Discover Exclusive Oasis Experiences in Greater Palm Springs
Greater Palm Springs, spanning nine unique cities, offers an array of exclusive experiences amid inspiring natural landscapes. From hiking and biking to art, wildlife, and architecture, find your perfect oasis among these standout attractions.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
This engineering marvel transports visitors from Coachella Valley to breathtaking heights in just 10 minutes. The rotating tramcars, carrying 80 passengers, ascend North America's steepest escarpment through 12 climate zones on a 2.5-mile journey from cacti to clouds. Ambitious hikers can extend the adventure with a 5.5-mile trek to San Jacinto Peak at 10,834 feet. Up to 40 degrees cooler than the valley floor, Mount San Jacinto State Park features 54 miles of trails for summer hiking and winter cross-country skiing. Rent gear at the Adventure Center from mid-November to mid-April.
Palm Springs Air Museum
Ranked among CNN's top 14 aviation museums in 2014, this museum houses one of the world's largest collections of flyable WWII aircraft. Visitors can climb aboard icons like the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and Douglas C-47 Dakota, plus a Douglas SBD Dive Bomber, Grumman F4F Wildcat, Curtiss P40 Hawk, and North American P51 Mustang.
The Living Desert
The only U.S. zoo and botanical garden dedicated to desert habitats worldwide, this 1,200-acre reserve showcases over 450 species from bighorn sheep and California kingsnakes in the Southwest U.S. to Africa's endangered slender-horned gazelle and Australia's unique birds.
Hike on the Wild Side
Surrounded by over one million acres of protected land, Greater Palm Springs reveals dramatic landscapes shaped by earthquakes, wind, water, and time. The San Andreas Fault Zone offers a unique view of tectonic plates in action within the 125,000-acre Meccacopia Wilderness. Outfitters like Desert Adventures provide off-road tours and hikes on a private 840-acre ranch, blending geology, Native American culture, flora, and fauna—complete with a bridge over the fault line.
Scope out Celebrity Digs: Celebrity Tours
Once a dusty frontier town, Greater Palm Springs became a Hollywood haven due to the 'Two-Hour Rule' keeping stars within reach of studios. Legends like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. joined icons such as Liberace, Lucille Ball, Bing Crosby, Dinah Shore, Bob Hope, and Kirk Douglas. Tours visit 50-60 celebrity homes in neighborhoods like Las Palmas, Old Movie Colony, and Racquet Club Estates.
Put the Pedal to the Metal
The BMW Performance Driving School West, one of only two in the U.S., offers high-performance driving on a 32-acre site with a 1.4-mile road course, skid pad, paddock, and 8,500-square-foot facility. From responsible driving classes to Hot Laps reaching 135 mph with pros, it's thrill-seeking at its finest.
Shift into Modern Mode
Known as the Mecca of Modernism, Greater Palm Springs preserves midcentury modern architecture. Guided by experts like Robert Imber of Palm Springs Modern Tours, explore restored icons such as the Tramway Gas Station, Palm Springs City Hall, and Frey House II. Highlights include Elvis and Priscilla's honeymoon spot, the 'House of Tomorrow,' in Vista Las Palmas.
Catch a Little Culture
Since 1938, the Palm Springs Art Museum has grown into a three-site institution. Its Architecture and Design Center in the historic E. Stewart Williams-designed Santa Fe Federal Savings & Loan building celebrates the region's midcentury modern legacy.
Rock Out at Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree National Park blends Colorado and Mojave Deserts with the Little San Bernardino Mountains. Its ancient rock formations draw climbers to tackle smooth granite surfaces amid a stunning moonscape, just an hour from the urban vibe of Palm Springs.
