Californian desert city located in a scenic valley, Palm Springs is a gateway to several different areas of astonishing natural beauty. From Palm Springs you can easily take the scenic aerial tramway up to San Jacinto Mountains, or start a drive across the spectacular landscapes of the Joshua Tree National Park. If you decide to stay in town, it is just as easy to relax and get tanned by the pool than to gamble in Plam Springs casinos or to get enthusiastic about the museums of the heritage centers you will discover in the heart of this former Indian reservation.
The small desert town in Southern California is surrounded in an area of remarkable natural beauty, and with exciting possibilities for outdoor sports such as trekking around Palm Springs, horseback riding and mountain biking around Palm Springs. East from the city you will discover Joshua tree National Park with its wide open landscapes, whereas the western side of Palm Springs is dominated by mountains of San Jacinto State Park. Anza Borrego Desert State Park is found south from Palm Springs. In surroundings of the town, there are also several courses for golf near Palm Springs waiting.
The main attraction of Palm Springs is the wonderful aerial tramway, which lifts you an amazing 6,000 ft / 1,800 meters up to San Jacinto Mountain, from where you can enjoy astonishing views over the city. For the less outdoorsy types, Palm Springs offers constant sunshine, swimming pools, tennis courts and several casinos and spas in Palm Springs. It also hosts a water park and many annual festivals to attend.
Retro image. In this extravagantly modern world of ours, Palm Springs has managed to maintain also some of its retro-style charm. There are old-fashioned motels and bars in the town, and the museums and heritage villages introduce you history of the Native American cultures of the region. If you want to explore desert flora and fauna, visit also the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, which is found a short distance south from Palm Springs.
Palm Springs, a Californian desert city next to wild mountains, with popular aerial tramway
Originally founded by the United States government to be a desert Indian reservation, Palm Springs has risen to become a popular travel destination with a year-round sunshine and an astonishing amount of natural attractions.The small desert town in Southern California is surrounded in an area of remarkable natural beauty, and with exciting possibilities for outdoor sports such as trekking around Palm Springs, horseback riding and mountain biking around Palm Springs. East from the city you will discover Joshua tree National Park with its wide open landscapes, whereas the western side of Palm Springs is dominated by mountains of San Jacinto State Park. Anza Borrego Desert State Park is found south from Palm Springs. In surroundings of the town, there are also several courses for golf near Palm Springs waiting.
The main attraction of Palm Springs is the wonderful aerial tramway, which lifts you an amazing 6,000 ft / 1,800 meters up to San Jacinto Mountain, from where you can enjoy astonishing views over the city. For the less outdoorsy types, Palm Springs offers constant sunshine, swimming pools, tennis courts and several casinos and spas in Palm Springs. It also hosts a water park and many annual festivals to attend.
Retro image. In this extravagantly modern world of ours, Palm Springs has managed to maintain also some of its retro-style charm. There are old-fashioned motels and bars in the town, and the museums and heritage villages introduce you history of the Native American cultures of the region. If you want to explore desert flora and fauna, visit also the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, which is found a short distance south from Palm Springs.
Practical information for your trip to Palm Springs
Located in the Southwest of the USA, some 180 km / 113 miles away from Los Angeles, Palm Springs is reached with direct flights from US and Canadian cities. More connections for flights and travelling to Palm Springs are offered through Los Angeles Airport, which is two hours away from Palm Springs by car.
Photo: JoeBehrPalmSprings, used under Creative Commons License (By ND 2.0)
Possibilities for moving around in the surroundings of Palm Springs are diverse. Car rental in Palm Springs is the most efficient way, but the aerial tramway is a must-try for sightseeing. Also rental bikes are available for independent touring.
Weather. Palm Springs has a sunny desert climate, which means the weather is hot and dry most of the time. The city enjoys an amazing average of 354 sunny days a year, but in return the temperatures often rise to unbearably hot degrees during the hottest months of the year (June, July and August). If you want to enjoy cooler temperatures, visit Palm Springs between November and March, which is when temperatures are more pleasant. If you come during the hottest time, you will probably find services of the local spas and swimming pools very useful.
Visitor services. A small desert town with big natural attractions, Palm Springs offers good tourist services. The city attracts with a good choice of retro-style hotels in Palm Springs, and also the scene of dining and restaurants in Palm Springs offers you something old as well as something new. Facilities offered for entertainment and shopping in Palm Springs follow the same style, with also some exclusive services available. However, the main draw of the destination comes from the constant sunshine added with the nature and landscapes around the city.
hint See also these nearby destinations: Joshua Tree National Park, San Diego, Los Angeles, Tijuana
