Location: Palm Springs
Top Things to do in Palm Springs
The 10 Best Hidden Gems Things to do in Palm Springs, California (CA)
Looking to relax in the sun? Palm Springs, with 354 days of sunshine per year, might be the place for you. Relax poolside or visit one of the many area spas… or tour some fantastic examples of mid-century modern architecture.
Restaurants in Palm Springs
1. Escape Room Palm Springs
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,809 reviews
Be A Wizard, Rob A Bank, Catch A Killer. Six Escape Room Games To Choose From. You’ll Be Blown Away By Our High-Production Rooms, Story Plots, And Game Twists.
Reviewed By U7755CRtiffanys
We had an amazing time team building and completely the locker room!! Great staff, great puzzle, and great place!
2. Coachella Valley Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 727 reviews
Formed by a system of sand dunes, this 20,000-acre sanctuary is home to several species of rare wildlife and a number of palm oases.
Reviewed By JudyP1614
Come see how Palm Springs was named! My husband and I took an easy, leisurely walk with some friends through this preserve and were treated to sun, desert, gorgeous flowers following a recent rain, palm trees surrounding an oasis! A docent welcomed us to the trails and explained this particular area had more ecological diversity than most any other in the area! Another docent further up the trail explained the amazing array of flowers often not present. We extended our 2 mile loop an additional stretch to catch more wild flowers. It was well worth it. Although I have lived in the Inland Empire area for ten years this was my first time to savor the beauty of the springs. Wow! Nature gave us a spectacular morning! The whole experience was picturesque, pristine (not one piece of trash anywhere to be seen) with sand, water, palm trees and snow capped mountains in the distance. The beauty of this spot cannot be fully captured without feet in the sand and eyes to the sky. Thanks for an unforgettable preserve!
3. Indian Canyons
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,567 reviews
Reviewed By X816YFchriss - Cleveland, United States
Well worth it! Great trails! The 1 mile loop San Andreas Trail was maybe the most beautiful hike of my life! The hike to the seven sisters waterfall was amazing, definitely a bit strenuous. Bring good hiking shoes!
4. Tahquitz Canyon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 712 reviews
Reviewed By 434davidj - Finchampstead, United Kingdom
Got there in time for the 10am ranger hike which was really interesting. Good to understand about the history and the nature and done at a good pace with plenty of time to sit and admire the beautiful waterfall and other views. It’s about a 2 mile loop on well defined paths but there is a bit of climbing. If you like to hike combined with history then this is a “must do” while you’re in Palm Springs
5. Estrella Spa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
Estrella ("star" in English) was the original name of the hotel which is now the Avalon Palm Springs. For the last decade however, it's what we've called our spa. We like to think of Estrella Spa as the star that lights up the Avalon from the inside out. It's the centerpiece of our Hotel's health and wellness experience and a refuge for your indulgence, play, learning, growth and comfort. Our menu contains a completely new offering of treatments and experiences that we have crafted exclusively for you.
Reviewed By ShaunFFung - Half Moon Bay, United States
Had a wonderful Massage from Nubia. Beautiful interiors, intuitive masseuse, and attentive staff. My friend had her first facial since the start of covid, given by Veronica, and was very pleased.
6. Adventure Hummer Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 862 reviews
Looking for the highlight of your Palm Springs vacation? Take an adventure aboard our open air Hummers to the San Andreas Fault and Joshua Tree National Park as you follow an old goldmine trail to see and learn about the real desert. Morning and afternoon tours are offered daily year-round. Climb to over 4,000 feet to Summit Point in Joshua Tree where you can see all the way to Mexico!
7. Palm Springs Windmill Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 722 reviews
The Palm Springs Windmill Self-Driving Tours is an interactive, educational and fun tour for friends and family. The tour is curated by Randy Buckmaster, Tour Manager, in which he will guide you along with an audio program and marked destination's throughout the first commercial wind farm in the United States. The tour starts with a display yard of non-operating wind turbines of successes and failures, along with a stop to a real generating wind turbine where you can get up close and take pictures. The tour ends with a stop at the old Enron machines. There you can exit on 19th Avenue to Indian Canyon Road more knowledgeable about renewable energy! The tour takes approximately one hour depending on your pace. We ask that you respect others by not gathering at the marked destinations. Please allow cars ahead of you to finish their exploration before your turn.
8. Backstreet Art District
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By robbygc - Toronto, Canada
Every painters did this to admire their arts. Some you will like, others you may not like. It depends what you like. I took my camera and took pictures. I had no problems to take pictures. Worthwhile to see!
9. Moorten Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 501 reviews
Visitors are fascinated by this huge collection of cacti and flowers amid scenic nature trails.
Reviewed By plc52515 - Orange, United States
This small garden and nursery is a cactus lover’s dream! This multi-generational family collection/business has specimen plants, informed family members who staff the garden and desert tortoises as well! Featuring a Cactusarium, you can take a self guided tour, taking your time to really familiarize yourself with extraordinary plants as well as old favorites. Get a grandson or daughter to tell you the whooole story starting with GreatGrandfather, a Hollywood stuntman (in the EARLY days of film) and a rock hound and cactus collector! Easy to see in one hour, even on a hot day shaded by large trees and cactus, so very comfortable to explore!. You can also buy unusual cacti from around the world!
10. Toucans Tiki Lounge
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 40 reviews
Reviewed By mishabelle27 - Claremont, United States
Toucans is so much fun! A Palm Springs trip just doesn’t feel complete to me without a Sunday night show at Toucans. The atmosphere is excellent, the host is hilarious, and the performers are so talented! There’s lots of lighthearted joking and you can’t help but get swept up in the amazing energy. Highly recommended for a fun night out.
