Escape the hustle and bustle of city life without breaking the bank! Palm Springs can be more affordable than you think. While often considered an expensive retreat, Palm Springs has plenty of budget-friendly things to see and do. From free museums and scenic hiking trails to affordable dining and lodging options, we'll show you how to vacation in style without spending a fortune. Pack your bags and get ready to relax—your budget-friendly Palm Springs adventure awaits!
Best Budget-Friendly Time To Visit
Unlike many other destinations, Palm Springs' low season is summer. As temperatures rise, prices drop, offering great value at hotels and resorts. The busiest times are from January to April, and the fall is considered shoulder season.
💡 Travel Tip: Stay Sunday through Thursday for the best rates on lodging and more flexibility with reservations and parking.
Find Your Budget-Friendly Stay
Value Boutique Hotels & Inns
Experience the unique Palm Springs vibe at boutique hotels that offer a break from well-known chain brands.
Skylark Hotel evokes a 1950s aesthetic with rates to match. They offer AAA and military discounts, so you can soak up the boutique atmosphere with complimentary breakfast and Wi-Fi. Quitet with a chill vibe, perfect for couples or solo travelers.
The Adara Hotel Palm Springs is a classic mid-century, two-story hotel with a motel vibe in South Palm Springs, offering a relaxed atmosphere.
💦 Little Paradise Hotel is a small boutique hotel with all rooms facing the pool. Some include a private patio and kitchen. Perfect for romantic getaways or more extended stays.
🕶️ Not far is another 1950s hotel, A Place In The Sun, which caters to adults. This 1950s casita-style hotel offers a charming courtyard pool, and with kitchenettes available for a cozy home-away-from-home feel. It has a quiet, laid-back atmosphere.
Inn at Palm Springs, a Kayak Travel Award winner, offers exceptional service and values. They offer free bikes, are pet-friendly, and exude a retro charm—an excellent base for exploring the Uptown Design District.
The Cole is where contemporary design meets midcentury architecture. Enjoy poolside vibes, lounge seating, and occasional live music. There is an on-site bar and French restaurant called Fredie's.
7 Springs Inn & Suites provides contemporary comfort in midcentury settings. Many rooms have kitchenettes, and it is an easy walking distance to many shops and dining options. Great value for couples, groups, or longer stays.
Mid-Size Resorts
🗿Enjoy Tiki design at Caliente Tropics Resort in South Palm Springs. This midcentury property has a rich history with Palm Springs and a classic A-frame entry.
Palm Mountain Resort & Spa, located in downtown Palm Springs, offers the best value pricing among the surrounding hotels. It's in a fantastic location, and you can walk to everything, so you can skip the rental car (although parking is free).
Budget-Friendly Hotel Options for Minimal Room Time
Budget-friendly hotel options for minimal room time include Travelodge by Wyndham Palm Springs, located just a short drive from downtown. They offer amenities like free Wi-Fi, making it a good pick for budget travelers.
The Courtyard by Marriott is a step up in comfort, offering spacious rooms, a fitness center, and a modern lobby with workspaces, making it perfect for digital nomads who want to balance work and play.
Days Inn Palm Springs is a solid value for families or couples looking for a scenic, budget-friendly stay.
Best Western Inn at Palm Springs combines affordability with charm. Complimentary breakfast and easy access to hiking trails make it a favorite for outdoor enthusiasts. They are also pet-friendly.
Extended Stay America Suites is ideal for longer stays. This hotel features kitchenettes, making it easy to prepare meals and reduce dining costs. It's a top pick for travelers planning an extended desert escape.
Three Motel 6 locations include Motel 6 East, near V Palm Springs, Motel 6 Downtown, and Motel 6 North off the I-10. A no-frills classic, Motel 6 offers some of the lowest rates in town. Rooms are clean and simple, making it a practical choice for road trippers.
Vacation Rentals
Consider renting a vacation home for more space, privacy, and amenities like a pool and kitchen. Summer discounts make this option especially attractive, and it's perfect for splitting costs with family or friends. Full List
Things To Do
Take A Tour
Self-Guided Midcentury Architecture Tour. Follow the map and discover the unique architecture that has made Palm Springs famous around the world.
The Palm Springs Modern Committee also produced another self-driving architecture map, "A Map of Modern Palm Springs," which is available for $5 at the Palm Springs Visitor Center.
While you're there, they also have a Palm Springs map for the Star's Homes self-guided tour. This is a bit like taking the double-decker bus tour in Hollywood, but now you are the driver in Palm Springs. Or take our free digital Palm Springs Stars' Homes Self-Guided Tour.
Another great option is to grab a bike at your hotel and explore the neighborhoods. Our colored doors are very popular, and you can see many of them in South Palm Springs, specifically in the Canyon Estates neighborhood. Here's a bike self-guided tour we put together in the Deepwell Ranch Estates neighborhood.
Take a free Self-Guided Colored Door Tour in the south Palm Springs neighborhoods. Here, you can admire the vibrant and uniquely designed doors of many homes. This tour is excellent for exploring the city's architectural beauty and capturing fantastic photos.
Enjoy a Walk
Embark on a walking tour through the heart of downtown Palm Springs, where history, art, and culture converge in a delightful stroll. Window shop on Palm Canyon Drive and take photos of murals while enjoying the architecture.
Start your journey at the Palm Springs Walk of Stars, where over 400 stars celebrate the celebrities who have contributed to the charm of this iconic city. As you meander along Palm Canyon Drive, marvel at the stunning mid-century modern architecture, vibrant murals, and unique public art installations that adorn the streets. Along the way, stop by eclectic boutiques, charming cafes, and galleries showcasing local artists.
Visit the Palm Springs downtown park and see the 26-foot-tall Forever Marilyn Statue.
Walking to the plaza next to the Kimpton Rowan, you'll see “Isabelle,” a fine-art, polished stainless steel sculpture that creates a hypnotic ambiance. She seems to change form as you move around her glimmering surface.
As you walk around the city, be sure to check out the colorful benches. How many did you count?
Take A Hike
When the weather cools, there are so many hikes around the city that offer panoramic views. Here's a hiking guide to get you started. Be sure to bring enough water.
Discover the natural beauty of Indian Canyons, a budget-friendly adventure just a short drive from downtown Palm Springs. This stunning oasis offers a variety of hiking trails, scenic vistas, and a rich cultural history.
You can explore three main canyons: Palm Canyon, Andreas Canyon, and Murray Canyon. Each offers its unique landscapes and experiences. Palm Canyon, with its lush palm grove, provides a cool, shaded hike perfect for a warm day. Andreas Canyon is known for its picturesque streams and rock formations, making it a photographer's dream. Murray Canyon offers a more rugged adventure, where you might spot a bighorn sheep or enjoy the tranquility of Seven Sisters Falls. Adult tickets are just $12 for a full-day adventure. Seniors (62+) are $7, and children (6-12) are $6.
Tahquitz Canyon is one of the most beautiful and culturally sensitive areas of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Reservation. Tahquitz Canyon is home to a spectacular seasonal 60-foot waterfall, rock art, ancient irrigation systems, native wildlife, and plants. Located at the entrance to the canyon, the Tahquitz Canyon Visitor Center offers educational and cultural exhibits. The Center offers a display of artifacts, an observation deck, and a theater room for viewing The Legend of Tahquitz video. Adult tickets are just $15, and children (6-12) are $7. Ask about their ranger-led interpretive hikes that are included with your admission.
Stroll Through the Botanical Gardens
Moorten Botanical Garden is a hidden gem that offers a serene escape into the world of desert flora. Founded in 1938 by Chester "Cactus Slim" Moorten and his wife Patricia, this family-owned garden spans over an acre. It showcases a stunning variety of cacti and desert plants from around the world.
Visitors can explore winding paths lined with vibrant succulents, towering cacti, and rare desert blooms, all meticulously curated to create a tranquil and educational experience. The garden also features a charming greenhouse called the "Cactarium," which houses some of the most exotic and delicate specimens. With its rich history and diverse plant collection, Moorten Botanical Garden is a must-visit for nature enthusiasts and those seeking a peaceful retreat.
Only $5 for adults and $2 for children 15 and under.
Are You Free on Thursday?
Village Fest assembles food and festivities, serving them all up on Palm Canyon Drive every Thursday night. You’ll feel at home as music spills into the crisp desert air, ushering you from one vendor to the next. Enjoy snacks and sips galore while you peruse the work of local artists. It's Free.
While we’re on the topic, Thursdays offer another chance to elevate your visit without lowering your bank account. The Palm Springs Art Museum boasts free admission from 5 to 8 pm and features international paintings, spectacular sculptures, and thought-provoking designs. Plus, the museum is always free for anyone under 18.
Feast Without the Splurge
Dining out can get expensive, especially with a larger group or family. Here are some great options if you love great food but don't want it to become a significant investment. Fast food is not included because you can get that anywhere.
Locals love John's, which offers good American food with healthy portions. The menu has a full range of breakfast options: hamburgers, sandwiches, salads, and even burritos and tacos. There's hardly anything on the menu over $15.
Bill's Pizza is excellent for lunch or dinner. It is located in central downtown and offers large slices for $3.75 to $4.25. If you are here on a Monday, you can get a slice of cheese pizza for $3.75 and a Bud Light for $1.75 (first one). The second one is just $3.
El Taco Asado is a local Mexican restaurant that you might call a "hole in the wall," but it offers authentic cuisine. It's not fancy, but it's good. Most entrees are in the $10 range.
Guacamoles is another hidden gem and long-standing, locally owned business. It offers delicious burritos and a variety of house-made sauces and salsas. Almost everything is under $10. It is great to grab and go for a picnic at the downtown park.
La Bonita's is a low-key, small, and family-owned Mexican restaurant that serves homestyle eats and margaritas.
Get Happy (Hour)
Want a getaway to the South Pacific on a shoestring budget? You can enjoy a taste of the islands right here in Palm Springs! Tonga Hut offers three tacos and a Mai Tai on Tuesdays for $16. Choice of fish, chicken, or pork. Opens at 5 pm.
Bootlegger Tiki has a happy hour, which is so nice that it's named twice! Beat the afternoon heat with a 3-4 p.m. cocktail, or wait until late at night if that’s how you roll.
The Saguaro has happy hour at El Jefe, Monday through Friday, from 2 to 6 pm. $6 drinks and $7 appetizers, including chorizo quesadilla, shishito peppers, and grilled Mexican corn. If you are here on a Tuesday or Thursday, they offer a $5 taco menu from 6 to 9 pm.
LuLu California Bistro offers an all-day Happy Hour menu at the bar area, featuring great deals on well drinks, wines, and draft beers. Pair it with some bar bites like fried ravioli, calamari, or pepperoni pizza.
Thrift to Thrill
If you don’t like the cost of a specific item, wait a while; it will soon become vintage and cool. Palm Springs is the capital of collectibles - the more throwback, the merrier! Popular with Interior Designers, much of our vintage furnishings can come with a hefty price, so let's navigate to those places where you're apt to find a better deal.
In North Palm Springs, deck yourself out with what’s “in” at Gypsyland, a groovy gallery of fashions and passion. In addition to thrift shop thriftiness, you’ll find the best of the past that’s made to last. Longevity = more bang for your buck!
In South Palm Springs, visit the Sunny Dunes Antique Mall (507 E Sunny Dunes Road). It's 6,000 square feet of retail happiness with more than 40 independently owned vintage shops. Here, you'll find a bit of everything, and it changes frequently, so be sure to check back often.
Just next door is the Antique Galleries, featuring a curated collection from old gas pumps and macramé to a ship’s wheel, Magnavox stereo console, and ‘60s clown paintings – remember them? Plus, there is an ever-changing inventory of vintage furniture, clothing, sculpture, and glassware.
Revivals is great for budget travelers seeking unique finds at unbeatable prices. This thrift store stands out for its wide selection of gently used clothing, furniture, and home decor, as well as its commitment to the local community. Proceeds support the Desert AIDS Project. Shoppers can expect to uncover a variety of treasures, from stylish vintage attire to contemporary household items, all at budget-friendly prices.
No matter which day of the week you prefer, our hometown has a deal for you. Deals