Palm Springs Tours &
Things to Do
Discover the best Palm Springs tours and things to do in the California desert: ride the rotating Aerial Tramway to alpine heights, explore otherworldly Joshua Tree National Park, jeep along the San Andreas Fault, tour the mid-century celebrity homes and hike the palm-filled Indian Canyons. Compare top-rated experiences and plan the perfect trip.
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Explore Palm Springs by interest
Whatever brings you to Palm Springs — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Aerial Tramway
Desert to alpine.
ExploreJoshua Tree
Otherworldly desert.
ExploreSan Andreas jeep
Ride the fault.
ExploreCelebrity homes
Hollywood style.
ExploreIndian Canyons
Palm oases.
ExploreWindmills
Desert wind farm.
ExploreCoachella Valley
The wider desert.
ExplorePalm Springs highlights
Tramway & desert.
ExploreTop attractions in Palm Springs
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Aerial Tramway
Rotating cable car.
Joshua Tree
Desert park.
San Andreas Fault
Jeep tours.
Celebrity Homes
Hollywood style.
Indian Canyons
Palm oases.
Windmills
Desert wind farm.
Desert Views
Palm Springs.
Coachella Valley
Wider desert.
City awayAerial Tramway
Rotating cable car.
1 hr awayJoshua Tree
Desert park.
Desert awaySan Andreas Fault
Jeep tours.
City awayCelebrity Homes
Hollywood style.
South awayIndian Canyons
Palm oases.
The pass awayWindmills
Wind farm.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Palm Springs visitor asks before booking.
Winter (Nov–Mar)
Warm, sunny days — the peak season.
Spring (Mar–May)
Wildflowers and pleasant desert warmth.
Autumn (Oct–Nov)
Cooling temperatures and clear skies.
Summer (Jun–Sep)
Very hot — best for early or high tours.
For Joshua Tree
Spring and autumn for comfortable hikes.
Best overall
November to April for warm, dry days.
One day
The tramway, celebrity homes and a jeep tour.
Two days
Add a Joshua Tree day trip.
Three days
Add the Indian Canyons and Coachella Valley.
For nature
Joshua Tree and the Indian Canyons.
For culture
The celebrity homes and mid-century tours.
For views
The Aerial Tramway up San Jacinto.
By car
A car is handy for Joshua Tree and beyond.
Tours
Tours cover Joshua Tree and the fault.
On foot
Downtown Palm Canyon Drive is walkable.
Tramway
The Aerial Tramway climbs the mountain.
Where to stay
Stay near downtown for dining and tours.
US dollars
The US uses the dollar; cards widely accepted.
Tramway
Bring a jacket — the summit is much cooler.
Joshua Tree
Start early to beat the midday heat.
Jeep tours
Book a morning slot for cooler conditions.
Celebrity homes
Great for mid-century architecture fans.
Indian Canyons
Wear sun protection and carry water.
Combos
Some tours pair Joshua Tree with the fault.
Tramway
Tickets fill up on weekends — book ahead.
Joshua Tree tours
Day trips fill up — reserve early.
Jeep tours
Fault tours fill up — book ahead.
Celebrity tours
Home tours fill up — reserve early.
Canyon hikes
Guided hikes fill up — book ahead.
Winter season
November to April is busiest — book ahead.
Tramway
Around $30–60 for an Aerial Tramway ticket.
Joshua Tree tour
About $150–200 for a Joshua Tree day trip.
Jeep tour
Roughly $55–120 for a San Andreas jeep tour.
Celebrity tour
Around $37–70 for a celebrity homes tour.
Canyon hike
About $111–150 for an Indian Canyons hike.
How to save
Join group tours to save over private ones.
Palm Springs through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Warm & sunny.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Peak.
- Best for
- Wildflowers.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Busy.
- Best for
- Clear skies.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Great.
- Best for
- Fewer crowds.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Hot.