Blending the charm of a desert oasis with sweeping mountain views, Greater Palm Springs has emerged as one of California’s most captivating getaway destinations. From wellness retreats and outdoor adventures to art, culture, and culinary experiences, the region offers something for every traveller. Add to that a year-round calendar of festivals and seasonal events, and Greater Palm Springs becomes an ideal escape in every season.
Seasonal Experiences
One of the biggest reasons to visit Greater Palm Springs is the way the destination transforms throughout the year.
Winter: Design and Architecture Take Centre Stage
Winter brings one of the region’s most celebrated events — Modernism Week. During this annual festival, neighbourhoods across the valley open their doors to showcase iconic mid-century modern architecture. Guided home tours, design talks, and special events offer visitors a deeper appreciation of the style that defines much of Greater Palm Springs’ identity.
Spring: Wildflowers and World-Famous Festivals
Following winter rainfall, spring paints the desert landscape with bursts of yellow, purple, and orange wildflowers. Scenic drives and hiking trails become even more breathtaking during this time. Spring is also festival season in the Coachella Valley, with major events including the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, El Paseo Fashion Week in Palm Desert, the Stagecoach Festival, and the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in Indio.
Summer: Poolside Fun and Music
Summers in Greater Palm Springs are all about outdoor concerts, poolside music events, evening dining experiences, and local markets. Resorts and boutique hotels come alive with seasonal programming designed for relaxed desert living.
Fall: Food, Art, and Wellness
Autumn ushers in culinary festivals, art walks, wellness experiences, and community fairs, making it one of the best times to explore the destination at a slower pace.
Hidden Gems Across the Valley
Beyond its famous resorts and celebrity history, Greater Palm Springs is filled with lesser-known neighbourhoods and local treasures. Areas such as Movie Colony, Racquet Club Estates, and Deepwell Estates showcase the region’s famed mid-century modern homes and desert architecture. Meanwhile, the cities around the Coachella Valley each offer distinct personalities: Palm Desert’s El Paseo district is known for boutiques, galleries, and upscale dining; Rancho Mirage offers palm-lined resorts and cultural venues; Old Town La Quinta charms visitors with local shops, cafés, restaurants, and art spaces set against rugged mountain scenery. In Downtown Indio, travellers will discover colourful murals, trendy cafés, and independent stores. Stop by Indio Taphouse for craft brews or enjoy sweet and savoury crepes at Gabino’s Creperie. Shoppers can browse vintage goods, jewellery, and contemporary fashion at The Place. Adventure seekers can venture beyond the usual tourist routes to uncover hidden canyon trails, desert gardens, scenic viewpoints, and lesser-known hiking paths.
Art, Culture, and Native American Heritage
While Greater Palm Springs is often associated with luxury resorts and modernist design, the region is also deeply rooted in history and culture. The Palm Springs Art Museum regularly hosts rotating exhibitions featuring contemporary art, Native American works, sculptures, and installations. Public art can also be found across the valley in the form of murals, outdoor sculptures, and pop-up exhibits. A significant cultural experience awaits visitors through the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, whose history and heritage remain central to the region. Their cultural attractions include The Spa at Séc-he, a museum dedicated to Agua Caliente history and traditions, and local galleries and creative spaces across Greater Palm Springs that spotlight the work of regional artists and craftspeople.
Luxury, Wellness, and Desert Relaxation
Greater Palm Springs has built a reputation as one of California’s premier wellness destinations. Boutique spas across the region offer specialised treatments, holistic therapies, and wellness programmes designed around desert relaxation. One of the standout wellness destinations is Desert Hot Springs, famous for its therapeutic mineral waters and open-air soaking pools beneath the desert sky. Visitors can also enjoy sunrise yoga sessions with mountain views, meditation and sound bath experiences, and outdoor recreation and fitness programmes. Food lovers will appreciate the destination’s growing culinary scene, where chef-driven tasting menus, intimate wine dinners, and farm-to-table dining experiences are becoming increasingly popular.
What’s New in Greater Palm Springs
The destination continues to evolve with exciting new attractions, experiences, and developments.
DSRT Surf
Surf lovers can look forward to DSRT Surf, opening in summer 2026. The new development will feature a 5.5-acre surf lagoon, residences, restaurants, and recreation spaces.
Plaza Theatre Returns
After remaining closed for more than a decade, the historic Plaza Theatre in Downtown Palm Springs reopened in December 2025 following an extensive refurbishment and technical upgrade. Outdoor enthusiasts can soon fully enjoy CV Link, a 40-mile recreation and transportation corridor designed for walking, cycling, jogging, and low-speed electric vehicles including golf carts.
Cotino Bay Opening in Fall 2026
Another major addition is Cotino Bay, set to open in Fall 2026. The waterfront development will include dining and boutique shopping, wellness experiences, Crystal Lagoons beach attractions, and artisan cafés and curated retail spaces.
New Experiences at The Living Desert Zoo
Returning visitors to The Living Desert Zoo can now enjoy newer attractions such as the Oasis Splash Pad and Bighorn Café, making it even more family-friendly.
Greater Palm Springs Spa Month
Every September, the region hosts Greater Palm Springs Spa Month, featuring exclusive wellness packages, mineral pool experiences, yoga sessions, and rejuvenating spa treatments across participating resorts and spas.
