Vacation rentals in Palm Springs

A desert oasis just two hours east of Los Angeles, Palm Springs is where summer seems to never end. In this ideal weekend getaway destination, plans are generally dictated by the hours spent poolside. But Palm Springs is also a city with a rich history associated with old Hollywood glamour, midcentury architecture, California indigenous history, and a burgeoning scene for contemporary design inspired by the desert landscape.

Palm Springs’ desert climate means summers can skyrocket into sweltering triple-digit (Fahrenheit) temperatures during the day, giving way to pleasant but still warm evenings. During autumn through early winter, temperatures generally hover in the 70s and low 80s Fahrenheit, with plentiful sunshine. Springtime also offers amicable temperatures ranging from the mid-60s to low 80s.

The average total rainfall in Palm Springs is less than 2 inches per year, with the majority of rain arriving in January and February. For the rest of the year, the city is blessed with an abundance of warmth, sunshine, and blue skies.

Downtown Palm Springs

While rest and relaxation by a pool are often paramount to a desert itinerary, Downtown Palm Springs is the community’s most popular area when it comes to shopping, dining, and cultural events. The walk or drive along South Palm Canyon Drive is dotted with numerous shops specializing in midcentury design and designer fashion, and it’s not uncommon for outdoor concerts or art events to be hosted at the corner of North Palm Canyon Drive and East Tahquitz Way. Those seeking cultural enrichment can visit both the Palm Springs Art Museum’s Architecture and Design Center and the Palm Springs Art Museum within a day, both within walking distance from one another.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Many visitors are surprised to learn the world’s largest rotating tram cars are not located in the Swiss Alps but at the base of the Mount San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness. The 18-foot-diameter aerial tram car slowly rotates the entire way up, carrying up to 80 passengers up the sheer face of the San Jacinto Peak, 8,500 feet above sea level. The ride ends at a precipice that offers awe-inspiring views of the Coachella Valley below, with the option to day-hike amid the aromatic butterscotch-scented Jeffrey pines. Be sure to bring warm clothing, or even a coat, as the difference in temperature between the base and peak can be significant.

Midcentury Architecture

Palm Springs hosts a living time capsule of midcentury architecture, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors every year — especially during Modernism Week in February. Numerous architectural tours and guide services are available throughout the year, but for the design-minded on a budget, renting a bike and pedaling around the city’s western residential neighborhoods can prove as rewarding. With enough planning, you may even be able to book one of the area’s midcentury vacation rentals.