The Palm Springs Guide
Things to Do in Palm Springs
Since 1999 we’ve spent our days caring for this valley’s visitors — and our days off in the same places you’re dreaming about. If we had to hand a friend one perfect Palm Springs itinerary, it would start with these three, and it would wander happily through everything after. There’s a day here for everyone.
Staying a while? See Where to Stay in Palm Springs and Where to Eat in Palm Springs — and when the day is done, you know where to find us.
The Signature Days
Things to Do in Palm Springs — Start Here
The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens
Palm Desert · Giraffes against the mountains, desert gardens that go on forever — the valley’s most beloved family day, and honestly, ours too.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Palm Springs · The world’s largest rotating tram car climbs Chino Canyon into another world — pine forest and mountain air, ten minutes from the desert floor. A splurge of a day, worth every bit.
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree / Twentynine Palms · Where two deserts meet among the boulders and the impossible trees. Go for golden hour; stay for the stars. Easy on the wallet, rich in every other way.
Come down from the mountain to us. After the tram, the trails, or a day among the Joshua trees, your body will have opinions. We bring the massage to your hotel room, your rental, or your own patio — call or text (760) 808-4205, any day 8 AM–9 PM, and unwind the local way.
Desert Nature & Canyon Days
Palm Springs Hikes, Canyons & Gardens
Indian Canyons
Palm Springs · Palm, Murray and Andreas Canyons — palm oases and streams in the ancestral home of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Our favorite morning hike in the valley.
Tahquitz Canyon
Palm Springs · A short, sacred walk to a 60-foot waterfall — go after the rains and you’ll never forget it.
Sunnylands Center & Gardens
Rancho Mirage · The Annenberg estate’s public gardens — serene, sculptural, and gentle on the budget; history and hospitality in one quiet walk.
Moorten Botanical Garden
Palm Springs · A family-owned cactarium since 1938 — a shady, whimsical hour among thousands of desert plants.
Museums & Culture Days
Palm Springs Museums & Culture
Palm Springs Art Museum
Palm Springs · Modern and contemporary art, architecture and design in the heart of downtown — the valley’s cultural living room. Its Architecture & Design Center, a few blocks away, is a pilgrimage for mid-century lovers.
Palm Springs Air Museum
Palm Springs · Living-history warbirds you can walk right up to — a favorite for fathers, grandfathers, and every kid who ever looked up.
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
Palm Springs · The story of this valley told by the people who have always been here — essential, and beautifully done.
Cabot’s Pueblo Museum
Desert Hot Springs · One man’s hand-built pueblo, full of wonder — pair it with a mineral-springs soak and call it a day.
Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert
Rancho Mirage · Hands-on everything for the small travelers — the valley’s best rainy-day (or too-hot-day) answer for families.
Evenings, Events & Only-in-the-Desert Days
Palm Springs Events & Festivals
VillageFest
Palm Springs · Thursday nights, Palm Canyon Drive closes and the whole town comes out — art, food, music, and people-watching of the highest order.
Modernism Week
Palm Springs · The great celebration of midcentury design — tours, talks and house parties for the architecture-obsessed.
BNP Paribas Open
Indian Wells · “Tennis Paradise” — the whole valley hums during the tournament; book everything early, including us.
Indian Wells Tennis Garden
Indian Wells · Year-round tennis at one of the sport’s most beautiful venues.
Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
Indio · The festival that needs no introduction. Two weekends of beautiful noise at the Empire Polo Club.
Stagecoach Festival
Indio · Coachella’s country cousin — boots, hats, and the same golden polo fields.
Festival feet? Festival everything. After a day on the polo fields or a night at VillageFest, an in-rental massage is the valley’s best recovery plan. We serve every city on this page — PalmSpringsSpaMassage.com · (760) 808-4205.
Playing the valley’s famous fairways? Finish the day the way the pros wish they could — our golf recovery massage brings sports deep tissue and stretching to your home, second home or rental, from La Quinta and the PGA West area to gated golf communities valley-wide.
Shopping Days
El Paseo, Palm Desert — The Valley’s Luxury Shopping District
A mile of boutiques, galleries and garden courtyards — the desert’s Rodeo Drive, best taken slowly, with lunch in the middle. Begin with the district itself at The Gardens on El Paseo — and of its high-end clothing houses, these are the names our guests ask about most:
Gucci
Italian luxury at its boldest — ready-to-wear, handbags and shoes, a short stroll along El Paseo.
Louis Vuitton
The icon — the Palm Desert boutique at The Gardens carries the full world of LV. Arrive curious; leave carrying orange.
Bottega Veneta
Quiet, woven, unmistakable — intrecciato leather goods and ready-to-wear for those who know.
CH Carolina Herrera
Timeless, joyful elegance at The Gardens — ready-to-wear and accessories for women, men and children.
Saks Fifth Avenue
The district’s grand department store — designer floors, beauty and personal service at the Gardens.
Make it a gift. Know someone heading to the desert? A gift card for a spa day is the souvenir that always fits. Are you mature in years? Are you in any pain? All are welcome — rest in our strong, safe hands.
Staying nearby? See Where to Stay — and if the shopping bags win, we’ll come to your room or rental and take care of the shoulders that carried them.