Palm Springs has been a trip vacation spot for each upscale vacationers and folks wishing to go to Joshua Tree National Park for a century.
Although native individuals, and later Mexican explorers and European settlers have lived on this space for a lot longer, it was developed as a resort community within the early 1900s. At first, it drew well being vacationers who sought a dry surroundings to deal with varied illnesses.
Later, it grew to become a playground for individuals who get pleasure from high-end buying, upscale eating places, and distinctive and classy small resorts and motels. Palm Springs nonetheless matches that invoice at this time.
Due to its proximity to Los Angeles, and Hollywood specifically – just below two hours away, it was and is widespread with the wealthy and well-known who want to get away. It’s additionally a sizzling spot for for retirees who need to spend their golden years in a nice small metropolis within the desert. Further, it’s a beautiful stepping-off level for hikers and campers who want to discover the encircling parks and wilderness.
Today, 1.6 million individuals go to Palm Springs yearly, and in consequence, tourism is a significant component within the metropolis’s economic system. There are over 130 resorts and motels in Palm Springs – rather a lot for a metropolis with a inhabitants of solely 45,000.
If you’re visiting Palm Springs, there are quite a few neighborhoods and properties to contemplate. Most motels are fairly well-rated, and there’s lots to do on this space to maintain vacationers busy for a weekend, per week, or longer.
If you’re questioning the place to remain in Palm Springs, learn on to find out about a few of our greatest suggestions. You’ll love virtually any Palm Springs resort that you simply strive, and also you’re certain to have a vacation there that’s one to recollect.
TL;DR: Best Places to Stay in Palm Springs
Best Areas to Stay in Palm Springs
- Best space for first-timers/vacationers – Downtown Palm Springs
- Best space for funds vacationers – Racquet Club West
- Best space for luxurious vacationers – Tennis Club
- Best space for security – Old Las Palmas
- Best space for households – Movie Colony
- Best space for adventures – Chino Canyon
- Best space for nightlife – Downtown Palm Springs
- Best space for youthful vacationers – Downtown Palm Springs
- Best space for historical past lovers – Movie Colony
When to Visit Palm Springs

When is the very best time of 12 months to go to the Palm Springs space? Any time of 12 months is nice! This pretty small town within the desert is gorgeous and nice all 12 months spherical. Of course, it’s a desert, so it might get fairly sizzling within the summertime, and it’s cooler within the winter.
When the solar goes down in any month, the temperature drops, so make sure to carry a jacket. But, for essentially the most half, you’ll be able to anticipate sunny and exquisite heat days day-after-day while you go to Palm Springs, it doesn’t matter what the season.
As a outcome, Palm Springs hotels preserve their swimming pools open all 12 months, and there’s virtually at all times outside seating open and out there at native eating places. You can get pleasure from hiking in the San Jacinto Mountains and in close by canyons and {golfing} on the numerous space golf programs.
You’ll have loads of outside time even in months that we historically consider as winter. The space solely will get about 4 inches of precipitation annually, so that you don’t have to fret about many wet days.
Of course, for those who don’t like intense warmth, then you definately’ll most likely need to skip this space in August and September. The common every day temperature throughout these months may be as excessive as 102 levels every day.
Palm Springs is busiest within the wintertime as individuals go there for a heat desert trip when the northern a part of our nation is roofed with snow. Highs then are within the mid-70s most days. The finest time to go to to keep away from crowds and for good climate is springtime and fall.
When you keep in Palm Springs, it’s straightforward to see why this city has at all times been a playground for the wealthy and well-known. It’s pretty! The solar is nearly at all times shining, the climate is nearly at all times heat, and the celebrities within the sky are virtually at all times seen at evening. No marvel it’s a spot that attracts the opposite form of “stars,” too.
See Related: Free California Travel Guide: Printable Guide to Travel
Where to Stay in Palm Springs
1. Chino Canyon & Racquet Club West


There are practically 60 separate and distinctive neighborhoods in Palm Springs, and every has its personal vibe and character. However, some are strictly residential and don’t have any motels to supply. Two adjoining sections of city that many guests like are in Palm Springs’ northwest nook.
Chino Canyon and Racquet Club West provide easy accessibility to downtown and freeways and in addition to meals, eating, companies, and companies with out being in the course of all the things.
Chino Canyon is nicknamed “Little Tuscany” as a result of its similarities to the Tuscany region of Italy. You’ll discover palm bushes and villas on a boulder-covered hillside on this neighborhood, and it’s near the San Jacinto Mountains. You can trip the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to the highest for those who’d wish to hike them.
Estates as soon as owned by Elvis, Howard Hughes, and JFK are on this neighborhood, and each residents and guests alike discover it to be a quiet and enjoyable neighborhood whereas nonetheless being near city.
Racquet Club West is throughout North Palm Canyon Drive from Chino Canyon. In this neighborhood, you’ll discover giant tons with giant houses, house buildings, and condos.
Many of the houses on this space had been designed by well-known mid-century architects, and anybody who loves midcentury fashionable structure will love checking them out. This neighborhood was additionally residence to the Racquet Club of Palm Springs, a well-known resort that opened in 1934 however sadly was demolished by fireplace in 2014.
Either of those neighborhoods is an effective alternative for anybody wishing to go to the Palm Springs space however wanting to remain on the outskirts of city. They additionally provide easy accessibility to the north entry factors of Joshua Tree National Park.
Accommodations in Chino Canyon & Racquet Club West
See Related: Where to Stay in Joshua Tree National Park: Best Accommodation Options
2. Vistas Las Palmas & Old Las Palmas


South of the above neighborhoods a bit, you’ll discover the Vistas Las Palmas and Old Las Palmas neighborhoods on the western facet of North Palm Canyon Drive.
Old Las Palmas is one other residential neighborhood with houses in lots of historic architectural kinds, and lots of Hollywood celebrities personal houses there even at this time. Vista Las Palmas is analogous so far as superstar residents go, however the houses are decidedly midcentury in type.
Both of those neighborhoods provide thrilling sights for any customer who loves viewing American structure. The motels and resorts on this space are largely located on North Palm Canyon Drive, however these unimaginable, historic, rich neighborhoods are simply steps away.
When you keep in these neighborhoods, or both of the 2 that observe, you’ll be near main Palm Springs points of interest. The Palm Springs Art Museum, the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, the Palm Springs Historical Society are our high picks.
The Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center may be very cool, too, together with numerous eating and buying choices. All 4 of those neighborhoods border immediately on Downtown Palm Springs.
Accommodations in Las Palmas & Old Las Palmas
See Related: Best Day Trips From Palm Springs (Ranked!)
3. Movie Colony


One of the preferred and well-known neighborhoods in Palm Springs is The Movie Colony.
In the Nineteen Twenties, Palm Springs modified from a vacation spot for guests searching for to enhance their well being to a playground for the wealthy and well-known. This was the primary neighborhood to see the transformation unfold.
Throughout Hollywood’s Golden Age between 1927 and 1969, The Movie Colony was the neighborhood through which it was essential for Hollywood celebrities to personal houses and to see and be seen. Today, The Movie Colony neighborhood continues to be fairly thrilling.
There are some unimaginable houses on this space that had been constructed through the early days of Palm Springs’ speedy progress. Many completely different architectural kinds are represented on this neighborhood, though Spanish Colonial Revival type houses are particularly frequent. People like Marilyn Monroe, Cary Grant, Bob Hope, and Frank Sinatra all owned houses right here on the peak of their careers.
Again, The Movie Colony borders Downtown Palm Springs, so that you received’t be removed from the motion for those who select to remain on this a part of city. It’s simply north of the central a part of city and simply east of Old Las Palmas. A go to to top-rated eating places and outlets is only a stroll or a brief drive away.
Accommodations in Movie Colony
See Related: Best Places to Visit in Southern California & Things to Do
4. Ruth Hardy Park


Ruth Hardy Park, also called Movie Colony East, is one other pretty Palm Springs neighborhood. It’s an excellent place to remain if you wish to be close to all the things but not in the course of all of the hustle and bustle and motion of town.
This is a residential space that borders on the park for which it’s named, a 22-acre, dog-friendly park with public tennis courts, basketball courts, playgrounds, and loads of inexperienced area for enjoyable and having fun with the environment.
The park, named in honor of a metropolis council member who contributed many modern concepts through the metropolis’s early growth, is widespread with guests and residents alike, and for those who’re staying close by, you’re certain to fall in love with its magnificence and vibe.
If mid-century fashionable design is your factor, then you definately’ll love staying within the Ruth Hardy Park neighborhood. It was one of many earliest developments within the space, and it’s full of lovely structure and old-growth shade bushes.
Frank Sinatra’s lavish Twin Palms property is on this space, and also you’ll really feel his presence as you discover the realm’s streets. You’ll additionally love the unimaginable views of the San Jacinto Mountains.
Accommodations in Ruth Hardy Park
See Related: Best Hotels & Places to Stay in Calabasas, California
5. Historic Tennis Club


The Palm Springs Tennis Club was based in 1937 to fulfill the tennis and social wants of the quickly rising rich inhabitants of the realm. The Tennis Club neighborhood that grew up round it is likely one of the metropolis’s oldest.
Trust me, you’ll be able to reside just like the wealthy and well-known for a number of days when you keep within the Tennis Club neighborhood of Palm Springs — for those who can afford it. It’s some of the costly areas within the nation.
If you’re somebody who’s searching for Palm Springs luxurious, then you definately’re going to love this neighborhood as a result of it is filled with upscale and distinctive boutique resort properties. Furthermore, it’s filled with high-end eating places that supply unimaginable fare from esteemed cooks from everywhere in the world.
This can also be a beautiful neighborhood as a result of its location on the west facet of city. You’ll love the mountain views and entry to widespread hiking trails, together with the shut proximity to all the things that Downtown Palm Springs has to supply.
Accommodations in Tennis Club
See Related: Best Road Trips in California (+ Scenic Drives)
6. Downtown Palm Springs


Downtown Palm Springs is really the middle of all of it on this small metropolis within the desert. Although Palm Springs is fairly unfold out with its many neighborhoods, you’re certain to a minimum of spend a few of your trip within the downtown space. So, you would possibly as nicely keep there for those who can!
Not all downtowns are in the course of their respective cities, however Downtown Palm Springs actually is, and the remainder of town has grown up round it. In this vigorous neighborhood, you’ll discover outlets, two sculpture gardens, a theater, bars with reside music, galleries, the well-known Walk of Stars, and extra. It can get a bit noisy and lively at evening, however that is likely to be precisely what you search.
Accommodations in Downtown Palm Springs
See Related: Where To Stay In Los Angeles: Best Areas & Neighborhoods
7. Warm Sands


Warm Sands is the neighborhood that abuts Downtown Palm Springs on its south facet. It’s small at solely one-half sq. mile in measurement, however it’s very historic and numerous. Visitors who wander into or keep on this neighborhood will discover easy accessibility to the downtown space and its straightforward strolling distance to daytime actions and nightlife.
The houses in Warm Sands had been largely constructed between the Nineteen Twenties and Sixties, and lots of are glorious examples of Spanish-style houses. There are additionally numerous historic resorts in Warm Sands, lots of that are nonetheless widespread with superstar visitors.
Accommodations in Downtown Warm Sands
See Related: Best Vacation Rentals in California
8. Tahquitz River Estates


South of Warm Sands however nonetheless near Downtown Palm Springs is Tahquitz River Estates.
This neighborhood was first developed within the Thirties with small Spanish Revival houses, however at this time, fairly a mixture of architectural kinds are current, together with midcentury fashionable and modern houses. Due to the combination of kinds discovered right here, many architectural strolling excursions give attention to this space.
Tahquitz River Estates is towards the top of South Palm River Drive. On this primary strip, there are many classic outlets and attention-grabbing eating places that can curiosity even essentially the most discerning diner with out breaking the financial institution.
Accommodations in Tahquitz River Estates
See Related: Best Things to Do in Venice Beach, California
9. Deepwell
Henry Pearson, as soon as the main authority on the rubber business within the United States, purchased land in Palm Springs in 1926 with plans to develop it. He dug a nicely to produce water to his own residence and the houses he deliberate to construct on this neighborhood.
Harry didn’t hit water till that nicely reached 630 toes – making it the deepest nicely within the space. He named the neighborhood Deepwell Estates for that reason, and the identify caught.
In the Nineteen Fifties, the land was bought and subdivided, and well-known architects from across the globe had been enlisted to design midcentury fashionable houses right here. Consequently, this is likely one of the hottest neighborhoods in Palm Springs for individuals who respect this architectural type.
Deepwell is quiet and relaxed. Everything within the space has a vivid and retro look – most of it’s unique, however some had been designed to match the realm afterward. Restaurants on East Palm Canyon Drive are fairly widespread and provide all sorts of delicacies in eclectic settings, and there are fairly a number of hip boutique motels to select from in Deepwell.
Accommodations in Deepwell
See Related: Best Hotels & Rentals In La Jolla, California
10. Palm Desert


Palm Desert isn’t really in Palm Springs. It’s a completely completely different metropolis that’s only some minutes away. Many individuals who go to the Palm Springs space select to remain in Palm Desert for a wide range of causes. First, it’s away from the hustle and bustle of town of Palm Springs – though Palm Springs is a small metropolis, it might really feel fairly busy at instances.
Second, though it was based initially across the identical time as Palm Springs, it grew up a lot later. The inhabitants of Palm Desert was simply 11,000 in 1980, however at this time it’s over 50,000, making it one of many fastest-growing cities in California. This means there are many newer motels, eating places, motels, and points of interest – and this can be a draw for some.
Third, Palm Desert is a good alternative for outside sports activities lovers. It’s full of lovely golf programs – there are thirty inside a ten-mile radius from the middle of city – and tennis golf equipment are widespread in Palm Desert, too. Plus, Palm Desert just isn’t removed from the southern entrance to Joshua Tree National Park, which makes it a giant hit for hikers and folks visiting the realm to benefit from the nationwide park.
Palm Desert is a good alternative for households who need to go to the Palm Springs space. It’s actually the very best of each worlds. You can benefit from the fashionable facilities and choices of Palm Desert whereas nonetheless having fun with the gorgeous and unimaginable city of Palm Springs, only a quick distance away.
Accommodations in Palm Desert
Things to Do in Palm Springs


There are a number of issues to do when visiting Palm Springs. Lots of vacationers merely go to Palm Springs to calm down – and there’s actually nothing flawed with that. Who doesn’t love simply sitting by a pool within the solar within the desert all day, adopted by a night out at an exceptional restaurant?
However, for those who’re the kind of traveler who likes to see issues and take part in actions whereas touring, then you definately actually received’t be bored in Palm Springs, both. Certainly, many individuals are drawn to Palm Springs as a result of unimaginable structure throughout city.
Even for those who don’t suppose taking a look at buildings seems like a superb time, it’s best to give an structure tour a strive when you’re on the town. You’ll positively be taught an excellent deal, and also you’ll depart with a a lot larger appreciation for each Palm Springs and quite a few architectural kinds than you had earlier than. You additionally would possibly get pleasure from a tour to see celebrity homes, which will definitely have a robust architectural element as nicely.


There are quite a few points of interest and museums price testing in Palm Springs too, from the in depth Palm Springs Air Museum – which incorporates one of many largest collections of World War II plane on this planet – to the Palm Springs Art Museum – which showcases works by artists from California to far past. Palm Canyon Drive presents sufficient shops and boutiques to maintain any shopper busy for hours.
Although many individuals go to the Palm Springs space for its metropolis side, a few of the finest issues to do on this space are in nature. Of course, Joshua Tree National Park is a major draw right here, however it’s solely one among many pure areas close to Palm Springs which might be price exploring.


You can take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to the highest of San Jacinto Peak for unimaginable views and to succeed in the beginning factors of dozens of unforgettable trails. Explore canyons like Indian Canyons, Tahquitz Canyon, and Palm Canyon, and don’t miss spots just like the close by Coachella Valley Preserve and Moorten Botanical Garden, both.
Golf lovers will love enjoying rounds on any a number of of the handfuls of spectacular golf programs on this space as nicely. Bicycle tours of this metropolis may also be numerous enjoyable – for those who go to earlier than the height summer season warmth hits.
See Related: Best Tours in Palm Springs, California
FAQs
What is the nicest a part of Palm Springs to remain in?
Most components of Palm Springs are merely pretty. The indisputable fact that this metropolis is comparatively new in comparison with many others in California implies that hardly any of it’s rundown or forgotten, and new growth is all created to maintain town’s distinctive character alive.
Older buildings are well-cared for, and it’s clear that they’re valued by residents and enterprise homeowners. With that stated, nonetheless, some components are nicer and are extra upscale than others. If it’s luxurious that you simply search, then you definately’ll particularly love the Tennis Club neighborhood.
Is Palm Springs a walkable metropolis?
Palm Springs is walkable, and you’ll get pleasure from sidewalks in most areas. The query of walkability, on this metropolis’s case, is just distance. It’s straightforward to stroll to and round Downtown Palm Springs from the neighborhoods upon which it borders, however for those who’re staying within the neighborhoods extra distant from downtown, you’ll most likely need to take a cab or rideshare (or drive your individual automotive) to go to it.
Where is the very best place to remain for nightlife in Palm Springs?
Palm Springs is, on one hand, a party city, however alternatively, a sleepy bed room group. Much of this small metropolis is residential, and lots of the residents get pleasure from quiet evenings with out noise or distractions.
However, for those who’re seeking to exit in town, you received’t have any problem discovering locations to go. Downtown Palm Springs is filled with bars and eating places, and lots of provide reside music. Truly, you’ll have the ability to discover locations to exit at evening on most sections of Palm Canyon Drive, simply go searching, and also you’re certain to shortly discover a scene that completely fits you.
Is it higher to remain in Palm Springs or Palm Desert?
Many individuals who go to the Palm Springs space select to remain in close by Palm Desert. Palm Desert is nice and is filled with nation golf equipment, golf programs, galleries, venues, and points of interest, however it’s way more just lately developed than Palm Springs.
If you’re seeking to expertise the true Palm Springs and all that goes with it, then it’s best to keep in Palm Springs itself. If you’re in search of extra of a golf resort-style vacation, then you definately would possibly favor Palm Desert as an alternative.
Related Resources