Amazing Weather

As the fall season progresses in this Southern California oasis, the weather begins to dip down to cooler temperatures, making for pleasantly sunny days and cooler nights. You'll be able to enjoy a near-perfect day when strolling through downtown Palm Springs, as well as while meandering through the El Paseo Shopping District and the distinct shops and eateries in Old Town La Quinta. You can also enjoy fresh-from-the-field flavors from one of several certified farmers markets happening every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. For a true locavore experience, don't miss out on trying a date shake, created with dates cultivated in Greater Palm Springs. We recommend the date shakes at Shields Date Gardens. Interested in learning more about the sweet-but-nutritious fruit? You can even visit a date farm during your stay.

Oasis of Art 

From world-famous concerts and festivals to modern museums and art galleries to architecture tours and live entertainment, the destination’s vibrant arts and culture scene buzzes with unique experiences. Discover more than 100 outdoor public art installations by downloading the artsGPS app, which makes public art, exhibitions, and art-related events easy to find on a self-guided tour.

Getaway Offers

If you are looking to score an unbelievable deal on hotel stays and vacation packages, travelers should plan a trip during October and November – a travel period between the peak and off-peak seasons. During this time, visitors to this SoCal oasis can expect to save big with deals on hotel rates and not-to-miss offers at a number of local businesses. Start planning your fall getaway today! 

Family Fun

Add more fun to your family vacation! You can make a splash at Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa which features its own 2-acre water playground with a lazy river and sandy beach, or enjoy the multiple outdoor pools and side-by-side dueling waterslides at The Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa that launch guests from a third-floor tower down into a crystal blue pool.

The Living Desert is home to over 500 animals representing over 150 species. Fill your morning or afternoon by feeding a giraffe, petting the goats, riding on the carousel, and walking among the wallabies at the Australian Adventures exhibit.

A visit to the Palm Springs Air Museum takes guests back in time to learn all about aircraft from World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars. The museum is a fun activity for the whole family to experience, and kids under 12 are free. There are plenty of family-friendly things to do in Greater Palm Springs. 

Hiking

The return of the fall season also means the return of hiking in Greater Palm Springs. Fortunately for visitors, this canyon-filled oasis offers some of the most ideal hiking options. Take your pick from a number of moderate to difficult trails and get ready to get a great workout in. Once you've made it to the apex of your hike, stand back and enjoy clear skies and the beautiful desert views that surround you on the mountaintop.

Top hiking options in Greater Palm Springs include the North and South Lykken trails. Located not too far from downtown Palm Springs, hikers here can enjoy moderate-level hikes and impressive views of the nearby area. Another pretty easy hike to take on is the Coachella Valley Preserve in Thousand Palms – a true hidden gem – which offers a flat walkabout area that leads you to a lush palm tree scenery. Or, if you are looking to experience a hiking adventure that is unique to Palm Springs, journey to the ultra-popular Indian Canyons and Tahquitz Canyon. These areas are a part of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indian reservation and are home to countless ancestral artifacts, rock art, and native wildlife and plants.

If you are more of an avid hiker, you can test your skills at the Bump and Grind Loop in Palm Desert or the Homestead Trailhead, which is also known as the Palm Desert Cross Loop. Both trails are regarded as local favorites, so you can’t go wrong with either. To see incredible vistas, hop aboard the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway! Once you've taken the 10-minute journey up to the tram station, which is located 8,516 feet above sea level, you'll be able to enjoy self-guided nature walks and more than 50 miles of hiking trails.

Fall Events

The autumn months always usher in a variety of fun things to do in Greater Palm Springs, and this season is no exception! Get ready to have an unforgettable fall vacation by attending these upcoming events and activities!

Modernism Week Fall Preview | October 19-22

Greater Palm Springs LGBTQ+ Pride | November 3-5

La Quinta Art Celebration | November 16-19

Hot Air Balloon Festival & Food Truck Fiesta | November 17

Props & Hops Craft Beer Festival | November 18

Rest & Relaxation

Greater Palm Springs truly has something for everyone, including those who take great care of their health and overall wellbeing. In addition to hiking, meditation, and yoga, there's no better way to chill in the destination than soaking in hot springs. In Palm Springs, The Spa at Séc-he is a 73,000-square-foot luxury day spa offering a fitness center, outdoor amenities, a full spa treatment menu and cafe, and private mineral baths.

Just up the road in Desert Hot Springs, you'll find an assortment of independently owned boutique hotels whose pools and hot tubs are filled with mineral-rich hot springs water. Soaking in the water is said to improve health, reduce pain, and increase metabolism. 

Need more reasons to plan your trip to Greater Palm Springs this autumn? Check out our things to do page for more information on top attractions and locales to experience while in town.