Tours in Palm Springs
Once known as the Rat Pack’s playground and a winter escape for the Hollywood elite, the glitz and glamour of Palm Springs lives on. This laid-back resort town maintains its retro aesthetic and offers myriad stylish boutiques, fascinating museums and a rapidly flourishing arts scene. Whether you’re here for the manicured greens of its renowned golf courses, scenic trails through the soaring San Jacinto mountains, or a spot of retail therapy at its chic stores, Palm Springs is an ideal introduction to Californian living.
As part of our 15-day Western Discovery tour, you’ll hop aboard the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway – the world’s largest rotating tram car – and ascend 8,516 feet on an exhilarating ride up Chino Canyon. Enjoy stunning panoramic vistas of the valley below from the observation decks of Mountain Station, enjoy a luxury meal above the clouds at Peaks Restaurant, and embark on picturesque hikes through the dramatic canyons below. Step back in time with a visit to the 1930s era Ruddy’s General Store Museum, stocked to the rafters with authentic curiosities, before searching for golden palms, honouring the likes of Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, and Frank Sinatra, on the Walk of Stars. Learn more of Palm Springs’ iconic residents and the famed ‘two-hour rule’ at the McCallum Abode – declaring that stars of the silver screen must stay within two hours of their respective Hollywood film studios.
Your American adventure continues as you make your way to the spectacular Grand Canyon. Gaze up at the bright lights of glimmering Las Vegas, look out across the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and recite classic film scenes as you tour Hollywood’s many studios in the heart of American cinema, Los Angeles.
West Coast Aloha Tour
Guide Price £2,899 pp
This tour has it all: the stunning beaches and cities of California, the vibrant and exciting city of Las Vegas, the dramatic landscapes of the Grand Canyon, and the perfect accompaniment of relaxing, postcard-perfect beaches of Hawaii. You will enjoy...
Escorted tours
Western Highlights Tour
Guide Price £3,269 pp
Take in all of the West Coast's best attractions in one incredible tour. This fantastic ten night escorted tour takes you from the stunning coastal City of San Francisco, to the entertainment capital Las Vegas via the natural wonder of...
Escorted tours
EagleRider Wild West I Guided Motorcycle Tour
Guide Price £3,199 pp
For any motorcyclist who’s ever dreamt of cruising down Route 66 and exploring the American Wild West, the EagleRider Wild West Guided Motorcycle Tour is a dream come true. From the bright lights of Los Angeles to the magnificent Grand...
Escorted tours
EagleRider Wild West Guided Motorcycle Tour
Guide Price £4,829 pp
From the iconic landscapes of the wild west to the rugged pacific coastline and world-famous national parks, this once-in-a-lifetime motorcycle tour lets you experience the unparalleled natural beauty of America’s West Coast by bike. Over 16 days, you’ll ride through...
Motorcycle holidays
Western Discovery Tour
Guide Price £2,499 pp
Visit the big cities of California and stunning national parks of California, Arizona and Utah. You'll start at the coast, and travel inland through Hollywood's playground; Palm Springs, then on to the magnificent Monument valley, Bryce Canyon and Zion. After...
Escorted tours
Expert Tips
Clive
Content Editor
“Nature-lovers have an abundance of breath-taking scenery at their fingertips here. Make sure to visit Joshua Tree National Park, as it’s less than an hour away and offers incredible photo opportunities with towering boulders and the distinctive Joshua trees.”
Martyn
Destination Manager
“Palm Springs Art Museum is free to the public and is home to a host of remarkable contemporary, architectural and Native American art. Well worth a visit.”
Christie
Destination Executive
“With upwards of 100 world-class golf courses, including Shadow Ridge and Firecliffe, keen golfers shouldn’t miss the opportunity to tee off here.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Averaging just five inches of rain a year, Palm Springs is known for its consistently sunny weather and scorching summers, with temperatures reaching as high as 42°C from June until August.
Downtown Palm Springs is relatively compact and easily walkable, though for convenience, visitors in search of hiking experiences may wish to rent a bicycle, catch a taxi or rent their own as you will need to travel away from the centre. The bus network runs late into the night, though this is less frequent and less available the further from downtown Palm Springs you venture.
With the mildest weather here spanning from January to April, we recommend a visit during these cooler spring months, as temperatures can be uncomfortable during the summer. Also of note is the annual Coachella Festival. Though dates vary from year to year, the festival typically occurs in April. As you would expect, Palm Springs will become significantly busier around this time. We suggest researching this prior to arrival to avoid any disappointment.
A vibrant display of retro-chic aesthetic and contemporary culture, Palm Springs is an oasis for film fanatics, shoppers, foodies and lovers of the outdoors.
Why you'll love Palm Springs...
• Strolling along the Walk of Stars in search of your favourite star of the silver screen
• Sipping sundowners and joining in the buzzing nightlife at one of the downtown bars and music venues
• Shopping at one of Palm Springs’ boutique shopping malls
• Riding the Aerial Tramway and hiking through picturesque Chino Canyon
• Basking in the sunset at Joshua Tree National Park
• Touring the lavish Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway, where the King and Priscilla escaped during the mid-1960s
• Enjoying a game of golf at one of Palm Springs’ famed courses
• Looking for fringe-toed lizards and bobcats at the Coachella Valley Preserve
• Watching world-class performances from international artists at the Coachella Festival
• Exploring the vast Indian Canyons by horseback
Did you know?
• Palm Springs is host to America’s only annual Golf Cart Parade, with up to 100 floats powered by golf-cart driving through the resort city every autumn.
• Palm Springs produces 85 per cent of the USA’s supply of dates in its many date gardens.
• Palms Springs has more (swimming?) pools per capita than anywhere else in the USA, with over 50,000 of them here.
