Things to do on a Weekend in Palm Springs

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A weekend in Palm Springs is the quintessential California getaway. Its sunny, palm tree-lined streets are the first that come to mind when I picture glamorous SoCal escapes. Palm Spring’s popularity has exploded thanks to its proximity to Los Angeles. It is best known for its luxe neighborhoods and modern aesthetic. However, on my first visit, this sunny desert oasis surprised me with its relaxed and friendly atmosphere and I cannot wait to return. Here are the top things to do in Palm Springs.

Things to Do in Palm Springs

You don’t have to look far to find fun things to do in Palm Springs. In fact, when people come to visit me from out of state, a long weekend in Palm Springs is one of my top recommendations. With palm trees in the foreground and the San Jacinto mountains visible from almost anywhere, the views just driving through town are worthy enough for a visit.

Cabazon Dinosaurs

Topping every Palm Springs bucket list is the Cabazon Dinosaurs. If you are driving from LA you will pass one of the world’s most iconic roadside attractions at Exit 106. Right off the highway, the giant T-Rex and Brontosaurus don’t take very long to see and it is completely free to walk up from the parking lot. You can see more dinosaurs and climb up inside the T-Rex for $13 entry at the door.

Moorten Botanical Garden

Moorten Botanical Garden is one of the top Palm Springs attractions, and for good reason. Locally owned and operated, you will most likely meet Clark Moorten when you purchase your ticket! This desert arboretum is more than a popular photo spot. You will find over 3000 varieties of desert plants and cacti, along with some cute desert tortoises. You can even purchase your own cactus at the gift shop and nursery.

Take a Pool Day

One thing I absolutely recommend splurging on is your accommodation. A big feature of Palm Springs is the modern vibe so you will definitely want a place with a pool so you can lounge and escape the heat. If you opt to save on your stay you can still enjoy a pool day as most hotels offer day passes or the rental of a poolside lounger:

Palm Springs Bike Loop

The best way to get to know Palm Springs and experience its modern architecture is via bike. Many hotels include a bike rental as an amenity, so it can be very easy to experience this without any extra cost. I used the official City of Palm Springs Bike Loop Map and did a combo of the Citywide Loop and Indian Canyons Loop. This gave me a good feel for downtown and the Indian Canyons portion of the loop took me past beautiful modern neighborhoods. There was signage that was easy to follow and the roads were very bike-friendly. Be sure to wear a helmet and obey traffic laws as most loops do interact with car traffic.

Windmill City

Learn why Palm Springs is also known as Windmill City. Just a ten minute straight shot from downtown you’ll find a huge windmill farm in the desert. If you are into photography you won’t want to miss the perfect sunset spot and stunning desert golden hour. I don’t know why I was so surprised by this, but it gets very windy so be prepared! Park on Palm Springs Station Road just off Indian Canyon Drive.

Hike the San Jacinto Mountains

Unfortunately, due to COVID the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway was closed when I visited. However, I hear it’s one of the best ways to experience the San Jacinto mountains so I will absolutely be on it when I return. You can ride the tram up two and a half miles into the mountains, hike some easy to moderate loops, and then ride the tram back down. If you are an experienced hiker, you can also hike the intense Skyline Trail up to the tram station and then ride the tram back down.

Day Trip Joshua Tree

If you have an extra day, Joshua Tree National Park is worth a visit. An hour drive from Palm Springs, an afternoon is the perfect amount of time to experience Joshua in my opinion. In just one day you can walk the Cholla Cactus Garden, climb Arch Rock and giant boulders, and take a stroll along the Hidden Valley Nature Trail. Come back soon for my complete guide to Joshua Tree.

Where to Stay in Palm Springs

I stayed at the Arrive Hotel and would absolutely plan my next stay around its availability. The Arrive features fire pits, a saltwater pool, and a marble rain shower. While that all sound luxurious, the price tag actually was not. My number one tip for where to stay in Palm Springs is booking on a weekday in the offseason! PS is such a popular weekend spot for LA that prices nearly triple on Fridays and Saturdays. For my trip, I took full advantage of the weekday rate, then opted for a place with fewer amenities over the weekend. I switched to the Infusion Beach Club for the weekend rate, but in the future, I would just find an affordable Airbnb.

Where to Eat in Palm Springs

In Palm Springs, you will find classic Cali fare with plenty of healthy menu options for nearly any diet. A Palm Spring brunch is a bucket list item in itself, so set aside a morning to splurge on mimosas and avocado toast.

Cheeky’s Palm Springs The most popular Palm Springs brunch spot. They even offer mimosas as you wait in line!
Koffi While you wait for your brunch pager, get a coffee and enjoy the pretty patio behind Koffi.
Blue Coyote Grill I loved the outdoor patio and hacienda feel at Blue Coyote. Plus the enchilada was filling and delicious.
Tac/Quila Another amazing Mexican spot with incredible craft drinks.
Shop(pe) If you are going to get dessert anywhere let it be the ice cream from Shop(pe). I stopped here for cake batter ice cream every day. Every. Day.
The Pool at Arrive I know I’ve mentioned Arrive so much already but it really offered the complete Palm Springs experience. You can’t go wrong with their fun drink menu and delicious Lao lettuce wraps.

For even more photos and trip suggestions check out my Instagram. If you ever have a question you can always DM me @cassiescompass or drop it in the comments below. What do you think, has this helped you plan the perfect weekend in Palm Springs?