Palm Springs has been a favorite Southern California weekend getaway since the days of the Rat Pack. A desert oasis of pool parties, Mid-Century Modern architecture, and palm-lined streets. Palm Springs visitors can enjoy cute hotels, excellent restaurants and bars, and unmatched views. A Palm Springs weekend is always a great idea!
Growing up in Southern California, Palm Springs was a frequented weekend destination. When I was little, I often had soccer tournaments in Palm Springs, and as I got older my friends and I would come for weekend getaways in the Coachella Valley. Flash forward to today my husband and I are lucky enough to call Palm Springs home.
Palm Springs offers something for everyone in the group. Whether it’s sipping cocktails by the pool, relaxing at the spa, checking out one of the cute restaurants, hitting the golf course, or getting lost in nature. With its plentiful sunshine and laid-back vibe, a Palm Springs weekend is the perfect relaxing weekend!
Before Planning a Trip to Palm Springs Weekend
My top tips to make your Palm Springs weekend getaway successful, easy, and most of all — FUN.
There are a few weekends a year where Palm Springs is at what I like to call “capacity”. When planning a trip to the desert, there are a few weekends to avoid: Coachella, Stagecoach, Palm Springs Pride, and Modernism Week.
It’s no secret that summers in Palm Springs are HOT. Over 100 degree days extend from April to October. The hot season is the most affordable time to visit but those extreme temperatures are not everyone’s cup of tea. For the best weather and access to activities, plan your trip between November through April.
If you plan on exploring all parts of the Coachella Valley, it’s best to drive a car out or rent a car when you arrive in Palm Springs. If you plan on staying in the heart of downtown Palm Springs you can get away with using bike rentals, walking or taking an Uber.
Where to Stay
There is an endless amount of accommodation options to choose from in Palm Springs. Everything from small boutique hotels and motels to more resort-style establishments. There are suitable accommodations for everyone in this town.
Recently, my husband and I decided we needed a break from our four walls and thought a Palm Springs staycation would be the perfect escape. Living this quarantine life without ever leaving the house was starting to get old.
For this staycation, my husband and I decided to stay at The Skylark. The Skylark is a newly renovated boutique hotel right in the heart of Palm Springs. This hotel makes you feel like you are back in the 1950s, it’s perfectly decorated to give you all the mid-century modern vibes. My favorite part about the Skylark Hotel is the size, it is the perfect size with only 28 rooms. A beautiful location for a quiet, relaxing weekend.
When we arrived at the hotel, our check-in was contactless and secure. Everything is sanitized, and masks are a requirement in most public spaces. After registration, we headed over to our charming room, was like being teleported back to Palm Springs heyday. The views from The Skylark are everything the mountains, the palm trees, PERFECTION. The Skylark hotel is under 2 miles from my home and, yet I felt like I was on an actual vacation.
The Skylark Hotel provided me with a discount code to help you save on your future visit. Use code SAVE10 to save 10% on your next visit. (Offer not valid on Coachella/Stagecoach/New Years Eve & New Years Day)
What To Do
Take a Hike
Palm Springs is known for its beautiful golf courses and scenic pools, but my favorite Palm Springs activity is hiking! Hiking trails in The Coachella Valley are abundant, there is a hike for everyone. For more information on hiking in Palm Springs, find a hiking trail here!
Hang By The Pool
Take advantage of all that sunshine – pool time is a MUST for any Palm Springs weekend! Soak up the sun, sip on a cocktail, and hang out poolside. All of the hotels in Palm Springs have an on-site pool that you can take advantage of as a hotel guest.
PRO TIP: The Skylark doesn’t have a bar so you can take BYOB! SCORE!
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Hands down my favorite thing to do in Palm Springs! The tramway travels two miles and ascends from 2600 ft to 8500 ft in under 10 minutes. Probably not the best activity to enjoy if you are afraid of heights! The rotating tram car offers views of the valley as it takes you up to Mountain Station, where you will find viewing decks, two restaurants, a small museum, and the entrance to Mt. Jacinto State Park. There are so many great hikes at the top; hikes ranging from beginner to advanced. (Note: Due to COVID the tram is temporarily shut down)
PRO TIP: There is a bar at the top but you are also able to take your alcohol to enjoy at the top of the mountain. My husband and I like to take a bottle of wine and a picnic to enjoy!
Check Out all the Cute Houses
Palm Springs is very famous for its mid-century modern architecture! You can spot cute mid-century modern homes all over town. Weather permitting: a great way to enjoy viewing this architecture is via bike! You can check out this self-guided door tour here. There is also a free map and app from PSModCom.
Take All the Instagram Photos!
With an abundance of color, stylish decor, all those palm trees, and desert oasis landscape, there’s no doubt that Palm Springs is a super photogenic city. My favorite Instagramable places are:
- The Saguaro
- City Hall
- The Shops at 1345
- Ace Hotel
- Moorten Botanical Gardens
Getting to Palm Springs
Palm Springs is just over 100 miles east of Los Angeles, making it a Palm Springs an easy weekend trip from Southern California. Traffic dependent; It is about a two-hour drive.
If you wish to fly, Palm Springs International Airport is served by 10 airlines. However, it is a smaller airport and, flights are sometimes pricey and not ideal schedules. Side Note: the Palm Springs airport is the cutest airport I have ever visited! Another option is to fly into LAX, or Ontario International Airport (about an hour away), and then rent a car.
Where to Eat:
Palm Springs has so many great food and drink options. Due to the plethora of great dining options, I dedicated an entire post to that subject. You can read all about my favorite dining options here.
What to Pack:
Now it’s time to plan that trip to Palm Springs and have the most relaxing weekend!
Note: Palm Springs has implemented significant measures to ensure your safety while visiting. A mask must be worn at all times in all public places this includes sidewalks along Palm Canyon and Indian Canyon. Additionally, all indoor dining has been suspended; most restaurants have outdoor dining available.
LET’S BE BESTIES!
Pinterest | Instagram | Liketoknow.it | TikTok
Great itinerary Heather! Palm Springs looks like a dream location.