Events, Outdoor Adventures, Dining, and Travel Tips for the Perfect Desert Getaway
Spring is one of the most beautiful times of the year to visit Palm Springs. From March through May, warm sunny days and cool desert evenings create ideal conditions for hiking, poolside lounging, outdoor dining, and exploring the city’s art, architecture, and vibrant cultural scene.
Visitors will find plenty to do, from exploring desert canyons and browsing vintage markets and boutiques to enjoying brunch patios and craft cocktails. Whether you're planning a relaxing getaway or an active adventure, spring offers the perfect balance of sunshine, scenery, and seasonal events.
Palm Springs also offers an incredible food and cocktail scene. Visitors looking for dining inspiration can explore our Palm Springs Dining Guide, featuring everything from casual brunch spots to fine dining, or browse our Palm Springs nightlife and cocktail bar listings for the best places to enjoy an evening out.
Enjoy Palm Springs’ Perfect Spring Weather
Spring weather in Palm Springs is famously pleasant, with sunny skies and comfortable temperatures that make it easy to spend time outdoors.
- March - H 81, L 52 F (27/11 C)
- April - H 87, L 57 F (31/14 C)
- May - H 95, L 64 F (35/18 C)
Mornings are perfect for hiking and outdoor tours, while afternoons are ideal for relaxing poolside with a cocktail and soaking up the desert sunshine beneath the towering slopes of Mount San Jacinto.
A Stylish Alternative Spring Break
For travelers looking for a more relaxed spring break destination, Palm Springs offers a refreshing alternative to crowded beach resorts.
Visitors can spend the day hiking desert trails, relaxing poolside, exploring art galleries, or enjoying brunch and cocktails with friends. With sunny weather, beautiful scenery, and vibrant nightlife, Palm Springs delivers the perfect mix of fun and relaxation for a spring getaway.
Is Spring the Best Time to Visit Palm Springs?
Many travelers consider spring one of the best times to visit Palm Springs.
From March through May, the weather is warm yet comfortable, making it ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and exploring the desert landscape. Wildflowers bloom in the surrounding canyons, restaurant patios fill with visitors enjoying sunny afternoons, and the city’s event calendar comes alive with art walks, markets, and live entertainment.
While winter is the peak travel season, spring offers many of the same benefits, beautiful weather, vibrant nightlife, and plenty of things to do, often with slightly smaller crowds.
Visitors can spend their mornings exploring scenic areas like Indian Canyons or riding the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway before returning to the city for poolside relaxation, shopping, and evening dining.
For many travelers, spring delivers the perfect balance of sunshine, activities, and laid-back desert atmosphere.
Book Your Spring Palm Springs Getaway
Palm Springs is known for its diverse accommodations, from historic boutique hotels to luxury resorts and private vacation homes.
Visitors can stay at iconic midcentury modern properties, charming small inns, gay resorts, or full-service resorts with pools, spas, and mountain views. Many travelers also choose vacation homes for added space, privacy, and their own backyard pool.
The city is especially known for its collection of boutique hotels, many of which are architecturally significant and reflect the design heritage that made Palm Springs famous during the mid-20th century.
Travel Tip: January through March is peak season, but by May, travelers often find lower hotel rates. Sunday through Thursday stays typically offer the best value throughout the year.
Explore Spring Events in Palm Springs
Spring also brings a lively calendar of cultural events and local gatherings.
First Wednesday Art Walk
The monthly art walk in the Backstreet Art District features galleries, working artist studios, and creative spaces. Visitors can meet artists, view exhibitions, and experience Palm Springs’ thriving art community.
Palm Springs Vintage Market
Held monthly on the first Sunday of each month, the Palm Springs Vintage Market is a treasure hunt for collectors and design lovers. Shoppers browse retro furniture, midcentury décor, vintage clothing, vinyl records, and antiques while enjoying food trucks and live entertainment.
VillageFest Street Fair
Every Thursday evening, downtown transforms into the popular VillageFest Palm Springs. Palm Canyon Drive closes to traffic, becoming a lively pedestrian street filled with artists, handmade crafts, food vendors, and live music.
Outdoor Adventure & Desert Tours
Spring is the ideal season for exploring the desert landscape surrounding Palm Springs.
Red Jeep Tours
Guided desert tours from Desert Adventures Red Jeep Tours take visitors deep into the desert ecosystem along the famous San Andreas Fault. Guests learn about geology, wildlife, and Native American history while exploring rugged canyons and desert terrain.
Trails & Hiking
Indian Canyons is a must-visit, with diverse paths like Palm Canyon Trail and Andreas Canyon Trail that weave through lush palm groves and along scenic streams. Another favorite is Tahquitz Canyon, where a moderate hike reveals a seasonal 60-foot waterfall, ancient petroglyphs, and spectacular views. Murray Canyon Trail offers a peaceful escape for those seeking solitude, leading to the picturesque Seven Sisters Waterfall.
👉 Best Hiking Trails in Palm Springs
👉 Hike Indian Canyons: A Complete Trail Guide to Sacred Oasis
Biking Around Palm Springs
Biking is another fantastic way to explore Palm Springs, especially during the pleasant spring months.
Flat streets, wide bike lanes, and scenic neighborhoods make the city ideal for leisurely rides. Many visitors enjoy cruising through historic midcentury neighborhoods like Twin Palms and Vista Las Palmas, where iconic architecture and mountain views create a uniquely Palm Springs experience.
Big Wheel Tours offers guided biking excursions around Palm Springs and nearby national parks, including adventures into Joshua Tree National Park.
👉 Palm Springs Big City Loop Bike Tour
👉 Explore Historic Deepwell Ranch Neighborhood: Self-Guided Bike Tour
Horseback Riding in the Canyons
The legendary Smoke Tree Stables offers fun equine therapy for horse lovers. The Murray Canyon Haul Ride is in the beautiful and scenic Indian Canyons, riding along streams and native Palm Groves. It's quite stunning.
Strolling Downtown Palm Springs
One of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to experience Palm Springs is simply walking through downtown.
Palm Canyon Drive is lined with restaurants, boutiques, art galleries, and cocktail lounges, while nearby green spaces, like Downtown Park, offer pleasant places to relax in the shade.
Visitors can browse vintage shops, stop for a patio lunch, or visit the Palm Springs Art Museum or the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum.
👉 How Marilyn Monroe was Discovered in Palm Springs
Best Spas in Palm Springs for Relaxation and Wellness
After a day of hiking, sightseeing, or lounging by the pool, a spa visit is one of the most relaxing ways to experience Palm Springs. The city is known for its tranquil desert spa culture, offering everything from luxurious resort treatments to mineral-water wellness experiences.
The Spa at Séc‑he
This spectacular Spa at Séc‑he from the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians celebrates the sacred hot mineral springs that have flowed beneath Palm Springs for thousands of years. Guests can enjoy soaking pools, halotherapy salt caves, cryotherapy, and a full menu of wellness treatments.
Estrella Spa at Avalon Palm Springs
Tucked inside lush garden courtyards, Estrella Spa offers an intimate and serene retreat with personalized treatments, relaxing outdoor spaces, and a tranquil hacienda-style atmosphere.
Sante Spa
This expansive Sante Spa at the Riviera Resort features numerous treatment rooms, steam rooms, and relaxation spaces, offering everything from therapeutic massages to rejuvenating skin therapies.
Palm Springs Yacht Club Spa
Hidden inside Parker Palm Springs, the Palm Springs Yacht Club whimsical and luxurious spa offers unique treatment rooms, indoor pools, and indulgent wellness experiences in a playful midcentury setting.
👉 See the full list of spas and salons.
Spring Dining and Patio Restaurants
Spring weather is ideal for enjoying Palm Springs’ famous outdoor dining scene.
Visitors will find everything from casual brunch cafés to upscale dining rooms throughout the city.
Popular local restaurants include:
- Birba – wood-fired pizza and cocktails on a tree-filled patio
- Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge – contemporary dining with stylish indoor-outdoor seating
- LuLu California Bistro – a beloved local restaurant serving classic American favorites with scenic views
- Las Casuelas Terraza - excellent locally owned Mexican restaurant with a large outdoor patio and weekend entertainment
- The Restaurant at the Palm Springs Surf Club - breathtaking surf and desert views
- Wilma & Frieda's - casual comfort food with trendy brunch
- The Sandwich Spot and Chicken Ranch for casual bites and quick, high-quality options
Spring evenings are especially popular for patio dining, sunset cocktails, and lively weekend brunches.
👉 Best Patio Dining in Palm Springs
👉 Palm Springs Happy Hour Guide
Palm Springs Nightlife & Entertainment
When the sun sets behind the San Jacinto Mountains, Palm Springs offers a vibrant nightlife scene.
Supper Clubs and Live Music
Palm Springs has long embraced the tradition of classic supper clubs and theatrical dining experiences.
The legendary Purple Room continues the tradition of Rat Pack-style supper clubs with live entertainment and classic cocktails.
For a completely unique experience, visitors can reserve a seat at PS Underground. This immersive dinner theater experience blends storytelling, themed dining events, and live entertainment into an unforgettable evening.
Drag Brunch & Entertainment
Palm Springs is also famous for its lively drag brunch scene.
- Oscars Café & Bar - hosts lively brunch events and entertainment performances throughout the week.
- Hyatt Palm Springs - an immersive drag experience every Friday, Saturday, & Sunday.
- Saguaro Palm Springs - delicious brunch with a high-energy show.
Late Night Fun
For late-night energy, head to the vibrant Arenas District in downtown Palm Springs.
This lively stretch of Arenas Road is home to a collection of LGBTQ+ bars, dance clubs, and entertainment venues. The district is known for its welcoming atmosphere, outdoor patios, DJs, and dance floors that stay busy late into the night.
Downtown nightlife venues like The Village Palm Springs offer music, dancing, and late-night energy well into the evening.
A Perfect 3-Day Spring Weekend in Palm Springs
Spring is the ideal time to enjoy a long weekend in Palm Springs. Warm sunshine, blooming desert landscapes, and lively events make it easy to fill a few days with unforgettable experiences.
Here’s a simple three-day itinerary to help you make the most of your spring getaway.
Day 1: Arrival, Downtown Strolling & Sunset Cocktails
Arrive in Palm Springs and settle into your hotel or vacation rental before heading out to explore downtown.
Spend the afternoon browsing the shops and galleries along Palm Canyon Drive or visit the stylish Uptown Design District for vintage shopping and midcentury design stores.
For dinner, enjoy a relaxed patio meal at local favorites like:
After dinner, grab a craft cocktail at the speakeasy-style bar Tailor Shop.
Day 2: Desert Adventures & Poolside Relaxation
Start the morning with an outdoor adventure.
Hike scenic trails through the palm groves and streams of Indian Canyons, one of the most beautiful natural areas in the Coachella Valley.
Another unforgettable experience is riding the rotating tram cars at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which climb more than 8,000 feet into the cooler alpine forests of the San Jacinto Mountains.
In the afternoon, return to your hotel for pool time and relaxation. Palm Springs is famous for its sunny pool culture and stylish desert resorts.
That evening, explore the city’s dining scene with sushi and whiskey pairings at Sandfish Sushi & Whiskey or enjoy contemporary American cuisine at Workshop Kitchen + Bar.
Day 3: Brunch, Museums & VillageFest
Start your final day with a classic Palm Springs brunch.
Locals and visitors love the creative breakfast menu at Cheeky's, famous for its rotating menu and bacon flight.
After brunch, explore a museum, like the Palm Springs Art Museum, the Palm Springs Air Museum, or the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum.
If your visit falls on a Thursday evening, don’t miss VillageFest Palm Springs, when downtown Palm Canyon Drive transforms into a festive street fair filled with food vendors, local artists, and live music.
FAQ: Visiting Palm Springs in Spring
Is spring a good time to visit Palm Springs?
Yes. Spring is widely considered one of the best times to visit Palm Springs thanks to warm temperatures, sunny skies, and a full calendar of outdoor activities and events.
What is the weather like in Palm Springs in spring?
Spring temperatures typically range from the mid 80s in March to the mid-90s by May, with cooler evenings and low humidity.
What are the best outdoor activities in Palm Springs during spring?
Popular activities include hiking in Indian Canyons, desert jeep tours, biking excursions, and scenic rides on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.
What events happen in Palm Springs during spring?
Visitors can enjoy events like VillageFest Palm Springs, art walks in the Backstreet Art District, and monthly vintage markets.
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