No matter what time of year you plan a trip to sunny Palm Springs, you’ll find a long list of amazing activities, sights, attractions, and outdoor adventures waiting to be enjoyed. Those who are heading this way in the summertime will find clear blue skies waiting to greet them as well as low chances for rain. However, the city’s sunny reputation means that this time of year comes with rising temperatures as well. In June, the city of Palm Springs sees midday highs heading towards 100 degrees Fahrenheit with evening temperatures dipping into the upper 80s. By July and August, midday highs can reach as high as 108 degrees, with sunset temps still lingering in the 90s. That means when you travel this way this time of year, it’s important to have some Palm Springs summer activities on your itinerary for cooling off when you need to refresh and unwind. The following are a few great ways to beat the heat when summer travel plans bring you this way.
Spend Time Cooling Off at the Palm Springs Art Museum
There’s no better way to balance out warm temperatures with a cool and creative moment than to plan on spending some quality time at the Palm Springs Art Museum when you’re in town. Located at 101 N. Museum Drive, the Palm Springs Art Museum is a great place to immerse yourself in carefully curated collections of sculpture, painting, photography, and contemporary art of all kinds. The museum is open from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm Thursday through Monday and is a place where you’re guaranteed to find air conditioning on full blast in the summer.
Get a New View of It All
Sometimes the best way to beat the heat is to get a new perspective on your surroundings. This is best achieved when you take a ride on the iconic Palm Springs Aerial Tramway when you’re here. This exciting and scenic experience is one that takes you 8,516 feet up the San Jacinto Mountains in good company where you can count on cooler temperatures upon arrival. Enjoy an afternoon of savoring the tramway sights before lingering mountain top and enjoying observation decks, restaurants, museums, and hiking trails that come with higher-altitude comfortable temperatures included.
Take a Home Tour
You can escape the rising temperatures in Palm Springs while still exploring the area’s rich history when you book a place on a home tour. Options to enjoy a guided experience at local places like Sunnylands offer up a trip through a historic estate without having to remain outside the entire time. Instead, you’ll be touring the grounds Palm Springs socialites and celebrities once called home in climate-controlled style. It’s a look at mid-century architecture in the area that surely won’t keep you sweltering.
Visit the Palm Springs Cultural Center
Yet another option for beating the summer heat in Palm Springs is to head over to the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 2300 E. Baristo Road during your stay and enjoy an indie film or two. The center typically hosts an array of films, performances, and exhibits throughout the summer season that can be enjoyed with a healthy dose of air conditioning included in the experience. They’re open from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm so you’re free to linger well into the evening hours when you drop by.
Explore the Palm Springs Air Museum
Situated at 745 N. Gene Autry Trail, the Palm Springs Air Museum is a must-add to your lineup when you’re looking for a place to cool off while still enjoying learning about Palm Springs this summer. The air museum features incredible exhibits to browse on-site featuring aircraft from World War II, the Vietnam War, and the war in Korea as well.
Pop In and Out of Air-Conditioned Shops in Town
In those moments when some retail therapy would go a long way, Palm Springs is a city filled with fantastic shops to explore and many of them come with the benefit of being air-conditioned. Head over to what’s known as the Uptown Design District along Palm Canyon Drive to check out what’s available to purchase at destinations like The Shops at Thirteen Forty Five and Trina Turk. This area is packed with charming boutiques to check out and vintage stores as well. As you move from one to the next, you’ll stay cool, comfortable, and inspired by the possibilities.
Book Your Palm Springs Getaway in Style Today
When you know you want your Palm Spring getaway any time of year to include the elevated standards of luxury, comfort, and style you deserve, the team at Ryson Vacations is here to help make it happen. Reach out to our team today to learn more about our amazing portfolio of rental properties across Palm Springs and how we can help you get settled into a home-away-from-home that’s one-of-a-kind with every booking.
There’s nothing more refreshing or exciting than knowing you have an upcoming trip to scenic Palm Springs, California on the calendar. While this sunny and inviting locale is a lovely place to set your travel sights year-round, a summer vacation in this direction comes with a guaranteed vibrant atmosphere and tons of fun. From the mid-century architecture and sophisticated shops to the fantastic eateries and amazing views, there’s no shortage of options for customized fun. When you’re planning a Palm Springs summer getaway, be sure to keep the following in mind to make it a successful trip from start to finish.
How to Get Here with Ease
If you don’t live close enough to Palm Springs to simply drive in, many travelers make plans to fly into either Los Angeles International Airport or San Diego. From both locations, you can rent a car to use during your stay and make the scenic two-hour drive into the city at your own preferred pace. If you’re looking to maximize your time in Palm Springs and want to fly direct, Palm Springs Airport serves around 11 airlines with itineraries out of Dallas, New York, Boston, Toronto, and San Francisco to name a few.
Getting Around Once You Arrive
When you’re planning a summer getaway to Palm Springs and you have every intention of spending as much time as possible out and about exploring, you’re going to want a rental car to get around. Picking one up at the airport is a breeze and there are options to rent in the city as well. Either way, being able to hop in the car and go whenever you’d like can help you tailor your plans so you can make sure to check every must-see destination off the list while you’re here. Alternatively, if your plans are keeping you exclusively city-center, you can get away with renting a bike for making the most of downtown fun. This is a wonderful choice for enjoying the summer sunshine and exploring at your own pace. Bike rentals can also be paired with local rideshare services like Uber or Lyft if you need to head further out of town on a whim.
Weather Expectations
For those who have a heart for warm-weather locales, Palm Springs in the summer is a dream. That said, it’s good to remember that the city does get extremely hot midday and higher temperatures tend to linger through early fall as well. This means you’ll want to be sure to pack plenty of sunscreen, a sun hat, and sunglasses to make exploring as comfortable as possible. If you have plans to hike at all during your summer stay, early morning outings are a must as well as packing a ton of water for the journey.
Keep an Eye on the Seasonal Event Calendar
If you’re someone who loves to participate in local festivals, events, and gatherings, checking the seasonal event calendar in Palm Springs for summer fun is sure to thrill. This is the time of year that Modernism Week comes to town which is wonderful for those who are design-savvy and have a passion for era-specific architecture. Palm Springs Pride is another summer event to look forward to alongside the iconic Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals. If you plan to attend, be sure to book your place far in advance as these inevitably fill up fast!
Summer Fun Activities to Add to the Itinerary
While Palm Springs has a seemingly endless array of options for fun to boost your summer itinerary, there are a few you won’t want to miss. Be sure to make time for a stop by the scenic Moorten Botanical Garden where you can stroll through desert landscapes and admire plant species of many kinds. If you’re up for a bit of retail therapy, Palm Springs has as many fun vintage shops as it does luxury boutiques. Gypsyland on North Palm Canyon Drive is highly recommended as a starting point. History buffs will enjoy every moment spent at places like Pioneertown where you can step into the authentic Old West and take whimsical photos. The Palm Springs Art Museum is a great place for creative inspiration and if you drop by on a Thursday, admission is free between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. For the best views around, make at least one trip up the incredible Palm Springs Aerial Tramway while you’re in town.
Why You Should Book With Ryson Vacations
Taking time to enjoy Palm Springs is always a good idea and when you need amazing accommodations to top off your stay in style, Ryson Vacations has you covered. Our collection of condos and homes is ideal for solo travelers, couples, and small and large groups alike. We also offer various concierge services, including event celebrations. One of our team members will reach out and ask if you’re celebrating anything special for your Summer vacation: a birthday, an anniversary, or college graduation. You name it. We can throw in some special decorations to your rental to make your stay even more memorable. We’ll even stock your fridge with some yummy treats. Let us sweat it out while you enjoy the cool air of your rental.
Reach out to our team today to learn more about our many rental options to elevate your summer stay in California.