November 2025: Hey, what's all that white stuff ?
Yes, it does snow here in Greater Palm Springs - at the top of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to be exact ! It’s a whole new world in winter at the top of the tram. Think snowball fights with the kids, teaching them how to make snow angels, sledding, and even trekking along the cross-country skiing trails up there. Or, as an alternative, cozy up at the new Lookout Lounge, enjoy a hot toddy of your choice, and take in the amazing views.
Snowfall at the Tram normally occurs between November and February, check their live Snowcam for real-time weather updates
Joanne Ohanesian
Tourism Development Manager
October 2025: October is National Farmer and Farmworker month, and we have plenty of them to celebrate here in Greater Palm Springs! Known as the "Date Capital" of the country, 90% of the nations dates are grown right here in the Coachella Valley. Our warm, dry climate is also ideal for growing table grapes, bell peppers and citrus fruits. Agritourism is a growing attraction here in Greater Palm Springs. There are a number of working farms where you can enjoy a true farm-to-table dinner right on the farm itself such as The Packhouse at Aziz Farms or Sam Cobb Farms where you can tour their wonderful facilities.
Joanne Ohanesian
Tourism Development Manager
October 2025: You have hiked the beautiful trails in Joshua Tree National Park, enjoyed a relaxing sound bath at Integratron, and experienced an unforgettable night Stargazing....what's next you ask? Head west about 20 minutes from the Joshua Tree Visitor's Center, and you will find Pioneertown. Home to the iconic Pappy and Harriet's Restaurant, this 1880's styled western town has small shops, and even a petting zoo. If you are looking for a unique group activity for up to 30 people, Soukie Modern might be something to consider. Soukie Modern is a Moroccan owned brand that makes one of a kind hand woven rugs. They merge traditional Moroccan tribal styles with midcentury design, creating unique pieces. You can pre-arrange to have your group members experience weaving on a traditional loom, and also create a pom pom keychain that they can take home as a souvenir from the experience. Catering and entertainment can also be arranged.
Julie Kawaguchi
Tourism Development Manager
September 2025: There are many "icons" in and around Greater Palm Springs celebrating their centennial birthdays since 2024 and into 2026: Shields Date Farm, The La Quinta Resort and Club, and Route 66. Another place to add to that list would be the Korakia Pensione.
Korakia Pensione is one of those gems that you want to gatekeep, but also want to brag to your friends that you know about.
Built in 1924 by Scottish painter Gordon Coutts for his wife, this secluded hideaway features Moroccan architectural elements and décor. In its early days, the property became a gathering spot for figures like Rudolph Valentino, Errol Flynn, Winston Churchill, and other artists.
Named as the "sexiest hotel in America" by the New York TImes, the property is lush with gardens, fountains, olive and citrus trees, and fire pits, and spans over 1.5 acres. There are 28 unique villas, guesthouses, and bungalows. With the absence of TVs and phones, you can truly unwind and unplug here and enjoy the romantic Morroccan and Mediterranean charm!
Julie Kawaguchi
Tourism Development Manager
August 2025: Who doesn't love a great speakeasy?
Well I've got one for you in Palm Springs. PS Air Bar is secretly tucked in the back of an innocent wine and cheese shop. Those "in the know" will walk up the ramp toward the rear of the store, and enter a reproduction of a vintage 1960s-era first-class airplane cabin! Every little detail is spot-on, down to the airplane-shaped ice cubes in the drinks. I don't want to spoil too much of the fun, so just hop on board and be ready for a fun throwback time!
Joanne Ohanesian
Tourism Development Manager
July 2025: There are a number of awesome local brands that you can discover while traveling in Greater Palm Springs. The Body Deli, based in Greater Palm Springs, is a brand that was created in 2001 and is considered one of the pioneers in fresh, organic, raw superfood enhanced personal care products. I recently hosted a group from SET Taiwan, and we visited the Body Deli flagship store on El Paseo for a unique activity creating our own scrubs and sachets from essential oils and dried herbs and flowers. Such a fun few hours! We fell in love with the Melon Peptide Creme Gel, Cucumber Juice Elixir, Vital C Serum, and their Creme De La Rose, just to name a few. Add this to your list of shops to check out when you are in the area!
Julie Kawaguchi
Tourism Development Manager
July 2025: Greater Palm Springs is more than just sunshine and scenic views—it's also a natural haven for cactus plants. With its unique hot climate, abundant sunshine, and sandy soil, our desert oasis offers the ideal conditions for these hardy desert dwellers to grow, flourish and thrive.
Cactuses are perfectly adapted to the desert lifestyle. Their thick skins retain water, and their spines protect them from both the sun and curious wild animals. In the valley, where daytime temperatures soar and rainfall is scarce, these adaptations are a perfect match for both the desert environment and landscape.
Go and wander through local neighborhoods or wilderness and you’ll find a stunning variety of cactuses—from quirky barrel plants to delicate prickly pears. Their shapes, sizes, and colorful blooms which appear primarily in springtime, add bold texture to the mountain and palm tree landscape year-round. Some of them are pretty familiar to us, while others look like they are brought from outer space.
Whether you're a plant lover or just enjoy the unique beauty of desert flora, it's easy to see why Greater Palm Springs is truly a cactus paradise.
Oleg Nakonechny
Tourism Development Manager
July 2025: There's a new fun place to get your paws wet in Palm Desert !
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens has opened up their Oasis Splash Pad.
This giant-sized splash pad is included with park admission and is the perfect place for the kids to get a little wild during your visit to our Zoo. Whimsical, colorful, and of course wildlife-forward, guests of all ages can enjoy this great way to cool off in the summer.
Everything that The Living Desert does keeps conservation front of mind, and their new Splash Pad is no exception. Thanks to the recirculatory system, water is captured, sanitized, and reused. Only 4,000 gallons were needed to fill the storage tank, plus occasional top-offs for evaporation which is less than half the water an average household uses in a month!
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens will be open all summer, and be sure to check out the new Black Rhino Encounter, Australian Adventures enclosure with cute Wallabies bouncing around you and Giraffe feeding while you are there!
Joanne Ohanesian
Tourism Development Manager
June 2025: Well, if you haven’t been to Sherman's Deli & Bakery, are you even living? This Palm Springs deli/restaurant is both an institution and a time machine that flies you back to the golden days of mile-high pastrami, matzo ball soup that could cure a broken heart, and waitstaff who call you “honey” like they’ve known you forever and ever.
Ohhhh, and the portions… You must see the portions! Let’s just say if you finish your sandwich in one sitting, you might be part a superman or a superwoman. Whether you're a New Yorker-in-exile or just hungry enough to take on a brisket the size of a small dog, Sherman's is the yummy deli dream come true.
Located in the heart of downtown Palm Springs, Sherman's Deli & Bakery has been a loved eatery since 1953. The deli quickly became a favorite among locals and celebrities alike, including Frank Sinatra, Zsa Zsa Gabor, and Bob Hope. Today, Sherman's continues to serve classic New York-style deli fare in the California desert. No matter what your culinary taste is, don’t leave Palm Springs without indulging yourself at Sherman’s
Oleg Nakonechny
Tourism Development Manager
June 2025: Happy PRIDE month from Visit Greater Palm Springs - where all are welcomed !!!!!
Joanne Ohanesian
Tourism Development Manager
June 2025: In the heart of the Coachella Valey, where palm trees sway in the wind and dominant mountains stand high, the Palm Springs Surf Club rises like a mirage in the desert, only it’s real, and it's redefining what’s possible. PS Surf Club isn’t your typical waterpark. It’s a thoughtfully designed hybrid of surf culture and resort-style relaxation.
This isn’t just a wave pool either. It’s a new movement that embraces and introduces us to a bold fusion of innovation and design, where the thrill of surfing meets the soul of the desert. The wave machine, developed by top engineers in Germany and California pro surfers, generates man-made waves that mimic real ocean surf. Here, wave riders of all levels come together not just to ride, but to form a desert surf community and culture. The surf is perfect. The vibe is electric. And the backdrop? Pure magic.
Oleg Nakonechny
Tourism Development Manager
June 2025: When most people picture Palm Springs, they imagine lots of sunshine, swaying palms, and warm desert air. But spend just a little time here, and you'll quickly realize — this oasis in the California desert has more surprises up its sleeve. In a single day, you might see snow-capped mountains, a rainbow arching over the mountains, and golden sunshine all over the valley below. Locals will tell you, and I agree, that there's something spiritual about catching a rainbow in the valley. Perhaps it is a combination of natural beauty and personal feelings that makes the whole experience so special.
What makes Palm Springs truly magical is not just the sunshine, the snow, or the rainbows — it’s how they coexist. It's the idea that in a single day or even hour you can see all of them, makes you wonder how this is possible. It's a reminder that mother nature thrives on contrast, and that even in the desert — perhaps especially in the desert — the magic of unexpected is everywhere.
So, whether you're here for a weekend getaway or you call this valley home, keep your eyes open. You never know when the sky and the desert will surprise you.
Oleg Nakonechny
Tourism Development Manager
May 2025: I wanted to share one of my new favorite places in La Quinta, the Old Town Artisan Studios. If you are looking for something fun, creative, and relaxing to do while in Greater Palm Springs, this is the spot! It is the perfect activity to try solo, with friends and family, or even for a company team building event. They have various classes for children to adults from pottery, pottery painting, fused glass art, to glass mosaic. They even offer private classes upon request. Spread over 3 acres, the Old Town Artisan Studios is a non profit organization which also has various music events, and fundraisers throughout the year. If you do not have time for a class, I suggest visiting their campus to check out the art gallery exhibit and the gift shop. Their gift shop carries one of a kind jewelery, and art pieces curated by local artists. I spent a few hours at a fused art class, and laughed with new people I met. Such a fun time. I cannot wait to go back and take their glass mosaic class!
Julie Kawaguchi
Tourism Development Manager
April 2025:" I'll take a Pinot Noir with my Frampton Comes Alive, please."
The resurgence of Downtown Indio has a new crown jewel - The Rosemary Hi-Fi Wine Bar. Coachella Valley local Adrian Romero made his dream into a reality by opening our first Beer and Natural Wine Listening Bar. It is a place where sound, design, community (and wine) converge. I arrived with my stack of Vinyl LP's in hand, and Adrian gladly obliged when I handed him my original "A Night at the Opera" by Queen. When that needle hit the vinyl; well it's just in an audiophile category of it's own. The speakers set in the wall are from the Capitol Records building archives in L.A.
I opted for the the Orange (not red, not white, not Rose, but orange) wine that was on the menu, and it was delicious. Next time you are in Palm Springs, make time for a visit to downtown Indio for a slightly different vibe - and BYO vinyl !
Joanne Ohanesian
Tourism Development Manager
March 2025: If you are planning your itinerary for a visit to Greater Palm Springs and looking for something unique to do, how about visiting Desert X?
Desert X may sound like something out of a science fiction movie, but it is a biennial international art exhibition that is going on now until May 11.
The first Desert X was back in 2017, and since then there have been four biennial exhibitions throughout the Coachella Valley, with 1.7 million visitors so far.
This year, there are 11 new installations across the Coachella Valley. The eleven artists are from Asia, Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East. Their pieces of art follow this year’s theme of the desert’s deep time evolution.
I had the opportunity to visit the installation at the Sunnylands Center and Gardens and see "The Living Pyramid" by Agnes Denes. Looking forward to visiting the rest of the exhibition before May !
Julie Kawaguchi
Tourism Development Manager
January 2025: "I'll have a tall latte and a burro, please"
An espresso martini at sunset? A salt-rimmed margarita fireside? A lavender latte under the mesquite tree? Or a live band under the stars? Whenever you come and whatever you choose, you're in for a unique experience.
Newly opened, Mas O Menos (translated: More or Less) is a uniquely rustic and relaxed coffee-by-day, cocktails-by-night cozy in the city of Joshua Tree.
And for the ultimate high-desert experience, stop by on a Friday afternoon for the Mini Donkey Happy Hour. Hay treats are provided for Geronimo, Red Wing, and Wolfie. Local Street food pop-ups provided for humans.
Joanne Ohanesian
Tourism Development Manager
December 2024: Indio, known as the City of Festivals, rounds up the year with one of it's best - The Tamale Festival!
Picture a Tamale Trail of over 200 local Tamale makers - from savory classics to sweet treats - all lined up in downtown Indio waiting for you to sample and enjoy. Team that up with live Mariachi entertainment and Luchador competitions, and you have a day full of fun. There also are family favorites such as free ice-skating, carnival rides and games, a holiday parade; and admission parking is free.
Always the first weekend in December, the Indio Tamale Festival is a favorite of locals and visitors as well -
Joanne Ohanesian
Tourism Development Manager
November 2024: If you are in Greater Palm Springs on a Thursday night, and are looking for something fun to do in the evening, look no further than the VillageFest. Since 1991, every Thursday night, about three blocks of Palm Canyon Drive is closed to vehicle traffic, and the street fair takes over. It has now grown to close to 200 vendors. Its fun to stroll down the street, listening to the music, and stopping at the different booths. You can find anything from jewelery, apparel, bags, candles, soaps, lamps, crafts, artwork...the list goes on and on. What a great place to pick up unique gifts for the upcoming holiday season! And did I mention the food? From sweet to savory, everyone will leave with happy tummies.
Julie Kawaguchi
Tourism Development Manager
October 2024: The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is always one of our top visitor attractions here in Greater Palm Springs - and it is about to get even better, as they add exciting new attractions and special events. Spring of 2025 will launch a new animal-themed Splashpad to the Zoo. This eco-friendly feature will boast a recirculating system that captures, cleans, filters, and reuses water. Additionally, in the spring of 2025, visitors can look forward to a new café/marketplace with a stunning view of Bighorn Mountain!
Construction is also underway for the new African Lion Habitat and event center.
October 26 - 27 brings the annual Howl-O-Ween as guests of all ages are invited to dress up in their favorite costumes and celebrate the season with fun Halloween activities and pop-up experiences throughout the park.
Wild Lights returns November 26 - December 30 for a unique experience of seeing the Zoo at night. Experience favorite festive displays such as the Tunnel of Lights, Dazzling Gift, and holiday-themed G-Scale model train!
Definitely include a visit to The Living Desert and Gardens on you next trip to Greater Palm Springs!
Joanne Ohanesian
Tourism Development Manager
October 2024: Did you know that the Coachella Valley produces 95% of the dates in the United States? Dates have surprising nutritional benefits....they are high in fiber, loaded with antioxidants, a good source of prebiotics for gut health, and have magnesium and potassium to support healthy blood pressure. They are also a good substitute for sugar, since they have a low glycemic index.
We recently had the opportunity to work with Executive chef Reese Murakami from The Polo Club, to shoot a cooking demonstration where he made their "It's a Date Salad with Grilled Bread and Date Compote".
Dates can be used in salads, shakes, desserts, sauces, and more. The list is endless.
Next time you are in GPS, drop by one of our farms such as Aziz Farms, Temalpakh Farms, Shields Date Garden and pick up some Dates to try in your recipes!
Julie Kawaguchi
Tourism Development Manager
September 2024: When planning your itinerary for a visit to Greater Palm Springs, remember to include time for El Paseo, the “Rodeo Drive” of Greater Palm Springs.
The time here will seem to fly by …there are so many designer shops, restaurants, art galleries, and interior designer showrooms. From November to May, on the first Friday night of each month, they also showcase events such as live music and art receptions. You can also find popular local brands, such as The Body Deli’s flagship store. The shop is filled with many varieties of skincare products which use only natural and organic products. Be forewarned that you will have a hard time selecting just a few favorites...
After spending the day shopping and eating, one of my favorite things to do to unwind is to walk to the nearby Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden. The four-acre garden features 14 outdoor sculptures and over 60 desert plants and is open every day from sunrise to sunset. Such a great way to end a perfect day!
Julie Kawaguchi
Tourism Development Manager
August 2024: Have you ever heard the name of a place, and instantly wanted to go there? That's what happened when I heard about the new art installation that was unveiled in Indio back in April aptly named "Happy Alley . If you are in Indio, enjoying the other outdoor art installations and wall murals, make sure to add "Happy Alley" to your list. It is tucked in an alley near gift shops, a coffee shop, and a vinyl record shop. The bright umbrellas and several new wall murals will instantly put a smile to your face. If you schedule your visit on a Friday, you can also experience the fun weekly evening tradition in Indio, "Food Truck Fridays ", and get a taste of local food and drinks.
Julie Kawaguchi
Tourism Development Manager
July 2024: It is a well-known fact that Greater Palm Springs is a hiking paradise. But did you know that you can spend the whole day on top Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains enjoying an unforgettable hiking experience filled with stunning vistas, diverse ecosystems, and trails for every skill level? A 12-minute-long ride on the aerial tramway will bring you to the top of the San Jacinto National Park where you find endless blue skies looking down at the dense forests of pine, cedar, and oak trees. The moment you step off the tramway car all you can feel and taste is the crystal clean and crisp air filled with every fragrance of the wilderness stretching in front of your eyes. It is virtually impossible to find a more peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life at 8500 feet above Greater Palm Springs. As you follow one of the hiking trails and make your way through the lush forest, keep an eye out for wildlife, including mule deer, bobcats, squirrels, and a variety of bird species. If you happen to do a hike in the spring, then you are certain to be mesmerized by the vibrant wildflowers which add countless splashes of bright colors to the landscape. Hiking in the San Jacinto Mountains is more than just a physical challenge, it is a journey into the heart of nature’s beauty. Add this to your explore list – you won’t be disappointed!
Oleg Nakonechny
Tourism Development Manager
