9 unusual things to do in Palm Springs, California beyond golf and spas
Whether you're seeking tranquility or thrills, family fun or five-star indulgence, Greater Palm Springs delivers a visually stunning getaway with style, sophistication, and a generous splash of desert magic.
Stay in an Iconic Vacation Home
A visit to Greater Palm Springs is incomplete without a stay in a luxuriously appointed vacation homes with amenities such as padel courts and swimming pools. Frank Sinatra's former home and Elvis Presley's honeymoon hideaway are some of the homes that you can book during your visit.
Those seeking a truly unforgettable experience in fabulous homes should consider Desert Luxury Estates. The La Paz Estate in Palm Desert, for instance, is a destination event-type vacation, ideal for families and wedding parties, offering eight bedrooms, six baths, and a pool.
The 'Modern Mesa' in Palm Springs offering is three bedrooms, thoroughly modern and sleeps six. There are countless others. Airbnb lists some stellar Movie Colony homes for those surfing the site.
Meanwhile, Vacation Palm Springs is a worthy look-see with vacation homes in Palm Desert, modern homes in the Tahquitz area, villas with views and more. Speaking of, Private Villa Management offers private villas with pools and, of course, views.
Get Your Adrenaline Fix
What makes this bucket list experience even better is that Big Wheel Tours offers more than just bike tours; you can also choose from hiking adventures and guided Jeep or SUV excursions.
But to start, try one of the featured bike tours. There are hiking, Jeep, and SUV tours as well. But first, experience any one of the bike tours featured here. The custom Palm Springs tour allows guests to create the tour they desire. Meanwhile, the Indian Canyon Bike and Hike experience offers spectacular ways to view the stunning valley.
Tours begin from the shop's downtown Palm Springs locale, taking people through several older, if not eye-catching Palm Springs neighbourhoods, including Canyon Country Club.
It is a ten-mile round trip and downright unforgettable. The Earthquake Canyon Express Bicycle Tour is another gem offering riders a rare geologic experience on a 20-mile tour that takes them through the heart of the San Andreas Fault zone.
The road is paved and heads to the heart of grape country near Mecca.
Admire Iconic Homes
Start the day with a self-guided home tour by Modern Tours Palm Springs around iconic neighbourhoods. The two-hour Celebrity MEGA Tour is the main go-to, and your self-driving celebrity tour takes you through stellar Palm Springs neighbours, once inhabited by a bevvy of celebs and/or created by iconic architects like William Krisel.
See the homes of the Rat Pack, Leonardo DiCaprio, a U.S. president, and other memorable icons.
The company's modernism tour stands out, too, and you get history and candid tales from an expert local guide. Palm Springs Mod Squad Tours should be another consideration. Take note of its Martini & MCM Architecture Tour, which takes visitors to the homes of Dean Martin, Peter Lawford and Marilyn Monroe. Five Star Adventure Tours is another worthy consideration for seeing brilliant homes from the likes of Wexler and Kauffman.
Enjoy Exceptional Views from a Hot Air Balloon
When in Greater Palm Springs, a hot air balloon ride is a fabulous way to discover the region. Nothing spells chic like a glass of champagne while you sail in balloon over unique desert formations. These adventures are best experienced from September through May. Early morning balloon adventures also include a continental breakfast. These remarkable rides are also available for wedding parties. Brightly coloured aerostats loom more than eight stories high, and once in the air, offering a rare bird's eye view of striking mountainscapes, farms, cities, resorts, and, of course, the natural desert.
Explore on Horseback
If you are feeling really adventurous, try Smoke Tree Stables and ride a horse on a palm tree path. They offer horseback riding lessons and guided trail rides through the stunning palm tree landscape. After the ride, you can hang out with the horses and learn how to brush and care for them. Whether you are celebrating a birthday or riding with the family, horseback riding at Smoke Tree Stables is a fun and unforgettable experience.
Stargazing
The nighttime sky is truly remarkable around these parts. Rancho Mirage Library & Observatory stands out. Between observatory tours and actual stargazers, this is a go-to for those wanting a new adventure. Meanwhile, the Coachella Valley Preserve should be noted because it is not as far as Joshua Tree National Park. The park is one of the most exceptional stargazing outposts around. Take an afternoon trip to Idyllwild, grab some dinner, and look up.
This mountain community is away from the city hub below and offers exquisite stargazing.
Feed a Giraffe at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
The Living Desert is a modern-day zoo, botanical garden and wildlife conservatory with new and inventive offerings added to the overall experience. For starters, there is a friendly giraffe hoping to make your acquaintance. Feeding the giraffes is a one-of-a-kind experience. Be sure to experience Rhino Savanna, an impressive outpost perched just inside the zoo's main entrance.
You will discover a fascinating state-of-the-art, multi-species habitat here, home to 12 African species.
Get to know the zoo's largest animals, two black rhinos, Nia and Jaali. Guests can stand just a few feet away from these majestic creatures and capture their beauty from up close.
Ride the World's Largest Tramcar at The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
This idyllic haven is a must-visit, offering a breathtaking two-and-a-half-mile ascent into stunning wilderness aboard the world's largest rotating tramcar. Once up top, there is plenty to do; make an afternoon of it, then plan for an unforgettable meal at Pines Café or Peaks Restaurant, where sublime valley views await you. This bona fide national monument also features guided nature walks, camping, hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and even snow camping for adventurous souls.
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