Explore Greater Palm Springs in Southern California

Are you looking for an adventure in the great outdoors? A place to unwind and relax? Music festivals? All of the above?

Look no further than Greater Palm Springs in sunny southern California!

How to Get There

This area is easily accessible. Grab a direct flight from a number of cities, including Houston, New York, and Boston. From the Greater Palm Springs area, you’re within driving distance to Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, and Phoenix – all within a 4-hour drive! If you choose to fly in and don’t want to rent a car, why not focus on only Palm Springs? If you want to explore more, we suggest getting a rental.

The Cities of Greater Palm Springs

While the area is often called ‘Palm Springs,’ that’s actually only one of the cities there. Located in the Coachella Valley, the Greater Palm Springs area is made up of nine different cities. Each city offers a variety of experiences and accommodations – all surrounded by scenic landscapes and beautiful mountains.

Palm Springs is described as “Hollywood’s playground”. Falling within Hollywood Studios’ “Two-Hour Rule” radius, this city became a popular destination for stars looking to relax. Visit the city in January and catch a glimpse of famous celebrities as they attend the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

Relax in Desert Hot Springs. With natural hot and cold mineral springs to soak in, you’re sure to find the right space to de-stress. Indulge in a massage. Spend time detoxing. Whatever your way to unwind, this is a great spot to do it! Many of the hotels and spas here also offer their own mineral water pools.

Visit Palm Desert for shopping or explore the Living Desert, the only zoo in the world to focus on desert region flora and fauna. For the art scene, stop by Cathedral City and find public art installments around the city or visit the art and design district to see local artists’ work.

More than a million people visit Indio to attend festivals each year. Home to the famous Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival and Stagecoach Country Music Festival. Host to numerous other events. There’s a reason Indio is considered “the City of Festivals.” To learn more about the history of the valley, stop by the Coachella Valley History Museum.

We’ve spoken about Hollywood’s Playground in Palm Springs, but what about a “playground for Presidents”? Visit Rancho Mirage, which holds that nickname, for a myriad of exciting things to do and see. If you’re into tennis, visit Indian Wells and the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. It is home to the BNP Paribas Open – the largest tennis tournament that combines men and women in the world. It is also home to one of the Ironman 70.3 races.

Visit Coachella for an array of dining options, the art of the Coachella Walls, or the two high-stakes casinos. In La Quinta, you’ll find cobblestone sidewalks and interesting adobe wall architecture as you wander along the main street.

Things to Do

Horseback riding, hiking, or biking: the Greater Palm Springs area offers all those activities and more! One thing to keep in mind is that you’re in the desert. It can get very warm in the summer, while the winter may see snow in the mountains. Be aware of the weather and temperature conditions before setting out.

There are thousands of routes for you to take if you want to go rock climbing or bouldering. Whatever your skill level or preference of indoor/outdoor – you’re sure to find something! If you’d rather soar into adventures, take to the skies above the Coachella Valley! See the sights from above from a helicopter or small plane; or float by in a hot air balloon.

Practice your swing at one of the country clubs and golf courses. There are more than 100 in Greater Palm Springs. Arnold Palmer, Pete Dye, and Jack Nicklaus have all designed courses here. The PGA and LPGA both stop here during tournaments as well.

If you’re looking for a day trip, check out nearby Joshua Tree National Park. It covers part of two different deserts, the Mojave Desert and the Sonoran Desert, and is home to the famous Joshua trees. Keep in mind there is no cell service throughout the park.

Places to Stay

You’re sure to find what you’re looking for when it comes to hotels and resorts in the Greater Palm Springs area. There are so many options for you to choose from – from a larger resort to an impressive collection of smaller, boutique hotels.

If Palm Springs is your destination, consider the Colony Palms Hotel. This boutique hotel is in the downtown area and a short drive from the airport, so you won’t have to venture far. For a luxury resort experience, consider the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa, the La Quinta Resort & Club, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, or the Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage. To learn more about our partnerships with Hyatt and Ritz Carlton, check out our other posts on the Hyatt Prive and the Ritz Carlton STARS program.

Keep your eye out for new hotels opening over the next few years. The Andaz Palm Springs in downtown Palm Springs will be opening in late 2020; while the Delano Hotel & Residences in Indian Wells is set to open in 2022.

With all of these things to do and places to discover, why not head to Southern California for a vacation and explore all that Greater Palm Springs has to offer? Let us help you plan it!

Bell & Bly Travel Design is a boutique, entrepreneur owned, travel consultancy. We have built deep connections across the industry and are affiliated with Brownell Travel (the oldest travel agency in the United States) and Virtuoso. These connections and partnerships mean VIP status and extra perks and upgrades for you, our client. If you would like to learn more, get started today!