Things to do in
Palm Springs

Palm Springs

Our most recommended things to do in Palm Springs

Palm Springs: Aerial Tramway Round-Trip Ticket

Palm Springs: Aerial Tramway Round-Trip Ticket

From top to bottom, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway delivers a scenic and educational journey as you travel through 5 transitional zones. Some have compared it to taking a ride from Mexico to Alaska in just 10 minutes. See for yourself as you ride up to the top, where spectacular views await! The 2.5 mile (4 kilometer) ride from the Valley Station (elevation 2,643 feet, or 805 meters) to the Mountain Station (elevation 8,516 feet, or 2,596 meters) transports you from the warm desert sands to cool mountain air, with temperatures that are generally 30-degrees cooler than on the ground. The tramway is the threshold of the 14,000-acre Mt. San Jacinto State Park, a natural place with some of the last pristine wilderness in Southern California. In the winter, try cross-county skiing or snowshoeing. Rental equipment is available at the Adventure Cether, snow conditions permitting. During the summer months, camping, guided nature walks, and 54 miles (87 kilometers) of hiking are available. There are 2 dining options at the Mountain Station: Peaks Restaurant offers upscale contemporary cuisine with a spectacular view of the desert floor, and Pines Cafe is a cafeteria-style restaurant that offers a casual dining experience. Also at the top are gift shops, a Natural History Museum, and 2 documentary-style movies on the history of the tramway and the Mt. San Jacinto State Park.

Palm Springs: Drag Show with Brunch

Palm Springs: Drag Show with Brunch

The Saguaro Hotel presents PS Drag Brunch, the winner of 2022 Best Drag Brunch Award. You'll enjoy a lavish 3-course menu, served at a private table and accompanied by Bottomless Mimosas, Unlimited Champagne, and never-ending soft drinks. While you dine, be entertained by one of the best drag experiences available anywhere. You'll see the top drag talent in California and beyond, a cast featuring Emmy Winners, nationally touring drag artists, and local celebrities. The show wows guests with the costumes, the dancing, the perfect makeup, and the precise lip-sync. Audiences are left alternatively gasping at the shade these queens can throw, or cheering the spectacle unfolding right beside their table. With 5 stars on every review website, PS Drag Brunch is always at the top of everyone's list of things they "must do" in Palm Springs. And with good reason: nearly half guest testimonials use the word "amazing" to describe their experience. And even the most seasoned lovers of drag culture describe this as the "best drag show they've ever seen". Come and enjoy the most remarkable experience in Palm Springs. And leave with "that" photo, the one where you're posting with our cast, that will define your entire trip to magical Palm Springs.

Palm Springs: Legends and Icons Tour

Palm Springs: Legends and Icons Tour

Enjoy a guided tour of Palm Springs and see the houses once occupied by the rich and famous, including celebrities from Hollywood’s golden years. Discover where current celebrities live and keep your eyes open for some star spotting. The glamorous movie colony of Palm Springs boasts more than 50 celebrity homes, including those of Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, and the small house owned by Marilyn Monroe on Rose Avenue. Many stars built smaller getaways than their LA mansions, located just east of Palm Canyon Drive to Ruth Hardy Park. Visit the property known as “The Rat Pack Hideaway” and the location of the Liberace movie, “Behind The Candelabra,” starring Michael Douglas, Matt Damon, and Debbie Reynolds. Hear about the numerous Palm Springs landmarks, such as the Art and Air Museum, the Plaza Theater, The Indian and Tahquitz Canyons, the aerial tramways, historic inns, and many more. Dive back in time and learn about how the Cahuilla Indians lived in the area over 3,000 years ago, long before Hollywood arrived.

Palm Springs: San Andreas Fault Open-Air Jeep Tour

Palm Springs: San Andreas Fault Open-Air Jeep Tour

Board your open-air Jeep and embark upon a scenic and informative exploration of the stunning landscape of an active earthquake zone where you will travel across private property only accessible by 4WD and only open for this specific tour. This exciting 4WD adventure to the private Metate Ranch reserve on the San Andreas fault line is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for any visitor to the Coachella Valley. Discover the unique geography of this tortured landscape as you explore the skeleton of the earth. Visit a natural oasis and uncover the mysteries of the hardy plants and animals carving out an existence in the dry barren landscape.  Learn about the culture and lifestyle of the Cahuilla Indians and how they used the desert’s plants for food, medicine, tools, weapons, shelter, and more. You will have an opportunity to walk among the stone corridors and sheer granite walls of ancient canyons as you learn the fascinating history of the primal forces that shaped the valleys and surrounding landscape and the people that called this place home for millennia.

California Audioguide for Self-Drivers (English & German)

California Audioguide for Self-Drivers (English & German)

After booking you receive a separate Email from us with the instructions on how to install the app and the guide! You can ignore the "Ticket" Email from Get Your Guide. Please also check your spam-folder for our Email and please get in touch with us if something does not work! Complete your road trip around California with an audio guide featuring 169 locations and 3 hours of audio in 1 app. Listen to the recordings as you take in views at Yosemite, Mt. Whitney, and Zabriskie Point, experience the unique cultures of Silicon Valley, Santa Monica, and Hollywood, and drive down Highway 1. Feel at ease taking in the views while the app uses GPS to find your location and suggest stops. From famous landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge to lesser-known gems like Moss Landing, appreciate the wealth of beauty and history in California with detailed audio descriptions. Stop and start your journey as often as you please, there’s no constraints once you download the app and activate your audio guide. If there’s a specific site you’d like to visit, manually choose audio guides from the built-in map or from a list.

Palm Springs: Self-Driving Windmill Tour

Palm Springs: Self-Driving Windmill Tour

The Palm Springs windmill self-driving tour is an interactive, educational, and fun tour for friends and family. This tour will guide you along with an audio program provided through an app with clearly marked destinations throughout the first commercial wind farm in Southern California. After check-in at the Tour Center, you will see a 15-minute video before your self-driving tour. There are exhibits inside the Tour Center on wind energy. You will then be given a map and directed to where to start your tour. You will then take a journey through 10 marked stops, starting with a display yard of non-operating wind turbines. Learn about the successes and failures and visit a real generating wind turbine, where you can get up close and take pictures. Continue to a solar farm and end the tour with a stop at the old gas plant.

Sightseeing Adventure Tour of Joshua Tree Park (Max 10)

Sightseeing Adventure Tour of Joshua Tree Park (Max 10)

Embark on an unforgettable 4-hour Joshua Tree National Park adventure, where you'll explore the park's surreal rock formations and iconic Joshua Trees. Ride in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle as an experienced local guide leads you through the park, sharing fascinating insights into its history and geology. During the tour, you'll marvel at the park's metamorphic boulders and stunning desert landscapes, filled with hundreds of Joshua Trees. Your guide will ensure you visit the best spots, providing opportunities to take in the beauty of this unique desert environment. Whether you're a nature enthusiast, a photography lover, or simply looking to connect with the extraordinary desert landscape, this tour offers the perfect blend of adventure and education in one of California's most iconic national parks.

Palm Springs: Private Walking Tour "Twin Palms" Neighborhood

Palm Springs: Private Walking Tour "Twin Palms" Neighborhood

For 2 hours during your private, guided walk in the "Twin Palms Estates" residential neighborhood of Palm Springs, California, you'll see many original homes with famous mid-century modern designs inspired by American culture and trends popular in the 1950s and 1960s. Many of the homes feature their original "butterfly" design. You'll hear how this groundbreaking real estate development was one of the first of its kind, learn about architect William Krisel's extraordinary vision and how his simple architectural design was subtly modified to create a varied residential streetscape complete with unique landscaping. You'll also see the former residences of several famous Hollywood celebrities, including Debbie Reynolds, author and screenwriter Ray Bradbury and other noted showbiz-related personalities. From the meeting point, your walk will meander along quiet, paved, flat streets while viewing homes and architectural features. With lively commentary, Douglas Kline, your guide, will describe, explain, provide context and reveal behind-the-scenes lore that prompts interesting questions and fun conversation. The 2-hour outdoor walking loop will end back at the tour starting point, a total distance of about 1 mile. Like the idea of a private stroll through a lushly landscaped neighborhood under towering palms while discovering an inspiring collection of noted Palm Springs home designs? This tour is for you. IMPORTANT: Restrooms are not available before or during the tour. Bring bottled water if desired. Bottled water is not provided. This tour is not of Frank Sinatra's former residence also named "Twin Palms." Palm Springs business license #OC-005497-2024 Member, P.S. Historical Society Member, P.S. Preservation Foundation Your private guide, Douglas Kline, is an engaging communicator and born storyteller who has years of professional experience leading hundreds of informative and entertaining city tours for all types of guests - singles, couples, families and groups of friends. "Recommended for anyone! We learned so much and really felt like we got to know the city." Holly K., California USA "Our whole family, 3 generations ranging from 9-70 years, had an amazing time! Bravo!!" Jen G., Minneapolis, USA "Absolutely wonderful. A++ and 5 stars. Doug was exceptional. Extremely knowledgeable." Genevieve R., Maryland USA "We did not expect to learn so much in such a short time." Michael L., California USA "5 out of 5 stars! Personable. . . knowledgeable. . ." Thalia S., Georgia USA "Highly recommend!" Melissa A., Wisconsin USA "He was…excellent at engaging our younger members and keeping them involved." Brian G., Minnesota USA "Doug went above and beyond to make our trip enjoyable with recommendations of other places to visit and great restaurants to try." Ann R., Indiana USA "Amazing experience! Douglas' passion means return soon!" Ana M., Brazil

Best of Palm Springs Small Group Tour with Aerial Tram

Best of Palm Springs Small Group Tour with Aerial Tram

Embark on a thrilling exploration of the captivating landscapes and cultural wonders surrounding Palm Springs with a guided tour. Enjoy a scenic drive, see the Palm Springs Art Museum, and visit the breathtaking Tahquitz Canyon. Begin your day with a friendly pickup from your downtown hotel, setting the stage for an unforgettable journey through the heart of California's desert oasis. The adventure kicks off with a scenic drive via the Palm Springs Art Museum, providing you with a glimpse of the region's artistic and cultural richness. From there, head to the breathtaking Tahquitz Canyon, where a 30-minute exploration will immerse you in the beauty of a 60-foot seasonal waterfall, ancient irrigation systems, and indigenous wildlife. After absorbing the wonders of Tahquitz Canyon, journey to Andreas Canyon, where you'll encounter groves of stately skirted palms, unique rock formations, and the perennial Andreas Creek. The next leg of the adventure takes you to the Palm Springs Aerial Tram, the largest rotating aerial tramway in the world. Brace yourself for a panoramic ascent to the alpine wilderness of Long Valley and Mount San Jacinto State Park. The air at the summit can be up to 40°F cooler, providing a refreshing contrast to the desert below. Two summit restaurants await, one specializing in fine dining. As you descend, a continuous video presentation at the Mountain Station offers insights into the history of this remarkable attraction. The tour concludes with a drop-off at your hotel, leaving you with memories of a day filled with natural wonders, cultural experiences, and the exhilaration of exploring the unique attractions around Palm Springs.

Palm Springs: Indian Canyons Hiking Tour by Jeep

Palm Springs: Indian Canyons Hiking Tour by Jeep

Journey to the Ancestral Home of the Cahuilla Indians where stunning rock formations and the contrasting greens of magnificent California fan palms and more than 150 species of plants beckon travelers to these lush oases. Throughout your journey, your naturalist guide will engage and entertain you with stories about the lifestyle, culture, and beliefs of the Cahuilla Indians, our local Native American Tribe. Enjoy a guided, easy 1-mile hike on a tranquil trail along the banks of Andreas Creek as your guide describes the ceremonies and legends of the Cahuilla people and explains how they used the desert’s plants for survival. View one of the largest natural palm oases in North America from the rim of Palm Canyon and enjoy a short walk to a hidden water cave where the water flows most of the year.

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Frequently asked questions about Palm Springs

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What people are saying about Palm Springs

Overall rating

4.8
(249 reviews)

The aerial trip to 9000 ft by tram and history of the fault and the Valley were exceptional. Trams were on time, narration and music were great, and the weather was fantastic; 74 at the base and fully -30 degrees lower at the summit. The 54 miles of hiking trails is amazing enough for a return trip! Thank you for a fantastic learning experience!

It was great however we couldn't upgrade to the ride and dine to eat at the cafe at the top of the mountain so we had to pay full price a la carte

We do the ride up every time we are in Palm Springs. Each time is better. It’s a don’t miss for the experience.

It was a fun experience! Next time I need to give myself time for more hiking.

It was a really cool and unique experience being on the moving tram