Your Fun in the Sun Summer Guide to Palm Springs

Palm Springs is the perfect place to soak up the sun and enjoy the great outdoors during the summer months. Whether you’re looking for relaxation or adventure, there’s something for everyone in this desert oasis. Here’s a guide to help you make the most of your summer in Palm Springs:

Get The Summer Pass

First, download the FREE Summer Splash savings pass to save money at your favorite locally-owned and operated Palm Springs boutique hotels, attractions, and boutiques from June 1 – September 15, 2023.

Chill Out by the Pool

With temperatures soaring, why not cool off in one of Palm Spring’s many pools? Whether you’re staying at a hotel or renting a house, make sure to take advantage of the refreshing water and lounge on a floatie.

The Ace Hotel & Swim Club offers a bit of a hipster vibe with a bustline pool scene. It has a distinctive boho style and retro flair. Enjoy the musical with DJ pool parties on the weekends.

Margaritaville Resort will have you kicking back and relaxing in Jimmy Buffet style. The 5 O’clock Somewhere pool is the center of the action with a full-service bar ready to concoct signature drinks. The Lone Palm Pool is for relaxing and R&R. It offers a Tiki bar, loungers, daybeds and chairs around fire pits.

Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs stands tall in downtown and perched on the seventh floor is a noteworthy pool. This trendy rooftop brings chick to the next level with a full bar. Unrivaled views of mountains and the desert landscape make this a great spot to soak up the sun sun and desert beauty.

Parker Palm Springs features a 50’s vibe with a contemporary twist. The grounds are lush with two outdoor pools. On is tucked amongst the foliage and the other in the center of the resort. An adults only pool is also located indoors.

Arrive Palm Springs caters to adults 21 and older. The pool is the focal point with food and drinks available. There are often live DJ sets on the weekend making it a fun getaway with friends. It has a youthful energy and is located in the Uptown Design District.

Want a lot of summer color? The Saguaro Palm Springs has you covered. It is one of the most recognizable hotels in Palm Springs. Sitting center stage is the sparkling blue pool surrounded by sun-colored umbrellas and loungers. Enjoy bottle service in the cabanas.

The smaller boutique hotels feature cocktail hours, fire pits by the pool, individual soaking tubs and more. Or one of the many Vacation Rentals offers you a private pool.

Superb Views

In just 12 minutes, the rotating tram cars of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway whisks visitors up the alpine wonderland to the gateway of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument.  Hint: It’s 30 degrees cooler, so take a backpack, lunch and hike away! Have dinner at Peak’s restaurant and watch day turn to night lights below.

Cool Palm Springs Museums

The Air Museum allows you to get close to a vintage collection of WWII aircraft, while the kids can fly a plane using a simulator. It the largest collection of flyable WWII planes in the world. Docents will happily share the stories behind the planes. In addition to the impressive plane collection, they also have vintage cars, documentary screenings an and onsite café.

The Palm Sprigs Art Museum creates transformative experiences that expand our understanding of ourselves and the world. It has a growing permanent collection of over 12,000 object rooted in modern and contemporary art, architecture, and design.

In 2011, the Art Museum purchased the Santa Fe Federal Savings & Loan building designed by E. Stewart Williams in 1960. It was reopened as the Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center, Edwards Harris Pavillion.  This is the hub for the museum’s architecture and design features and related exhibitions and education programs.

Sip On Some Cocktails

As the summer season arrives, what better way to cool off in Palm Springs than with a refreshing cocktail? Whether you’re lounging by the pool, hitting up local hotspots or just enjoying the beautiful desert scenery, there’s always an excuse to indulge in a delicious drink in this Southern California oasis.

Here’s a guide to some of the must-try cocktails for your summer in Palm Springs:

The Paloma – A refreshing tequila and grapefruit cocktail that’s perfect for hot weather. Head to Las Casuelas Terraza for their take on this classic, which includes a splash of lime and soda water.

The Wild Coyote Margarita at Blue Coyote Grill is like no other. We wish we could tell you the ingredients, but it’s a secret. Shhh…

California Dreamin’ – Vodka, lemon juice, grand poppy liqueur, and orange oils. Check out the Workshop Kitchen + Bar for their version of this original cocktail and other classic cocktails.

Summer of Sam – This unusual suspect is make with blended and Islay Scotches, lemon, pineapple, ginger, honey, and Banane liqueur. Try it at Bootlegger Tiki, a tropical-themed bar with a fun atmosphere.

The Rum Barrel – This is their original recipe and is everything a tiki drink should be. Intoxicating flavors of Falernum, spice, exotic fruit and The Real McCoy Rum. Check out the Tonga Hut Tiki Lounge for their signature cocktail.

These are just a few of the amazing cocktail options available in Palm Springs during the summer season. So, get out there and try them all – cheers to a great summer!

Dine like the Rat Pack

Enjoy one of the ultra-cool collection of celeb dinner hangouts abounds in Palm Springs to live like Frank Sinatra did.

Try Melvyn’s for a more elegant adult experience with classic cocktails on the patio. This has old Hollywood history and includes a lounge with live music.

The sophistication and glamour of the Rat Pack era comes alive at Michael Holmes’ Purple Room, the desert’s premier supper club.  Tucked away in the Club Trinidad Hotel, The Purple Room is where Frank, Sammy, Dean, and their pals cavorted on and off the stage in the swinging 60s. Step in and you’ll be transported back to the elegance of the era:  an intimate and inviting room, classic cocktails with a modern twist, world-class cuisine, and the great live entertainment.

Evoking the old Hollywood glamour that Palm Springs is famous for, Mr. Lyons dining salon is black and white marble, wood, brass, leather and velvet; a fine dining experience steeped in classic elegance. The menu is steak-centered with an endless choice of sides. Here you will enjoy the tableside service– a hallmark of classic steak house dining. This is the kind of personalized experience you won’t soon forget.

Fun fact: Johnny Costa’s original owner and chef was Frank’s personal chef. It is still owned and run by the same family.

Enjoy some Spa Time

Pamper yourself with a relaxing spa treatment at one of the many luxury spas in the area. Massages, facials, and body treatments are just a few of the services offered to help you unwind.

The Spa at Sec-he has just opened and is spectacular.  Get a Day Pass and enjoy all the amenities, including their signature, Taking of The Waters. Or add on a massage and facial to rejuvenate from the summer heat.

The Parker Palm Springs is a luxurious hotel that boasts an impressive Yacht Club Spa. The spa offers a variety of services, including massages, facials, and body treatments. There are also two outdoor pools and a hot tub for guests to enjoy.

The St. Somewhere Spa at Margaritaville Resort in Palm Springs offers a relaxing oasis for guests to unwind and pamper themselves. The spa features a variety of treatments, including massages, facials, body wraps, and nail care services. Visitors can also enjoy the sauna, steam room, and hot tub, as well as the outdoor pool and cabanas with food and beverage service. The spa’s decor is inspired by the laid-back lifestyle of Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, with tropical accents and soothing colors. Whether you’re looking for a deep tissue massage, a rejuvenating facial, or just some time to escape the hustle and bustle, St. Somewhere Spa at Margaritaville Resort is the perfect place to relax and recharge.

Whether you’re looking for a quick massage or a full day of pampering, Palm Springs has a spa that will meet your needs. With so many luxurious options to choose from, you’re sure to leave feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.

Shop ’til You Drop

Palm Springs is known for its vintage shops and boutiques. Spend a day browsing through the retro clothing and furniture or checking out the local art galleries.

The Frippery – This boutique is a must-visit for vintage lovers, featuring a carefully curated collection of vintage clothing and accessories from the 1920s through the 1980s. You’ll find everything from classic Chanel bags to bohemian maxi dresses.

The Estate Sale Company – If you’re looking for high-end vintage finds, head to The Estate Sale Company, which specializes in estate liquidations of designer and collector items. You never know what treasures you might find here.

Gypsyland – This sprawling vintage store is a treasure trove of eclectic finds, including clothing, furniture, and décor from different eras. It’s the perfect spot to explore and get lost in.

The thrill of the hunt delivers vintage and contemporary goodies at Revivals, a local-favorite thrift shop benefiting the Desert AIDS Project. I’ve scored a Judith Leiber coin purse, and a mid-century ceramic black panther TV light here. Be sure to peruse the really cool costume jewelry. Shoes, clothes, home furnishings, vintage ceramics, dinnerware, lighting, pictures. You name it, it’s here.

The Antiques Galleries of Palm Springs features a curated collection from old gas pumps and macrame to ship’s wheel, Magnavox stereo console and ’60s clown paintings – remember them? Plus an ever changing inventory of vintage furniture, clothing, sculpture and glassware.

So, there you have it – a fun in the sun guide to Palm Springs. With endless activities, beautiful scenery, and plenty of sunshine, it’s no wonder this desert destination is a summer favorite.

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