Palm Springs. What is the first thing you think of what you hear the name of that city? Retired folks? LGBTQ friendly? Golfers? Desert and heat? Yes, it may be those things, but it is so much more. Palm Springs is one of my favorite cities in California, and for a good reason. It has so much natural beauty that is waiting to be explored. Rolling desert hills, beautiful desert oasis, high class shopping and fabulous restaurants, pools & spas, and Joshua Tree national park. That is what I think of when I think of one weekend in Palm Springs.

Palm Springs truly can be for all ages, however if you’re looking to bar hop during a bachelorette party, this place likely isn’t for you. However, with that said, I am constantly surprised by the number of bachelorette parties I have seen here. Many of the restaurants and bars actually close down rather early, however there are 3-4 “clubs” and bars that stay open until your normal 2 AM timeslot.

Assuming you have a car, below is a general itinerary of what you can do for a weekend in Palm Springs. If you don’t have access to a car, then don’t fret! You can still hang around downtown and explore the luxurious side of town. That also means more pool time for you (which, coming from the rainy Pacific Northwest that sounds like a dream)!

Friday night:
Once you get into town and settle into our hotel, airbnb or VRBO, go out for a drink! I promise you won’t regret it. Palm Springs has SO many cocktail and dinner options that every day matters to explore! Some options could be: Workshop Kitchen + Bar or FARM. Family friendly laid-back options could be: Lulu California Bistro or El Mirasol Cocina Mexicana

Saturday:
First things first, start with a fabulous breakfast! If there is one thing Palm Springs has down, it’s the variety of dang good restaurants. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner, you will find world class restaurants here. For breakfast, I would choose one of the following: Normas at The Parker, Cheeky’s, or Elmers (chain restaurant with wonderful portions).
After breakfast I would then hop in your car and start driving towards Joshua Tree National Park! Joshua Tree is a little under one hour away and a must see for the unique vegetation. I would spend a half day here exploring as much as you comfortably can. In a few hours you could easily: hike the short distance to arch rock, check out the cactus garden, check out skull rock, and take pictures throughout the drive! Don’t be surprised if you see many rock climbers here as this is a very popular camping and climbing destination due to the climate.
After you have spent a few hours in Joshua Tree, it’s your time to depart and head back to the “playground of the stars.”
Once arrived back in town you may feel the need to shower any dust off you and change your ensemble for the night.
Finally, once changed, head over to downtown for an amazing dinner at The Rooster and the Pig. Then, top off the night, I would end the night with driving to Rancho Mirage and having a cocktail under the stars at the fabulous Ritz Carlton, Rancho Mirage. This is truly one of my favorite places on earth and where I feel the “fanciest” in my life.

Sunday:
Again, start your morning with a kick a$$ breakfast. This time pick one of the above restaurants you didn’t pick from the list above.
After breakfast, take the aerial tram and soak in the desert beauty. If you have time and are an intermediate hiker, you can also choose to hike this. You will always want to check hours before hand or if they are open.
Have a lunch or just enjoy the rooftop views at the Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs.

If you’re here for a regular weekend, then unfortunately, your time has almost come to an end and you’ll be packing up to leave. However, if you’re staying for one more day then stick around to see what to do later Sunday and Monday.

Later Sunday: After lunch, head to your pre-reserved spa appointment at Two Bunch Palms, roughly 20-30 minutes away. Here, you will feel like you have arrived in Paradise. You will experience therapeutic mineral water at over 100 degrees come from a natural spring over 600 years old, unwinding your stress and enhance your mood. You can also reserve a massage, scrub, facial or any other spa service, followed by a yoga class! At the end of this you will be starving, but good for you, there is delicious food sight. Follow your stress-free night taking your time at the spa, eating, laughing and unwinding. As you go back into town you may feel refreshed and wanting to sleep, or refreshed and wanting to enjoy the rest of your night! Wherever the night takes you, you won’t regret it!

Monday: Sadly, your day has come to an end. I would spend the last night enjoying your pool, walking around downtown, and getting in any last-minute window shopping you were unable to do over the weekend.

I hope you enjoyed what one weekend in Palm Springs could look like! Like what you read? Check my travel blog for more itineraries, PNW destinations, PNW hikes, PNW travel and vacation, road trip ideas and overseas travels!