Planning your Palm Springs Vacation in California

Visiting Palm Springs California

Palm Springs is a top rated vacation destination for visitors from all parts of the globe. The varied and unique offerings of Palm Springs are as different as night and day. Palm Springs has long appealed to celebrities and carries an air of Hollywood. This city in the desert offers a melting pot of culture and small town values amidst modern architecture and sunny mountain views. Palm Springs offers something for everyone, by day and by night. Whether you want to explore the desert, people watch, relax in a day spa, or dance the night away you can do it all in Palm Springs. The golf capital of the world, Palm Springs offers a variety of outdoor recreation from the tennis that made the city famous to a mountain bike ride. The attractions of the area run the gamut, from water parks to museums. Of course, the city would have no less than a year round calendar of spectacular events. Palm Springs hosts an International Film Festival that is one of the largest film festivals in the nation, a weekly Village Fest as popular with locals as it is with tourists, and everything in between. The amazing lodging options of the city range from exclusive luxury resorts to small hotels. Shopping in Palm Springs is great. The friendly merchants tend to shoppers needs like they were caring for their own families. Opulent antique stores, unique art galleries, and themed boutiques offer some of the finest selections available anywhere. The restaurant offerings in Palm Springs are phenomenal. From award winning restaurants to quaint eclectic cafes the city’s restaurants serve up world class cuisine. The ethnic variety of menu items offers patrons an International smorgasbord of tasty treats. There are plenty that serve up good old American faire, healthy vegetarian dishes, and California cuisine. Whatever your taste the restaurants in Palm Springs are sure to please.

Palm Springs Climate

Palm Springs enjoys a dry climate with low humidity. Summer time average temperatures are in the high 80s to low 90s. The summers here can be hot with daytime highs hitting an average of 100 plus degrees. Average fall temperatures range from the mid 60s to the mid 80s. Winter temperatures average from 57 to 61 degrees making Palm Springs a wonderful respite from the frigid weather of other parts of the country. Early spring temperatures range around 65 degrees with temperature averages in the latter part of the season hitting 79 degrees.

Palm Springs Downtown

Downtown Palm Springs is pulsating with an inimitable energy that is all its own. A mix of diverse culture, architecture, and happenings have come together to create an area like no other. The structures of pre World War II meet the buildings of the 50s and 60s to form a unique skyline. Spectacular mountain views create a stunning backdrop for the scene. Add to this, the hustle and bustle of the downtown streets that continues into the wee hours of the morning. Look down as you stroll, the Walk of Stars to see the names of those forever immortalized for their contribution to movies and television. Fantastic restaurants, interesting shops, and eclectic coffeehouses line the streets creating a delightful ambiance for vacationers and residents alike. Located in the heart of Palm Springs, downtown is as alive at night as it is in the day. Magnificent palm trees decorated with dazzling strands of light line the streets. Home to the famous Thursday night Village Fest a section of the main street is closed to all but pedestrians. Downtown Palm Springs becomes an exciting blend of food, music, and art. Every year the streets come even more alive with the fabulous Palm Springs Follies, a celebration of past Hollywood hopefuls. For some of the most incredible people watching, Palm Springs downtown cannot be beat.

Most vacationers to Palm Springs end up outdoors. As the Golf Capital of the World and a city made famous by tennis, outdoor recreation is a big part of life. The city’s incredible downtown, superb events, and unique parks attract visitors to their fun-filled outdoor experiences. Palm Springs lays claim to 360 sunny days a year. Sun bathers delight in laying poolside and often retreat into the cooling waters of the pool. With all of the outside activity visitors must protect themselves from the sun. The best way is to use sunscreen with a high SPF. Since the sunscreen may wash off in the water or with perspiration it is wise to reapply it after a few hours. While a great tan might be a great vacation memento, a bad sunburn could put a damper on outdoor plans. The best way to build a tan is slowly by getting a little more color each day. Evenings can be cool in the winters so a light jacket a light jacket is recommended for this time of day. If visiting the top of Mount Jacinto, dress appropriately. The temperature is usually about 35 to 40 degrees cooler here than in the desert below. Palm Springs is a safe place to visit, but it’s still a good idea to use traveler’s checks instead of cash. Do not to leave valuables in your car. Numerous banks are located throughout the area, many of these offer currency exchange and ATM access.