Whether it’s a romantic getaway or an escape from the city, Greater Palm Springs has hundreds of activities—and hotels—for every budget. Here are three sample itineraries for a three-night, four-day trip with options for outdoor enthusiasts, art lovers and foodies.
**Please note: Rates are subject to change depending on the season and time of booking. These prices represent the average nightly rate for accommodations throughout the year.
For a $500 Budget
Hotels priced between $90 and $150 per night:
Caliente Tropics Resort (Palm Springs), Vagabond Motor Inn (Palm Springs), Palm Canyon Resort (Palm Springs), Desert Oasis-The Mod Pod (Cathedral City)
Day One:
Arrive, take a guided architecture tour, visit the Palm Springs Art Museum, explore Sunnylands Center and Gardens, dinner at Tac/Quila
Day Two:
Breakfast at Townie Bagels, hike the Murray Hill Trail (free), dinner at John’s Restaurant; OR enjoy a few games of tennis (free courts at DeMuth Park and Ruth Hardy Park), take a self-guided tour to photograph the windmills (free; the best spots are along Indian Canyon Drive and Dillon Road, pictured above), check out the Palm Springs VillageFest (free), dinner at Trio Restaurant
Day Three:
Explore the Shields Date Garden ($5 per person per adult), lunch at The Cafe at Shields, grab food to-go from The Sandwich Spot, take a guided night hike with Friends of the Desert Mountains (free); OR visit Palm Springs Air Museum ($19.50 per person for adults), lunch at Lulu California Bistro, enjoy live music at Rock Yard at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino (free) and dinner at Twelve
Day Four:
Breakfast at Bit of Country, followed by a stroll through the Moorten Botanical Garden ($5 per person for adults, pictured above)
For a $900 Budget
Hotels priced between $120 and $250 per night:
Saguaro Palm Springs (pictured above), Best Western PLUS Las Brisas Hotel (Palm Springs), Homewood Suites by Hilton La Quinta (La Quinta) and Hampton Inn & Suites (Palm Desert)
Day One:
Arrive, ride into the sunset with Desert Adventures Red Jeep Tours ($125-300 per person for adults depending on group total), dinner at 4 Saints at the Kimpton Rowan
Day Two:
Coffee at Ernest Coffee, go horseback riding with Smoke Tree Stables (group rides prices start at $60 per person), or head over to Steve's ATV Rentals (starting at $60), cruise along the Pines to Palms Highway (pictured above at sunset), dinner at Del Rey
Day Three:
Breakfast at Wilma and Frieda, learn about the valley's wind turbines with self-driving Palm Springs Windmill Tours ($45-49 per person for adults), visit The Living Desert zoo ($27.95 per person adults, $17.95 for kids), walk through the Backstreet Art District (free on the first Wednesday of the month from 5-8 p.m.), dinner at Melvyn’s
Day Four:
Breakfast at Farm Palm Springs, take a ride up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway ($10 parking, $28.95 per person for tram ticket)
For a $1,600+ Budget
Hotels priced between $220 and $450 per night:
Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs (Palm Springs), La Quinta Resort & Club (La Quinta), The Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage (Rancho Mirage), JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa (Palm Desert)
Day One:
Arrive, catch live entertainment at the McCallum Theatre (prices vary depending on the show), dinner at Rooster and the Pig
Day Two:
Breakfast at Grand Central Palm Springs, shop around Downtown Palm Springs at Mojave Flea Trading Post and other local shops, dinner at Peaks Restaurant; OR speed around on a three-hour racetrack session at BMW Performance Center West at The Thermal Club ($300), dinner at Paul Bar/Food
Day Three:
Sunrise hot air balloon ride with Fantasy Balloon Flights ($195 per person), brunch at Juniper Table, explore downtown, relax with a 90-minute massage ($185 at Whispers Spa, starting at $245 at Le Spa and spa options available at the Kimpton Rowan), dinner at Workshop Kitchen & Bar
Day Four:
Breakfast at Cheeky’s, architecture tour with Palm Springs Mod Squad (starting at $75 per person)
There's always something happening in Greater Palm Springs — Continue to explore and make the most of your time in this Southern California oasis with these events.
