trivago: Cheap Hotels in Palm Springs

Here’s a solid 2-day itinerary for Palm Springs that balances scenery, relaxing pool time, good food, and a bit of desert adventure.

Day 1: Classic Palm Springs + Midcentury Vibes

Morning: Downtown + coffee

Start in downtown Palm Springs. It’s compact and very walkable, with midcentury architecture, boutiques, and cafés.

• Grab coffee at a local café, then stroll Palm Canyon Drive

• Browse vintage shops and design stores

• If you like art, pop into the Palm Springs Art Museum for a quick, well-curated visit (modern and Native American art)

Lunch

• Sit-down option: Farm (French-inspired, tucked-away courtyard vibe, great brunch/lunch)

Afternoon: Pool time or spa break

Palm Springs is really about slowing down.

• Check into a hotel like:

  • The Parker Palm Springs (luxury, whimsical design)

  • Ace Hotel & Swim Club Palm Springs (more laid-back, social pool scene)

Spend the afternoon by the pool or book a spa treatment.

Evening: Sunset + dinner

• Head to San Jacinto foothills for golden-hour views via a short drive or nearby lookout

• Dinner ideas:

  • Melvyn’s Restaurant (old-school glamour, live piano vibes)

  • Or downtown casual dining with outdoor patios

Day 2: Desert Nature + Scenic Views

Morning: Aerial views or desert hiking

Pick one based on energy level:

Option A: Scenic cable car

• Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

• You’ll go from desert floor to alpine forest in about 10 minutes

• At the top: light hiking + cooler temperatures

Option B: Desert hike

• Explore Indian Canyons

• Beautiful palm oases and easy-to-moderate trails

Lunch

• Back in town: casual café or poolside lunch at your hotel

Afternoon: Quirky desert stop

• Visit Moorten Botanical Garden

  • Small but iconic cactus garden, very “old Palm Springs”

Optional: quick drive through scenic neighborhoods to see midcentury homes

Evening: Relaxed dinner + night stroll

• Dinner downtown (try modern Californian or Mexican cuisine)

• End with a slow walk along Palm Canyon Drive

Optional add-on (if you extend or swap Day 2)

If you want something more adventurous, you can swap the second morning for a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park (about 1–1.5 hours away). It’s more rugged, surreal desert landscapes and great for photography.

Quick tips

• Best seasons: late fall through spring (summer is extremely hot)

• Bring sun protection even in winter

• A car is essential for flexibility

• Book pool hotels early for weekends

If you want, I can tailor this into a luxury itinerary, budget version, or party/weekend-with-friends version.