A sunny desert resort in southern California, with palm-lined streets, mid-century houses, pool hotels and mountains rising straight out of the valley. Here's what Palm Springs is like, when to go and how long to stay.
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Temperatures are the average daytime high in °C.
Palm Springs is a winter sun destination. From November to April it's sunny and around 20 to 27°C by day, ideal for pools, hiking and golf, though desert nights are cool. Spring brings wildflowers but also big festivals nearby in April. From June to September daytime highs are often over 40°C, so hotels are cheaper but it's too hot to do much outside.
A rotating cable car climbs to Mount San Jacinto, often 15 to 20 degrees cooler, with snow at the top in winter.
Spiky Joshua trees and giant boulders to scramble on, about an hour's drive away.
Palm oases and streams in canyons on Agua Caliente land, with easy walks for families.
Drive or cycle past the town's famous 1950s and 1960s homes, or take a guided tour.
Day passes at hotel pools and spas, some fed by natural hot mineral water in nearby Desert Hot Springs.
A big collection of old military planes, a good stop for a hot afternoon.
Yes in winter and spring. Families can split their time between pool days, the tramway, easy canyon walks and Joshua Tree. Some hotels are adults-only, so check before you book.
Four or five nights is enough for the town and Joshua Tree. It also makes a relaxing end to a southern California road trip from Los Angeles or San Diego.
Fly into Palm Springs International Airport, a small airport just a few minutes from downtown, with flights from US and Canadian cities. Or fly into Los Angeles and drive about two to three hours.
It helps. Downtown is walkable and there's a free shuttle bus, but you'll need a car for Joshua Tree, the canyons and nearby desert towns.
Put Palm Springs on standby with everyone's other ideas. You each spread your points in secret, get one veto, and the draw picks where you go.