Palm Springs has a way of holding time still — desert light stretched across mid-century rooftops, mountains rising beyond swaying palms, and the kind of quiet that makes everything feel more vivid. I came for the scenery, but stayed for the feeling. Whether I was walking through art, riding above the valley, or savoring a sandwich made with heart, Palm Springs offered more than just beauty — it offered intention. I remember thinking, "This is where people come not just to escape, but to reconnect — to creativity, to nature, and to themselves."
Best Things to Do in Palm Springs, CA:
Strolling along Palm Canyon Drive
Palm Canyon Drive was more than just a main street — it was a vibe. Palm trees arched overhead like sentinels, vintage neon signs flickered in the afternoon sun, and every step felt like a postcard. I wandered in and out of boutiques, caught whiffs of leather and citrus, and let time stretch a little. I remember thinking, "This street isn’t trying to be cool — it just is."
What I Loved Most: The mid-century storefronts, the sound of soft music spilling from cafés, and the way even the shadows seemed to move slowly here.
My highlights? A pit stop at Ernest Coffee for a cold brew and a buttery almond croissant. It was one of those perfect moments where the coffee hit just right and the world seemed to pause for it.
Travel Tips:
- Location: Runs through downtown Palm Springs
- Vibe: Retro, walkable, stylish
- Highlights: Local shops, architecture, restaurants
- Best Time to Visit: Morning or early evening
- Cost: Free to explore
- Hours: Varies by business (most open by 10am)
- Address (for coffee): Ernest Coffee – 1101 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Getting lost in the Palm Springs Art Museum
Inside the Palm Springs Art Museum, the heat faded, and color took over. Modern sculptures, desert landscapes, and bold statements lined the walls — some loud, some whispering something only I could hear. I remember thinking, "Even in the quietest room, art can shout everything you’ve ever felt."
What I Loved Most: The architecture of the building itself — glass, concrete, sunlight — and the surprising serenity in the smaller side galleries.
My highlights? Lunch afterward at Farm, a tucked-away Provençal garden café. I had the croque madame with fresh greens and sparkling lemonade. It felt like a tiny vacation within a vacation.
Travel Tips:
- Location: 101 N Museum Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262
- Vibe: Creative, airy, thought-provoking
- Highlights: Contemporary art, desert-inspired pieces, rotating exhibits
- Best Time to Visit: Afternoon for cooler indoor break
- Cost: ~$16 adults, free on Thursdays after 5pm
- Hours: Thurs–Sun, 10am–5pm
- Address (for lunch): Farm – 6 La Plaza, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Riding into the sky on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
The tramcar rose higher and higher, spinning slowly as the desert floor dropped away. One moment I was in the sunbaked valley, and the next, surrounded by pines and cool air at 8,500 feet. I remember thinking, "How does one ride carry you into another season, another mood, another world?"
What I Loved Most: Stepping out at the top and breathing deep — the temperature shift, the pine scent, the view that seemed to stretch into silence.
My highlights? A warm cup of coffee and a slice of apple pie at the Pine Café up top. The contrast of dessert and alpine air made it taste better than any five-star meal.
Travel Tips:
- Location: 1 Tram Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262
- Vibe: Adventurous, scenic, dramatic
- Highlights: Rotating tram, mountaintop hikes, observation decks
- Best Time to Visit: Late afternoon for golden hour views
- Cost: ~$30 adults
- Hours: First tram ~10am, last descent varies by season
- Address (for food): Pines Café – at the Mountain Station
Walking through silence at the Coachella Valley Preserve
At the Coachella Valley Preserve, time dropped away. The palm groves rustled in the wind, the sand whispered beneath my feet, and the sky opened wider than I remembered it could. I remember thinking, "This place doesn’t need to say anything — it just lets you listen."
What I Loved Most: The oasis trails, the California fan palms swaying above, and the hush that fell around every bend in the boardwalk path.
My highlights? A picnic I packed myself: hummus, pita, grapes, and cold water with lemon. Nothing fancy — just fresh and peaceful, matching the moment.
Travel Tips:
- Location: 29200 Thousand Palms Canyon Rd, Thousand Palms, CA 92276
- Vibe: Quiet, untouched, meditative
- Highlights: McCallum Trail, oases, wildlife
- Best Time to Visit: Early morning for cooler temps and soft light
- Cost: Free (donations welcome)
- Hours: 7am–5pm
- Address (bring your own snacks or picnic)
Feeling the buzz at Palm Springs VillageFest
The sun dipped low, and suddenly downtown came alive — music, laughter, sizzling food carts, and local artists lining Palm Canyon Drive. VillageFest felt like a block party thrown by the city itself. I remember thinking, "This is what it feels like when a town lets its guard down and just celebrates."
What I Loved Most: Sampling dates, chatting with jewelry makers, and watching couples dance like no one was watching.
My highlights? A chicken tamale from a local vendor and a cup of fresh strawberry lemonade — sweet, tangy, and joyfully messy.
Travel Tips:
- Location: Palm Canyon Dr, downtown Palm Springs
- Vibe: Festive, local, open-air
- Highlights: Food trucks, crafts, music
- Best Time to Visit: Thursday evenings (starts around 6pm)
- Cost: Free to attend; food and items priced individually
- Hours: Thursdays 6pm–10pm (Oct–May)
- Address (rotating vendors): Downtown Palm Canyon Dr
Finding peace in the Indian Canyons
Indian Canyons didn’t just feel sacred — it felt healing. Towering palms rose from ancient creeks, sunlight filtered through fronds, and stone paths led into history. I remember thinking, "This is what the desert sounded like before cities, before roads — just wind, water, and soul."
What I Loved Most: Hiking Palm Canyon Trail, pausing under a palm oasis, and dipping my fingers into the cool, clear stream that’s flowed for centuries.
My highlights? A late lunch at El Mirasol Cocina Mexicana after the hike. I had carne asada tacos with house-made guacamole and a chilled horchata — earthy, bright, and exactly what I was craving after the stillness of the trail.
Travel Tips:
- Location: 38520 S Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264
- Vibe: Sacred, quiet, rooted
- Highlights: Palm Canyon, Andreas Canyon, streams and oases
- Best Time to Visit: Early morning or golden hour
- Cost: ~$12 adults
- Hours: 8am–5pm
- Address (for food): El Mirasol – 140 E Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264
Eating with purpose at Chef Tanya’s Kitchen
Tucked into a humble spot off the main road, Chef Tanya’s Kitchen didn’t shout for attention — it didn’t have to. The energy was warm, intentional, and grounded in flavor and heart. Everything about it felt personal, like being invited to someone’s home who just happened to be a genius with food. I remember thinking, "This is what it feels like to eat something that was made to nourish more than just your body."
What I Loved Most: The menu was entirely plant-based, but nothing about it felt like a substitute. It was its own thing — bold, comforting, and delicious on every level.
My highlights? The *OG Herbivore* sandwich — roasted sliced seitan, lemon herb mayo, pickled onions, and arugula on fresh ciabatta — with a side of potato salad and hibiscus tea. Every bite was bright, balanced, and satisfying in a way that surprised me. I didn’t miss a thing.
Travel Tips:
- Location: 706 S Eugene Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92264
- Vibe: Earthy, casual, plant-powered
- Highlights: Vegan deli, fresh sandwiches, to-go fridge with housemade staples
- Best Time to Visit: Lunchtime — go early for shorter lines and fresh pastry selection
- Cost: $10–$15 per meal
- Hours: Tues–Sat, 11am–4pm
Conclusion
There’s no one way to experience Palm Springs — and that’s what makes it unforgettable. You can start your day on a canyon trail and end it sipping cold brew beneath string lights on a patio. You can find meaning in a museum, stillness in the desert, or nourishment in a vegan deli where every bite tastes like purpose. Palm Springs doesn’t rush you — it simply invites you to stay present. And if you let it, you just might leave feeling more like yourself.
More to Explore
Jump to a Spot...
- • Strolling along Palm Canyon Drive
- • Getting lost in the Palm Springs Art Museum
- • Riding into the sky on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
- • Walking through silence at the Coachella Valley Preserve
- • Feeling the buzz at Palm Springs VillageFest
- • Finding peace in the Indian Canyons
- • Eating with purpose at Chef Tanya’s Kitchen