Fall in Love with Palm Springs

The Best Autumn Activities 

The hardest word to say is goodbye. When you are living your best life, you want the joy to last forever. That’s why it is always bittersweet when summer ends. You wish the sun, fun and relaxation would glow infinitely.

But in Palm Springs, you don’t have to bid adieu to the vacation vibes you cherish so dearly. Summer gets an extended reprieve here in the desert as temperatures nestle into a welcoming harmony of crispness and comfort. For example, the average high temperature in November is 79 degrees. While others put on coats, we put on bathing suits.

Seasonal Fall Bites

The harvest brings foodie freshness from the ranch to the table. Fall celebrates an abundance of locally sourced produce, proteins, and pumpkin-spice-everything.

Revel in refreshing ingredients at the appropriately named FARM. It’s the perfect place to start the day. Dig in for French succulence with an array of crepes and omelets, then wash it down with a fresh juice squeezed from California’s finest. Your taste buds will enjoy a trip around the world!

Sunday brunch is the reason for the season. Spencer’s, in the famous Palm Springs tennis club neighborhood, is a local favorite. It stays busy, so be sure to make a reservation. Dine outside on one of the largest outdoor patios in Palm Springs. A Palm Springs classic anytime. Try the popular Maine Lobster Omelet.

As day turns to evening, be sure to keep your appetite warm with a bevy of dining options. Lulu California Bistro picks the peak products for an autumn well spent. Their strawberry salad, cantaloupe gazpacho and wild mushroom soup will prime your engine as you explore the luscious landscape ahead. They also offer a 3-course weekend brunch. Enjoy lot’s of patio seating and sunshine.

Copley’s provides a fusion of freshness that wonderfully characterizes the spirit of the season. From East Asian inspiration to New England ingredients to SoCal ingenuity, this award-winning eatery is a premier destination for your autumn calendar.

And while we’re on the subject, it’s never too early to plan for Thanksgiving. Trio is a downtown mainstay, offering a hearty menu for anyone fortunate enough to call Palm Springs home for the holidays. And the iconic restaurant is already styled in a fetching Halloween orange hue. No trick – just treats!

Fall Hiking and Biking

Now that you have refueled for the season, it’s time to put your protein to great use. Take a hike at one of the convenient trails located near the heart of town. Andreas Canyon is a cradle of cultural finds, showcasing irrigation and artistic achievements of the Cahuilla indigenous people. It’s one of the three canyons in Indian Canyons and offers beautiful views meandering along a natural creek.

For a more challenging hike, consider the trailhead tucked fashionably behind the Palm Springs Art Museum. While you’re there, visit one of the many fascinating design and architecture attractions that make our city famous.

Your hike continues from manmade wonders to natural spectacles. The waterfalls of Tahquitz Canyon are truly astounding, flanked by lush greenery and picturesque wildlife. The crisp water rushing past you tumbles 60 feet from apex to completion. You’ll really fall for it!

Your autumn sojourn would not be complete without a leisurely trek through town on your own rental ride. Bike Palm Springs is stocked with electric cycles and traditional pedal-powered models, so customize your experience accordingly. Even their storefront is Instagram-worthy, featuring all the colors of fall as re-imagined in midcentury pastel shades.  Many of the hotels and resorts also offer complementary bikes. You can also take a bike tour with Big Wheel Tours. Ride on!

From Sunshine To Snow

The beautiful San Jacinto Mountains is the backdrop to Palm Springs. You can visit the top of the San Jacinto Mountain via the The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. It’s the world’s largest rotating tramcar. It travels up over 2.5 miles along the breathtaking cliffs of Chino Canyon. The weather is about 30 degrees cooler, so you can go from warm to cool weather in a 10 minute tram ride. It’s known to have snow as early as November. You can go from t-shirt, to coat, back to swimsuit in a fall afternoon. Only in Palm Springs!

Outdoor Fall Events

Will you be in town Thursday night? If not, rearrange those plans! VillageFest rocks Palm Canyon Drive every week with a dazzling array of delightful fare. Fall hours are 6 – 10 pm.  Nosh on finger foods from area restaurants, gaze at visionary pieces by local artists, and shop to the max at a bevy of business stands. The only thing missing is you!

Modernism Fall Preview is a four-day long “mini-Modernism Week” featuring more than 50 events, including tours, talks, and parties.  It’s a nice kick-off to the active fall social and recreational season in Palm Springs. Palm Springs Modernism Week is each February with a larger range of activities, tours, and events.

The gem in our autumn crown is Palm Springs Pride, a blast of rainbow realness that invigorates our hamlet the first weekend of November. While other cities clamor for attention in June, we take our time and chill out until the scene is properly cool. The bars on Arenas Road overflow with inclusiveness, brunches throughout town heat up heartily, and the parade route wraps its love-is-loving arms around us all. Welcome.

While you’re still enjoying the fall vistas, let’s chart a path to some must-attend al fresco diverse events. The courtyard at Oscar’s is a playground of icons and up-and-comers. Their spacious dining floor, balcony spillover and festive bar provide ample views of headliners who run the gamut of entertainment. From drag queens to kings of comedy and legendary musicians, Oscar’s really puts on a show!

Stay Your Own Way

Speaking of welcomes, you will definitely want to book a lengthy visit once you get a taste of fall in Palm Springs. Great news: you picked the perfect time (go, you!) because the rates are reasonable and spaces are available.

Whether you prefer boutique intimacy or a larger resort presence, unforgettable stays await in our friendly berg. You may also opt for a vacation house rental to accommodate friends, family or fellow travelers you meet during your trip!

The beauty of autumn shimmers in its endless flow of feels. You bask in the memories of summer, you prepare for the bracing beauty of winter, but most importantly: you appreciate the majesty of the here and now. Schedule your fall follies in the splendor of Palm Springs. We can’t wait to share the season with you.

Cheers!

Written By Kevin Perry