Palm Springs
Where midcentury glamour meets the Sonoran desert sky — a curated guide to the places worth every mile.
"In Palm Springs, every sunset is a small masterpiece the desert paints for free."
Palm Springs has always attracted a certain kind of dreamer — Hollywood stars, architects, artists. Today, it still radiates that particular desert magic: crystalline skies, pink mountains at dusk, and a pace that insists you slow down. This is our tightly edited guide — only what's genuinely worth your time.
Dining
Palm Springs has quietly become a serious food city. Patio dining is practically a religion — look for spots that let the mountains be your backdrop.
4 Saints at Kimpton Rowan
Arguably the crown jewel of downtown Palm Springs dining. Roasted duck breast, handmade pasta, and expertly crafted cocktails — all served under an open desert sky with the mountains glowing orange behind you.
The Barn at Sparrows Lodge
A 2025 Michelin Key recipient, this open-air barn hosts communal dinners built entirely on locally sourced, seasonally inspired California ingredients. Beneath the stars, with strangers who quickly become friends.
Melaza at Drift Hotel
Caribbean and Latin American flavors collide in the most exciting way at this sleek, contemporary spot. Chicken milanesa, striped bass, teres major steak — and cocktails that are just as bold.
Ash & Vine
Featured in Travel & Leisure's essential Palm Springs guide, this intimate newcomer offers a fairy-lit bougainvillea patio tucked away from the downtown bustle. A perfect dinner-for-two spot.
Accommodations
Palm Springs hotels are experiences in themselves — poolside rituals, midcentury design, and a kind of unhurried hospitality the desert seems to demand.
Kimpton Rowan
Rooftop pool, spectacular mountain views, and home to the city's best bar. The most polished address on Palm Canyon Drive — ideal for first-timers who want to be in the thick of it.
Sparrows Lodge
Rustic-chic cabins, communal fire pits, and pure desert soul. This intimate property feels like a secret — and it earned a Michelin Key for a reason. Book the cabin closest to the garden.
Colony Palms Hotel
Spanish Colonial elegance, lush gardens, and a romantic courtyard pool that feels like the '40s never left. One of Palm Springs' most beautiful properties — timeless in the best possible way.
Ace Hotel & Swim Club
The original cool-kid hotel of Palm Springs. Two pools, an outdoor stage, and a social energy that feels like a permanent summer party. Check their music calendar before booking.
Drift Hotel
Sleek, contemporary, home to the excellent Melaza restaurant. For the traveller who wants downtown convenience with design credentials. Great pool scene, effortlessly stylish common spaces.
Activities
The secret to Palm Springs is pace. Do less than you think you should. When you do leave your sun lounger, these are the pursuits worth it.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Ride 8,516 feet up into Mount San Jacinto State Park in a rotating tram car. The temperature drops 30°F from base to summit — a surreal escape from the desert floor. Dine at Peaks Restaurant at the top as the valley turns gold below.
Tahquitz Canyon Hike
A 1.8-mile round-trip trail through a sacred Cahuilla canyon to a dramatic 60-foot waterfall. Guided tours available and recommended — the rangers tell stories that make the landscape come alive.
Architecture Walk: Uptown Design District
Palm Springs is the unofficial midcentury modern capital of the world. Wander where Neutra, Lautner, and Frey homes line streets like an open-air museum. Go slowly — every corner reveals something worth pausing for.
Palm Springs Art Museum
A remarkably serious collection for a city this size — Henry Moore, Alexander Calder, and a strong focus on California desert artists. The sculpture garden alone is worth an hour. Free on Thursday evenings.
Indian Canyons & Fan Palm Oasis
The ancestral home of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Andreas Canyon's creek-side trail through California fan palms feels like another world entirely. Pack water and go early.
Nightlife
From rooftop negronis at golden hour to a beloved street fair that turns the whole city into a party — Palm Springs nights have their own particular magic.
High Bar at Kimpton Rowan
Seven stories up, this sleek rooftop oasis frames the mountain silhouette perfectly. Order a classic Negroni, find a corner lounge chair, and let the sky do the rest. The shift from blue to deep violet happens right overhead.
VillageFest Thursday Night Market
Every Thursday evening, Palm Canyon Drive closes to traffic and becomes a beloved street fair. Local food vendors, artisan jewelry, vintage finds, live musicians at every corner. Arrive at dusk and stay for the energy.
Shopping
The Design District is a destination in itself — midcentury furniture, vintage fashion, and desert-influenced goods you won't find anywhere else.
Uptown Design District
A stretch of N Palm Canyon Drive lined with antique dealers, midcentury furniture galleries, independent boutiques, and art spaces. Plan a full afternoon — the finds here are genuine and the curation is serious.
VillageFest Market Vendors
Beyond the food stalls, VillageFest is a treasure trove for vintage jewelry, desert-made ceramics, handwoven textiles, and local art. The best browsing happens before the evening gets too busy.
