Perfect 3 Day Palm Springs Itinerary
Palm Springs is everything I imagined it would be and more. It is a retro paradise in the middle of the desert.
At times I felt I had been dropped into a 1960’s Palm Springs amongst retro motels with colorful doors and bright signs and looming palm trees in the backdrop of a desert dunes.
It has everything. Retro vibes, breweries, fun cocktails, shopping, breathtaking hiking, and all the food. It is sure to be a delightful trip.
Palm Springs makes for the perfect trip- whether you are looking for a girl’s weekend, couple’s romantic getaway, a family trip or solo adventure. Whatever you are looking for, you can find it in Palm Springs.
Okay let’s get to all the fun you’ll have on your vacay!
First off drop off your bags at the adorable accommodation you have chosen and hit the ground running! Head to get food or coffee and get off to exploring! If you are here on Thursday, hit the Village Fest by 6:00 p.m. (more info below).
When to go to Palm Springs?
Avoid the summer at all costs, it will get as hot as over 100 degrees and in the desert. Unless you want to feel like you are vacationing on the sun I would recommend visiting in the spring, fall, or winter for a warm but not scorching experience.
Palm Springs is a popular place for people to escape the cold in the winter but is also very pleasant in the spring or fall. Spring and Winter (late December to April) are the high seasons due to the nice weather perfect for all things Palm Springs from shopping, hiking, breweries, and more!
But Fall being the shoulder season is the best time to go as a budget traveler!
Fall is a great time to visit as a budget traveler because the weather is still wonderful with high 60’s to 80’s temperatures With lower cost hotel prices and it is less crowded as well!
Where to stay in Palm Springs?
The best place to stay is in downtown Palm Springs where there are a ton of restaurants, bars, shops (yes, even affordable ones fit for a budget traveler- check out our Shopping Guide) and is easy to walk about.
If you or someone you are traveling with has limited mobility or can not walk long distances you may need to take breaks, the perfect excuse to stop for a snack or hop into a shop! We were traveling with my grandma and had to stop for breaks but overall very walkable!
Be sure to bring a bottle of water and comfy walking shoes while out an about! I LOVVEE tevas sandals for walking around while still looking cute and bringing a reusable water to cut down on our waste.
There are so many options for accommodations, it can be very overwhelming finding the perfect place! I will prepare you, prices are high in Palm Springs so prepare to pay a little bit more that you would normally pay as a budget traveler.
This was a hard pill to swallow but having said that if you pay more you will find very nice mid century modern retro architecture, bright funky decor, luxurious beds, and more.
So it does help when paying for a pricier accommodation that they are too cute!
As ethical travelers we are always on the search to find locally ran and sustainable hotels. Most of these fit under our parameters for this.
For the sustainable levels they run from level 1-3, 3 doing the most sustainable practices and 1 doing the basic practices but this still is great since so many properties are not doing any practices to be sustainable.
When you search on booking you can even search for sustainable properties and check if they are a sustainable property- there will be a leaf by the name of the accommodation showing the level.
If you scroll down on the property page on booking it will say exactly what they are doing to help our environment.
Here are some hotels listed on our Palm Springs Itinerary for fun restaurants as well as other picks for where to stay in Palm Springs!
Retro Mid Century Hotels in Palm Springs:
Ace Hotel– Ace Hotel is located right next door to King’s Highway Diner (read below to learn how this is a must). It is such a fun retro motel with palm trees and desert back drop. It has a great pool and outdoor area where you can order food and drinks poolside! It is still located in Palm Springs and isn’t too far of a drive to downtown palm springs. It is only a 6 minuted drive (2 miles) from downtown.
Costs: Around 200/300 a night
Best Boutique Hotels in Palm Springs:
Sands Hotel and Spa– although a bit removed from Palm Springs it doesn’t get much cuter than Sands Hotel and this is where Pink Cabana is located (read below about how fun it is). It has a great pool area that is perfect for soaking in the desert sun. The rooms are beautiful with pops of color and modern yet charming decor.
Costs: 200-350 a night
Travel Sustainability Property (Level 1)
Les Cactus– This hotel is soo cute! The decor is fresh, modern, with bright pops of color and is in a great location! It is an adults only hotels so this one won’t be kid friendly. It is tucked away in a quiet neighborhood that is a short walk from downtown Palm Springs.
Travel Sustainability Property (level 2)
Costs: Range from 200 on up per night
Palm Springs Budget Accommodations:
Let’s start with the completely free but still comfortable option: Trusted Housesitters. We can not stop telling everyone we know about the best hack for budget travelers and that is house sitting. You get to stay in a local’s home and care for their furbabies and stay there for free! The only cost is for an annual membership which pays for itself after one night.
Caliente Tropics- Caliente is an adorable retro motel that has fun 60’s tiki vibes. And it has a tiki bar there too that is so groovy. It is the perfect place to enjoy a strong tiki cocktail and walk right back to your room!
It is located about 5 minutes drive from downtown Palm Springs.
Cost: The best part? It is so affordable with prices starting around 80 a night!
Keep in mind it is a budget hotel so the rooms are not as updated and the decor isn’t as nice. But having to deal with a few quirks for that price seems like a great deal to me!
There are more chain hotels that tend to be more affordable as well. We try to stay in small local hotels but if you are need a more affordable place check out some other hotels on booking, or hotels.
I hope you find the perfect place to stay while adventuring in Palm Springs.
How to get around Palm Springs?
You can get around downtown Palm Springs by foot but for exploring areas further away such as hiking, and many iconic restaurants, and retro art deco architecture you will need to take a short drive to these locations.
Renting a car- I would recommend renting a car, especially if you are going with a group that can easily split the cost of a rental car. Turo is a great pick for the budget traveler, where you rent a car from someone- it’s the airbnb for cars but most are very nice, clean, and reliable! Or you can use Discover Cars to rent a car from a rental company for reasonable rates.
You can grab a ride share as well but with some of the attractions being 20-30 minutes away the ride share costs will add up quickly. In the end the rental is sure to save you money.
Another important safety concern to consider, if hiking reception can be spotty and it would be very difficult to find a ride share back from hiking locations so I would strongly recommend having your own car.
We did not rent a car and regretted it, especially when in the hot desert after hiking and spotty reception, eek! Learn from our mistakes.
Walking- Due to many restaurants, shopping, the Village fest, and more located in the downtown area it is easy to get around by foot. Any other locations will require a car.
Palm Springs Tours
Tours are a great way to learn and experience Palm Springs from a local guide! Here are my top recommendations for unique and fun tours for your Palm Springs Trip!
Palm Springs Brunch Drag Show– Enjoy a 3 course meal for brunch and a phenomenal drag show sure to please everyone! This is such a fun activity that would make the perfect addition to your Palm Springs’ Itinerary. The cost includes show, mimosas and champagne, and brunch!
Cost: from 85.00
Private Photography Session– Get a private photo shoot in your location of choice from Palm Springs to Joshua Tree! The desert landscape makes for a stunning backdrop!
This is a great option for a group that can easily split the cost of 300 amongst others. Or if you have a splurge budget. Depending on the package you chose you will get anywhere from 15-60 photos of great quality to hang in your home.
Cost: 300.00
Photos are always money well spent, you will have the best souvenir and a momento for years to come! I wish I would had done this on our multi generational girl trip in Palm Springs.
Half Day Hike Joshua Tree– if you are needing a guide a half day tour where you can learn from the local about the plants, animals, and the national park is a great option!
I will say it is a bit on the pricey side and would only recommend this option for those not feeling comfortable to do the hike on their own.
Experienced or not you can easily hike Joshua Tree on your own.
Remember if you are hiking completely solo always tell someone which trails you are going on and when you are expected to be home.
Cost: 100-176 depending on how many people are in your group
Your Palm Springs Itinerary
Palm Springs makes for the perfect trip- whether you are looking for a girl’s weekend, couple’s romantic getaway, a family trip or solo adventure. Whatever you are looking for, you can find it in Palm Springs. After traveling to Palm Springs for a mutli generational girls weekend here is my Palm Springs Itinerary that works great for any weekend- girls’ weekend, couples trip, family vacation, or any other travel you will be doing in Palm Springs.
After hours of research and first hand experience I have created the Perfect Palm Springs Itinerary great for a weekend trip to Palm Springs!
Okay let’s get to all the fun you’ll have on your vacay!
First off drop off your bags at the adorable accommodation you have chosen and hit the ground running!
Day 1: Thursday- Palm Springs' Village Fest
To start off your Palm Springs Itinerary I would strongly recommend arriving on a Thursday afternoon or morning so you can explore the Village Fest, it is sure to delight you! If you love outdoor markets this on is sure to be a favorite! The Village Fest is sprawled across downtown Palm Springs every Thursday and is the best way to spend your first night in Palm Springs!
Palm Springs Village Fest!
This was the most fun! Every Thursday Village Fest goes from 6:00-10:00 downtown Palm Springs closes off it’s streets and parties under the stars.
There are local vendors for as far as the eye can see with unique goods, delicious foods, and drinks. You can easily spend hours wandering around and people watching.
I would plan your trip so you arrive on Thursday. It is the perfect way to start your Palm Spring’s Trip!
After you have explored the Village fest, filled your bellies, tried some drinks, and maybe shopped a little you will be ready for a restful night at your hotel!
Day 2: Friday- Palm Springs Shopping, Retro Homes, Food, and Tiki Drinks
For your first full day of shopping we will be exploring the downtown Palm Springs area as well as hopping in a rideshare to have a great meal and if there is time tiki drinks! Sounds like the perfect day in Palm Springs right?
Palm springs Shopping
Palm Springs has tons of cute local shops and vintage shopping! Don’t be scared off by the ritzy shops, there are plenty of cute and far more affordable places to shop to your heart’s content!
A couple of my favorites were Flannery Exchange (multiple shops and a coffee shop within the Flannery Exchange), Iconic Atomic, Windmill City Super #1.
Check out our Palm Springs Shopping Guide for more local shopping fun!
Palm Springs Food
Aww food, one of my favorite things about vacation. We headed straight for Pink Cabana for food and cocktails and it was perfect- like really perfect – maybe my favorite food experience. Think pink, palms, and amazing cocktails and fresh food! The cocktail and food menu was very expansive and is just too cute and girly- the best food stop in Palm Springs forsure!
It also makes for the perfect photo opp with a great outdoor space and fun decor and prints located inside the restaurant too!
The Pink Cabana is located in the Sands Hotel And Spa, it would be so fun to stay here. It is a bit removed from downtown Palm Springs so you will need to drive or ride share there!
This is a popular spot to visit so make a reservation to save your spot!
Pink Cabana:
Address:
44-985 Province Wy, Indian Wells, CA 92210
Hours: They are a bit funky so make sure you are checking these first!
Monday 8–10 AM, 11 AM–2:30 PM, 5:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday 8–10 AM, 11 AM–2:30 PM, 5:30–8:30 PM
Wednesday 8–10 AM, 11 AM–2:30 PM, 5:30–8:30 PM
Thursday 12 AM–2:30 PM, 5:50–8:30 PM
Friday 8–10 AM, 11 AM–2:30 PM, 5:30–9 PM
Saturday 8 AM–2:30 PM, 5:30–9 PM
Sunday 8 AM–2:30 PM, 5:30–8:30
Now that you are fueled up on good food let’s explore Palm Springs’ famous mid century architecture!
Palm Springs’ is has one of the largest preserved mid century architecture in the entire world!
Young architects gathered in Palm Springs with the goal of created beautiful homes known as Desert Modernism with wonderful indoor and outdoor space for the people moving to Palm Springs to experience the warm temps and stunning scenery.
Follow this Mid Century Architecture Self Guided Tour by “Visit Palm Springs” the city’s visiter center. This is a perfect way to create your own tour for free. Make sure you have a rental car to allow you the freedom to stop and go when you would like!
If you are not renting a car and would like to book a tour to see the Mid Century Architecture in Palm Springs
Another option is a self guided tour that includes mid century modern architecture, other main attractions in Palm Springs as well as Joshua Park.
Cost: 25.00 for 4 people and you can get the tour for life with no expiration
Palm Springs Cocktails
After eating all the wonderful food, time to get some tiki drinks in downtown Palm Springs! Head to the Bootlegger Tiki for fun tiki drinks and again I need to mention Pink Cabana had the best cocktails in Palm Springs.
Bootlegger Tiki:
Address:
1101 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Hours:
Monday 3–11 PM
Tuesday 3–11 PM
Wednesday 3–11 PM
Thursday 3–11 PM
Friday 3 PM–1 AM
Saturday 3 PM–1 AM
Sunday 3–11 PM
Depending on the season you may need to make a reservation as this is a hot spot in Palm Springs. Try to book early to get the time that best fits your schedule.
Day 3: Saturday
Today is for a day in the sun with retro hotels, hiking, and craft beer!
Palm Springs gets hot fast, even when you are not visiting in the summer making the best time to hike in the morning! Make sure you have hiking shoes, water, and sunscreen as you will be hiking up rocky and sandy terrain.
There are some amazing hiking options. There is of course the famous Joshua Tree National Park which is an incredible National Park to spend the day or even a couple of hours. Joshua Tree is known for the rugged rock formations, the sprawling desert scenery, and of course the famous Joshua Trees. If you love desert scenery you will be in awe!
The Park is open 24/7 and does not have an entrance fee.
Joshua Tree National Park is located around an hour from Palm Springs making it an easy day trip.
Want a guided tour? A guided tour is great for any level of hiker that want a local guide to cater the trails to meet your interests and needs as well as teach your about Joshua Tree National Park, the plants, animals, and park!
This Full Day Hike is a great way to soak in Joshua Tree National Park!
Another great tour option is a stargazing tour
There are so many more hiking trails to choose from – many offering much less time commitments! We went on a trail in the Indian Canyon and found it breathtaking and a great way to burn off all the food we had been eating!
This was much closer to Palm Springs, around 15 minutes making it an easy drive to enjoy some hiking!
Depending on which hike you do and your time commitment you can head to King’s Highway for a late lunch or save it for Sunday! You will want to enjoy King’s Highway in the sunshine so you can enjoy the pool and adorable retro motel.
Or if you need a break you can stay in the indoors part of King’s Highway and enjoy great diner food in a retro diner. King’s Highway is a roadside diner located in the Ace Hotel and Swim Club.
They are cashless, so bring your card when paying.
Here you will see like many places in Palm Springs it looks like it has frozen in time with 60’s decor throughout the diner from the tables, chairs, rock walls in the diner, and the cutest motel, and more! It is just too cute. And as if that isn’t enough of a reason to visit it has great food, think upscale diner food with the same classic favorites but with a fun flair with options such as ricotta pancakes, breakfast sandwiches, acai bowl, sandwiches, and so many other options!
Check out the menu to pick which menu (breakfast or dinner) to go eat!
Breakfast is from 7 AM- 2 PM
Dinner is from 5 PM- 10 PM
Address:
701 E Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs
Hours:
Monday 7 AM–9:30 PM
Tuesday 7 AM–9:30 PM
Wednesday 7 AM–9:30 PM
Thursday 7 AM–9:30 PM
Friday 7 AM–9:30 PM
Saturday 7 AM–9:30 PM
Sunday 7 AM–9:30 PM
Let’s end our day in the sun with the best brewery in all of Palm Springs- Las Palmas Brewing! Las Palmas has a cozy desert feel with local beers that were just amazing! It is also a great spot to grab a bite to eat. It is one of my favorite breweries of all town, you just can’t beat a local brewery with friendly people and amazing beer! Be sure to add this one to your must list for your Palm Springs’ Itinerary.
Located in the back of Las Palmas is the Al Fresco Pizza food truck selling some delicious fresh from the pizza oven Neapolitan pizza!
Pizza and beer, a great ending to your day in Palm Springs.
Address:
461 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA
Hours:
Monday 12–9 PM
Tuesday 12–10 PM
Wednesday 12–10 PM
Thursday 12 PM–12 AM
Friday 12 PM–12 AM
Saturday 12 PM–12 AM
Sunday 12–9 PM
Day 4: Sunday- Moorten Botantical Gardens
Sadly you are most likely leaving Palm Springs today but not before hitting one last spot!
The Moorten Botanical Garden is a small and local Botanical garden full of cacti upon cacti to your heart’s content and photo ops at every turn. They even sell plants for you to take back home. I brought a sweet cactus with pink flowers home with me, it made the perfect souvenir!
Address: 1701 S Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA
Hours:
Monday 10 AM–4 PM
Tuesday 10 AM–4 PM
Wednesday Closed
Thursday 10 AM–4 PM
Friday 10 AM–4 PM
Saturday 10 AM–4 PM
Sunday 10 AM–4 PM
After visiting the Moorten Botanical Garden your Palm Springs Itinerary has come to an end and I hope you had a memorable and fun trip in sunny Palm Springs.
Be sure to check out our Palm Springs Shopping Guide for all the must go stops that are affordable, unique, and retro to find the perfect souvenir to take home or to do some window shopping.
Palm Springs is sure to be an adventure with the perfect blend of nature, retro vibes, great food, fun cocktails, and sunshine!
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