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Before you go
Your trip to Palm Springs.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Palm Springs – California Destination Palm Springs and Joshua Tree
How to get there
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Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) Palm Springs · 3 km
Approximate distances. Check flights and bus, train or boat schedules before you travel.
Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) is about 3 km from downtown. I-10 runs north of the city and connects Palm Springs to Los Angeles, about 175 km away. Amtrak has a simple station north of town, and buses link Palm Springs to Los Angeles.
How many days
One to two days: one for the tram and downtown, another for the Indian Canyons and the art museum.
When to go
October through April, with sunny days and cool nights. In February the city hosts Modernism Week, with tours of modernist houses. From June to September the heat is extreme.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
Helpful for the tram, the Indian Canyons and Joshua Tree. Downtown around Palm Canyon Drive is walkable, and there are taxis and ride-hailing apps.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Palm Springs
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Morning
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Take the rotating tram early up to the mountain station and do a short hike among the pines, with the valley far below.
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Afternoon
Indian Canyons
Go down and visit the Indian Canyons to walk among the native palms of Palm Canyon.
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Late afternoon
Palm Springs Art Museum
Visit the Palm Springs Art Museum and drive by some modernist houses in the neighborhoods south of downtown.
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Evening
Palm Canyon Drive
Dine on Palm Canyon Drive, the downtown’s main avenue with restaurants and bars.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
What to do in Palm Springs?
Ride the rotating tram, walk the Indian Canyons, visit the Palm Springs Art Museum, see modernist houses and hotels, and go to Joshua Tree National Park.
What is Modernism Week?
An annual February event with tours of modernist houses and buildings, lectures and city walks. Confirm the dates before you go.
How far is Palm Springs from Los Angeles?
About 175 km via I-10, two to three hours by car depending on traffic.
How many days to stay in Palm Springs?
One to two days, for the tram, the Indian Canyons and downtown.