Explore Southern California on these top 5 day trips from Palm Springs - Lonely Planet (2024)
Palm Springs is one of Southern California’s most popular destinations – for good reason. And its appeal doesn’t end at the city limits.
With its luxurious resorts, world-class golf courses, hot springs and acclaimed restaurant scene, the city itself might have all you could imagine. But a stay in in the desert town can also serve as a launching-off point for exploring some of the top attractions in the region. From mountains and coastal cliffs to wineries and desert vistas, we’ve picked a few favorite spots, each under two hours away by car, that will amaze you. Here’s our list of the best day trips from Palm Springs.
Big Bear
Best day trip for outdoor adventures
Located in the San Bernardino National Forest, with a sparkling mountain lake as its centerpiece, Big Bear offers a fabulous escape from the desert heat. A host of winter activities include skiing and snowboarding– and you’ll find plenty of fun in warmer months as well. Open year-round, the Big Bear Alpine Zoo is a rehabilitation facility and sanctuary for wild animals, including bald eagles, grizzly bears and snow leopards.
From spring through fall you can enjoy hiking, mountain biking and zip-lining. You can also place yourself in the center of the action on a pontoon boat, from which you can take in the beauty of the exceptional surroundings. Wander over to Big Bear Village for dinner (we love the Indian and Nepali specialties served up atHimalayan Restaurant). Afterward, enjoy live music at The Cave, an upscale concert venue.
How to get to Big Bear: Driving is the best way to get to Big Bear, although the windy mountain roads can be harrowing during the winter and chains or snow tires may be required. The drive time is about an hour and 40 minutes from Palm Springs, with the have a choice of two possible routes: Hwy 18 via the I-10/Hwy 62/Hwy 247 through Yucca Valley, or Hwy 38 via the I-10 through Redlands.
Temecula
Best day trip for wine tasting and art
You don’t have to be a wine lover to enjoy the vineyard-dotted rolling hills of Temecula. But it doesn’t hurt, as you’ll be well-equipped to sample internationally acclaimed vintages from several dozen wineries. At the top of the list should be a visit to Akash, a family-owned and -operated winery with a welcoming open-air patio. Choose from a variety of local food trucks and pop-up food artisans on the weekends. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can book a wine tour with Sidecar Tours, which will take you through the vineyards on the back of a tandem motorcycle.
After a day of sipping, head over to Old Town Temeculato check out public art that ranges from mosaics to murals and sculptures. The one-room Temecula Valley Museum showcases the region’s history with permanent exhibits depicting both the indigenous Luiseño people and the Mission San Luis Rey period. Be sure to stop by Temecula Olive Oil Company to sample a variety of oils and vinegars.
How to get to Temecula: As it’s only an hour and 15 minutes away from Palm Springs, getting to Temecula is fairly simple if you have a car. You can take I-10 West to Hwy 60 West to I-215 South to I-15. Before heading back to the desert, fuel up at Espadín, which offers Mexican favorites.
Joshua Tree
Best day trip for experiencing nature
Known for its mystical beauty and landscapes filled with seemingly gravity-defying boulder formations, Joshua Tree never disappoints. Hikers will want to explore the Black Rock Canyon Panorama Loop, which follows a sandy wash through dense forests and narrow canyons to a steep ridge that rewards you with panoramic views. (Allow yourself a few hours to tackle this and other trails, and be sure to bring plenty of water.) Joshua Tree was recently designated an International Dark Sky Park, and if you stay after night falls you might be treated to a symphony of shooting stars.
Just a 20-minute drive away is picture-perfectPioneertown. Founded in 1946 by a group of Hollywood investors including actors Roy Rogers and Gene Autry, this unique attraction was conceived as a mix of Old West–style film set and functioning village, with exterior facades of saloons and jails housing ice cream parlors and motels. Nowadays, the most happening place here is , a honky-tonk barbecue restaurant and music venue.
How to get to Joshua Tree: Joshua Tree National Park is about a one-hour drive from Palm Springs off the I-10 East. There are three main entrances into the park and two main roads, Park Boulevard and Pinto Basin Road. It is best not to rely on GPS directions to navigate to Joshua Tree, as many navigation systems will attempt to route you off-road through the backcountry, which could be dangerous. Instead, consult an old-school map before you start your trip.
Salvation Mountain
Best day trip for out-of-the-ordinary art
If you’re looking for a getaway that’s not far from Palm Springs but feels worlds away, then Niland in California’s Imperial County should be at the top of your list. Created by local resident Leonard Knight,Salvation Mountainstarted as a small monument made of dirt and cement and now encompasses numerous murals and areas painted with Bible verses and religious motifs. The site remains in pristine condition thanks to a non-profit organization by the same name that offers guided tours.
Nearby Slab City is a diverse community of artists, homesteaders and retirees living off the grid on their own terms. Home to about 150 residents year-round and 4000 in the winter months,the community occupies the site of a former military base. Today, it’s known as the“Last Free Place on Earth” given residents’ libertarian spirit.
How to get to Salvation Mountain: You’ll need to drive deep into the desert to get to Salvation Mountain, as there is no public transportation option. It’s about a 90-minute drive from Palm Springs off Hwy 111 at Niland, not far from Bombay Beach at the Salton Sea. The exact address is on Beal Road in Calipatria; Salvation Mountain is located right on the side of the road.
Laguna Beach
Best day trip for discovering the coast
Laguna Beach is a year-round retreat for art lovers and nature enthusiasts. Its seven miles of coastline is filled with hidden beaches and coves that invite you to explore tide pools and sea caves. Heisler Park is perched on a hilltop overlooking the ocean, and it offers a perfect vantage point for photos and people watching. Just a block away is the Laguna Art Museum, and its rotating exhibitions of work by contemporary California artists. Enjoy a vegetarian meal at , a fixture among locals and a popular brunch spot.
During the summer you’ll have your pick of art festivals: the Festival of Arts(featuringthe world-renowned Pageant of the Masters), the Sawdust Art Festival, Art-A-Fair and more. Venture a bit further down Pacific Coast Highway to encounter the HIP District and the historic Old Pottery Place shopping center. Anchoring the complex is Laguna Beach Books, the county’s last remaining independent bookstore. Browse the carefully curated inventory for a beach read, or ask the always-willing staff for a recommendation.
How to get to Laguna Beach:Driving time to Laguna Beach from Palm Springs is just under two hours, and the best way to get there is to head west via the I-10 to CA-60 to CA-91 to CA-241 south to CA-133 south. CA-133 will turn into Laguna Canyon Road once you get into Laguna, and it ends right at Main Beach in the heart of town.
You might also like: Swingin’ in Palm Springs: 10 ways to time travel in a modernist mecca The modern woman’s getaway guide to Palm Springs Getting to know Joshua Tree National Park
If you're looking to come at the most popular time of year with nearly perfect weather, that would be February, March and April. This is when the average temperature hovers in the 70s and 80s by day with cooler temps rolling in during the dry desert nights.
If you're looking to come at the most popular time of year with nearly perfect weather, that would be February, March and April. This is when the average temperature hovers in the 70s and 80s by day with cooler temps rolling in during the dry desert nights.
The 130-mile road trip from Los Angeles to Joshua Tree National Park takes 2 hours to drive. Key landmarks include Angeles and San Bernardino National Forests, Chino Hills and Mt San Jacinto State Parks, as well as Riverside and Palm Springs.
Low season in Palm Springs is summer, a bit reversed from many other destinations. As the heat rises, the prices fall, so you'll find some great values across all hotel and resort properties in the summer. The busiest time of year is January – March, and April weekends are busy with Music Festivals.
As a playground for the rich and famous, sports such as golf and tennis became popular, and today, Palm Springs is known as the Golf Capital of the World.
Downtown Palm Springs CA is the nicest part of Palm Springs. Palm Springs Canyon Drive is dotted on either side by giant palm trees, a true postcard perspective of the city. Most of the hotels, restaurants, shopping, and bars are found in this convenient downtown area.
Two days in Palm Springs is enough time to see most of its top sites and have enough time by the pool. If you want to combine your visit with a trip to Joshua Tree, split your days between the city and the national park, or add a third day.
The area that is known as 'Desert Highland Gateway Estates'. It is probably the worst area in Palm Springs. In terms of good and bad areas, stay out of North Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs and parts of Cathedral City. Stay in South Palm Springs and you should be good.
The cost of living in Palm Springs, CA is 14% lower than the state average and 20% higher than the national average. Palm Springs, CA housing is 43% more expensive than the U.S average, while utilities are about 6% pricier.
Getting Around. Palm Springs is relatively compact and walkable. The Palm Springs International Airport is about a 10-minute ride into downtown. Almost all resorts and hotels are also a short distance from the airport.
One local ingredient that's truly celebrated in Palm Springs is the date, grown locally in Southern California and blended deliciously into the area's famous “date shakes.”
Andreas Hills. Andreas Hills is often referred to as the "Bel Air of Palm Springs'' since it's the most exclusive, prestigious, and scenic neighborhood in the desert city. Boasting incredible views of Mount San Jacinto, Andreas Hills has a wide array of homes in different architectural styles.
Palm Springs is very much in the desert and the closest you're going to come to the water is a swimming pool or desert hot spring. The nearest Pacific Ocean beaches — Newport Beach, Dana Point, and Carlsbad — are all about a two-hour drive (without traffic) from the Palm Springs area.
The longest and arguably the most scenic drive from Los Angeles to Palm Springs is to first go south to the Gold Rush town of Julian, then take State Route 78 through Anza-Borrego State Park.
The most direct route from Los Angeles to Palm Springs is about 110 miles and will take around 2 hours and 45 minutes without accounting for the many wonderful detours and sights you'll wish to see on the way.
The Palm Springs to Las Vegas distance is approximately 232 miles through California and Nevada via the I-15 N. With ideal traffic and weather conditions, the road trip takes approximately 4 hours to complete.
The Madison Club, a gated community, also includes a country club, sports facility, tennis courts, fine dining and round-the-clock security. The property is adjacent to her mother Jenner's home, in addition to a two-acre vacant plot owned by her sister Kim Kardashian.
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — Allegedly, Palm Springs became Palm Springs through a quirk in contracts old-time Hollywood bosses used to write for their stars: a “two-hour rule” stipulating that no famous face should be more than 120 minutes away in case it was needed for an urgent film shoot.
Palm Springs architecture has long made the town a favored destination of midcentury-modern design lovers, and the biggest names of that era (say, Walt Disney or Frank Sinatra) enjoyed the desert oasis plenty.
Palm Springs' most popular byway is unquestionably Palm Canyon Drive, which traverses the low desert plain before abruptly turning into the palm-tree lined thoroughfare that hits the heart of downtown, with plenty of stops along with way.
Former and current celebrity abodes can be found all over Palm Springs. Many of today's stars keep to gated communities and even some of the older homes are in secure estates (no, you won't be able to do a drive-by of the Kardashian's place).
Palm Springs is primarily the domain of expensive boutique hotels and luxury resorts, but accommodation can be surprisingly affordable in the summer (May to September) – if you can stand the heat.
Residents of Palm Springs have a reputation for being open and welcoming. With a very supportive attitude toward the LGBTQIA+ community and people from many different ethnic, racial, and spiritual backgrounds, Palm Springs doesn't discriminate against anyone.
The best way to get around Palm Springs is by car. Although you can walk most places downtown, you'll need your own wheels to explore the rest of the Coachella Valley. You can also take the bus to reach certain destinations throughout the city and beyond, or you can always hire a taxi or ride-hailing service.
Palm Springs is the best kind of party town, always evolving and never resting on its laurels. The cool crowd heads to the desert region for hip hotels with poolside DJs, al fresco co*cktails, live entertainment, and energetic dance floors.
While many come to hike, winter in Palm Springs is also the season for big marquee cultural events, from film and music festivals (including April's Coachella) to golf tournaments and celebrations of art and architecture. Wildflowers begin to bloom as early as January, too.
Kylie Jenner quietly built her vacation mansion in Palm Springs. The property is adjacent to her mother Kris Jenner's home. Kylie purchased the lot in 2019 for $3.25 million.
La Quinta is a celebrity hot spot and has attracted residents such as Kanye and Kim Kardashian-West, Tom Brady and Kylie Jenner. An actor, director and screenwriter, Stallone is also a prolific painter whose work has been displayed in art museums and galleries in the United States, France, Russia and Switzerland.
The top cities between San Diego and Palm Springs are Greater Palm Springs, La Jolla, Carlsbad, Temecula, Escondido, Coronado, San Clemente, Riverside, Oceanside, and Encinitas.
August is the hottest month in Palm Springs with an average temperature of 25.05°C (77°F) and the coldest is January at 13.55°C (56°F) with the most daily sunshine hours at 13 in August. The wettest month is January with an average of 48.4mm of rain.
With average temperatures of high 78 and low 50, it's the perfect time to experience Palm Springs to the fullest. Whether you want to play a round of golf or dip in a pool, November is the time to experience it all.
The sun shines in the Palm Springs, California area more than 350 days a year. This puts Palm Springs among the world's most popular outdoor adventure areas with great hiking trails, nature walks, beautiful mountains, and world-class year-round Golf with 125 Palm Springs area golf courses. It's year-round pool weather!
The windy season is April through June. The “wind free” zone is considered to be closest to the mountains and on the south end of town, furthest from the I-10. North of Vista Chino is considered “the windy area” although some say the wind starts as far south as Alejo.
Summer daytime temperatures frequently reach 100 degrees, and winter days are mild with highs in the low 70s. Las Vegas enjoys a similar desert climate, with sunny skies and seasonal temperatures only a bit cooler than in Palm Springs.
Palm Springs is around 1 hour and 54 minutes from Tamarack State Beach in San Diego County. Carlsbad State Beach includes it. Tamarack State Beach is among the beaches where swimming is the safest. The coastline includes lifeguards on duty in addition to the warm waters where you may swim, scuba dive, surf, and kayak.
The nighttime temperature dips to 40 °F (4 °C) or below on an average 16 nights a year in Palm Springs. Nights that cold can occur from November to April. But frost at Palm Springs is rare. The desert city averages just one night a year when the thermometer drops to freezing.
Looking for flights to Palm Springs? For a direct flight, you can fly straight into Palm Springs via Palm Springs International Airport (PSP). However, another option is to fly into Ontario International Airport (ONT), which is just an hour away by car. Also two hours away is Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
December is sort of a combo month, usually with smaller than average crowds but still seasonably pleasant weather. It's not until the end of December and even into January that tourism really picks up in Palm Springs.
Swimming in this sun-baked desert oasis is to tour midcentury modernism as seen through its famously fabulous pools. An astonishing 40,000 pools are within the city limits.
Drinking water provided by the district meets all federal and state water quality standards. Water filters may change the taste of tap water, but they are not necessary.
The best swimming season runs between April and October. Between the months of November and March, Palm Cove is home to the box jellyfish, so a special swimming enclosures is erected at the beach to protect swimmers.
Discover The Many Hiking Trails in Palm Springs. Palm Springs offers three main hiking areas; trails from within the City of Palm Springs, 60 miles of trails as part of the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation and 54 miles of trails as part of the Mt San Jacinto State Park.
Introduction: My name is Stevie Stamm, I am a colorful, sparkling, splendid, vast, open, hilarious, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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