The beauty of Palm Springs has inspired many an artist, and there's a busy cultural calendar for those visiting the town. You'll find the contemporary-styled Palm Springs Art Museum in the Downtown area, with permanent exhibitions of modern, Native American, and Mesoamerican art, as well as many visiting exhibitions from big name artists. On the same site you'll also find the Annenberg Theater with its line up of modern and traditional shows, as well as popular cabaret evenings with a diverse roll call of flamboyant performers.
Where to shop
Palm Springs is a diverse shopping destination, with contemporary shopping malls and older, picturesque streets. The palm tree lined El Paseo shopping district in nearby Palm Desert has green spaces and colorful flower displays, and as you stroll along this quaint quarter you'll see designer boutiques and cool cafés dotted everywhere. Downtown Palm Springs has many independent outlets, thrift shops, and vintage stores, and this is a great area to shop for artworks, with plenty of galleries full of new and established artists on display.
What to see and do
Lovers of the outdoors and hiking in the wilderness will be spoiled for choice in Palm Springs. The Indian Canyons Hiking Trails wind through dramatic, craggy terrain, with occasional spots of palm trees and greenery along the way. You'll be able to study other-worldly rock formations, and enjoy a peaceful, isolated hike. The San Jacinto Mountain is also a great year-round challenge, with a covering of snow for cross country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter months, and an aerial tramway to take you up the rocky mountain on warmer days, allowing you to hike or bike your way down.
Short breaks
As millions of spring breakers have discovered over the years, Palm Springs is a perfect spot for a short break, as it's close to Los Angeles and boasts some excellent transport connections. It's less than a 2 hour drive away from the City of Angels, and yet feels isolated thanks to its surrounding mountain landscapes. There's also a wide choice of hotels, from budget to luxury resorts, so you can pick the accommodation that suits the kind of trip you are planning.
