Greater Palm Springs
A winter desert trip built around mid-century architecture, resort pools, golf and a ride up the Aerial Tramway.
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Greater Palm Springs is a group of desert cities in the Coachella Valley, in Riverside County and east of Los Angeles. Palm Springs is the best-known of them, with Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage and Indio nearby. Visitors come for mid-century modern houses and hotels, resort pools and golf courses, and the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which lifts riders from the valley floor into Mount San Jacinto State Park. A trip here works well as a short break, with pool time and a few days of sightseeing.
Winter and spring are the main seasons for a visit, when days are warm and dry. Summer highs often pass 40°C (104°F), so most visitors plan trips between late fall and spring. Allow at least three days for the resort cities and the tram, plus a day for Joshua Tree National Park, which is a drive away.
Greater Palm Springs in five
- Come from November to AprilWinter and early spring bring highs in the low to mid 20s °C. From June to September highs pass 38°C and many visitors stay indoors, though resorts often cut rates.
- Book festival weeks months aheadModernism Week in February and the April music festivals in Indio push rates up across the valley. Book early or choose a base outside Indio and drive in.
- Ride the Aerial Tramway earlyThe tram climbs into Mount San Jacinto State Park, where it is much cooler than the desert floor. Bring a jacket and check operating hours and weather before you buy tickets.
- Use it as a Joshua Tree baseJoshua Tree National Park's west entrance is about 45 minutes from Palm Springs, and the park is not one of the 11 with the $100 nonresident fee.Joshua Tree National Park
- Rent a car or budget for ridesharePalm Springs, Palm Desert and La Quinta sit 20 to 40 minutes apart, and transit is limited. Palm Springs Airport is close to downtown, which makes a rental easy to pick up.
Things to do in Greater Palm Springs
See all attractions in Greater Palm Springs
Need to know
- Airport
- Palm Springs International (PSP), about 10 min from downtown
- Getting there
- Fly to PSP or drive from Los Angeles, about 2 to 2.5 hours
- Getting around
- Car or rideshare; SunLine buses link the cities
- Best base
- Palm Springs for design; Palm Desert or La Quinta for resorts
- Time needed
- 2 to 4 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Festival
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear4 rainy daysHigh18°Low8°Mild, busyJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 47 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, busy
- FebruaryClear3 rainy daysHigh20°Low9°Modernism WeekFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 43 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Modernism Week
- MarchClear4 rainy daysHigh22°Low11°Warm, spring breakMarchClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 31 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, spring break
- AprilClear1 rainy dayHigh28°Low15°Coachella (Indio)AprilClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 7 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Coachella (Indio)
- MayClear0 rainy daysHigh31°Low17°Hot, quieterMayClear
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, quieter
- JuneClear0 rainy daysHigh37°Low23°Very hotJuneClear
Mixed
- High
- 37°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 2 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh40°Low26°Extreme heatJulyClear
Poor
- High
- 40°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 3 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Extreme heat
- AugustClear1 rainy dayHigh40°Low26°Extreme heatAugustClear
Poor
- High
- 40°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 11 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Extreme heat
- SeptemberClear1 rainy dayHigh36°Low22°HotSeptemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 36°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 9 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- OctoberClear1 rainy dayHigh30°Low17°Warm, easingOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 6 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, easing
- NovemberClear2 rainy daysHigh23°Low11°Mild, pleasantNovemberClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 29 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, pleasant
- DecemberClear3 rainy daysHigh19°Low8°Mild, holidayDecemberClear
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 35 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, holiday
Average daily high and low in Palm Springs, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Festivals: Apr Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
Right now in Greater Palm Springs
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
27
- Feels like
- 25°
- Humidity
- 17%
- Wind
- 3 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Greater Palm Springs
12:38 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today28°13°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 28°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue28°13°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 28°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed26°19°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 26°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu26°20°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 26°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri28°20°0%Friday: Clear. High 28°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat29°22°0%Saturday: Clear. High 29°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun29°23°0%Sunday: Cloudy. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 12:38 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
What's on in Greater Palm Springs
Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city
Events calendarEvery year
- AprCoachella Valley Music and Arts FestivalGreater Palm Springs
Day trips by train
- Joshua Tree National Parkabout 45 minutes by carThe park's west entrance and rock-climbing boulders.Read the guide
- Idyllwildabout 1 hour by carA cooler mountain town in the San Jacinto Mountains.
- Los Angelesabout 2 to 2.5 hours by carBetter as a stop on a loop than a day trip.Read the guide
Before you go to Greater Palm Springs
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Rules for Greater Palm Springs, checked
- Most visitors need an approved ESTA or a visa before flying to the US; check the entry rules on travel.state.gov and apply only through the official ESTA site.
- Declare fresh fruit, plants, meat and dairy on your CBP arrival form; agriculture inspectors check bags, and undeclared food can lead to penalties.
- Open containers of alcohol are not allowed in the passenger area of a car in California, so keep bottles sealed and stored in the trunk.
- Cannabis is legal for adults in California but cannot be smoked in public places; check the California state rules before you go.
Plan around Greater Palm Springs
Parks, cities, entry rules and money for a US trip
Read the guideJoshua Tree National ParkBoulders, desert trails and a short drive away
Read the guideLos AngelesAbout 2 hours west by car
Read the guideGreater PhoenixAnother desert metro for a Southwest road trip
Read the guideLas VegasThe other classic desert city on a West Coast loop
Read the guideGetting around the USAFlights, trains, buses and rental cars compared
Read the guideGreater Palm Springs FAQ
When is the best time to visit Palm Springs?
November to April, when highs sit in the low to mid 20s °C. February is busy with Modernism Week and spring brings festival crowds. Summer is extremely hot, with highs above 40°C.
Is Palm Springs worth visiting?
Yes, for design, pools, golf and desert light, and as a base for Joshua Tree. It suits relaxed trips more than sightseeing, so stay two to four nights and plan one day trip.
How far is Palm Springs from Los Angeles?
About 2 to 2.5 hours by car in normal traffic. Friday evening and Sunday afternoon traffic can add an hour, so travel off-peak if you can.
Where should I stay: Palm Springs or Palm Desert?
Palm Springs for walkable streets, boutique hotels and nightlife, and Palm Desert for golf, large resorts and quiet. They are about 25 minutes apart, so a split stay is easy.
Is Palm Springs too hot in summer?
Highs often pass 40°C from June to September. Many people stay by the pool, and resorts often lower rates. If you visit, plan outdoor time for early morning and use shade and water.