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Palm SpringsThe Crown Jewel of the Desert
The original desert playground — mid-century modern architecture, world-class spas, vibrant dining, and a downtown scene that never sleeps.
~45,000
Population
479 ft
Elevation
94 sq mi
Square Miles
1938
Established
Explore Palm Springs
What to See & Do
Your insider guide to the best of Palm Springs — from world-class attractions and dining to outdoor adventures and cultural experiences.
Aerial Tramway
Ride the world’s largest rotating tramcar from desert floor to 8,516 feet — pine forests, panoramic views, hiking, and summit dining. Enjoy time in nature.
Midcentury Architecture
Walk the neighborhoods that define Desert Modernism — Kaufmann House, Frey House, and hundreds of landmark buildings. Celebrity and other tours are popular.
Tahquitz Canyon Trail
A sacred Agua Caliente tribal land hike to a stunning 60-foot waterfall — one of the valley’s most rewarding hidden gems. Two wonderful hikes offered.
Only in Palm Springs
Icons & Landmarks
The photo stops and living history that make Palm Springs instantly recognizable — a Hollywood icon frozen in motion and the city’s earliest roots.
Photo Stop
Public Art
Marilyn Monroe
The towering “Forever Marilyn” statue on Palm Canyon Drive — a 26-foot tribute to the city’s golden-age Hollywood glamour and the valley’s most-photographed landmark.
Downtown Palm Springs
Must-See
Heritage
History & Museum
Palm Springs Historical Society
Miss Cornelia’s Home and the Village Green campus preserve the city’s earliest buildings — a quiet, walkable look at Palm Springs before it became a resort town.
Village Green, Downtown
History
Get Out & Explore
Tours, Markets & Experiences
Guided tours, curated shopping, and only-here events for visitors who want to see Palm Springs from the ground up.
Group Fun
Pedal Tour
Sunny Cycle
A multi-passenger pedal-powered party bike touring downtown Palm Springs — a favorite for bachelorette parties, birthdays, and groups who want to see the city with a soundtrack.
Downtown Palm Springs
Groups
Shop Local
Vintage & Retail
Palm Springs Vintage Market
Racks of curated vintage clothing and accessories from top dealers — a colorful, closet-raiding stop for anyone chasing retro Palm Springs style.
Palm Springs
Shopping
Palm Springs Mod Squad
Guided walking and driving tours through the city’s finest midcentury modern neighborhoods, led by architecture-savvy local experts.
PALM SPRINGS
Drag & Fly Tours
A playful, LGBTQ-owned tour outfit offering guided experiences around the city with a sense of humor and local flair.
PALM SPRINGS
Palm Springs Windmill Tour
An up-close guided tour through the San Gorgonio Pass wind farm just outside the city — one of the largest wind energy sites in the country.
SAN GORGONIO PASS
MOGO Silent Disco Palm Springs
Wireless-headphone dance parties and guided silent-disco tours through downtown — a quirky, high-energy way to experience Palm Springs nightlife.
DOWNTOWN PALM SPRINGS
Community & Calendar
Culture, Stays & Events
Historic lodging, tribal heritage, and the annual events that bring Palm Springs’ community out into the streets.
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum & Plaza
The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians’ cultural museum and plaza in the heart of downtown — exhibits, hot mineral spring history, and tribal heritage.
DOWNTOWN PALM SPRINGS
Casa Cody
A historic 1920s boutique inn founded by a cousin of Buffalo Bill Cody — adobe-style bungalows, courtyard pools, and old Palm Springs charm.
PALM SPRINGS
Palm Springs Pride Parade
One of the desert’s biggest annual celebrations — a colorful parade and festival through downtown honoring the city’s LGBTQ community.
DOWNTOWN PALM SPRINGS · ANNUAL
The Walk of the Inns (Seasonal)
A seasonal self-guided stroll past the city’s boutique inns and historic guesthouses, each open for a peek at its courtyards and design.
PALM SPRINGS · SEASONAL
About Palm Springs
City Profile
Palm Springs is the Coachella Valley’s most iconic resort city, a mid-century modern paradise where Old Hollywood glamour first found its desert escape. Framed by the San Jacinto Mountains, it remains the valley’s chic, walkable heart of design, art and nightlife.
Population
~45,000 residents — the valley’s most populous resort city
Founded
1938 — incorporated as a city
Nickname
“Playground of the Stars”
Location
Northwest gateway to the Coachella Valley, at the base of Mt. San Jacinto
Known For
Mid-century modern architecture, Hollywood history, natural hot springs & the Aerial Tramway
Character
Chic, walkable desert resort city with a storied Old Hollywood past
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