The Perfect Weekend In Palm Springs Itinerary

When someone would mention Palm Springs, I would immediately think relaxing by the swimming pool all day and Coachella. When I was invited to explore this incredible oasis, I was surprised by how much there was to do there! There is so much more to do than experiencing music festivals or getting the best sun tan of your life. There are many stunning trails, beautiful architecture to see, great restaurants, and fantastic outdoor adventures! I can’t believe it took me this long to explore it. So if you are heading to Palm Springs, make sure to enjoy it to its max! Get out and explore, hike, eat, and be merry! I promise you, you will love it here!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, I may receive a small commission (for which I am very grateful for) at no extra cost to you. Thank you to Visit Greater Palm Springs for collaborating on this blog post. As always, all opinions are my own. 

Map Of Palm Springs Weekend Itinerary

Below is a Google map of all the activities for each day. You can save this map before your trip or copy it and add any other activities you want to do.

Tours In Palm Springs

Where To Stay In Palm Springs

I enjoyed my stay at Hotel Paseo Palm Springs. The decoration was top-notch. I loved all the modern and bright paintings on the walls. The vintage car and metal airstream was an added touch. I also liked the palm trees near their pool. They looked brilliant with the pink sunset hues (shown below). It is a perfect hotel if you are looking for a cutesy California Instagram vibe. >>>Book Here Now

A Weekend In Palm Springs Itinerary

Palm Springs Weekend Trip Day 1

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

The most impressive part of Palm Springs is the Aerial Tramway. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is the world’s largest rotating tram car, and it transports visitors over 2 1/2 miles long over Mt. San Jacinto State Park. The elevation at the final destination is 8,516 feet. The tram ride isn’t the best part of visiting this park; the top area has restaurants, over 50 miles of hiking trails, stunning viewpoints, and two documentary theaters. You can book tickets here.

Indian Canyons – Palm Canyon – Andreas Canyon

Indian Canyon and Palm Canyon was probably my favorite part of Palm Springs. I could not believe I had never heard of it before. Being able to walk around with tall bushy palm trees, was such a dream! I loved the flowing river next to the palms.

Cahuilla Indians built complex communities in the Palm, Murray, Andreas, Tahquitz, and Chino canyons, so this area has a great history. It is even on the National Register of Historic Places, and it is the world’s largest palm oasis.

Some of the trails we walked are called Andreas Canyon (shown below), and Indian Canyon (shown above). You don’t need to hike many miles to enjoy these canyons.

The Saguaro Palm Springs

We didn’t end up staying at the Saguaro Palm Springs Hotel, but we still had to make a pit stop at this lovely, vibrant, and colorful hotel. It is such a fun hotel, and the best part is that they don’t mind you taking pictures even if you are not a guest!

The color palette is made up of the indigenous flowers in the Coachella Valley. It took years for this hotel’s color scheme to be approved! I am so glad it finally did because I had so much fun taking pictures at this beautiful hotel. It is perfect for Instagram pictures, and I really enjoyed seeing their cute Barbie display.

Lulu California Bistro

I loved the decoration at Lulu California Bistro. It felt vibrant, colorful, welcoming, light, and bright. The food was scrumptious, and make sure you order the cotton candy! So delightful!

Brandini Toffee

Who would have thought I would actually like toffee? I had tried toffee throughout my life, and I always thought it to be too sweet, hard, or sticky. I was a skeptic when I arrived at Brandini Toffee, but I still decided to try the caramel popcorn, the toffee, and the shake. Wow, was I blown away! I had never had such good popcorn and toffee in my life. The toffee melts in your mouth, and it is not as sweet or hard as the toffees I have tasted before. This is high-quality stuff! Let’s not forget the ice cream shake. It was so yummy. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Even if you are not a fan of toffee, I recommend stopping by here because they make perfect gifts for family and friends. I found out they sold Brandini Toffee in Seattle (Salish Lodge), so I bought six boxes to give to my family, and they loved them.

Brandini is a family-owned business, and I had the pleasure of meeting the owner  Brandon Weimer. They started making toffee to raise money for a class trip in 2006, and it has taken off since then. Stop by and support a small business.

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

The Living Desert Zoo And Gardens is perfect for anyone that loves animals in deserts. They have giraffes, rhinos, wallabies, and much more. They feature animals from Australia, North America, and Africa. My favorite part was getting up and close and feeding the Rhino and Wallabies! This is an excellent activity for the whole family.

Larkspur Grill at Hotel Paseo

If you are looking for an elegant dinner with fantastic food, then you need to try out Larkspur Grill at Hotel Paseo. Thurs-Sat each week, there is a band, and the music ranges from jazz to cover bands. I loved all the desserts they served, the bacon-wrapped dates, and the prime hanger steak.

A Perfect Long Weekend In Palm Springs Day 2

Breakfast At IW Coffee

Sometimes I tire at how basic some coffee shops can be, but IW coffee sure had some interesting coffee flavors! I ordered avocado toast, pastries, and a chai coffee. This is a perfect way to start your second day at Palm Springs.

El Paseo Shopping

After breakfast, relax and do some shopping! El Paseo Shopping District has over 300 fabulous shops! Like  Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co, Sephora,  Anthropologie, and much more! You can learn more about the shops here.

Sam Cobb Date Farms

Want to support a local black-owned farm? Then check out Sam Cobb Farms. I had a delightful time at the farm and learned all about dates! I also learned about the crazy, fun story of how Sam Cobb started this wonderful farm. He is highly passionate about his dates and gardening in general. You can even ask him about other plants other than dates; he knows so much.

What makes this place even more remarkable is the fantastic endless rows of date trees where you can take wonderful Instagram pictures. The sun beaming through the trees on a sunny day truly is wonderful. You can buy the dates at the farm or online. I loved being able to help and support such a wonderful family. Click here for hours, tours, and ordering dates online.

TKB Bakery & Deli

TKB Bakery & Deli is a famous restaurant not just in Palm Springs but in the nation! TKB was recognized as the #4 Rated Restaurant in America in 2014, and since then, it has received many other awards. This restaurant went from being a local favorite to a national favorite! After trying out their sandwiches, I can see why. Everything was delicious, and I cleaned my plate. This is a perfect lunch spot after shopping!

Desert Adventures – Red Jeep Tours

If you want an adventurous experience, then you need to go on a Red Jeep Tour! This company is the only company that has access to these wonderful spots, so you definitely need to ride with them! The tour was very informative, and the views were outstanding. It is also nice that they stop at significant areas and let you walk around and explore The San Andreas Fault.

Wind Farm Sunset

When I thought of Palm Springs, California, I always pictured wind farms with mountains in the distance. I was lucky to finally capture it, although I was not so lucky with the crazy weather. Hopefully, you have much better luck, but you can find an area to snap the windmills around I-10 and W San Rafael Drive. Sunrise and sunset are best for beautiful photos. You can also get a self-guided tour here.

Armando’s Dakota Bar & Grill

I can be pretty picky when it comes to Mexican food; after living in Mexico for a while as a child and living in Texas for most of my life. But when I had the fajitas at Armando’s, I was blown away. Such good Mexican food! And their margaritas were pretty good too. This is a perfect way to end your second night.

Palm Springs Weekend Getaway Day 3

I recommend picking one activity for day three, and I have listed some of the best things to do below.

Joshua Tree National Park

I’ve been to Joshua Tree multiple times, and this national park can not be missed during your Palm Springs 3 day itinerary! The cacti and rocks are something you will not witness anywhere else! You don’t even need to be an avid hiker to enjoy it all! There are many pull-offs with viewpoints and extremely easy hikes. Some of my favorite things to do include:

• Skull Rock,
• Cholla Cactus Garden,
• Hidden Valley Trail,
• Barker Dam Trail,
• Arch Rock Trail,
• Hall of Horrors Trail.

Read More: Best Hike In Joshua Tree National Park

Indian Wells Golf Resort

The Indian Wells Golf Resort is open to the public and is home to two 18-hole championship courses. The Players Course is ranked number 16 in California, while the Celebrity is ranked number 30.

Whichever course you choose, it will not disappoint. This golf course is breathtaking at every corner. With palm trees surrounding you, lakes, lush green grass, and mountains galore, this area truly is a Palm Spring oasis.

Anza Borrego State Park

Anza Borrego State Park is a bit farther than Joshua Tree National Park, but if you have already seen Joshua Tree, then this is another excellent option. Anza Borrego State Park reminds me of some of the hikes I did in Death Valley National Park, near Zabriskie Point. It is the largest state park in California and is around 585,930 acres.

Hang Out By The Pool

On the third day, if you are tired from all the activities from the past few days, then take a breather and have some drinks by the pool! Palm Springs is known for its beautiful sunny weather, and most people take advantage of it by laying out by the pool all day!

Big Rock Golf and Pub at Indian Springs

After all of your day activities, treat yourself to some excellent bar food at Big Rock Golf and Pub. The food is fantastic, and I especially loved the onion rings, brussel sprouts, and buffalo cauliflower. So good! I was also obsessed with the decoration at this restaurant. It was decked out in rock and roll art. I took many videos of this interesting restaurant. If you are a rock and roll fan, then you definitely need to eat here.

When To Visit Palm Springs

• January – March: This is one of the busiest times in Palm Springs. The weather is perfect and mild, and the sun is always shining. This is the second best time to visit Palm Springs.
• April – June: April brings in the Coachella crowd, so unless you are going to the music festival, I would avoid this month because of sky-high prices and big crowds. May and June are when the temperatures start to get higher and higher. Exploring Palm Springs will begin to get a bit more challenging around this time.
• July – September: The summer months will be difficult, with temperatures soaring above 100 degrees Fahrenheit and many outdoor attractions shortening their operating hours.
• October – December: This is when I traveled to Palm Springs. I felt like it was perfect! Crowds were low, and the weather was pretty mild yet sunny.

Final Thoughts Of 3 Perfect Days In Palm Springs

Thanks for reading my Palm Springs weekend guide. I hope you have a great vacation! Check out some of the other blog posts I have written about California:

• Things To Do in Sequoia National Park | 16 Must-See Attractions
• 20 Best Yosemite Photography Spots | Complete National Park Photo Guide
• 8 Fun Things To Do In Visalia, California
• The Perfect 2-Day Joshua Tree Itinerary
• 19 Things To Do in Point Reyes National Seashore, California

Pin For Later: Three Days In Palm Springs