Palm Springs, California, is a beautiful and inviting, vacation destination for sun seekers to enjoy year-round, but those who head this way over the 4th of July will find the opportunities to create truly memorable moments abound! Palm City is a place that knows how to celebrate and an Independence Day enjoyed here comes with access to a wide variety of activities, events, and attractions that emphasize a festive ambiance at every turn. Whether you’re one for fireworks, fantastic food, yard games, music, or the best of it all, you’ll find everything you’re looking for and more this July 4th in Palm Springs.
Take Part in Sunrise Park Celebrations This 4th of July
There’s no shortage of options for family-friendly fun and entertainment this 4th of July when you set your sights on time well-spent at Sunrise Park in Palm Springs. Located at 480 S. Sunrise Way, Sunrise Park spans 38 acres of terrain dedicated to great views and recreational activities, and over Independence Day, it’s transformed into a central hub for celebration. Starting at 3:00 pm, the Palm Springs Swim Center, located right in the heart of Sunrise Park, will open to the public for a Fourth of July pool party that’s always packed with high energy and refreshing fun! You can easily come for a quick swim before heading out in the name of more holiday adventure or stick around and choose to watch fireworks right from the water in the evening hours, depending on your preference. At 4:30 pm, Sunrise Park will be hosting an all-stars collegiate POWER baseball game prior to the fireworks this year as well. The gates for this experience open at 4:30 pm, and the game officially gets underway at 6:00 pm. At 7:00 pm, a free park concert will be hosted at Sunrise Park for those who are looking to enjoy great entertainment before the dazzling fireworks display at 9:30 pm. Feel free to bring your chair or blankets and settle in for a day and evening of amazing performances, fun, and thrills that are sure to inspire.
Infuse Even More Fun into Your Palm Springs Getaway
When you’re hoping to add as many 4th of July activities to your itinerary as possible this year in Palm Springs, you won’t have to travel far to do exactly that. In nearby Palm Desert, there’s yet another fantastic Independence Day celebration that happens each year right in the heart of Civic Center Park. Make sure you’ve settled in by 7:30 pm at the park’s amphitheater when you’d like to enjoy a free concert of patriotic musical favorites. At 9:00 pm, the fireworks are set off overhead and guests are treated to a 20-minute display complete with synchronized music you have options to tune into on local radio stations. It’s a family-friendly gathering that’s fun, accessible, and always a great celebration in the Coachella Valley year after year.
Cool off in Style This Independence Day
Summer temperatures may be inevitably on the rise over the 4th of July in Palm Springs, but over at the Berger Foundation Iceplex, things take a turn for the cool and refreshing this time of year. On July 4 between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm, the local ice plex opens its doors to Independence Day revelers looking to cool off in style! They will be hosting a public skate session which will come complete with themed refreshments to enjoy, fun games to participate in, and contests on the ice too. Attendees are encouraged to wear red, white, and blue, and doing so might just lead to a free skate rental upon arrival.
Check Out the Festivities in Indio
A Palm Springs 4th of July getaway means you never have to travel far to embrace the best of festivities across the Coachella Valley this time of year. Over in Indio, the annual Independence Day Block Party will be in full swing between 5:00 pm and 10:00 pm right in the heart of downtown. There’s no cost to attend this exciting community event which includes fantastic food, live music, refreshing beverages, and family-fun activities for guests of all ages.
Book Your Palm Springs Getaway Today
Finding time in a busy schedule to treat yourself to a trip to Palm Springs any time of year is always worth your while. Whether you’re heading this way in the name of 4th of July fun or looking forward to a vacation in another season, booking a luxurious rental through the team at Ryson Vacations is step one in your unforgettable journey. Let us help you get settled into a luxury retreat that’s close to all the places you can’t wait to explore, while offering up access to amazing amenities, features, and furnishings too. Reach out today to learn more about our exciting property options available and how we can help you make more of every moment you’re in Palm Springs this year.
Palm Springs, California is an oasis of fun, adventure, relaxation, and sunshine no matter what time of year you happen to arrive. This year, consider making your way in this direction alongside those you love most over Memorial Day! Whether you’re looking forward to amazing flavor, meaningful ceremonies, or time in the great outdoors, a Memorial Day in Palm Springs has something for everyone to enjoy in 2025.
Enjoy Great Holiday Weather
When you find yourself in Palm Springs over Memorial Day, you’ll typically be treated to warm weather that provides every opportunity to make as much as you can of your time in the great outdoors. By midday this time of year, average highs typically linger around 95 degrees Fahrenheit, which is most certainly hot, but far from the midday temperatures you can expect in this area by the time summer rolls in. It’s a wonderfully pleasant time to be in Palm Springs, especially if you have a passion for time spent in nature.
Attend the Meaningful and Memorable Flower Drop at the Palm Springs Air Museum
Year after year, the Palm Springs Air Museum is recognized as a top aviation museum on the map. This is thanks to its comprehensive collection of exhibits and displays that feature vintage World War II aircraft as well as aircraft used during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Over Memorial Day, the Palm Springs Air Museum also hosts an annual flower drop that’s well worth attending when you’re in town. The event typically begins with a memorial service to honor local military members followed by a flower drop. The flower drop is performed by a vintage warbird which sends red and white carnations cascading over the crowd from above. You’re free to gather these flowers and take them with you in commemoration of the experience. The museum also serves up food and beverages afterward, and live music is part of the holiday experience here too.
Soar to New Heights on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
When you can’t wait to enjoy a new vantage point over Palm Springs this Memorial Day, don’t leave a ride up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway off your list. This rotating gondola moves 6,000 feet up the cliffs of Chino Canyons while making its way toward Mount Jacinto State Park. The vistas are truly stunning along the way and just as breathtaking from the observation points at the summit. This is a family-friendly activity you’ll want a camera in hand for that could end up being a true highlight of your Memorial Day adventures together in Palm Springs.
Book a Jeep Tour of the San Andreas Fault and find Your Memorial Day Thrills
Taking advantage of those great Memorial Day temperatures in Palm Springs means making the most of time on a Jeep tour of the San Andreas Fault while you’re here. Thrill seekers are sure to love this backcountry adventure that’s packed with incredible scenery and one-of-a-kind views as you off-road your way to amazing sightseeing opportunities alongside your guide. This tour is also filled with fascinating facts and information about local wildlife, plant life, and the history of the surrounding geology you’re sure to encounter along the way.
Visit the Sunnylands Center and Gardens with Family and Friends
If history and architecture are what get your heart pounding, there’s no reason not to include a visit to the Sunnyland Center and Gardens in your Memorial Day getaway to Palm Springs this year. This retreat originally belonged to Walter and Leonore Annenberg and today, remains an authentic testament to mid-century design. When you’re not touring the estate that hosted entertainers like Frank Sinatra and a long lineup of U.S. presidents too, you can make the most of touring the gorgeous gardens, which span about 9 acres of terrain in total.
Dine at Copley’s on Palm Canyon
Your Memorial Day getaway to Palm Springs should most definitely include fantastic flavor, and when you’re looking for an elegant place to enjoy an amazing meal, Copley’s on Palm Canyon promises to impress. You’ll find this upscale eatery at 621 N Palm Canyon Drive, and dinner is served daily between 5:30 pm and 9:00 pm with a reservation in place. Copley’s on Palm Canyon stands out in a crowd thanks to its history as part of the former Cary Grant estate. Today, it’s an elegant place for a date night or dinner with friends where you can enjoy everything from organic chicken schnitzel and sesame seared tofu to roasted half Muscovy duck, roasted pancetta swordfish, or Colorado lamb T-bone, to name a few of many mouthwatering options on the menu.
Book Your Palm Springs Getaway in Style Today
Now is exactly the right time to make sure you have your Memorial Day travel plans in place for time enjoyed in Palm Springs. This year, make sure you partner with Ryson Vacations when it’s time to book beautiful accommodations that keep you close to the fun while infusing world-class comfort, luxury, and style into your getaway as well. Reach out today to learn more about our many options and to begin turning your travel plans into reality. We look forward to seeing you in California soon!
Easter is a wonderful time of year to gather your family and friends and enjoy time away somewhere scenic and exciting. This year, consider packing your suitcase and making your way to sunny Palm Springs, California for an unforgettable holiday adventure! Whether you’re one for time outside, amazing flavors, or world-class entertainment, the options are seemingly endless when it comes to customizing your stay. When you’re ready to get your 2025 Easter Palm Springs getaway on the books, planning your amazing trip begins here.
Pair Music and Flavor in Palm Springs This Easter
For many travelers, Easter isn’t quite complete without a delicious brunch experience included, and in Palm Springs, the flavor you’re looking forward to enjoying can be paired with incredible entertainment in 2025. Consider attending the Easter Gospel Brunch at PS Underground this year when a multi-course brunch experience would hit the spot, and hand-clapping gospel music would take the experience over the top! PS underground is located at 1700 South Camino Real in Palm Springs and the delicious and entertaining fun gets underway between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm on April 20. Guests are invited to wear their Easter best with a bonnet included as Keisha D. and her gospel jazz collective take to the stage while you dine in holiday style. This is a performance that’s sure to have you on your feet when you aren’t savoring the amazing buffet flavors available. Tickets to the event begin at $99 per person and can easily be purchased online in advance.
Add a Family-Friendly Easter Brunch and Easter Bunny Meet Up to the Holiday Lineup This Year
When your Palm Springs Easter getaway happens as a family in 2025, there’s a good chance you’ll be looking for an opportunity to include a meet-and-greet with the Easter Bunny to the lineup. Fortunately, you won’t have to travel far to find it, as the Palm Desert Community Center will once again be hosting their annual Brunch with the Bunny event on Saturday, April 19, 2025. Beginning, at 9:00 am, families are invited to head over to the Palm Desert Community Center multipurpose room at 43-900 San Pablo Avenue to enjoy a full brunch with the Easter Bunny that includes everything from fruit and muffins to eggs and pancakes. Afterward, there will be photo opportunities available as well as a bunny hop, crafts, games, and more. This event is just $10 per person to enjoy making it a convenient and budget-friendly Easter event to add to the list when you’re in town.
Book Your Place on a Desert Tasty Tour
Palm Springs is packed with savory moments to enjoy and when you head here over Easter, booking your place on a Desert Tasty Tour is a great way to enjoy the best of them all! The team at Desert Tasty Tours runs on a foundation of strolling, savoring, and smiling your way through life. When you book a place on an Easter Weekend food and walking tour of Palm Springs, you’ll enjoy learning more about how local food, history, and architecture in this area go hand-in-hand. Over the course of 3 hours, participants are treated to stops at anywhere from four to six Palm Springs eateries set up with tasting sessions and opportunities to speak with in-house chefs along the way. The culinary vibe is always alive and well in Palm Springs and there’s something special about emphasizing it over Easter. Currently, there are tours open and running April 18 and 19, leading right up to Easter day, and tickets start at $99 per person with options to book private tours available too, depending on preference.
Take a Holiday Hike in Good Company
On a typical Easter in Palm Springs, visitors can expect daily highs to linger in the upper 80s and evening lows to drop only into the low 60s. That makes this holiday the perfect time of year to enjoy lacing up your hiking boots and hitting the scenic desert trails! Easter is a great time to experience the Tahquitz Canyon Loop for yourself. This is a 2-mile loop that takes about an hour to complete and is rated moderately challenging. You’ll have to conquer no more than a 328-foot elevation gain overall, and the big reward is often the waterfall included for viewing along the way. Arriving early is always recommended for easy parking at the trailhead, but no matter when you arrive, you’ll want to be sure to have your camera in hand to capture the special holiday moments outdoors.
Book Your Incredible Easter Getaway in Style Today
Make sure your Easter getaway to Palm Springs in 2025 includes the luxurious accommodations you deserve by booking your stay through Ryson Vacations. Reach out today to learn more about our incredible selection of options available to enjoy, including our Easter rentals that will take your trip to the next level of excellence. We can’t wait to see you in sunny Southern California soon!
Adventurers from across the map make their way to Palm Springs all year long for a long list of inviting reasons. While some come for the California sunshine, others come for the upscale shopping and dining experience paired with easy access to outdoor thrills. Here, history buffs and those looking for modern marvels find reasons to return time and again and visitors who come for the views are sure to be impressed too. That said, it’s hard to top a trip this way when Valentine’s Day rolls around and you’re looking for a place where spoiling your loved one to amazing moments is a breeze. When you can’t wait to make the most of the fun for yourself, the following Palm Springs Valentine’s Day activities and experiences are well worth adding to your list this February.
Dine in French-Inspired Style at Cuistot
Even in the heart of Palm Springs, travelers heading this way for Valentine’s Day can embrace the best of French cuisine when they make reservations for a romantic meal enjoyed at Cuistot. Located at 72597 El Paseo, Cuistot is helmed by Chef Bernard Dervieux who brings the flavors of his native France to life for patrons in an elegant dining room with beautiful views and an impressive wine list to match. Whether you end up going for the three-course experience or you dine a la carte, your tastebuds are in for a treat. The menu here features everything from grilled filet of beef and duck breast to pork tenderloin medallions, angel hair pasta with shrimp, and steak frites to name just a few of many. Pick and choose between dining indoors or outside at sunset because in Palm Springs, you always have warm weather on your side on Valentine’s Day!
Indulge Your Shared Love of Art
Palm Springs is a place where you’ll find there’s no shortage of flavor over Valentine’s Day, but it’s also a destination where you can easily build creatively inspired moments into your itinerary for two on February 14. A great way to embrace a shared love of art while you’re here this time of year is to book a couple’s session at Silica Studios. This inviting stop is found in Old Town Artisan Studios in nearby La Quinta and is a one-stop hub for private classes where you can learn how to create pottery ranging from vases and mugs to bowls or something more abstract if you choose to. Your instructor will guide you through the process step by step and by the time you leave, you’ll have a one-of-a-kind commemorative gift to remember your experience by.
Enjoy a Spectacular Performance Together
For the couple who loves music and finds themselves in Palm Springs over Valentine’s Day, it’s always worth your while to enjoy a performance by the Palm Springs Philharmonic while you’re here. This impressive orchestra typically performs twice a month at the McCallum Theatre in nearby Palm Desert, and never fails to offer up an evening of stunning musical stylings you won’t soon forget.
Explore the Great Outdoors
While other destinations across the map contend with cold and potentially even snow on Valentine’s Day, February in Palm Springs is generally sunny, warm, and inviting instead! That means there’s no reason for couples who share a love for the great outdoors not to lace up their boots, pack their bags, and hit the trails together during their stay. A top-rated trail to explore together this time of year is the Andreas Canyon trail at Indian Canyons. This route offers couples a 2-mile hike to enjoy that takes you right through the heart of the historic Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians tribal grounds. The surrounding vegetation is gorgeous and there’s always a good chance for spotting wildlife along the way.
The Araby Trail is another terrific route to consider when you’re looking for even more of a challenge and feel up to conquering 6-miles of gorgeous desert terrain together. You can access the route via the Rimcrest/Southridge development, and you’ll want to take time to admire the breathtaking views out over Palm Springs as you climb higher and higher along the way.
If you’re looking for something even more unique to add to your Valentine’s Day lineup, consider booking your place together on a night hike alongside a guide through the Friends of the Desert Mountains. After the sun goes down, you’ll head out with your local expert on a guided night hike on trails that typically take you through La Quinta or Rancho Mirage depending on the experience you prefer to enjoy. Either way, you’ll be treated to sensational stargazing that’s top-notch and makes for a truly unforgettable trek.
Book Your Valentine’s Day Stay Today
At Ryson Vacations, we know what a big difference the right accommodations can make when it comes to planning an exceptional trip to Palm Springs. When you’re ready to turn your Valentine’s Day travel plans into a reality, let our team help you find the luxurious home-away-from-home you deserve to enjoy while you’re here. Reach out today to learn more!
2025 is well on its way to becoming a reality, and this New Year’s, there’s no better place to find yourself celebrating in style and good company than sunny Palm Springs, California. Whether you’re someone who loves to be in the heart of high-energy fun, or you’re looking to get into nature and start the new year off surrounded by thrilling scenery, you’ll find New Year’s in Palm Springs is packed with options to customize your holiday according to your travel style.
Head Over to the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens with the Entire Family
When you make plans to enjoy time in Palm Springs with the entire family in tow this New Year’s, you’ll want to make time on the itinerary for a stop at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens while you’re in the area. This stop is always as insightful and educational as it is engaging and fun for all ages! Here, you can enjoy viewing wildlife from around the globe as well as stunning landscapes and gardens featuring desert ecosystems at their most vibrant. When you make your way in this direction over New Year’s, you’ll be right on time to catch the end of the annual Wild Lights event as well. Each year, this holiday event gets bigger and brighter and 2024 is no exception. Purchasing tickets to this evening experience means you’ll have access to seeing the zoo transformed into a magical place packed with over three million twinkling holiday lights, twinkling tunnels to explore, and full animal light displays to check out. It’s a fascinating holiday spectacle at the end of each year that comes with delicious treats included, great photo backdrops to snap pictures in front of, and plenty of reasons to linger and celebrate the arrival of a new year in Southern California.
Enjoy New Year’s Fun with Agua Caliente Casinos
This year in Palm Springs, the Agua Caliente Casino will once again be hosting a festive, fun, and entertaining evening of activities for those who drop by to see 2024 off and welcome 2025 in with style. While the Palm Springs location will be hosting a high-energy outdoor block party complete with live entertainment, fireworks, and more, over at the Rancho Mirage location, you can enhance the evening as well with a performance by KC & The Sunshine Band at The Show. This performance is one that invites attendees to move and grove their way into a brand-new year alongside family and friends as this musical powerhouse rocks the stage with signature songs like “Get Down Tonight,” and “Shake Your Booty.” Be a part of more than 50 years of chart-topping success while enjoying a vibrant atmosphere this New Year’s Eve near Palm Springs.
Dine at Lavender Bistro
When you’ve made that resolution to spend New Year’s in Palm Springs, you can add a delicious New Year’s Eve dinner to your list when you make a reservation to dine at Lavender Bistro. Located at 78073 Calle Barcelona in nearby La Quinta, Lavender Bistro is known and loved for hosting a New Year’s Eve feast that often includes a mouthwatering collection of festive dishes and drinks. You can pick and choose between indoor or outdoor dining options on the garden patio, and they also have a private dining room that can be booked for groups on special occasions. The menu here has earned a reputation for excellence around its modern California-inspired dishes ranging from meat and fish to pasta too. Be sure to bring your appetite and book your place in advance as this eatery tends to fill up quickly on New Year’s Eve with good reason.
There’s More to Enjoy in Palm Springs this New Year’s
Beyond the New Year’s Eve options for celebration across Palm Springs, a trip this way during this time of year means you can fill your itinerary with added fun and activities too. Make time for a scenic trip up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and enjoy views out over the Coachella Valley floor as you climb 8,516 feet up in rotating gondola style. If you’re someone who is looking to start their new year off in a healthy way, January is a beautiful time of year to add hiking adventures to your list. Places like Indian Canyons can be accessed just 5 miles south of Palm Springs and pair stunning desert beauty with rich area history along the way.
Book Your Stay Today
Now is an amazing time to begin turning those Palm Springs New Year’s travel plans into the reality you deserve to enjoy. Make sure that when you do, you have incredible accommodations in place to enjoy during your stay as well that you’ve booked through Ryson Vacations. Reach out to our team today to learn more about our luxurious property options available and how we can help you make it a New Year’s in Palm Springs to remember.
When the festive season is on the horizon, the holidays are the ideal time of year to pack up the family and head to Palm Springs, California in the name of fun and adventure. In Palm Springs, it’s an easy thing to leave all thoughts of falling snow and dropping temperatures behind because daily highs throughout December typically linger in the 70s with plenty of sunshine included! While Palm Springs is always packed with incredible activities, attractions, entertainment, and history to discover no matter when you arrive, a holiday trip this way comes with the benefit of lights, décor, seasonal events, and more. There’s a good chance that no matter what you add to your lineup, you’re going to want to capture those special moments together on camera. When you’re looking for where to take family holiday Palm Springs photos this year, the following list is a great starting point.
Snap a Photo or Two on El Paseo
El Paseo is always a treat to explore but during the holiday season, this glitzy area takes the illuminating effect to greater heights. Throughout the festive season, the towering palm trees located along the principal shopping street of El Paseo are strung with holiday lights from top to bottom! When the sun goes down, this makes for an incredible photo backdrop for your family to gather in front of and snap some amazing angles on the area and of course, those you love most. If you head over here closer to sunset when the lights have just come on, but the mountain silhouettes are still visible against the sky, you’ll get an even more dramatic photographic effect for your holiday snapshot.
Attend the Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade
Since the early 1990s, the Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade has been delighting locals and visitors alike looking for a reason to embrace the beauty and fun of the holiday season. This annual parade is always hosted on the first Saturday in December and is a family-friendly affair that as originally designed to bring the community together and celebrate in style. Since its initial kick off, the parade has only continued to grow in popularity and today, it includes dancers, marching bands, festive floats, music, horses, and visits by Mickey and Minnie Mouse as well as Snoopy, Santa, and Mrs. Claus. The Macy’s style balloons are always a highlight of the parade and offer up a fantastic and impressive backdrop for fun family holiday photos in Palm Springs. Bring your entire crew and get a great spot early so you can enjoy the fun while also getting the best angle on it all through the camera.
Check Out Wild Lights
You won’t have to go far from Palm Springs to find yet another fantastic opportunity for taking great family holiday photos at the Wild Lights event held each year at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert. This event runs separately from general admission, so you’ll want to be sure to purchase your select night tickets in advance. When you arrive, you’ll be treated to mesmerizing holiday light tunnels to explore paired with holiday music and impressive seasonal displays that illuminate the night alongside life-size animal lanterns. It’s an event everyone in your family is sure to love and a great place to take your time and set up just the right backdrop to fit your needs and preferences for that annual holiday photo.
Infuse the Best of Palm Springs into your Holiday Photo Ops
While there are plenty of places and events across Palm Springs during the holidays that make it easy to infuse seasonal inspiration into your family photo, those who are looking to make the most of a quintessential Palm Springs vibe this holiday season will find that’s within easy reach too. Consider heading over to the neighborhood around Indian Canyons when you want to take a photo of your family this holiday season that showcases the best of that gorgeous mid-century architecture Palm Springs hosts so well. Each cul-de-sac in this neighborhood features beautiful and meticulous desert landscaping as well as homes that speak to intricate architectural details. It’s also packed with towering palms and surrounding mountains that create a dynamic backsplash for the moment you’re looking to capture on camera.
Take a Trip Up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway with a Camera in Hand
For a new view of Palm Springs this holiday season and a great opportunity to get a one-of-a-kind family photo, consider taking a trip up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. This is the world’s largest rotating tram car and as you travel the 2.5 miles up over the Chino Canyon, you’ll be treated to Mt. San Jacinto State Park views from a bird’s eye view that makes for a thrilling photo backdrop. The journey only takes about 10 minutes so if you don’t capture just the right view from the tram itself, you’ll have opportunities to take photos at the top at observation points overlooking the valley floor at 8,516 feet in elevation.
Book Your Palm Springs Journey Today
Elevate your holiday stay in Palm Springs in impeccable style when you book your vacation rental through Ryson Vacations. Reach out today to learn more about our exciting property options and how we can help you make it a festive getaway to remember in California!
For some, the arrival of winter and the cold and snow it brings with it is something to look forward to each year. For others, it’s the sure sign of the season to head out of town and set their sights on sunnier horizons. When you find yourself falling into the latter category, and you’re looking for a place to enjoy a winter stay that’s warm, sunny, and endlessly inviting, Palm Springs, California checks every box on that list. No matter how long you have despair in the name of getaway fun, heading to Palm Springs in the wintertime is always a great option. Whether you’re in town to soak up the sunshine, or you’re looking to make the most of festive holiday entertainment, the following winter events in Palm Springs are sure to make your getaway truly magical.
Check Out the Festival of Lights Parade
A great winter event that’s always highly anticipated in Palm Springs is the annual Festival of Lights Parade. This family-friendly gathering is typically hosted toward the beginning of December, and often kicks off around 6:00 PM along Palm Canyon Drive, right in the heart of Palm Springs. You’ll want to show up early to make sure you get a great spot and the best views. When you do, you’ll find that the effort was worth your while! This winter parade is known and loved by locals and visitors alike for its vibrant performances, highlighted marching bands, and special attendees like Mickey and Minnie who are sure to thrill the littlest ones in your traveling crew. From the floats and the music to the fantastic fare, the Festival of Lights Parade is one you simply won’t want to miss this year.
Wintertime Holiday Dining with a Bird’s Eye View
No matter when you make your way to Palm Springs in the name of vacation fun, a trip up the iconic Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is essential. It’s earned the title of the world’s largest rotating tram car and the views you’ll enjoy as you travel the two and a half miles up the cliffs overlooking the Chino Canyon are nothing less than breathtaking. The tram transports passengers to the higher elevation wilderness of the Mt. San Jacinto State Park and it’s here that over the holidays, you can pair your ride with a delicious winter dish at the Pines Café. This one-of-a-kind eatery is traditionally open until 8:00 pm on weekdays and until 8:30 pm on the weekends. The setting is cafeteria style, and you’ll find everything from salads and wraps to sandwiches within easy reach. This casual dining experience is open to visitors on Christmas Day when you can purchase a ride and dine ticket and enjoy a meal here between 11:00 am and 8:00 pm.
Experience the Winter Light Show and Santa Fly-In for Yourself in Palm Springs
When a little holiday magic would go a long way toward your winter fun in Palm Springs, adding a stop at the Palm Springs Air Museum this time of year is always the right choice. In mid-December, the Palm Springs Air Museum hosts the annual Winter Light Show and Santa Fly-In which brings families out in droves to enjoy seeing the museum transformed into a “winter wonderland,” right in the heart of sunny California. During the event, 60 tons of authentic snow are dropped around the museum between 6:00 pm and 9:00 pm and Santa makes an appearance too for a meet-and-greet with little ones. There’s a holiday train to enjoy, s’mores to cook over outdoor firepits, and food trucks set up for any other cravings that might come calling as you explore. This is a wonderful opportunity for seasonal photos and there are plenty of cookies and hot chocolate to go around. After you watch Santa fly in with the snow, you can head over to the craft and holiday shopping area set up inside the Miles Hangar.
Attend the Wild Lights Holiday Festival
Your winter getaway to Palm Springs puts you within easy reach of the annual Wild Lights Holiday Festival over at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert. Hosted on select nights between November and December, this event typically runs from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm and is a chance to explore displays that combine millions of twinkling holiday lights with animal-inspired lanterns too. The illuminating result is sure to inspire, and you won’t want to miss admiring the 30-foot holiday tree that works as a centerpiece of the event. From the tunnel of lights to stroll through to the s’mores stations and holiday carousel, Wild Lights might just end up being the highlight of your winter trip.
Book Your Winter Getaway to Palm Springs Today
When a winter getaway to Palm Springs is calling your name, the team at Ryson Vacations has the accommodations you need to infuse luxury, comfort, and style into every day of your stay. Reach out today to learn more and to start planning!
When the holidays come around once again, some look forward to a Christmas season filled with snow. Others are more drawn to opportunities to head out and enjoy a place that’s packed with sunshine in December and when this sounds like you, Palm Springs, California is certainly the place to be! Boasting daily highs in the 70s through the end of the year, a trip this way over the holidays is one filled with warm weather fun at every turn. That said, it’s also a city that knows how to deck the halls when it comes to setting up fabulous Christmas lights and displays for locals and visitors alike to enjoy. When you’re excited to add some holiday light admiring to your to-do list, make sure the following Palm Springs CA Christmas stops sit at the top of your itinerary.
Enjoy the Exciting Palm Springs Festival of Lights
One of the most highly anticipated annual events around Christmastime in Palm Springs that takes holiday illumination to the next level of excellence is the Palm Springs Festival of Lights. This is an experience that began back in the early 1990s at the hands of former Mayor Will Kleindienst and continues to be a fan-favorite moment on the holiday calendar today. It’s typically hosted on the first Saturday in December and is a unique tourism event downtown featuring a parade with everything from giant balloons and groups of performers to marching bands and signature floats dripping in thousands of holiday lights. The parade often gets underway around 5:45 pm and lasts until around 8:00 pm. The Palm Springs Festival of Lights is designed to inspire holiday spirit in everyone who attends and continues to be a beloved local tradition that brings thousands of attendees to the Coachella Valley in December each year. There’s no cost to attend the Palm Springs Festival of Lights, making it a great addition to your itinerary when you’re in town with the entire family in tow.
El Paseo Comes to Life in Illuminated Style at Christmas
A popular place to take a stroll near Palm Springs when you’re looking to enjoy traditional holiday lights and Christmas displays at their very best is El Paseo in nearby Palm Desert. While this area is a top-rated shopping and dining stop in the area on any day of the year, around Christmas, the storefronts are decked out in illuminated style much to the delight of passerby’s. Even the local palm trees get treated to layers of lights, so when dusk falls, the entire street is aglow for the holidays! It’s a beautiful scene to set your sights on whether you’re dropping by to do some last-minute shopping or you’re exclusively here for the incredible display of holiday décor.
Embrace the Best of the Holiday Spirit Along Candy Cane Lane
Over in nearby Cathedral City, the area fondly referred to as Candy Cane Lane is yet another must-visit location to enjoy when holiday travel plans bring you to Palm Springs. Candy Cane Lane sees Minerva Lane transformed into a full-fledged homage to the holiday spirit as every house on the block is decorated from top to bottom in lights, displays, and whimsical Christmas attire. You’ll find Candy Cane Lane covering a single city block between Avenida La Vista and Tachevah Drive and you’ll want to plan on walking through due to the crowds that head this way after sunset. It’s a great place to enjoy the lights with kids, and it doesn’t take too long to navigate making it great for visitors of all ages.
Experience Wildlights with the Entire Family
Pair wild encounters and holiday fun at the annual Wildlights event in Palm Desert this year alongside family and friends. When you make your way over to the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens on select evenings throughout December, you’ll be treated to a dazzling display of lights that cover the venue and provide guests with festive photo opportunities at every turn. The event typically runs from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm and requires a separate ticket from general admission to be purchased in advance. With a ticket in hand, you and your crew can enjoy walking a space saturated in more than three million holiday lights at a time. There are animal-inspired holiday displays to explore and illuminated tunnels and trains to check out as well. When cravings come calling, make time to drop by the s’mores station before taking in some live entertainment.
Book Your Palm Springs Getaway Today
When you’re heading to Palm Springs over the holidays, make sure you have the luxurious accommodations in place you deserve to top off your stay in style by booking through Ryson Vacations. Our impressive portfolio of property options is designed to inspire so take some time to reach out today to learn more and to start planning!
Spending time in Palm Springs is a relaxing and refreshing way to reset in a place filled with sunshine. While Palm Springs is a picture-perfect vacation destination year-round, heading this way over Memorial Day is a wonderful option when you’re looking to get out of town in May and want to make the most of a long weekend. The following are a few of the many options available for enhancing our itinerary when you’re ready to celebrate Memorial Day in Palm Springs this year.
Spend Some Quality Time at the Palm Springs Air Museum
Memorial Day is an important time to reflect on those who have made stunning sacrifices for freedom while working in the military. A great place in town to honor that legacy while you’re here is the Palm Springs Air Museum. Here, you’ll find inspiring aircraft displays ranging from planes that were utilized during World War II, to those that played an important role in the Vietnam and Korean Wars. There are also opportunities to tour a B-17 bomber in an air-conditioned hangar and many of the docents who provide on-site tours have served in the military so they’re able to offer up personalized insight. You can find the Palm Springs Air Museum just 10 minutes from downtown Palm Springs near the Palm Springs International Airport making it an easy addition to any Memorial Day itinerary.
Get Out on the Greens
Memorial Day is a wonderful time to get out on the greens and enjoy a round of golf with family and friends. When you visit Palm Springs this time of year, you’ll find you have easy access to a wide variety of golf courses that are suitable for new golfers and experienced pros alike. Across Palm Springs and nearby Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, La Quinta, and Indian Wells, there are over 100 championship-level golf courses available to enjoy and in Palm Springs, the vast majority are public courses. With 300 days of sunshine on the calendar each year in Palm Springs, there’s very little chance of getting rained out of your game over Memorial Day. Many of the courses here are not only great to play but come with gorgeous surroundings showcasing meticulously maintained fairways as well as beautiful mountains. Start with booking a tee time at PGA West which hosts the American Express Desert Classic when you want to kick off your golf fun on a great note.
Access Artistic Inspiration at the Palm Springs Art Museum
If you’re looking for indoor fun to add to your Memorial Day stay in Palm Springs, the Palm Springs Art Museum is a must. Here, you’ll enjoy a collection of fine art on display as well as exhibits that showcase local natural history. There are also displays dedicated to Native American art and modern art exhibits to check out too. The natural science collection hosts fossils and bones and is a popular stop in the museum among families. After you’ve seen everything indoors, the Palm Springs Art Museum has an outdoor sculpture garden to explore. Be sure to check the event calendar before you head this way in case your visit matches up with one of the many interactive programs that are hosted on-site throughout the year.
Take a Scenic Trip Up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
A new view of the terrain might just be the highlight of your Memorial Day stay in Palm Springs this year when you make time to enjoy it from the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The tramway first opened in 1963 and today hosts the world’s largest rotating aerial tram cars. Suspended from cables, the tramway takes passengers upward like a ski lift toward the mountain summit offering up breathtaking panoramic views along the way. The trip only takes 10 minutes but it’s well worth photographing because your bird’s eye view is one-of-a-kind. Once you reach Chino Canyon at 8,500 feet in elevation, you’ll find yourself at Mountain Station where you can enjoy access to restaurants, observation decks, historical displays, and more than 50 miles of hiking trails if you’re up for trekking your way back to the base.
Visit the Moorten Botanical Gardens
Infuse tranquility and beautiful moments into your Memorial Day stay in Palm Springs by heading over to the Moorten Botanical Gardens while you’re in town. Located on South Palm Canyon Drive, this beautiful space is a great place to stroll through desert plants and cacti that are native to the area and available to enjoy in full bloom. The gardens also operate as a nursery so if you find something you love, there are options to purchase too. Ask for a guided tour to make more of your experience in the gardens.
Book Your Stay Today
Your Palm Springs adventure deserves to be unforgettable and at Ryson Vacations, we help travelers elevate their experience by providing top-of-the-line vacation rental options. Reach out today to learn more about our Memorial Day properties that infuse luxury, comfort, and style into your Palm Springs getaway at every turn.