Palm Springs became popular due to it’s proximity to Los Angeles, allowing Hollywood stars to get away from tinsletown while still being within easy reach of the studios. Today there’s a significant gay community which adds to the vibrancy. There’s plenty of interest in Palm Springs and the other towns of the Coachella Valley which includes Indian Wells and Palm Desert.

Close to Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National Park is a wilderness area dotted with the distinctive trees that give the park its name - it’s a great place for hiking, especially in the spring when the trees bloom.

Palm Springs

Relaxed Palm Springs makes a great place to hang out for a few days if you’re in the area - oozing Rat Pack glamour, the town combines retro-chic with great bars and restaurants, quirky hotels and a superb climate. The deserts of Southern California are close by so it’s easy to include Palm Springs in a road trip in the region.

Getting to Palm Springs

Primary airport Los Angeles
Flight time approx 11 hours
Time difference GMT -8

Driving times (approximate)

Palm Springs to Los Angeles

- 1 hour 45 mins / 110 miles

Palm Springs to Las Vegas

- 3 hours 45 mins / 230 miles

Palm Springs to San Diego

- 2 hours 15 mins / 125 miles

Palm Springs to Flagstaff (Route 66)

- 6 hours / 380 miles

Suggested places to stay

Palm Mountain Resort & Spa Palm Springs

***

Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel Palm Springs

****

Suggested Itineraries

Los Angeles, San Diego, Palm Springs & Las Vegas Fly-Drive holiday

San Fran, Cali Coast, Los Angeles, Palm Springs & San Diego Fly-Drive holiday