Top Activities
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway: Visitors travel aboard the world’s largest rotating tramcar enjoying spectacular views of the desert below. At the top take a hike among majestic trees and enjoy quiet serenity. Two restaurants, gift shop, view points, and much more.
The Living Desert is a unique zoo and botanical garden that specializes in the deserts of the world. Giraffes, mountain lions, zebras, and cheetahs are just a few of the incredible animals that take you from Africa to North America. The botanical gardens include geographic replicas of areas as diverse as Baja California’s Viscaino Desert and the exotic deserts of Madagascar. Stop by our interactive Discovery Center, visit one of the largest G-scale model train displays, enjoy a Wildlife Wonders animal presentation, hike our nature trails, have lunch in one of cafes, or feed the goats in the Petting Kraal.
Indian Canyon: Consisting of Palm Canyon, Andreas Canyon and Murray Canyon, Indian Canyons offers hikers of all skill sets scenic trails with panoramic views. Abundant wildlife encounters are a daily occurrence in the canyon walls and the numerous natural springs.
BMW Performance Center West: Push a BMW to its limits and become a better driver with hands-on learning in our high performance M Schools. Now hosting groups and individuals for multiple BMW experiences, including Performance Center Drives, M Track Drives and the Ultimate BMW Mixer.
Joshua Tree National Park: Located one hour north of the Coachella Valley, Joshua Tree National Park covers 794,000 acres of two diverse desert ecosystems: the Colorado and Mojave Deserts. Take an easy drive for an afternoon or spend several days. Tour the Keys Ranch and hear the colorful story of the 60 years Bill and Frances Keys spent raising their five children in this isolate location. Stop at Joshua Tree, Cottonwood, or Oasis Visitor Centers for more info.
Ideas for First Time Visitors:
- Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Agua Caliente Indian Canyons
- Palm Springs Art Museum
- Palm Canyon Drive
- Ruddy’s General Store Museum
- Living Desert Zoo & Botanical Gardens
Ideas for Repeat Visitors:
- El Paseo Shopping Area
- San Jacinto Mountain
- Palm Springs Air Museum
- Jeep tour to San Andreas Fault Line
- Coachella Valley Preserve
- Wet ‘n’ Wild Palm Springs
- Morten Botanical Garden
Special Events
White Party Palm Springs
The largest gay dance party in the World. DJs, live performances, pool parties and more. Visit the website for complete details and party locations.
Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival
This unique festival features an eclectic mixture of landmark and obscure vintage movies from the classic film noir era. Visit the website for complete details and move schedule.
Joshua Tree Music Festival
The experience is enhanced when embraced in the great outdoors amongst fellow music lovers. Better still in an intimate setting, where the distinction between artist and audience is blurred, and a passionate performance can be truly relished in close proximity to the stage. Add free water to patrons, no service charges on reasonably priced tickets, and well…..let the games begin. A family friendly global music experience.
Local Transportation
Cardiff Limousine & Transportation: Ground transportation, meet and greet services, transfers, tours, and dine-arounds using sedans, vans, SUVs, limousines, mini-coaches, limo-coaches, and Euro-style buses.
Celebrity Tours: Move your group throughout the Coachella Valley with ease. You are here for fun and Celebrity Tours will make it happen. Coaches of all sizes to meet your needs. Weddings, conventions, golf, shopping, airport, shuttle, from four hours to four months. Let the planners make your visit a pleasure.
Lin Lines: Luxury motorcoach and mini-coach ground transportation services. Serving the Coachella Valley and beyond since 1981.
Yellow Cab of the Desert: In our fast-paced world, sometimes you just need someone else to do the driving! Consider Yellow Cab of the Desert for your Desert area transportation needs.
Distance from Major Airports
- Palm Springs International Airport – 2 miles
- Ontario International Airport -1 hour 15 minute drive
- John Wayne Airport – Orange County -1 hour 30 minute drive
- Los Angeles International Airport -2 hour drive
- San Diego International Airport -2 hour 15 minute drive
Local Tour Guides
Desert Adventures: Since 1987, Desert Adventures has provided the most highly regarded outdoor adventures in the Greater Palm Springs area. As the original, largest, and most respected outdoor adventure and eco-tour company in the California desert, Desert Adventures offers a vast array of tour and activity choices. Contact: Kim Nilsson, kim@red-jeep.com
Best of the Best Tours: The Best of the Best Tours is Southern California’s premier entertainment and informational tour service with professionally trained guides knowledgeable in all aspects of Greater Palm Springs. Contact Christy Regalado, pscjt@aol.com
Big Wheel Bike Tours: Founded in 1996, Big Wheel Tours offers various guided tours on bicycles, jeeps and hiking throughout Greater Palm Springs. Contact: Evan Trubee, gotouring@bwbtours.com
Palm Springs Mod Squad Architecture & Design Tours: Your guide will lead you on “The Essential Palm Springs Tour”. This tour focuses on the six local architects that made Palm Springs the modern city it is today. These architects lived and raised their families in the city in which their buildings were built. Contact: Kurt Cyr, info@psmodsquad.com
