The top Palm Springs attractions

Palm Springs, California, is a stunning desert oasis in the Coachella Valley. While the city is known as a hideaway and home to some well-known celebrities, it’s also a year-round resort destination offering an array of attractions and activities for travelers from all over the country. 

Here’s a look at Palm Springs’ top attractions.

What you’ll learn:

• Many nature lovers can get their fill by visiting popular Palm Springs attractions like the Aerial Tramway and Joshua Tree National Park for a day of hiking and adventure. 

• A visit to the Moorten Botanical Garden or the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is a must for those looking to learn more about the unique desert landscape in Palm Springs.

• Unwind with a trip to Palm Canyon Drive, where you can shop and dine at various top-notch local boutiques and restaurants. Or book a treatment package at The Spa at Séc-he.

About a two-hour drive east of Los Angeles, Palm Springs is home to luxury resorts, desert hiking trails and an array of amazing restaurants. But nature truly calls here. The hot springs the city was named for are still actively bubbling and soothing the soul at spas throughout the region. Whether you’re looking to explore the natural landscape, hike in the mountains or enjoy a day of culture and architecture, you’ll find it in Palm Springs.

So where to start? Here are a few top activities and attractions in Palm Springs that you might wish to add to your travel itinerary as you get ready to plan your next vacation. 

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway lifts passengers almost 6,000 feet in elevation along a 2.5-mile stretch from the Sonoran Desert floor to Mount San Jacinto State Park, home to one of the tallest peaks in Southern California. Take in stunning views during the 10-minute ride as the tramway car rotates slowly, allowing for spectacular views from every angle. Then after reaching the top, you can hike along over 50 miles of trails—including one that leads to San Jacinto Peak.

Temperatures can drop dramatically the higher the elevation. It could be 40 degrees chillier once you get to the top, so be sure to pack a warmer jacket for your hiking excursion.

No trip to Palm Springs would be complete without hitting Joshua Tree National Park for a day of hiking and photo ops. You can also camp overnight in the park or stay in a nearby resort if you need more than one day to see all the sights. After all, Joshua Tree spans nearly 800,000 acres across the Mojave Desert and Colorado Desert. 

From sightseeing to rock climbing, biking, hiking or stargazing, Joshua Tree offers something for just about every nature lover. It’s open year-round, 24 hours a day. You can come and go anytime during your trip to the Palm Springs area. But remember to bring plenty of water and some light refreshments to keep you going. Temperatures can soar into the triple digits in the desert. And while there are plenty of picnic areas throughout the park to sit and enjoy a bite, you won’t find any places to purchase food.

Family-owned Moorten Botanical Garden allows visitors to stroll through over a dozen biomes and gardens featuring specimens that range from cacti and succulents to rocks, crystals and fossils. Established by an original Keystone Cop, Chester “Cactus Slim” Moorten, and his wife, Patricia, the gardens are now run by their son, Clark. Moorten Botanical Garden has been open since 1938 and still hosts more than 200 guests on many days. 

You can visit the gardens almost anytime except Wednesdays from October 1 through May 31. Guests are welcome from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. When the heat swells in the summer, the gardens are only open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Palm Springs has two unique museums for art lovers and history buffs. 

The Palm Springs Art Museum offers 28 galleries, two sculpture gardens, a lecture hall, a theater and more. Exhibits range from modern and contemporary collections to Native American art and works from glass artists. Plus, the museum plays a key role in preserving the architectural history in Palm Springs. Frey House II was the longtime residence of architect Albert Frey.

The Palm Springs Air Museum boasts one of the world’s largest collections of WWII airplanes, plus aircraft from the Korean War, Vietnam War and Global War on Terror. Inside the five air-conditioned hangars, guests can interact directly with the aircraft and exhibits. And visitors are welcome to speak with the docents, including many veterans who are happy to share their knowledge and experience.

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens allows visitors to fully immerse themselves in the beauty of a desert ecosystem. The zoo offers a diverse collection of animals, including rhinos and giraffes in immense habitats. And it features an array of exotic plants, landscaped gardens and vibrant botanical displays. Its mission is to promote conservation through educational programs, and it’s designed to inspire visitors to take an interest in the environment.

The zoo recommends that you arrive early, no matter what time of year you visit. It can get crowded during the winter months, and temperatures can soar above 100 degrees during the summer. 

Once home to the Agua Caliente Cahuilla Tribe, the Indian Canyons—located just minutes from downtown Palm Springs—can be explored on self-guided or ranger-led hikes. Choose from Palm Canyon, Andreas Canyon and Murray Canyon, each offering unique experiences and breathtaking landscapes.

Before hitting the trails, you’re required to bring your own water. The Indian Canyons are open daily October 1 through July 4. You can visit from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. From July 5 through September 30, the trails are only open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Palm Canyon Drive takes you through downtown Palm Springs, where you’ll find vibrant boutiques and locally owned shops along with art galleries and plenty of restaurants. Bring your Capital One Venture X card or Savor card to earn extra rewards when you shop and dine along Palm Canyon Drive. You’ll find that most of the shops are north of the intersection of Tahquitz Canyon Way. Dining options are available along the south end of the street.

Head to the VillageFest street fair via Palm Canyon Drive on a Thursday, when the streets are closed to traffic. At the fair, you can wander through an array of vendor booths selling everything from handmade crafts to gourmet treats. You can shop for souvenirs while enjoying live music and fresh, locally made delicacies. Palm Canyon Drive is also home to the Palm Springs Walk of Stars, which immortalizes celebrities—including Shirley Temple and President Ronald Reagan—who called Palm Springs home. 

Purchase a day pass for The Spa at Séc-he and indulge in a day of wellness. Located in downtown Palm Springs, the spa was built on top of an ancient hot mineral spring 8,000 feet below the surface. The earth heats these waters to temperatures approaching 180 degrees, absorbing minerals along the way to the surface. And these healing waters are incorporated into most of the treatments available—from body scrubs, facials and massage to IV vitamin drips. 

The Spa at Séc-he offers a variety of treatment packages, plus gourmet cuisine options right on-site. You can choose to simply relax by the pool with a refreshing cocktail and enjoy healthy, small bites as you soak up the desert sun.

Capital One makes it easy to plan your trip to experience all the attractions in Palm Springs. If you’re an eligible Capital One cardholder, sign in to Capital One Travel using your Capital One username and password and start exploring your options for your trip to Palm Springs. 

Not only can you earn bonus miles on flights, hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, but you can also set price alerts for flights, enjoy price-drop protection and take advantage of a price-match guarantee. Venture X cardholders can enjoy premium travel benefits, such as access to Capital One Lounges or participating Priority PassTM lounges, a $300 annual Capital One travel credit and more.

Palm Springs is a true desert oasis, with spectacular sights, picturesque scenery and engaging history around every turn. Soak up the sun and the lively atmosphere on your next escape to the Southern California desert.

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