3 Days in Palm Springs
The Spend it Like Stanford 3 day travel guide to Palm Springs is here and it’s all about relaxation. I know, I know. I don’t typically choose destinations where the main theme is relaxing. I’m just not a person who enjoys sitting by the pool or beach all day and would rather be exploring what a city has to offer… so it was shocking that I actually enjoyed doing just that in Palm Springs! B and I are lucky enough to have jobs that allow us to work from anywhere so we spent most of our days on our laptops taking calls by the pool and our nights were spent enjoying everything Palm Springs has to offer.
Overall, Palm Springs is a fun city with great food, shopping and a perfect place to take in the views and maybe a little bit of golf. I can see why many Californian’s flock to this part of town to get away from the city life. With 3 days in Palm Springs you’ll have plenty of time to see the city, but whatever amount of time you are there, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
Disclosure: Some of these links are affiliate links, which means when you purchase something using these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. However, I link these companies because I have used them or truly recommend them based on their quality and the experience I had.
palm springs, california hotels
Palm Springs has no shortage of places to stay. I found it hard to choose where to stay because they have such a wide range of options ranging from boutique hotels, mega resorts, million dollar homes and everything in-between. We ultimately chose to stay at a new boutique hotel called The Dive and we absolutely fell in love with the place. I am a bit obsessed with the experience a boutique hotel offers and can honestly say this was the best one I’ve stayed in. I recommend it for an unforgettable and authentic Palm Springs experience. Their attention to detail is truly unmatched!
Other hotel options we were deciding between were the Kimpton Rowan, Ace Hotel and The Parker. We also visited the Saguaro Hotel, La Serena Villas and Sands Hotel & Spa which I would all recommend as well. Use the booking finder below to find the perfect hotel stay in Palm Springs that fits your budget and vibe. With only 3 days in Palm Springs, I recommend staying closer to the downtown area.
WHAT TO DO in Palm SPRINGS
While we spent most days by the pool (this is actually a must since it can get so hot in Palm Springs) there are still plenty of things to do in 3 days besides getting a tan and dipping in the pool. Starting off, I would recommend getting a rental car while there and not because I don’t think the city isn’t walkable or bike-able, but having a car just made it easier to get around when going to dinner and lunch since we didn’t stay downtown Palm Springs. Plus, since it gets so hot, it can be pretty unbearable to be walking or biking. You can check out rental car prices using the Rental Car finder below.
+ Palm Springs aerial tramway
For those looking for some amazing views of the city, head to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway just a short drive from downtown Palm Springs. This tramway, the largest in the world, costs about $30 for a ride up and once at the top there are a few hiking trails, two restaurants, a gift shop and even a theatre.
+ palm canyon Drive
Palm Canyon Drive is where you’ll find many restaurants, shopping and the famous Walk of Stars. It’s the main street of Palm Springs downtown area and it’s a great area to walk around and pop in and out of stores.
+ golf
I am not much of a golfer but my husband loves it so golfing in Palm Springs was a must-do. There are so many options to choose from in the area and we ultimately decided on a more low-key golf course at Taquitz Creek which was so beautiful with the mountains as a backdrop. What wasn’t beautiful was my golf swing!
+ shopping
As I mentioned, there is plenty of shopping on Palm Canyon Drive, but for some really good shopping, you’ll want to walk down El Paseo Drive. It’s a good mix of boutique shopping, antiques, furniture and high-end stores. Here are a few of my favorite shops I saw while in Palm Springs: Frippery, Rancho Relaxo, elizabeth&prince, CandiceHeld, Island Tribe, a La Mod, Bon Viviant.
+ Moorten botanical garden
We didn’t have a chance to visit the botanical garden, but it looks like such a great place to spend a few hours. The garden has nearly 3,000 varieties of plants and the Moorten story is very cute.
+ palm springs architecture tour
The architecture and houses that rest in Palm Springs are so interesting to people mainly because it’s just not what we typically see.
We saw a lot of biking tours around town and I thought that was a clever and quicker way to see everything rather than on a bus or walking. If you’re interested in a biking architectural tour, check out this one. Or, if you love celebrities just as much as I do, take a look at this private Palm Spring Celebrity House Tour. The ones above our Leonardo Di Caprio’s home and Marilyn Monroe’s.
+ joshua tree
I wish I would have had just one more day to squeeze in a day trip to Joshua Tree being that it’s so close to Palm Springs. It’s a national park with plenty of hiking trails. And, if time allows, I would look into staying one night there. It looks absolutely beautiful when the stars come out. Here is a vacation rental that caught my eye.
If you are looking for a day trip and don’t have a rental car of your own, these tours look like they would be a fun way to experience Joshua Tree: Jeep Tour or Van Tour.
+ Palm Springs Door Tour
There is a thing in Palm Springs known as the door tour (self-guided) because there are so many unique and brightly colored doors all over the town, but there are also tours that show you structures with a century modern architecture twist. This one is a little tricky to be specific on because most of the homes are residential, but even if you drive around the Indian Canyon neighborhood or take a walk you will stumble upon more than one cheery, bright door.
+ Hiking
Even if you can’t make it to Joshua Tree, there are quite a few places to hike in Palm Springs. We chose Taquitz Canyon because it was one of the shorter hikes and it’s known for the beautiful waterfall midway through. While the hike was overall very pleasant, there are a few things you should be aware of before heading there. It actually costs money to hike here which I had never heard of but I guess that’s Cali baby! The second is everyone must carry water with them (they won’t allow you on the trail without it) and if you don’t have it then you have to purchase their bottled water.
Some other popular hiking options in the area are Andreas Canyon or Araby Trail.
WHERE TO EAT in PALM SPRINGS
There are so many great food options in Palm Springs. Check out a few of my favorites below.
+ NORMA’S
Ah, Norma’s! This restaurant inside the Parker Hotel holds a special place in my heart because my mom’s name is Norma. Plus, their breakfast is something out of this world. Definitely come hungry because their portions are huge and get the french toast. You’ll thank me later.
+ PINK CABANA
We headed to Pink Cabana at the Sands Hotel and while it is more of a Palm Dessert spot, it is well worth the 15 minute drive. This restaurant had some of the best tacos and the best service.
+ SANDFISH
Wow, wow, wow. I am one of those people that will have sushi only when I’m in the mood which happens to be twice a year, but if I had a Sandfish in my area I would be eating there at least a couple times a month. I can’t even explain to you how good the tostadas were and the sushi was next level. One tip I have for visiting Sandfish is to make a reservation to sit inside! The location of the restaurant happens to be on the windier side of town and can deter from your experience evening with all the wind. Out of the 3 days you have in Palm Springs, one of them should be spent having dinner at Sandfish.
+ Azucar
We made reservations at Azucar for our first night in town and it didn’t disappoint. Be sure to get a spot on the rooftop if you can and enjoy some of the best views of Palm Springs. But, bring a jacket because it gets cold at night.
+ PALM GREENS CAFE
Palm Greens Cafe is the perfect place when you need recharge your body after too many tacos and margaritas. It’s a restaurant serving healthier dishes and it’s great for lunch.
+ WORKSHOP KITCHEN
We heard so many great things about Workshop Kitchen. It’s consistently been voted Palm Springs best restaurant for a few years now and when it comes to the food I can see why. But, when it came to the service I was not impressed. I absolutely hate giving a bad review, but I didn’t feel the service lived up to the hype. If we are strictly talking food then I highly recommend.
Places I wish I had time for: Bar Cecil, Mr. Lyons, Jake’s, Birba and Wilma & Frieda’s.
WHERE TO drink in PALM SPRINGS
+ koffi
There are a few Koffi locations around the Palm Springs area. If you are looking for just a good cup of coffee and a pastry or two, head here for a no frills cup of joe.
+ high bar
High bar is located at the top of the Kimpton Rowan Hotel across from the pool rooftop. It offers some of the best unobstructed views of Palm Springs and the bartenders make some pretty good drinks.
+ el jefe
El Jefe margaritas were so good that we visited twice. The bar is located in the Saguaro Hotel and their patio is covered which is an added bonus. Plus, they have a pretty good happy hour!
+ boozehounds
Boozehounds, while a bit away from most of the downtown hot spots, is such a great place for not only drinks but food! And, their dog friendly environment made it one of my favorites in Palm Springs.
+ sugar high
Sugar High bar is exactly where the Azucar restaurant is located. They share the same space and it’s a great place to hang out if you want to get drinks before dinner at Azucar or just want to see the views before heading to dinner.
Places I wish I had time for: Truss & Twine, Dead or Alive, Seymours and Counter Reformation.
As you can see, Palm Springs brings the heat in more ways than one. You will not be bored with 3 days in Palm Springs and if you have any other must-eat at restaurants or things to do, send them my way! I love learning of new spots. If you want some other California travel inspiration, check out my guide to Napa Travel Guide.
