Why Palm Springs is The Perfect Winter Getaway

Photo: “The Palm Springs Airport Fountain” by Randy Heinitz is licensed under CC BY 2.0 CC BY 2.0

When you are in the throes of winter, trudging through snow and rain to get to work every day, you probably feel like you need a vacation. Palm Springs is a glamorous desert town located east of Los Angeles, and it’s one of the best places to go when you are craving some sunshine. Here’s why Palm Springs is an ideal winter getaway, and some of the fun things to see and do there.

Palm Springs is known for its pools.

No matter where you opt to stay in Palm Springs, chances are they will have a stunningly blue pool for you to dive into. Most of the big hotels in Palm Springs are centered around large, gorgeous pools, and they throw opulent pool parties with drinks and live DJs. The Ace Hotel and the Saguaro are two of the most popular hotels in the area, and even if you aren’t staying there, you can purchase day passes to their pools to relax and socialize. Many Airbnbs and rental homes also have large private pools to enjoy.

The beautiful views will take your breath away.

Although Palm Springs is in the desert, it is surrounded by mountains with stunning views on either side. One of the most popular attractions in Palm Springs is the aerial tramway, which goes from the base of the mountain all the way up to the top. The ride in itself is an experience, but when you reach the summit, there’s a restaurant and bar where you can relax and enjoy the view. There are also many hiking trails at the top if you are looking to explore. There’s also plenty of beautiful hiking closer to town, where you can explore waterfalls and unique desert foliage. The hiking ranges from easy strolls to difficult climbs for every fitness level.

The midcentury modern design is chic and elegant.

Palm Springs is known for its beautiful architecture and design, and even hosts Modernism Week once a year to celebrate. There are many self-guided tours you can take to explore the town’s beautiful architecture, and there are many Airbnbs and rental houses that have this design style as well. There are also many beautiful shops where you can pick up your own home decor and style items to replicate the look. If you enjoy Instagram, there are plenty of places to take photos.

The food and drink scene will surprise you.

For a small desert town, Palm Springs has an incredible food and drink scene. The restaurants take influence from a variety of different cuisines, including Japanese at Sandfish, classic American at The Barn Kitchen, and Mediterranean at Evzin, just to name a few. There are also plenty of stunning places to grab quality cocktails. Truss and Twine is located in downtown Palm Springs, and they serve sophisticated, classic drinks. If you’re in the mood for tiki, there’s plenty of that as well, with classics like Tonga, Toucan’s, The Reef and Bootlegger Tiki. Other notable drinking spots include Bar, Dead or Alive, and Blackbook. New restaurants and bars are opening up all the time in Palm Springs, so there’s always more to check out.

Palm Springs is accessible, but it feels exotic.

When you visit Palm Springs, you will likely feel as if you’re entering a desert paradise. However, Palm Springs is actually fairly easy to get to. You can fly into Palm Springs International Airport, or you can fly in and out of one of the many airports in the near Los Angeles area. In addition to LAX, you can fly into Burbank, Ontario, Long Beach, or Orange County and rent a car and drive. Palm Springs is also driving distance from San Diego, Las Vegas, and Phoenix. There are many different options when it comes to flying and driving to Palm Springs.

If the wet winter weather in your city is getting you down, consider visiting Palm Springs for your next vacation. There’s plenty to do, but you can also relax and just enjoy the weather. There are activities that are appropriate for kids and families, but there’s also a sophisticated art and restaurant scene with plenty to explore. The nightlife and social scene is also very exciting for young couples and groups.