Palm Springs Weekend Getaway: How to Plan the PERFECT 3-Day Itinerary
Ready for your Palm Springs weekend getaway? This desert paradise has plenty of things to do, from outdoor activities like hiking to relaxing afternoons by the pool. This enchanting city in the Coachella Valley is hands-down one of the best cities to take a weekend getaway in California.
Once upon a time, Palm Springs was a hub for Hollywood. Just 2.5 hours from Los Angeles, stars like Frank Sinatra and Lucille Ball headed out to the desert for a quick escape from the city.
Plus, when you go to Palm Springs, you can also explore the surrounding area, including Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Cathedral City, and Indian Wells. Joshua Tree National Park is also just a hop and skip over. And if you have extra time, you can check out Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
A Palm Springs weekend getaway wouldn’t be complete without some pool time, hiking, and delicious brunch, in my personal opinion! That’s why I’ve included these activities and more for this weekend in Palm Springs itinerary.
As someone who has been to Palm Springs more times than I can count (quite literally, I’m there at least eight times per year) I’ve prepared this itinerary with first time visitors in mind.
So let’s dive in!
How I Built This Palm Springs Weekend Getaway Itinerary
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This itinerary can be built countless ways depending on your personal travel style. As you go through the itinerary below, keep in mind you can always adjust it.
I built the itinerary keeping wellness and slow travel in mind. Although this itinerary is just for one weekend, it still incorporates slow travel practices, such as taking breaks at your hotel room so you don’t have to rush and constantly feel frazzled on your “relaxing” vacation.
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With this in mind, this particular itinerary might leave out some (but not all) of the touristy things to do, like taking the aerial tramway.
If you’d like to check out an entire list of things to do in Palm Springs, I encourage you to check out my post, 33+ EPIC & Fun Things to Do in Palm Springs.
Day 1: Arrive, Unpack & Relax
Check In to Your Hotel
When you arrive in Palm Springs, you’ll likely need a little time to check in to your hotel. I always think it’s important to take a breather when you first arrive anywhere. So, first, check in, kick your shoes off, and savor the accomplishment of reaching your destination!
Pool Time
Then, keep on relaxing. Ideally, your hotel has a pool (almost every hotel in Palm Springs has one). Put on your favorite bathing suit and strut your fabulous self at the pool with a cocktail in hand!
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Some pool time is an absolute MUST on your Palm Springs trip, right though? So, start your vacation on the right foot and treat yourself.
Spa Time
You might even want to check out your hotel’s spa services. There are often many incredible treatments offered at each hotel. Massages, facials, pedicures – you name it. Pampering yourself after a long flight or drive is just the ticket to getting in the mindset of your vacay.
Some of my favorite hotels for wellness include the Ace Hotel & Swim Club, the Saguaro, and Holiday House.
Evening Plans? Grab Dinner in Downtown Palm Springs
On your first evening in Palm Springs, I suggest going with a casual meal since you might be tired or adjusting to the time zone. A few fun but more casual dining options include Thai Smile, Sammy G’s Tuscan Grill, Tyler’s Burgers, Tac/Quila, and Blaze Pizza. Generally, you likely won’t need a reservation for these restaurants, but it might be worth it to call and check in advance.
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I suggest calling it an early night on your first day so you can start the next day – your full day in Palm Springs – refreshed and ready to go.
Day 2: Get Outdoors & Explore Palm Springs
On the second day of your Palm Springs itinerary, you’ll have time to get outside and work up a sweat. There are numerous hiking trails in Palm Springs that are great for travelers to explore.
Keep in mind, outdoor activities in Palm Springs are weather-permitting. If you’re visiting in the summer months in June, July, August, or even September, temperatures can reach up to 120F degrees.
Hiking in Palm Springs
Start your day early at 8 or 9:00AM to catch cooler temps while they last. Bring water, sunscreen, a hat, and good running or hiking shoes with grip on the bottom.
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A few great trails in the Palm Springs area include:
- The Bump-n-Grind Trail (3.8 miles total): This trail is a convenient and relatively easy hike in Rancho Mirage with great views.
- Tahquitz Canyon Trail (2 miles total): A moderate hike with a waterfall and beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.
- Indian Canyons: This is a park that has several hiking trails within it, including the Andreas Canyon Trail (1 mile), Palm Canyon Trail (15 miles total with shorter options), and Murray Canyon Trail (4 miles).
- Joshua Tree National Park: A bit of a drive, Joshua Tree has so many hiking options available, but it’s pretty far away – budget 4-5 hours if you plan on visiting.
Keep an eye out for wildlife on your hike. Rattlesnakes, hawks, and butterflies can often be seen on trails in the desert. You might even spot bighorn sheep!
Walk Up and Down Palm Canyon Avenue in Downtown Palm Springs
Once you finish enjoying your time in nature, come back to your hotel for a midday refresh. By now, you’ll likely be hungry, so it’s time to refuel and recharge at your hotel after an invigorating hike.
You could change clothes and get ready for dinner, then head out early around 4pm to browse the many cute boutique stores on Palm Canyon Ave. You’ll notice, this street is the main ‘drag’ of downtown Palm Springs – where everyone comes out to window shop, stroll, and dine.
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A few favorite local shops include Trina Turk, Just Fabulous, Desert Hatter, and Ooh La La. You can buy a fun souvenir or snag a cute dress to wear on day three of your perfect Palm Springs weekend getaway.
As you walk down the street, you’ll notice stars engraved into the sidewalk. These are similar to LA’s famous Hollywood Walk of Fame. There are over 400 stars honoring celebrities along Palm Canyon Ave. It’s cool, if you like pop culture and Hollywood history.
Dinner in Downtown Palm Springs
Make reservations in advance for dinner on day two of your Palm Springs itinerary. There’s literally so many restaurants in the area, but Palm Springs is so popular, everything usually books up in advance! Avoid getting hangry by booking before you leave for your trip.
Birba Palm Springs is a fantastic choice for al fresco dining. It’s quite romantic to sit on the patio underneath the trees here, so if you’re looking for that vibe, be sure to request that seating when you make your reservation. On the menu, you’ll find the best pizza and pasta around town.
I also recommend the garlic knots as an appetizer and the heated snake cocktail. Yummmm!
622 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Workshop Kitchen + Bar is also an incredible restaurant you’ll love. This spot is especially stylish, so you can totally rock your favorite outfit here. Get your camera ready because this restaurant’s interior design is gorgeous. Get the octopus carpaccio, steak au poivre, and save room for the pistachio praline brownie for dessert!
800 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262
The Tropicale Palm Springs is for you if you just love a tropical feel. One step inside this pretty, pink restaurant, and you’ll feel as if you’ve walked right into Old Havana. The patio is a favorite, especially during happy hour. Flip through the menu and you’ll find basically everything you could ever imagine – skirt steak asada, buttermilk fried chicken, rice bowls, and more. Also great for brunch.
330 E Amado Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262
After dinner, if you still have energy for some nightlife, you could head over to the Copa Room or Village Pub, the latter of which can get quite rowdy. Dancing starts after 9pm!
Day 3: Brunch & Museum or Architecture Tour
Day three, already?! Time flies when you’re having fun in Palm Springs!
On your last day in town, I recommend you start with a lovely brunch and then head to a museum or architecture tour in the afternoon. Ideally, you’ll be able to store your bags at your hotel and have some time to kill before hitting the road or catching your flight back home.
Brunch in Palm Springs
Ooh, quite possibly my favorite meal of the day – brunch! Palm Springs has brunch options so good, you’ll already be planning your return visit upon first sight of your meal.
Cheeky’s is one of the most popular choices in Palm Springs for brunch. The menu is filled with delicious and creative dishes made with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. From the famous bacon flight to their decadent chilaquiles, there’s something for everyone at Cheeky’s. Be warned, though – Cheeky’s is a popular spot, so be prepared for a wait during peak brunch hours. But trust me, it’s worth it!
Wilma & Frieda’s is another fantastic choice for brunch. The menu features classic brunch dishes with a twist, like lobster benedict and the chicken and waffles with jalapeño butter. I’m drooling just thinking about it!
Farm offers healthy and organic options for brunch. Only fresh, locally-sourced ingredients that are free of pesticides and other harmful chemicals are used in their recipes. You can order avocado toast, acai bowls, farm-fresh omelets, and more. They also have a great selection of smoothies, juices, and coffee drinks to help you start your day off right!
Palm Springs Art Museum or Architecture Tour
For this last activity of your Palm Springs weekend getaway, I suggest the Palm Springs Art Museum OR taking an architecture tour. Naturally, if you’re more interested in art, check out the museum. If you love mid-century modern architecture, then don’t miss a tour of some of the area’s most iconic buildings.
Palm Springs Art Museum: I’ve visited the Palm Springs Art Museum countless times, but every time it still strikes me with something new and mind-opening. Their rotating exhibitions are always so interesting. I highly recommend a visit here if you’re an art lover.
Architecture Tour: Palm Springs is world-renowned for its stunning mid-century modern architecture, so a tour of the top spots is a must if you love architecture. Many of the city’s historic homes were originally built for celebrities in the 1940s and 50s, including Elvis’ Honeymoon Hideaway and residences frequented by Elizabeth Taylor, Liberace, Bob Hope, and Lucille Ball.
While some of these homes are no longer available for tours, there are still plenty of awe-inspiring architectural wonders to explore on a self-guided tour. You can see work by renowned architects, including Richard Neutra, John Lautner, Donald Wexler, William Krisel, William Cody, and Albert Frey.
The self-guided tour includes stops like the Palm Springs Visitor Center, Tramway Shell Station, the Dinah Shore Residence, and more.
With a mix of relaxation, outdoor activities, and cultural experiences, Palm Springs is literally a PERFECT destination for a weekend getaway. So pack your bags and get ready to experience the beauty and glamour of this desert oasis!
I hope this Palm Springs weekend getaway guide has been helpful! Are you ready to pack your bags? Let me know in the comments!
Want tips on the best hotels in Palm Springs? Check out my guides on the Most Instagram-Worthy Hotels in Palm Springs.
Questions? Leave me a comment – I’ll get back to you!
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Planning a trip right now? Here are a few of my top resources I use to book every trip.
Booking.com for great deals on hotels.
Get Your Guide for incredible tours around the world.
SafetyWing for travel insurance for digital nomads and long-term travelers.
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