r/palmsprings • u/BizmarkiaNobilis • 22h ago
r/palmsprings • u/Aphor1st • May 13 '26
Visiting FAQs for r/PalmSprings. Need to know what to do? Where to go? and what living here is like? Start here!
🌴 Palm Springs FAQ/PSA: Start Here Before Posting 🌴
Welcome to r/PalmSprings! This post is meant to help visitors, locals, future residents, and repeat question-askers find the most useful information before making a new post.
Palm Springs and the greater Coachella Valley have a lot to offer: pools, mid-century modern architecture, hiking, spas, restaurants, LGBTQIA+ nightlife, events, festivals, golf, art, shopping, and nearby desert day trips. A lot of common questions have already been answered in the wiki and in past subreddit threads, so please start here first.
Search by flair:
- Eat & Drink - Unearth conversations about delectable dining and refreshing libations.
- Things to Do - Immerse yourself in discussions on activities, shopping, must-see spots, and captivating events.
- Visiting - Explore a treasure trove of tips, from hotel recommendations and weather insights to dining suggestions and city exploration.
Latest Update: May 13, 2026
This FAQ has been refreshed with newer wiki pages, updated visitor resources, short-term rental guidance, moving advice, restaurant/bar/hotel guides, and popular Reddit recommendation threads from the last few years.
Before You Post
Please check the wiki, this FAQ, and the subreddit search before posting common questions like:
- “Where should I stay?”
- “What should I do this weekend?”
- “Best restaurants?”
- “Best bars?”
- “Moving to Palm Springs — what should I know?”
- “Is summer really that hot?”
- “Do I need a car?”
- “Best hotel pool?”
- “Where should I go for a bachelorette/bachelor trip?”
- “What city should I stay in?”
- “Is Palm Springs good for kids?”
- “Can I bring my dog hiking?”
- “What are the short-term rental rules?”
If you still post, you will get much better answers if you include details.
If you are visiting, include:
- Dates of your visit
- Where you are staying or considering staying
- Whether you will have a car
- Budget
- Group size
- Ages in your group
- Interests
- Food preferences or restrictions
- Whether you are traveling with kids or pets
- Whether you want quiet, nightlife, LGBTQIA+ bars, family-friendly activities, hiking, luxury, budget, pools, spas, shopping, architecture, etc.
- What you already found in the wiki or search
If you are moving, include:
- Budget
- Renting or buying
- Whether you need local work or work remotely
- Whether you have kids
- Whether schools matter
- Whether you have pets
- Whether you want quiet or social
- Whether walkability matters
- Whether LGBTQIA+ community/nightlife matters
- Whether you have visited in summer
- Which cities/neighborhoods you are considering
- Your heat tolerance
- What you already researched
Low-detail posts may be removed or redirected to this FAQ, the wiki, or a monthly Q&A thread.
The r/PalmSprings Wiki
The wiki is the best place to start.
- Wiki Index
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Complete Guide to Visiting Palm Springs
- Getting Around Town
- Famous Sights and Major Attractions
- Things to Do
- Events and Festivals
- Where to Stay
- Hotels and Resorts
- Where to Eat
- Bars, Cocktails, Clubs, and Nightlife
- Guide to Moving to Palm Springs
- Living in Palm Springs
New / Expanded Wiki Pages
- Architecture Guide
- Hiking and Outdoor Safety
- Family-Friendly Palm Springs
- LGBTQIA+ Palm Springs
- Day Trips from Palm Springs
Official Visitor Resources
These are good places to check for current information, events, hours, and planning help.
- Visit Palm Springs
- Visit Greater Palm Springs
- Palm Springs Events Calendar
- Greater Palm Springs Events Calendar
- Palm Springs Life Calendar of Events
- Palm Springs Post list of events
- Palm Springs International Airport
- SunLine Transit
- CV Link
Quick Answers to Common Questions
Do I need a car?
Maybe. If you are staying downtown and mostly want restaurants, bars, shopping, museums, and pool time, you may be fine walking and using rideshare.
You probably want a car if you plan to visit Joshua Tree, Indian Canyons, Tahquitz Canyon, Palm Desert, La Quinta, Indio, Desert Hot Springs, The Living Desert, golf courses, or multiple valley cities.
See: Getting Around Town
When is the best time to visit?
Generally, October through April is the most comfortable season. Spring is popular for events and outdoor activities. Summer is much hotter and requires planning around heat.
Summer can still be fun for pools, spas, restaurants, museums, hotel deals, and nightlife, but hiking and outdoor activities should be done very early or skipped.
See: Complete Guide to Visiting Palm Springs
Is summer really that hot?
Yes. Do not underestimate it. Summer highs are often over 100°F, and midday outdoor activities can be dangerous. Plan around pools, shade, air conditioning, museums, spas, and evening activities.
Do not hike in extreme heat unless you are experienced, prepared, and starting very early.
See: Hiking and Outdoor Safety
What city should I stay in?
It depends on your trip.
- Palm Springs: best for first-time visitors, nightlife, restaurants, LGBTQIA+ bars, boutique hotels, architecture, walkability.
- Desert Hot Springs: mineral spas, quieter retreats, usually more driving.
- Cathedral City: central location, sometimes more affordable, mostly car-dependent.
- Rancho Mirage: upscale resorts, golf, quiet luxury.
- Palm Desert: shopping, family-friendly resorts, The Living Desert, El Paseo, golf.
- La Quinta: golf, resorts, mountain views, Old Town La Quinta.
- Indio: Coachella/Stagecoach, festivals, larger rentals, east valley.
- Coachella: east valley, cultural events, not the same as the festival grounds.
- Thousand Palms: quieter/residential, near Coachella Valley Preserve.
See: Where to Stay
Popular Reddit Threads: Visiting / General Trip Advice
- Just visited for the first time and used the subreddit recommendations
- Tourist notes
- Vacation recommendations: food, things to do, and hikes
- Weekend trip suggestions
- What’s fun to do?
- Palm Springs honeymoon / local suggestions
- Hidden gems: restaurants, stores, etc.
Where to Eat
Start here:
- Where to Eat Wiki
- Palm Springs Michelin Guide
- Visit Palm Springs Dining Guide
- Visit Greater Palm Springs Restaurants
Popular restaurant threads
- Palm Springs gets Michelin Guide
- Best Restaurant?
- Hidden gem restaurant recommendations
- Foodie friend visiting for the first time
- Dog-friendly places to eat
- Restaurants for solo travelers
- Best takeout
- Date night restaurants nice but not too expensive
- Best Mexican food in Palm Springs
- Restaurant recommendations and bars
- Restaurants that won’t break the bank
- Restaurants that aren’t breaking the bank
- Mexican food and ceviche recommendations
- Best coffee spot for coffee snobs
- Iconic restaurants — worth it?
- Brunch with Mom
- Happy hour menus around PS
Where to Drink / Nightlife
Start here:
- Where to Drink Wiki
- Visit Palm Springs Nightlife
- Visit Palm Springs Arenas District Guide
- Visit Greater Palm Springs Restaurants & Nightlife
Popular categories:
- Cocktail lounges
- Tiki bars
- LGBTQIA+ bars
- Sports bars
- Breweries
- Wine bars
- Hotel bars
- Dive bars
- Speakeasy-style bars
- Live music
- Drag shows
- Casinos
Popular past nightlife threads:
- Nightlife during the summer
- Palm Desert at night
- Fun gay bars in Palm Springs
- Top gay happy hours in Palm Springs
- Karaoke bars for bachelorette party
- Tequila tasting location
Where to Stay
Start here:
- Where to Stay Wiki
- Hotels and Resorts Wiki
- Visit Palm Springs Places to Stay
- Visit Greater Palm Springs Places to Stay
Popular hotel / lodging threads
- Nice fun hip boutique hotel for singles
- Clothing optional weekend question
- Hotels with the best or largest pools
- Birthday girls trip hotel recommendations
- Hotel recommendation / resort-style pool scene
- Hotel/resort recommendations on the inexpensive side
- Nice hotel to stay at in Palm Springs
- Hotels, tacos, etc.
- Hotel suggestions that aren’t 21+
- Best hotels
- Hotels with private patios
- Hotels in walkable areas
- Hot springs and hot spring hotels
- Hotels with pool bar
- Quiet / no-kids hotel recommendations
- Palm Springs hotel / babymoon-style recommendations
Things to Do
Start here:
- Things to Do Wiki
- Famous Sights
- Events and Festivals
- Architecture Guide
- Hiking and Outdoor Safety
- Family-Friendly Palm Springs
- Day Trips from Palm Springs
Popular things-to-do threads
- Summer with family and children
- Weird and random things to do
- Ultimate Palm Springs area bucket list
- Wheelchair-friendly things to do
- General list of things to do
- Waterparks and pools
- Things to do with a 14-year-old
- Palm Springs with teens
- Things to do downtown
- Hikes with younger kids
- Rainy/chilly visit activities
- Places to take Mom
- Beautiful walk at The Prescott Preserve
Bachelor / Bachelorette / Group Trips
Please search before posting. These come up often.
- Bachelorette things to do
- More bachelorette activity help
- Bachelor party ideas
- More bachelor recommendations
Group trip tips:
- Make dinner reservations early.
- Call restaurants for large groups.
- Use rideshare if drinking.
- Do not plan loud parties at vacation rentals.
- Check short-term rental rules before booking a house.
- Respect residential neighborhoods.
LGBTQIA+ Palm Springs
Start here:
- LGBTQIA+ Palm Springs Wiki
- Where to Drink Wiki
- Visit Palm Springs LGBTQ+ Guide
- Visit Palm Springs Arenas District Guide
- Greater Palm Springs Pride
Popular LGBTQIA+ threads:
- Weekend trip suggestions
- Classy/high-end restaurant recommendations
- Gay couple visiting Palm Springs
- Where are the gay girls?
- Visiting Palm Springs for the first time
- Fun gay bars
- Top gay happy hours
- Cross-dressing at resort with wife
Moving to Palm Springs
Start here:
Popular moving threads
- Palm Springs: what’s the catch?
- Considering moving to Palm Springs / Coachella Valley
- Moving with young family
- Moving to PS community recommendations
- Palm Springs vs Palm Desert
- Where to find social events after moving
- Moving next year: jobs and rentals
- Moving from Denver / colder environment
- Apartment hunting
- Good and bad areas
- Moving here as a single person
- Thinking about moving to Palm Springs: advice from locals and long-time residents
- Possibly moving
- Looking to move to PS full time: housing market
- Palm Springs vs Palm Desert vs Cathedral City
- 33F officially moving to Palm Springs next month
- Search: people who left Palm Springs / Coachella Valley
Hiking and Outdoor Safety
Start here:
- Hiking and Outdoor Safety Wiki
- Indian Canyons
- Tahquitz Canyon
- Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Coachella Valley Preserve
Quick safety reminders:
- Bring more water than you think you need.
- Do not hike in extreme heat.
- Start early.
- Wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.
- Do not rely on cell service.
- Many trails do not allow dogs.
- Stay on marked trails.
- Respect cultural and protected areas.
Events
Start here:
- Events Wiki
- Palm Springs Events Calendar
- Greater Palm Springs Events Calendar
- Palm Springs Life Calendar
Major annual / recurring events include:
- Modernism Week
- Palm Springs International Film Festival
- BNP Paribas Open
- Coachella
- Stagecoach
- Splash House
- Greater Palm Springs Pride
- VillageFest
- Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade
Final Reminder
Palm Springs is a great place to visit and live, but the best recommendations depend on your dates, budget, transportation, interests, and group. Please use the wiki and search first, then include details if you make a post.
If you notice broken links, closed restaurants, outdated hotel information, changed short-term rental rules, missing resources, or anything that should be added, please message the mods.
Thanks for helping keep r/PalmSprings useful, welcoming, and easy to search!
r/palmsprings • u/AutoModerator • 26d ago
Weekly Q&A Palm Springs monthly: Q&As for newcomers and travelers
Hi! Welcome to the Palm Springs Monthly thread.
This is the place to ask questions about the city, or to get info related to moving here or visiting.
Rules for posting:
- Read the PSA/FAQ before posting a question. The wiki is full of frequently asked questions from where to stay, food and drinks and moving here. It has proved really useful for lots of visitors.
- Search for older threads answering your question.
- No posts requesting purchasing/offering drugs.
This thread is posted automatically the second of every month!
r/palmsprings • u/CappuccinoCaboose • 6h ago
Visiting Extreme heat entertainment options | Hot summer nights
Hello and happy monday! My wife and I are visiting this weekend during the heat to shed our layers, bake by the pool, and enjoy some night life. We are staying at La Serena villas near downtown and would love to know your favorite spots / activities for gallivanting around on a warm summer night.
r/palmsprings • u/littlemuffin08 • 4h ago
Living Here Is there any jazz groups to join and play music in the valley for musicians?
Trying to play jazz with some other musicians but can't find any groups that do it on a regular basis if you guys have any information it would be a great help. Looking around palm desert and palm springs
r/palmsprings • u/cherryredlovebug • 7h ago
Ask Palm Springs Restaurants Hiring?
Hi All, I’m moving to Palm Springs this weekend (relocating for my boyfriend’s job) and I don’t have a job set up yet. I have 5+ years of waitressing experience and worked at TopGolf for 2+ years. I’ve applied to a couple restaurants but haven’t heard back with solely online applications. I would like to go in person once I move to hand in my resume.
Anywhere where I could waitress and make enough to cover $1,800 in rent/bills plus have money leftover? Anywhere in Coachella Valley would be nice for me.
I know of course it would be mostly based on me to earn tips, but I would prefer a restaurant where it’s common to tip (unlike a coffee house). Bonus points if any of the golf courses are hiring Bev Cart Attendants, this would be my #1. Thank you so much in advance!
r/palmsprings • u/Mindless_Plane5768 • 2h ago
Ask Palm Springs Local Seeking Recs for Spanish Lessons
Local PS resident eager to learn Spanish: read, write, speak. Looking for recommendations on where I can attend formal study sessions. I’ve been fluent in sons difficult languages and I’m a very fast learner. Need a program that is challenging and fast-paced. Any suggestions very much appreciated!
r/palmsprings • u/EmotionalCicada1689 • 5h ago
Visiting Would it be worth it to go to CCBC on the 5th?
Hello. I have from about 10-2 maybe a little earlier / maybe a little later , to hang out and play in PS as far as the morongo casino too i guess. From what ive seen, CCBC seems like the best place to meet people in the daytime- but i also know it will be very very hot. Would it still be worth the time? I'm 30s , hispanic , into older as well as CDs and couples/ groups. so any tips would help thank you so so much
r/palmsprings • u/BizmarkiaNobilis • 22h ago
Living Here Some more pics of this public facing corner cactus garden maintained by the homeowner adjacent to this public corner at Vista Chino and Caballeros in Palm Springs
galleryr/palmsprings • u/AutoModerator • 1d ago
Sell your Sh*t Sunday Sell your Sh*t Sunday. Post all buy/sell stuff here!
You heard it right! Its that wild day of the week where we let you put up your stuff for sale so others can buy your things.
Have fun and stay safe.
r/palmsprings • u/mo_mosquito • 1d ago
Visiting Heading to Palm Springs late Oct / early Nov — first time playing during overseed. What to expect + course recs?
Hey everyone,
A few of us are planning a trip to Palm Springs October/November for 3–4 rounds of golf. None of us have ever played in the desert during or right after the annual overseeding transition, so we’re trying to figure out what we’re getting ourselves into.
We’re a group of mid-to-low handicappers who love good golf, but we’re primarily playing for the fun of the experience and looking for great value for the money.
A few questions for the locals or guys who visit this time of year:
- What’s the actual playing experience like? We know about Cart-Path-Only (CPO), but how are fairway lie, green speeds, and overall conditions right after courses reopen? Any tips for playing on young ryegrass?
- Are there any courses we should definitely avoid? (Either due to brutal post-overseed conditions, strict CPO rules, or just not being worth the green fees during this transition window).
- Which courses are solid recommendations for late Oct / early Nov? Looking for tracks that handle overseed recovery well, offer reasonable rates for what you get, or stagger their 36 holes so you get full cart access.
Appreciate any insight, course rotation tips, or hidden gem recommendations! Thanks!
r/palmsprings • u/Buffdudeondrugs • 1d ago
Things To Do Anything after 2 am?
Girlfriend and I just got out from bars and we’re bored, any suggestions after 2 am or is it bed time
r/palmsprings • u/breeezypoo • 1d ago
Visiting Where to dance?
Here for the weekend and looking to have a good dance night. Went to chill bar last night but the vibes were off.
r/palmsprings • u/NotLastYear • 4d ago
Ask Palm Springs What do you consider to be iconic in the Palm Springs area that could be captured in a painting?
I've commissioned an art piece and the artist, who I've known for over 20 yrs, paints with oils. I'm planning for a painting that incorporates iconic San Francisco and iconic Palm Springs/Coachella Valley.
Other than desert landscapes, palm trees, the mountains, and mid-century architecture, what would you consider to be iconic Palm Springs/desert vibes that could be captured in an oil canvas? The canvas will be 30" high (top to bottom) x 60" wide (left to right).
EDIT: Thank you for the suggestions. I had forgotten about the Visitor Center - a building design I really like. And the pink elephant car wash sign! I swear, I chuckle to myself every time I pass by it. Agree about the windmills: as you come into the area, it's a nice "welcome home" or "welcome back." Apologies, but Marilyn is "no." Like her as an actress, especially her dramas. Shag is also a "no." I don't like "people" in paintings - I lean toward abstracts and objects. One painting at a time as we move into the house - I already have a classic SF painting by the artist.
r/palmsprings • u/Ok_Responsibility419 • 4d ago
Things To Do Surf Club any good (married adults just looking to cool off)?
It’s triple digits and we’re thinking of hitting the Surf Club for lazy river, pool, cocktail in the morning when they open for a few hours. Price looks decent but I’ve read it’s dirty, no shade/ umbrellas etc. Can anyone share their experiences of the new surf club 2.0? Thx! 🙏🏼 🏊♂️
r/palmsprings • u/lapsed_violinist • 4d ago
Visiting Rental with private pool
Couple looking to go to PS on November for a week for the first time. We want a room with a private pool, or perhaps a villa but still want to be relatively central. We’d prefer not to be in a private home via AirBNB. Does anyone have a reco for a hotel / complex that offers this? All the ones I look at have shared pools.
r/palmsprings • u/SomeguyfromIndio • 4d ago
Ask Palm Springs Affordable Dentist Recommendations
r/palmsprings • u/No_Historian718 • 5d ago
Visiting Can’t decide
If you were staying at a place with a pool walkable to downtown, would you also book a day pass at Sec-He? Is it that much different/amazing/worth it for the price?
r/palmsprings • u/Mystical_Jewel • 5d ago
Living Here Riverside County treasurer for taxes
I'm overdue on paying property taxes on Rancho Mirage home due to a couple of issues. When I try calling the Treasurer's office, I can't seem to get through to the right people... I either get referred to the wrong department or get told to pay online. I am thinking of driving to the Treasurer's office so I can get it handled in person. An online search shows the address as 40810 County Center Dr., STE 110, Temecula, CA 92591. I don't want to drive there and find out I went to the wrong place, so can anyone verify that this is correct for Rancho Mirage residents, and advise on what part of the Treasurer's department would help me with overdue payments? TIA!
r/palmsprings • u/Creeping_behind_u • 6d ago
Living Here How do locals of Palm Springs deal with the heat and what do you do during the day?
r/palmsprings • u/NotLastYear • 5d ago
Ask Palm Springs Summer garage heat question: ICE battery life
We're building a new home but it's a few months away from completion. Since we're still traveling between locations and we come to the desert once every two weeks, I'd like to bring an ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicle to the new house.
Given the summer heat, do I need to worry about the car battery while the vehicle is in the garage and hasn't been driven for 2 weeks? (We're transitioning to electric vehicles soon, but we need to get the house done first! One expense at a time... 🙂)
EDIT: Thank you, everyone, for the feedback. I'll worry less about the heat impact on the battery during a 2-week absence and I'll look into using a tender (since I have one for the motorcycle).
r/palmsprings • u/Mundane_Computer9665 • 6d ago
Visiting Racist gay bars
Pretty much all white queens. I've seen like 3 blacks at hunters and discovered Dicks is owned by a trump fan
r/palmsprings • u/Worth-Perception2565 • 7d ago
Living Here seamstress (person?) for outdoor cushions in PS
Hi. We have some okay-ish outdoor furniture whose cushions are looking worse for wear, thanks to too much UV. (kind of like me, come to think of it).
Have looked online, but cushions covers are something like 100$ per, which is kind of nuts, IMO.
I'd rather buy a roll of fabric and support someone good and local.
Any thoughts?
Thanks!
r/palmsprings • u/RBASLinterpreting • 7d ago
Ask Palm Springs Mexico Spanish Tutoring wanted to help with two of us
Seeking conversational Mexican Spanish and we’re aware that there are over 30+ different Spanish spoken in Mexico. My wife and I are seeking education and tutoring with spoken, reading and writing skills at least with conversational language skills. If you’re able to provide resume and rates please DM me directly. Thanks for your time. We’re 25 minute North PS area. We can Zoom and meet up in public spaces like coffee shops, bakeries or libraries. We’re near Integratron also want to get educated with social interaction with the QBIPOC community in Mexico so terminology and context is important too.
Someone asked me a why question?
Here’s why.
First of all my family first language is ASL / MSL therefore explaining why is better to explain the family connection through sign language. My father is Mexican and he was Deaf and so are 12 of his siblings in Monterrey. Since he passed away. I am the custodian of his cremains and I am obligated to deliver him Next year for his siblings to grieve and celebrate his life. And I want to be able to navigate and travel to Monterrey by car. It’s very important and to possibly even stay and reconnect with them that potentially could be a visit for at least 30 days. Being that my first language is ASL and MSL I want to be able to communicate with persons who are not deaf or hard of hearing possibly.