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.
For a $500 Budget
Hotels priced between $90 and $150 per night:
The Westcott (Palm Springs, pictured above), Caliente Tropics Resort (Palm Springs), Vagabond Motor Inn (Palm Springs), Embassy Suites by Hilton Palm Desert
Day One:
Arrive, take a self-guided architecture tour (free, with suggestions available online), visit the Palm Springs Art Museum, explore Sunnylands Center and Gardens (free), 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 (free), lunch at The Cafe at Shields, visit Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory (free), 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 ($18 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 ($140 per person for adults), dinner at 4 Saints
Day Two:
Breakfast at Ernest Coffee, go horseback riding with Smoke Tree Stables (group rides prices start at $60 per person), 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 Palm Springs Windmill Tours ($57 per person for adults), visit The Living Desert zoo ($25 per person adults, $15 for kids), walk through the Backstreet Art District (free on the first Wednesday of the month from 6-9 p.m.), dinner at Melvyn’s
Day Four:
Breakfast at Farm Palm Springs, take a ride up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway ($8 parking, $27 per person for tram ticket)
For a $1,600+ Budget
Hotels priced between $220 and $400 per night:
Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs, La Quinta Resort & Club, Ritz Carlton Rancho Mirage, JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa (Palm Desert)
Day One:
Arrive, hike through the largest California fan palm oasis in the world in Indian Canyons ($9 per person) dinner at Rooster and the Pig, catch live entertainment at the McCallum Theatre (prices vary depending on the show)
Day Two:
Breakfast at Grand Central Palm Springs, hike San Jacinto Peak ($8 parking and $27 per person for Palm Springs Aerial Tramway ticket; trail pictured above during the winter), dinner at Peaks Restaurant; OR speed around on a five-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, $235 at Le Spa and in-room 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.
**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.
