Essential Palm Springs Travel Guide: What to See & Do

Palm Springs is a distinctive California destination where desert scenery, modernist design, and Hollywood history come together. Set in the Coachella Valley beneath the San Jacinto Mountains, the city combines warm sunshine and palm-lined streets with a relaxed resort atmosphere. It is especially popular during the cooler months.

Palm Springs’ Indigenous Heritage and Resort History

Long before Palm Springs became a celebrity retreat, the area was home to the Cahuilla people, who valued its natural springs, shade, and reliable water in an otherwise arid landscape. The Agua Caliente Cultural Museum offers insight into this enduring heritage.

Palm Springs later developed as a health resort, promoted for its dry climate. Over time, it became a fashionable escape for actors, musicians, writers, and politicians, creating the glamorous reputation that still shapes the city today.

Mid-Century Modern Architecture and Hollywood History

Palm Springs’ celebrity past remains visible throughout the city. Old Las Palmas is known for impressive residences associated with figures such as Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Elizabeth Taylor, and Liberace.

The Kaufmann Desert House and other landmark properties highlight the clean lines and distinctive character of mid-century modern architecture. Downtown, the Palm Springs Walk of Stars adds another layer of entertainment history along the sidewalks.

Things to See in Palm Springs

For travelers wondering what to see in Palm Springs, the city center offers an easy combination of galleries, boutiques, outdoor dining, public art, and historic La Plaza. These attractions make it possible to experience the city’s creative, architectural, and cultural character in a compact area.

Beyond Palm Springs, dramatic desert landscapes and nearby Joshua Tree National Park offer a broader experience of the region’s natural surroundings.

Dining in Palm Springs

Food is also part of Palm Springs’ character. Dining options range from casual patio restaurants to refined establishments with a classic Rat Pack-era elegance.

With its Indigenous roots, mid-century design legacy, welcoming lifestyle, and striking natural setting, Palm Springs remains one of Southern California’s most memorable desert destinations.