season. Also, you may want to bring a sweater as the weather at the top of the tram runs around 30-40 degrees cooler than the temperatures of the desert at the bottom.
After a spectacular evening in the mountains at the Peaks restaurant, enjoy the ride on the tram one more time on your way back down to Palm Springs.
You’ll want to get to bed early, because day 2 of this itinerary starts early! Also, consider stopping by the grocery store for a packable lunch to bring on day 2’s adventures.
Day 2: Road trip to Joshua Tree National Park
Morning:
Okay, so the early start is optional, but it is recommended in order to catch sunrise views in Joshua Tree National Park. If early mornings are not included in your idea of a nice vacation, don’t worry. This Joshua Tree itinerary is totally doable without the early start.
There are a few things you need to know for your time in Joshua Tree-
- Bring sunscreen and layers- this is especially true if you start early. The park can have wide temperature differences in the morning versus the afternoon when the sun heats everything up. Once the sun is up, it can be harsh.
- Bring ample water and snacks- there is nowhere inside the park to stop for food or water, so bring plenty with you (hence the idea to pick some up the day before).
- There is little to no cell reception in the park, so planning ahead of time is important. Don’t worry, I have your back on this!
After arriving in the park, head to Key’s View for sunrise! Once you are finished marveling at the rising sun, head to Ryan Mountain. This 3-mile hike leads to breathtaking views with a bit of elevation gain (which is rare in this park).
Afternoon:
Continue exploring the park with stops at the famous Skull Rock, Arch Rock, and Heart Rock. Then, end your visit with a stroll through the picturesque Cholla Cactus Garden.
When you are finished exploring Joshua Tree, head back to Palm Springs. Before heading back to the hotel, stop by Lappert’s Ice Cream and Milk Shakes at 130 N Palm Canyon Drive for a date shake. You don’t want to leave Palm Springs without trying at least one date shake! It’s a Palm Springs staple.
Psst: To see a more detailed plan for this day, head over to this Joshua Tree National Park itinerary. This itinerary will take roughly 6 hours, and it will bring you to all the essential Joshua Tree stops. It has directions and a couple of maps as well to help you through the park without needing cell reception.
Evening:
After some rest and a shower, head back out to Palm Canyon Drive for dinner. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of the restaurants along Palm Canyon. I’ve tried a bunch of them, and I’ve never been disappointed.
I do suggest picking somewhere with outdoor seating (there are tons of options). Sitting outside in the evenings and doing some people-watching along Palm Canyon was one of my favorite things to do in Palm Springs.
If you want a more upscale recommendation, I would say go to Eight4Nine Restaurant and Lounge (location: 849 N Palm Canyon Drive). The restaurant is beautiful, and it has a great outdoor garden. If you go with this option, consider making reservations ahead of time.
Day 3: Drag Brunch and a Pool Party
Morning:
Drag shows are a huge part of the culture in Palm Springs, and they are sooo much fun! It doesn’t matter if you are male, female, gay, straight, or whatever- it’s a good time for everyone.
There are a lot of drag show options in Palm Springs, but I recommend the PS Drag Brunch (bonus- it comes with bottomless mimosas and a 3-course brunch!)
Brunch starts at 10:00 am (yay for sleeping in!) and runs around 90 minutes. It takes place at the iconic Saguaro Hotel.
Afternoon:
Since you are already at the Saguaro Hotel, take the opportunity to check out the Saguaro pool. You’ll need to purchase a day pass if you aren’t staying at the hotel. You are probably wondering why you should pay to go to this hotel pool if you have a pool at your own hotel. Fair question!
The answer is that this pool is a party! There is a DJ, a bar, and lots of guests already boozed up from the Drag Brunch. My husband and I went, and we had a blast!
I totally get that this isn’t everyone’s vibe. If not, feel free to skip it and check out one of the other Palm Springs-based activities listed below. If you do participate, make sure you plan to Uber to and from the Saguaro. Those mimosas and poolside drinks will hit you hard when you’re out in the desert sun.
Evening:
This is your last chance to enjoy one of the many restaurants along Palm Canyon. Sit out on a patio and take in the scenery before heading home tomorrow! Las Casuelas Terraza is a fun option with a large outdoor patio and live music!
Other things to do in Palm Springs:
Use this list to customize your one weekend in Palm Springs. Feel free to switch out anything to make it the perfect itinerary for YOU!
- Shop at the VillageFest: If you are lucky enough to arrive in Palm Springs by Thursday evening, check out VillageFest! The city closes Palm Canyon Drive to vehicle traffic and vendors line the streets for this local street market. This is a free event.
- Go Golfing: Palm Springs is a golf mecca with over 100 golf courses. It also hosts the American Express PGA tour. Prices will vary based on the specific golf course.
- Have a Spa Day: Palm Springs is host to several spa options with the Spa at Sec-he being the most popular. Depending on your treatment of choice, prices for this luxurious experience can be high.
- Go for a hike: Palm Springs has several hiking trails (in addition to the hikes available at the top of the aerial tramway). My favorite, Tahquitz Canyon, takes you to a waterfall (yes, a waterfall in the middle of the desert). It costs $15.00 to do this hike, and you are required to bring at least 32oz of water per person. It’s 1.8 miles roundtrip.
- Moorten Botanical Garden: Moorten Botanical Garden is a botanical garden full of desert plants. It’s small, but it’s pretty cool to check out if you have a little extra time in Palm Springs. Admission is $5.00
See more things to do and Palm Springs Tours on GetYourGuide or Viator!
Where (else) to Eat in Palm Springs:
Here are some of my favorite restaurants in Palm Springs. There are so many great options that a weekend trip to Palm Springs will never be enough!
- Sherman’s Deli and Bakery: The deli part is amazing, but you cannot beat the layered chocolate cake! It’s rich, decadent, and absolutely delicious!
- Monsoon’s: This is one restaurant that is not on the main strip. They serve Indian cuisine. This is a hole-in-the-wall type of place, but it is oh-so-good!
- Tonga Hut: This is a restaurant and tiki bar with second-floor balcony seating. Just a warning, the tiki drinks are strong!
- Pomme Frite: This one is a delicious French restaurant with a great little seating area outside along the main strip
- Las Casuelas Terraza: Another great restaurant serving Mexican cuisine with outdoor seating available. They often have live music as well.
Other Tips to know before visiting Palm Springs:
- Stay hydrated and wear sunscreen. Palm Springs is a desert. Be sure to keep yourself safe while you are here.
- Palm Springs is known for its gay pride and culture. It’s an amazing part of Palm Springs. If you aren’t used to it, leave your prejudice at home.
- Palm Springs is very dog-friendly. Most of the restaurants with outdoor seating allow dogs. If you do choose to bring your pup, be mindful of the temperature. Summertime can be dangerously hot for both pups and people.
Palm Springs Weekend Trip Map
Here’s an interactive and downloadable map to help you plan the perfect weekend trip to Palm Springs!
About the Author!
Julie (or Juls) is a travel nurse with a passion for exploring the cities she travels to for work. As a travel nurse, she typically spends 3 months or more in each city. She shares the information gained from her travel on her blog, travelingwithjuls.com. Within her blog you will find travel tips, guides and itineraries as well as a separate page for aspiring or new travel nurses.
Follow along with Juls adventures on Instagram or Pinterest!
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