Palm Springs in 3 Days: The Aerial Tramway and the Spa Resorts
Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center · El Morocco Inn and Spa Resort · Moorten Botanical Garden · Kaufmann House · Sunnylands Center and Gardens · The Spa at Two Bunch Palms
3-day United States trip — Palm Springs to Desert Hot Springs. Day-by-day route, attractions and food.
Palm Springs offers mid-century architecture and desert stillness that coastal California cities like Santa Monica lack. You choose this over a trip to Joshua Tree National Park because you want poolside comfort alongside the landscape, not just raw hiking. This route is built for fans of clean lines, desert air, and slow mornings over high-energy nightlife.
Kaufmann House
Day 2 · Mid-Century Modern Architecture Tours
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Day 2 · Scenic Mountain Viewpoints
Moorten Botanical Garden
Day 2 · Desert Botanical Gardens
Lunch: Tri-Tip Sandwich in Palm Canyon Drive
Day 1 · Downtown Shopping and Dining Districts
El Morocco Inn and Spa
Day 1 · Mineral Spring Spas and Wellness Retreats
Pick travel dates to see the weather for your month.
Palm Springs is bright and dry, though the summer heat becomes intense and stifling by midday. Plan your desert hikes for the early morning and save the afternoons for the pool, as the desert floor turns punishingly hot.
Best time to go: Late winter and spring
The whole year
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Sunrise – sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 69°F / 20°C | 42°F / 5°C (cold) | 3 | 6:51 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Feb | 72°F / 22°C | 43°F / 6°C (cold) | 3 | 6:30 AM – 5:30 PM |
| Mar | 77°F / 25°C | 47°F / 8°C (cold) | 3 | 6:56 AM – 6:53 PM |
| Apr | 84°F / 29°C | 52°F / 11°C | 1 | 6:15 AM – 7:17 PM |
| May | 88°F / 31°C (hot) | 57°F / 14°C | 1 | 5:45 AM – 7:40 PM |
| Jun | 100°F / 38°C (hot) | 66°F / 19°C | 0 | 5:35 AM – 7:58 PM |
| Jul | 104°F / 40°C (hot) | 70°F / 21°C | 1 | 5:46 AM – 7:57 PM |
| Aug | 105°F / 40°C (hot) | 71°F / 22°C | 2 | 6:08 AM – 7:32 PM |
| Sep | 99°F / 37°C (hot) | 65°F / 18°C | 1 | 6:29 AM – 6:52 PM |
| Oct | 89°F / 32°C (hot) | 55°F / 13°C | 1 | 6:51 AM – 6:11 PM |
| Nov | 77°F / 25°C | 46°F / 8°C (cold) | 2 | 6:18 AM – 4:42 PM |
| Dec | 68°F / 20°C | 41°F / 5°C (cold) | 4 | 6:44 AM – 4:38 PM |
- Morning
8:00 AM - Arrive at Palm Springs International Airport (PSP)· 1 hr
USD 20Arrive at PSP. Take a taxi directly to your hotel area in central Palm Springs, which takes about 10 minutes and costs approximately $20.
- 1A
10:00 AM - Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center· 2 hrs
USD 10Closed on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday - Afternoon
12:00 PM - Lunch: Tri-Tip Sandwich in Palm Canyon Drive· 1 hr
USD 18Enjoy a slow-roasted tri-tip sandwich on a crusty roll, a classic Coachella Valley meal perfect for a midday break.
- Evening
Where to Stay Tonight
Palm Canyon Drive
· Centrally located to major shops, galleries, and dining, making it easy to walk to many sights throughout the week.- Morning2A
9:00 AM - Moorten Botanical Garden· 1 hr 30 min
USD 5Closes 1 PM · 4h hereClosed on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday - Afternoon
12:00 PM - Lunch: Wood-Fired Pizza with Local Toppings in Uptown Design District· 1 hr
USD 20Try the dish
igorovsyannykov (CC0)Savor thin-crust pizza featuring regionally grown dates and citrus, showcasing the best of Coachella Valley agricultural produce.
Typical USD 16-25
- Evening
7:30 PM - Dinner: Vegan Taco in Uptown Design District· 1 hr
USD 15Try the dish
Stephanie from Austin TX (CC BY 2.0)Enjoy locally inspired plant-based tacos featuring marinated jackfruit, a staple of the sophisticated desert culinary scene.
Typical USD 4-6
Staying at Palm Canyon Drive since Day 1
- Morning
- Afternoon
12:30 PM - Lunch: Tri-Tip Sandwich in Rancho Mirage· 1 hr
USD 18Iconic dish
rick from San Francisco, USA (CC BY 2.0)Eat a local slow-roasted beef sandwich, the signature staple of the Coachella Valley desert.
Typical USD 12-20
- Evening
5:30 PM - Hotel Checkout & Luggage Collection· 30 min
FREEReturn to your hotel, finish checking out, and collect your belongings for departure.
6:00 PM - Depart from Palm Springs International Airport (PSP)· 3 hrs
USD 50Transfer to the airport for your 9:00 PM flight.
Where to Stay Tonight
Desert Hot Springs
· Peaceful wellness oasis with access to natural mineral waters to end the trip.Like this plan? Make it yours
Same destination, your dates, group, and pace. Generated free in about a minute.
Customize this tripFreeFood, shopping & festivals
Top 6 dishes to try
Tap any photo for more photos, the story, and where to find it.
Tri-Tip Sandwich
Day 3 · lunch
Taco de Lengua
Vegan Taco
Day 2 · dinner
Tacos Gobernador
Day 1 · dinner
Thai Boat Noodles (Kuy Teav Rua)
Wood-Fired Pizza with Local Toppings
Day 2 · lunch
Where to eat · Cathedral City, Downtown Palm Springs
- Cathedral City · Palm Springs — Authentic Mexican eateries serving the best street tacos and tortas in the valley.
- Downtown Palm Springs · Palm Springs — Upscale dining, tourist-friendly cafes, and established wood-fired pizza spots.
Good to know · meal times, tipping, water, vegetarian, payment, etiquette
- Meal times
- Lunch is busiest from 12 PM to 2 PM. Dinner starts early, often peaking around 7 PM.
- Tipping
- Standard US practice applies. Round up on small checks, tip 20 percent for full service.
- Water
- Tap water is safe, but it can taste highly mineralized due to the desert environment. Most locals use filtered water.
- Vegetarian
- This city is extremely friendly to plant-based diets. Almost every menu offers clearly labeled vegan options.
- Payment
- Credit cards are accepted everywhere, even at small food trucks and roadside stands.
- Etiquette
- Casual is the standard here. Tipping 18-20 percent is expected in sit-down restaurants.
Top 6 souvenirs
Tap any photo for more photos, the story, and where to find it.
Indio
Desert-grown Medjool dates
Palm Springs
Mid-century modern ceramics
Architectural prints
Vintage desert couture
Desert succulent terrarium
Cactus-based skincare
Where to shop · Palm Canyon Drive, Uptown Design District
- Palm Canyon Drive · Palm Springs — Souvenirs, casual apparel, and various local artisan food products.
- Uptown Design District · Palm Springs — High-end vintage furniture, mid-century decor, and contemporary desert art prints.
Good to know · customs, tax refund, payment, bargaining
- Customs
- Most goods are duty-free for personal use, but agricultural products like fresh fruit must be declared. Check your home country for specific entry rules regarding plant matter.
- Tax refund
- The United States does not offer VAT or sales tax refunds for international travelers.
- Payment
- Credit cards are accepted everywhere, though keep a small amount of cash for minor roadside farm stands.
- Bargaining
- Prices are fixed in all shops and boutiques. Bargaining is not practiced.
The big events across the year
Tap any photo for more photos and the story.
Rose Parade
Jan 1
Super Bowl
February
Coachella
Apr 10 – 15
San Diego Comic-Con
July
Christmas
Dec 25
Costs
Estimated total · For 2 travelers · 1 room · 3 days
USD 1,574Flights from your city not included.
Getting there and betweenUSD 52
- Palm Springs → PSP · airport transfer1 taxiUSD 10
- PSP → Desert Hot Springs · airport transfer1 taxiUSD 42
AccommodationUSD 360
- Palm Springs · 2 nights1 roomUSD 360
| City | Simple | Comfortable | Upscale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palm Springs | USD 120 | USD 180 | USD 240 |
ActivitiesUSD 604
- Day 1 · Arrive at Palm Springs International Airport (PSP)USD 40
- Day 1 · Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design CenterUSD 20
- Day 1 · El Morocco Inn and Spa ResortUSD 170
- Day 2 · Moorten Botanical GardenUSD 10
- Day 2 · Palm Springs Aerial TramwayUSD 64
- Day 3 · The Spa at Two Bunch PalmsUSD 300
FoodUSD 450
- Palm Springs · 2 daysUSD 300
- Desert Hot Springs · 1 dayUSD 150
Local transportUSD 108
- Palm Springs · 2 daysUSD 72
- Desert Hot Springs · 1 dayUSD 36
Not included: visas, travel insurance, SIM cards, tips, shopping.
Money tips
Moderate to expensive -- budget $200-300 per night for a boutique hotel and $100 per day for food and activities. Carry plenty of water as the desert heat hits triple digits by noon.
Skip the pricey downtown parking garages and use the free street parking on North Palm Canyon Drive for easy access to shops. You will save $15-20 per day in fees.
Book a day pass at the Two Bunch Palms resort in nearby Desert Hot Springs for $100-150 to soak in their mineral-rich grotto pools. It is a genuine wellness experience away from the tourist bustle.
Avoid relying on local buses as they run infrequently on many routes. Budget $100 for a three-day rental car or rideshare to ensure you can reach remote trailheads like Tahquitz Canyon without waiting.
Walk or bike the Old Las Palmas neighborhood to see mid-century architecture for free instead of paying $50+ for guided bus tours. You see more detail on foot at your own pace.
Before you go
Travel and stays
Round-trip flight, Palm Springs International Airport (PSP)
Day 1–3
Hotel in Palm Springs
Nights 1–2 · Palm Canyon Drive · about USD 360 · Comfortable hotel range
Getting from Palm Springs to Desert Hot Springs
Day 3 · about USD 0
Book ahead · most urgent first
Kaufmann House guided tour
Day 2 · Book 2 months ahead · This is a private residence and tours are extremely limited and require advance booking through specific architecture tour providers.
Sunnylands Center and Gardens tour
Day 3 · Book 4 weeks ahead · Estate tours release tickets on the 1st of the month at 9am PT for the following month and sell out very quickly.
The Spa at Two Bunch Palms reservation
Day 3 · Book 3 weeks ahead · Weekend spa treatments and day passes fill up fast due to high demand for the mineral springs.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway tickets
Day 2 · Book 7 days ahead · Tickets sell out on weekends and holidays; advance purchase allows for timed entry reservations which are highly recommended to avoid long queues.
Travel tips
In San Francisco, use the MuniMobile app to buy day passes for cable cars and streetcars; it saves time compared to paying cash on board.
At Miami International Airport, always allow 3 hours for connections because you must clear customs and pass through TSA security for every transfer.
In San Francisco, never leave anything visible inside a parked car, even for five minutes; smash-and-grab thefts are frequent in tourist zones like Alamo Square.
Use the Brightline train to travel between Miami and Fort Lauderdale or West Palm Beach; it is faster and more comfortable than driving I-95.
In San Francisco, walk the Embarcadero at 8am before the crowds arrive; the Ferry Building hosts a better food market than most city plazas.
When visiting Miami's South Beach, stay north of 5th Street for a calmer scene; south of 5th Street is packed with late-night noise.
Download the Transit app in both cities to see real-time bus and train arrivals; it is more accurate than standard mapping software.
In Miami, ride the free Metromover in downtown to see the city skyline; it is a 4-mile elevated loop that costs nothing.
Buy travel insurance and save the policy offline
Keep a backup card and emergency cash apart from your wallet
Get USD cash / a no-forex-fee card
Check visa requirements for United States
Copies of passport and bookings (paper + phone)
Tell your bank your travel dates and check foreign transaction fees
Leave your itinerary, emergency contacts and a passport copy with someone at home
Register with your embassy's traveler program (STEP for US citizens)
Passport (valid 6+ months past your return)
Wallet with ID and payment cards
Pen for arrival forms
The first two days anchor you in Palm Springs to immerse in the architecture while you are fresh, leaving the final day for the deeper quiet of Desert Hot Springs. By placing the mineral water soaking at the end, the itinerary transitions from active sightseeing to a full reset. This structure prioritizes a calm arc that moves from the structured urban desert core to the secluded geothermal pools on your way out.
This plan prioritizes mid-century design and quiet wellness sessions within the Coachella Valley. It skips the rugged hikes of the San Jacinto Mountains and the kitschy roadside attractions along Highway 111. This is the right fit if you want to lounge by a pool and soak in mineral springs; pick a different route if you came for intense mountain climbing or heavy desert trekking.
Add one day to explore the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, which features focused exhibits on local desert flora and fauna. Alternatively, swap your final afternoon for a drive to the Salton Sea to see the stark, surreal landscape of the abandoned shore.
Interest coverage
2 of 3 coveredEntry and safety
| Visa & entry | US, UK, EU, and Australian citizens usually enter via the ESTA visa waiver program for up to 90 days. Indian citizens require a B1/B2 visa obtained at a US Embassy. All travelers must hold a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of departure. |
|---|---|
| Official advice | US State Department · UK Foreign Office |
| Emergency | Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911911 for all emergencies. Text-to-911 available in many areas. |
Money and tipping
| Tipping: restaurants | 18–20% (before tax) |
|---|---|
| Tipping: taxis | 15–20% |
| Tipping: hotels | $2–5 per bag; $2–5/night housekeeping |
| Cards | Universally accepted |
| Contactless | Common but not universal |
| Cash | Cash accepted but cards preferred everywhere |
| Payment tip | Credit cards accepted everywhere. Apple Pay/Google Pay widely available. |
Plugs
| Plugs | Type A, B120V · 60Hz |
|---|
Staying connected
| SIM | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile Prepaid eSIM | $40 for 30 days / 10GB | T-Mobile website |
| Airalo USA eSIM | $16 for 30 days / 5GB | Airalo app |
US SIM cards work nationwide, so you do not need to switch providers between San Francisco and Miami. Ensure your phone is carrier-unlocked before you travel.
About USD 1,574 for 2 travelers · 1 room · 3 days: hotels, food, activities, local transport and travel between places. Flights from your city not included.
Most Western countries qualify for the ESTA visa waiver, while others need a formal B1/B2 visa. Check the official Department of State website before booking flights.
Major tourist areas are busy and well-lit, but avoid isolated streets in downtown areas after dark. Stick to populated thoroughfares.
San Francisco has excellent public transit, making a car a liability. Miami is car-centric, though ride-sharing and the Metromover work well for short distances.
Credit cards are accepted everywhere, from small kiosks to fine dining. Carry a small amount of cash for tips, but digital payments are standard.
In San Francisco, take BART directly from the terminal to the city center. In Miami, take the MIA Mover to the transit hub for bus or rail access.
San Francisco is pleasant in early autumn. Miami is best in the spring when the winter tourists have left but the summer heat has not arrived.
In San Francisco, look for hotels in Union Square or SoMa. In Miami, South Beach or Brickell are the most convenient bases for visitors.
Sales tax is added at the register in most shops and restaurants. Always check the final bill, as the posted price rarely includes tax.
These 3 experiences didn't make it into this itinerary
Vintage Design and Mid-Century Boutique Shopping
e.g., Christopher Anthony Ltd, Palm Springs Vintage Market
Organic and Locally Sourced Farm to Table Dining
e.g., Workshop Kitchen and Bar, Cheeky's
Outdoor Sunset Yoga and Meditation Sessions
e.g., Urban Yoga, Power Yoga Palm Springs
Create Your Custom Version
Download this Palm Springs, United States itinerary — day-by-day plan, maps, budget, and more.
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