Palm Springs
USA

Palm Springs

Photo by Taylor Simpson on Unsplash

Destination Overview

Gorgeous mountains, trendy boutiques, great restaurants, cactus forests and a hip sense of California cool…a honeymoon in Palm Springs means surrendering to the trendy vibe this region exudes and soaking in the laid-back tranquility of this beautiful region.

Outdoorsy couples will love the hiking trails cutting across the area’s pristine mountains and canyons, and shopaholics could spend all day downtown browsing the cool downtown area, where the streets are lined with vintage fashion shops, upscale galleries, antique outlets and consignment stores where bargains beckon. Play some golf, go for a swim, explore the desert on horseback or just chill out in town and soak up the beauty!

Downtown Palm Springs transforms into a craft and art festival every Thursday, when dealers take their shops to the streets with live music topping off the funky mood. Saturdays there’s a farmer’s market with local goods and artisan foods where couples can literally get a taste of the l0cal flavor.

Whether you come for its beautiful year-round natural playground, the hip downtown or the cool hotels and dining, a honeymoon in Palm Springs ain’t just for “California Girls.” Funky fun, beautiful scenery, the stylish downtown area and of course the world-famous California weather make Palm Springs a great honeymoon choice!

Down in the Coachella Valley you can enjoy the Coachella Music Festival, which attracts top national and international music acts each year and more than 250,000 music fans. There’s also Modernism Week, an 11-day event dedicated to modern art, as well as the Joshua Tree Music Festival and Palm Springs International Film Festival. Needless to say, there’s always something going on in the sunny city.

LGBTQIA+ Inclusivity
Considering that about half of Palm Springs’ population is estimated to be in the LGBTQIA+ community, Palm Springs has become one of the nation’s most revered cities for the community. The city’s 350+ days of sunshine make it a paradise for soaking up the sun’s rays, and there’s no better place to do that than at the city’s clothing-optional gay resorts and gay-owned properties that prioritize inclusivity. When the sun goes down, the city springs to life with lively nightclubs that keep the beat going into the early hours of the morning.

Annual events include The Dinah, which ranks among the largest lesbian dance parties in the world, and the large Pride festival known as Cathedral City LGBT Days. The laid-back city welcomes anyone and everyone, so LGBTQIA+ honeymooners will feel right at home.

About Palm Springs

At a Glance

  • The city might predate Instagram, but the variety of backdrops makes it seem like it was built for it! Incredible public art displays, modern architecture, and nature at its finest are all ideal for the perfect honeymoon photos.
  • Art lovers will find themselves in heaven thanks to acclaimed museums like the Palm Springs Art Museum, Modernism Museum, The Pit, Architecture and Design Center, and the architecturally-stunning Cabot’s Pueblo Museum.
  • Indulge in a relaxing spa day at one of the city’s many spas and salons. The city prides itself on being a destination for health and wellness, so you’ll find any kind of treatment you could possibly imagine.
  • Opened in 1963, the Palm Springs Tramway remains the largest rotating aerial tramway on earth. Lovebirds will revel in the stunning vistas as they soar high above the scenery.
  • More than 500 animals across 150 species call the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens home. The 1200-acre non-profit zoo and botanical garden are perfect for a quiet afternoon.
  • Whether you explore Indian Canyons on foot or by horseback, the rolling hills and beautiful palm trees will take your breath away.
  • Though the trails are mostly shaded, you’ll definitely want to experience the rising sun more than the setting sun!

Honeymoon Hints

  • If you’d like to share your honeymoon with your four-legged friend, Palm Springs is the place to do it! There are dozens of dog-friendly restaurants and accommodations so that you can all celebrate together.
  • There are all types of tours for enjoying the local sights, from Jeep desert adventures to informative art tours.
  • Try your luck at the 24-hour Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs. You’ve already won the jackpot with your new spouse, so why not see if it will continue!
  • The consistently sunny weather makes outdoor dining a must. From casual eateries to romantic sunset restaurants, let your tastebuds guide you to the best restaurants in the city.
  • Be sure to bring some spending money as the boutique shops that line the downtown streets will be calling your name.

Travel Tips

  • GETTING THERE: If traveling by air, Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) is your best bet. The airport is serviced by major airlines like American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, and United, with direct flights from major cities across the U.S. Canadian and other international travelers will find plenty of flights daily, as well.
  • GETTING AROUND: As the city is pedestrian-friendly and relatively compact, a rental car is not necessary to enjoy the best that Palm Springs has to offer. Ubers and rental bikes are quite common, and the public bus service offers additional options.
  • WHEN TO GO: Temperatures can exceed 100 degrees in the summer months, so the most popular time for tourism is between January and April. Expect warm temperatures in the 70s and 80s during the day and brisk evenings in the 40s and 50s. But with only a few days of rain each year, the decision is up to you!
  • WEATHER: Considering that the city averages 350 days of sunshine each year, it is far-and-away one of the sunniest locations in the United States. Warm temperatures mean that pools are open year-round, so only the summer heat may be a travel consideration for some.