View to a Thrill

Our Picks for some Great Palm Springs Scenes

You’ve got your seasonal tan locked down, a killer sense of fashion, and sassiness to spare… so are you ready for a change of scenery?  Why don’t you spice things up and show your followers how to live it up, YOU style.  Get out and get fabulous at the most Insta-worthy locations for some great images.

Palm Springs Nature Scenes

Contrary to the advice of 90s pop music, DO go chasing waterfalls. The vistas in Tahquitz Canyon are remarkably refreshing. Their 60-foot falls are the perfect backdrop for your next selfie sojourn.

Compare that to the views from the  Palm Springs Aerial Tramway elevation at the top of the San Jacinto mountains at over 8,500 feet. Dusk offers some incredible Palm Springs scenic colors.

For a cultivated nature experience, plant yourself at Moorten Botanical Garden, home of the Cactarium. This local landmark is a must-visit for desert devotees and adventurous travelers alike. According to owner Clark Moorten, his wonderland of vibrant greenery has spawned over 50,000 selfies and counting. Smile, indeed! This is a trendy spot for Instagrammers.

Mind-blowing Majesty

One of the most iconic features of Palm Springs’ scenes is the expanse of windmills stretching along our northern ridge. Their motion is purposeful, powerful, and calm. They lazily spin their way into the scenery that demands your Insta-attention.

These Windmills were also featured in pop culture moments such as Rain Man and Mission Impossible III. Move over, Tom Cruise, because it’s our readers’ turn to shine! Just drive up Garnet Avenue, choose a safe spot to pull over, and snap your way to stardom. DO NOT try to take pics from the freeway; we want you to arrive safely at your next glamour session…

Gather ‘Round

Check out some of our favorite social gathering places to say cheese. There’s the Palm Springs Visitors Center, an outcropping of midcentury modern flair set against the rugged backdrop of the San Jacinto Mountains. This Palm Springs scene will have you in a mid-century modern vibe.

To get a bird’s eye view of your next photo op, hop aboard the Palm Springs Air Museum and pose with some true aces of the skies. These Palm Springs scenes offer incredible views of the entire valley.

Next, cool down with a trip to the picturesque fountain located at the dazzlingly textured façade of The Parker. The latticed grating may look foreboding, but it will welcome a whole new audience to your online galleries. This Palm Springs scene is popular for weddings.

All these shutterbug shenanigans make us hungry, so join us for a bite at The Riviera’s Café Palmetto.

Don’t forget to strike a pose near their palm tree-printed walls—beat the heat with a side of treats! And if your palate craves even more color, stop by The Saguaro and marvel at the resort’s rainbow array of brightly-hued balconies.

Mural Realness 

The floral tableau outside My Little Flower Shop will pollinate your imagination and spruce up your Facebook photo feed.

Speaking of flowers, a beautiful bouquet frames Marilyn Monroe’s likeness on the north side of Lulu’s pristine exterior, making her luminosity positively pop in contrast to the bleached white walls.

Similarly, the exterior corridor ushering guests into the entrance of The Hyatt is a model of restraint and grandeur. Dean Mayo’s mural depicts our city’s name amidst a pastiche of desert imagery and snowcapped mountains.

If your soul isn’t already soaring, take flight with the brilliant angel wings painted near The Rowan Palm Springs. Collette Miller’s ode to world peace adopts the look of the Gay Pride flag, so be sure to tag your LGBTQ fam when you post your angelic pics.

Palm Springs Scenes that are Statuesque 

The Rowan is also home to Isabelle, your perfect companion in the eternal pursuit of social media domination. She’s 12 feet tall (crouching) and made of concrete, steel, and colored lights, so be careful that Julian Voss-Andreae’s expressive opus doesn’t upstage your selfie!

If celebrity statues are more to your taste, get a mayoral with a likeness of Sonny Bono at the Mercado Plaza fountain.

Or take a load off and park it next to the Lucille Ball statue on a bench outside of the downtown.

Our hometown is a hotbed of public art waiting for you to snap and share. You can see the scene by visiting any of the locales mentioned above, and you can get ready for the social media love to flood your mentions.

Palm Springs is ready for its close-up… are you?

Follow us on Instagram – @visitpalmsprings  or tag us, and we’ll tag you back.  Be sure to stop by the Palm Springs welcome sign at the Tram Road visitor center.