Palm Springs Budget Travel Guide

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

Contrary to many other destinations, Palm Springs’s low season is summer. As temperatures rise, prices drop, offering great value across hotel and resort properties. The busiest times are January through March and April weekends during music festivals. Plan a visit from Sunday to Thursday in the summer for rock-bottom prices. If you prefer cooler weather, you can still find deals with midweek stays during the shoulder season in the fall.

Find Your Budget-Friendly Stay

Value Boutique Hotels

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.

Adara Hotel Palm Springs also has a midcentury 2-story motel vibe in South Palm Springs. Little Paradise Hotel is a small boutique hotel with all rooms facing the pool. Some include a private patio and kitchen. Not far is another 1950s hotel, A Place In The Sun, which caters to adults.

Inn at Palm Springs, a Kayak Travel Award winner, offers exceptional service and values. The Cole and 7 Springs Inn & Suites provide contemporary comfort in midcentury settings.

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 in downtown Palm Springs offers the best value pricing of all 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).

Value Chain Brands

Budget-friendly hotel opetions for minimal room time include Travelodge by Wyndham Palm Springs, Courtyard by Marriott, Days Inn, Best Western Inn at Palm Springs   and Extended Stay America Suites

Three Motel 6 locations include Motel 6 East, near V Palm Springs, Motel 6 Downtown, and Motel 6 North off the I-10.

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 learn about the unique architecture that has made Palm Springs world famous.

The Palm Springs Modern Committee also produced another self-driving architecture map, called “A Map of Modern Palm Springs,” which is available for purchase at the Palm Springs Visitor Center for $5.

While you are there, they also have a Palm Springs map of the Star’s Homes self-guided tour. This is a bit like doing the double decker bus tour in Hollywood, but now you are the driver in Palm Springs.

Another great option is to grab a bike at your hotel and explore the neighborhoods. Our colored doors are very popular and you will see many of these in South Palm Springs in the Canyon Estates neighborhood. Here’s a bike self-guided tour we put together in the Deepwell Ranch Estates neighborhood.

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.

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 adorn the streets. Along the way, pop into eclectic boutiques, charming cafés, 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 will see “Isabelle,” a fine-art polished stainless steel sculpture that rocks a hypnotic ambiance. She seemingly changes 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 own 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.

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 and 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 known as the “Cactarium,” housing 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. Palm Springs Art Museum boasts free admission from 5 – 8 pm and features international paintings, spectacular sculptures, and designs for the mind. Plus, the museum is always free for anyone 18 and younger.

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.

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 they named it twice! Beat the afternoon heat with a 3-4 pm cocktail, or wait until late at night if that’s how you roll.

The Saguaro has a Happy Hour at El Jefe Monday through Friday, 2 – 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 – 9 pm.

Thrift & Thrill

If you don’t like the cost of a certain item, just wait a while; pretty soon, it’ll be vintage-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 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, hit the Sunny Dunes Antique Mall (507 E Sunny Dunes Road). It’s a 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 all the time, so go 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, 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 décor and 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

You May Also Like:

Palm Springs Happy Hour Guide

Vintage Shopping Guide

Secret: Summer in Palm Springs offers the Best Values