Honestly, I used to think Palm Springs was just retirees playing golf. Then I moved here three years ago and wow – was I wrong. Last week my friend Sarah visited and asked that exact question: "What is there to do in Palm Springs California besides pools and palm trees?" I rattled off twenty things before her latte got cold. That's when I realized most guides miss the real magic here.
The Desert Adventure Stuff You Can't Miss
Forget what you've heard – the desert isn't just hot sand. My knees still hurt from the Miracle Hills hike last month, but the view? Unreal.
Hiking & Nature Escapes
Indian Canyons ($12 adult entry) tops my list. Andreas Canyon's year-round creek shocked me – you're in the desert but surrounded by fan palms. For something easier, the 3-mile South Lykken Trail gives those postcard city views without killing your calves. Skip it after 10am in summer though.
| Trail | Difficulty | Best Feature | Insider Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Canyons (Murray Canyon) | Easy | Waterfalls (seasonal) | Go at 7am to spot bighorn sheep |
| Mount San Jacinto Peak | Hard | Alpine forest summit | Take Palm Springs Aerial Tramway up first |
| Ladder Canyon | Moderate | Slot canyons & ladders | Rent 4WD or book tour ($75+) |
Joshua Tree gets all the hype, but locals know Mecca Hills Wilderness is wilder. You'll need a high-clearance vehicle for Painted Canyon. Saw a guy try it in a Prius once. Spoiler: he needed a tow truck.
That Famous Tramway
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway ($29 round-trip) rotates 360 degrees as it climbs Chino Canyon. My first ride felt like entering a sci-fi movie. Up top? Pine forests and 50-degree cooler temps. Pro tip: book the 4pm slot – sunset from 8,500 feet makes Instagram cry.
Mid-Century Everything
Architecture nerds, listen up. Palm Springs has more preserved mid-century buildings than anywhere on earth. Don't just drive by – experience them.
Iconic Hotels That Are Attractions
- POOL Saguaro Hotel: Those rainbow pool walls? Perfect backdrop for $18 margs. Rooms from $189/night
- HISTORY Parker Palm Springs: Jonathan Adler-designed playground with croquet lawns. Spa day-pass $150
- BAR Ace Hotel & Swim Club: Dive-in movies + killer tacos. Avoid spring break weeks unless you're 22
I stayed at the Riviera once – gold bathroom fixtures and discoball vibes. Felt like a 1960s movie star until housekeeping knocked at 8am. Still bitter.
Must-Do Tours
"Modernism Week felt overwhelming until I took Trevor's bike tour. Saw Elvis's honeymoon house!" – Ryan K. (TripAdvisor)
For architecture, these are golden:
- $45 Modernism Bike Tour (2 hours, includes helmet & water)
- $85 Mid-Century Home Tour (Saturdays only, sells out)
- Free Self-guided walking map from Visitor Center
Downtown & Culture Fixes
Palm Canyon Drive isn't just souvenir shops. Between galleries and date shakes, here's the local blueprint.
Essential Downtown Stops
| Spot | Why Go | Cost | Personal Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palm Springs Art Museum | Glass sculptures + desert views | $14 adult | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (great AC!) |
| VillageFest Street Fair | Thursday nights, local crafts & live music | Free entry | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (date-night fave) |
| Elmer's Restaurant | German pancakes since 1960 | $12-$18 plates | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (nostalgia over flavor) |
PS Air Museum shocked me – actual WWII bombers in a hangar. Their docent Tom flew Vietnam missions. His stories? Worth the $18 alone.
Secret Shopping Finds
Trina Turk's flagship store makes me wish I had bigger clothes budget. For vintage scores:
- The Frippery: 70s caftans & rhinestone sunglasses ($25-$200)
- Dazzles: Bakelite jewelry display will hypnotize you
- Shag the Store: Retro prints that scream "Palm Springs"
My advice? Window shop north of Ramon Road. Less crowds, cooler finds.
Swimming, Golf & Chill Time
Yeah, pools are obvious. But where to find the good ones?
Public Pools Worth the Splash
- Dive-In Movies at Caliente Tropics: $10 entry, floats provided (Avoid Jaws night if you scare easy)
- Azure Palm Hot Springs: Mineral pools ($25 weekday) with mountain views
- Tahquitz Canyon Swim: Natural plunge pool after waterfall hike ($12.50)
Confession: I once tried all 7 pools at Omni Rancho Las Palmas in one day. Got pruney but zero regrets.
Golf Beyond the Resorts
Even hackers like me can play here. Budget options outsiders miss:
| Course | Green Fees | Best For | Water Hazards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tahquitz Creek (Legend) | $49 twilight | Views of San Jacinto | Only on 3 holes |
| Desert Dunes Golf Club | $65 peak | Links-style challenge | Minimal (desert is hazard) |
| Indian Canyons South | $110+ | PGA history buffs | Fountains everywhere |
My take? Desert Dunes tests your soul. Lost 6 balls last round. Still dreaming about hole 14's shot over dunes.
Food & Drink - Beyond Poolside Nachos
After eating my way through town, here's where locals actually go:
Can't-Miss Meals
- Wilma & Frieda: Banana cream french toast. Line starts at 8am (Portions smaller since 2020)
- Rooster and the Pig: Vietnamese fusion. Get pork belly rice bowl ($19) + book 3 weeks ahead
- Tac/Quila: Happy hour shrimp tacos ($4 each) - my Tuesday ritual
Cocktails with Personality
Skip generic hotel bars. These mixologists create art:
- Bootlegger Tiki: Scorpion bowls ($36 serves 4) in jungle hideaway
- Bar Cecil: Gin martinis ($15) with caviar service. Dress code enforced
- Tailor Shop: Speak-easy requiring password (hint: check Instagram)
Tried 13 "signature margaritas" last summer. Las Casuelas Terraza wins – frozen, salted rim, $9 happy hour.
Seasonal Surprises & Events
Timing changes everything. Why arrive during...
Winter/Spring (Nov-Apr)
- Modernism Week (Feb): Home tours spike hotel prices 300%
- Coachella & Stagecoach: Stay in PS for half-price after-parties
Summer (Jun-Sep)
Average 108°F means strategy:
Summer Survival Hack: Do outdoor activities 6am-9am or after 7pm. Museums/pools midday. Hydrate like it's your job.
VillageFest moves indoors August only. Still worth it for $5 handmade tortillas.
Real Talk: What's Overrated?
After dozens of visitors, here's what I steer people from:
- Cabazon Dinosaurs: $15 to climb a T-Rex? Meh.
- Airplane Boneyard Tours: Standing outside fence peeking at jets? Hard pass.
- PS Walk of Stars: Thin sidewalks with names you won't recognize.
Save money/time. Focus on the good stuff.
- Q: What is there to do in Palm Springs California for free?
A: Hike Museum Trail, gallery hop in Backstreet Art District, Thursday VillageFest, watch planes land at airport viewing area. - Q: What is there to do in Palm Springs California at night besides bars?
A: Stargazing tours ($45), outdoor movies at Camelot Theatres ($12), illuminated Moorten Botanical Garden (Fri/Sat only). - Q: What is there to do in Palm Springs California with kids?
A: Children's Discovery Museum ($12), tramway ride, paddle boats at Tahquitz Creek, Living Desert Zoo ($30).
Making It Happen: Local Intel
Want my personal Palm Springs cheat sheet?
| Category | My Top Pick | Budget Option | Splurge-Worthy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel | Caliente Tropics (retro tiki vibe) | Desert Riviera (boutique motel) | L'Horizon Resort (designer oasis) |
| Breakfast | Elmer's (old-school diner) | Grand Central Cafe (under $10 plates) | Norma's (lemon ricotta pancakes $19) |
| Photo Op | Pink Door House (S. Camino Real) | Windmill Farm | Villa Royale mosaic pool |
Bottom line? Palm Springs isn't just one thing. It's hiking slot canyons at dawn, sipping craft cocktails where Sinatra drank, hunting vintage treasures, then floating under stars in mineral springs. Three years in, I'm still finding new corners. What is there to do in Palm Springs California? Everything you'd never expect in the desert.
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