Why savvy travelers visit Palm Springs from June through September
Most travelers assume Palm Springs is only a winter destination. Locals know a secret: summer is when Palm Springs delivers its best value, smallest crowds, and biggest savings.
While much of the country is battling humidity, traffic, and peak-season pricing, Palm Springs becomes an affordable oasis where luxury resorts, award-winning restaurants, world-class attractions, and iconic pools are available at a fraction of peak-season rates.
If you've ever dreamed of staying at a boutique resort, relaxing poolside with a cocktail, enjoying a spa day, or dining at some of Southern California's most talked-about restaurants, summer is the time to do it.
Even better? Sunday through Thursday often offers the lowest hotel rates of the entire year.
Here's why summer may be Palm Springs' best-kept travel secret.
Why Summer Is the Best Time to Visit Palm Springs
Summer visitors enjoy three major advantages:
Lower Hotel Rates
Luxury resorts that command premium prices during winter often offer significant savings during the summer months.
Fewer Crowds
Popular attractions, restaurants, and pools are easier to enjoy without long waits or advance planning.
More Value
Visitors can stretch their vacation budgets further while enjoying the same iconic Palm Springs experiences.
Score Incredible Hotel Deals
One of the biggest reasons travelers visit Palm Springs during summer is affordability.
Because summer is considered the destination's value season, hotel rates can be dramatically lower than during winter and spring.
Best Value: Under $150 Per Night
Travelers seeking affordable accommodations can often find summer rates at:
Many of these properties sit near downtown Palm Springs, allowing visitors to walk to restaurants, shopping, nightlife, and attractions.
Boutique Resorts: $150–$250 Per Night
Summer is the perfect opportunity to experience Palm Springs' famous boutique hotel scene.
Popular options include:
These stylish properties often offer rates hundreds of dollars less than on winter weekends.
Luxury Resorts for Less
Want to stay somewhere you might not normally consider? Summer makes luxury attainable.
Look for seasonal rates at:
Many travelers find summer rates that make bucket-list resorts suddenly affordable.
Pro Tip: Book Sunday through Thursday for the biggest savings.
Enjoy Palm Springs Without the Crowds
One of the greatest perks of summer is space.
Instead of waiting weeks for reservations or standing in line for attractions, visitors can enjoy a more relaxed experience.
Popular attractions become easier to access, including:
- The Palm Springs Art Museum
- The Palm Springs Air Museum
- The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
- The Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
- Indian Canyons
- Tahquitz Canyon
You can move at your own pace and experience Palm Springs like a local.
Tip: On Thursday nights, admission to the Palm Springs Art Museum is free year-round from 5 – 7 p.m.
Take Advantage of Summer Dining Specials
Summer is one of the best seasons for food lovers.
Many Palm Springs restaurants introduce seasonal menus, prix fixe dinners, and happy hour specials.
Favorites often include:
- Kaiser Grille's sunset menu is served from 4 - 6 pm
- Eight4Nine Showtime prix fixe three-course dinner.
- The extended Escena Grill sunset menu
Restaurants that can be difficult to reserve during peak season become much easier to enjoy.
👉 Palm Springs Best Sunset Dining Specials
That includes:
Happy Hour Is Practically a Summer Sport
Summer afternoons were made for poolside cocktails and happy hour hopping. Many offer discounted cocktails, wine, beer, and appetizers throughout the week.
Cool Off with a Trip up the Tram
Escape the Heat at 8,516 Feet
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is one of the best summer experiences in Southern California. In just 10 minutes, visitors travel from the desert floor to the alpine forests of Mt. San Jacinto State Park. Temperatures at the top are often 30 to 40 degrees cooler than downtown Palm Springs.
Once there, visitors can:
- Hike more than 50 miles of trails
- Enjoy scenic overlooks
- Visit the natural history museum
- Dine with panoramic views
- Sip cocktails in the Lookout Lounge
Summer often means shorter wait times and easier access to tramway tickets.
Pool Culture
Palm Springs Pool Culture Is at Its Best
No destination embraces pool season quite like Palm Springs. Summer transforms hotel pools into the center of the social scene.
Popular choices include:
The Saguaro Palm Springs
The Saguaro Palm Springs is famous for its colorful architecture, lively atmosphere, and Splash House music festival weekends.
Colony Palms Hotel
The Colony Palms Hotel & Bungalows is an adults-only retreat featuring one of the most beautiful pools in Palm Springs.
Kimpton Rowan
Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs offers rooftop pool views overlooking downtown and the San Jacinto Mountains.
ARRIVE Palm Springs
ARRIVE Palm Springs is a stylish Uptown Design District favorite with poolside cocktails and cabanas.
👉 Your Complete Guide to Palm Springs Pool Day Passes
Plan Your Summer Escape
If you're looking for luxury without the luxury price tag, summer is the perfect time to experience Palm Springs.
You'll enjoy lower hotel rates, fewer crowds, easier restaurant reservations, and access to the same iconic attractions that make Palm Springs one of America's favorite resort destinations.
The secret is out: summer isn't the off-season in Palm Springs—it's value season.
👉 See Palm Springs Deals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Summer in Palm Springs
Is summer a good time to visit Palm Springs?
Absolutely. Summer is one of the best times to visit Palm Springs if you're looking for lower hotel rates, fewer crowds, and easy access to attractions, restaurants, and resort pools. While temperatures are warmer, visitors enjoy significant savings compared to the busy winter and spring seasons.
What is the cheapest time of year to visit Palm Springs?
Summer, particularly June through September, typically offers the lowest hotel rates of the year. Travelers can often save hundreds of dollars per night compared to peak season rates between January and April.
When is the best time to find the best hotel deals in Palm Springs?
For the best rates, plan a Sunday through Thursday stay during the summer months. Midweek stays often offer the deepest discounts at both boutique hotels and luxury resorts.
Is Palm Springs too hot in the summer?
While daytime temperatures can exceed 100°F, Palm Springs is designed for warm-weather living. Most hotels feature pools, misters, shaded patios, and air-conditioned indoor spaces. Many visitors spend mornings exploring, relax by the pool in the afternoon, and enjoy outdoor dining after sunset.
What are the best summer activities in Palm Springs?
Popular summer activities include:
- Relaxing at resort pools
- Riding the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
- Visiting the Palm Springs Art Museum
- Exploring the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
- Touring the Palm Springs Air Museum
- Shopping downtown
- Enjoying happy hour specials and outdoor dining in the evening
Is the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway worth visiting in summer?
Yes. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is one of the most popular summer attractions because it transports visitors from the desert floor to Mt. San Jacinto State Park at 8,516 feet. Temperatures at the top are often 30 to 40 degrees cooler than downtown Palm Springs.
Can I still hike in Palm Springs during summer?
Yes, but it's important to start early in the morning and carry plenty of water. For cooler hiking conditions, visitors often head to higher elevations in Mt. San Jacinto State Park via the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.
Are restaurants less crowded during summer?
Generally, yes. Summer offers easier access to many of Palm Springs' most popular restaurants, with shorter wait times and greater reservation availability compared to peak season.
Why do locals recommend visiting Palm Springs in summer?
Locals know summer offers the perfect combination of value and convenience. Visitors enjoy luxury accommodations at lower prices, easier reservations, fewer crowds, and access to all the attractions that make Palm Springs famous.
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