23-05-2025
The 11 best day trips from Los Angeles
2hrs by car
A visit to Palm Springs is better as a weekend trip, but those who don't mind waking up early and getting home late will find that it's an excellent place for an action-packed day trip. Start with a couple of bagels from Townie Bagels or an early meal at Cheeky's, one of the only brunch options in town that I think is actually worth waiting for. In the winter months, I love the area hikes; there's the beginner-friendly two-mile loop with a waterfall at Tahquitz Canyon, which requires an entry fee and a full water bottle (trust me, it's for your own good). For more of a workout, look to the longer, more challenging trails nestled in the Indian Canyons, some of which lead to a breathtaking palm oasis. If you want to avoid getting sweaty altogether, you can escape the heat and take the Aerial Tramway ($35) to the top of the San Jacinto Mountains for gorgeous views of the desert and, sometimes, enough snow for sledding in the winter.
For a full day of relaxation, there's nothing more luxurious than the Spa at Séc-he. Located in the heart of downtown, the spa draws from the original water source that gave Palm Springs its name and offers bodywork, mineral baths and more. For more budget-friendly options, drive half an hour to Desert Hot Springs for a day pass at the Spring Resort & Spa or Azure Palm Hot Springs. Of course, the touristy downtown area offers incredible shopping, as well as the Palm Springs Art Museum, which features a sculpture garden and a permanent collection that includes works from world-renowned contemporary artists like Marina Abramović and Anish Kapoor. The Palm Springs Air Museum and quirky Moorten Botanical Garden also make for kid-friendly, fairly educational afternoon activities. For vintage clothing lovers, the estate sales in the desert are gold mines—but if you'd rather let someone else do the bulk of curation, shops like Melody Note Vintage and the Frippery offer beautifully curated racks of midcentury clothing for easy (though pricey) browsing.
By the time sunset rolls around, you'll probably be hungry. Avoid the glut of middling, touristy eateries downtown by planning ahead (even by a few days!) and making a reservation. There's the unassuming, fairly casual appeal at Johannes, a longtime Austrian locals' favorite; the seasonally inspired menu at Workshop Kitchen + Bar, which also offers a charming patio; and if you can snag a reservation at Bar Cecil (which drop on Resy at midnight, 14 days in advance), you should absolutely go. If you're not able to plan ahead, you can also try your luck for a seat or two at the bar right before Cecil opens. For classic steaks and bona fide retro vibes, look to Mr. Lyons and Copley's on Palm Canyon. Other great, more spontaneous walk-in options include Chef Tanya's, one of Southern California's best vegan restaurants and Alice B., a new seasonal restaurant from the longtime culinary duo behind L.A.'s award-winning Border Grill. Time Out tip: Peninsula Pastries. Just note they close in the summer, when the extreme heat makes it impossible to keep the ovens on.
