5 Amazing Palm Springs Tours + What You Need to Know (2024)
Whether you’re in Palm Springs for the first time or a frequent visitor, one of the best ways to discover all the area has to offer is by taking one of the many Palm Springs tours. In this post, I’ll share 5 amazing Palm Springs tours that I highly recommend taking. Plus, I’ll also provide some insider tips about the area so you can make the most of your tour experience!
5 Best Palm Springs Tours (2024)
Palm Springs is located in Southern California’s Sonoran Desert. And when most people hear the word desert, the words, “dry” and “barren” are usually the first ones that come to mind. However, the reality is that Palm Springs contains a lot of hidden gems and all kinds of tours that will allow you to immerse yourself in the vast landscape, discover the past, and catch stunning views of mountain peaks over the horizon! So without further ado, here are some of my favorite tours I recommend to anyone visiting the area.
- San Andreas Fault Jeep Tour
- Joshua Tree National Park Offroad Tour
- Earthquake Canyon Express Downhill Bike Adventure
- Palm Springs Hike to an Oasis
- Palm Springs Escape Room
1. San Andreas Fault Jeep Tour
✅ Check rates & availability for this highly-rated San Andreas Fault Jeep Tour
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 — 545+ 5-star reviews! | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 3 hours
The San Andreas Fault Jeep Tour includes:
This is one of the highest-rated and most popular Palm Springs Tours. And unlike exploring independently, the knowledgeable guides will take you to places that you would likely never venture to on your own. In addition, you’ll have the unique opportunity to connect with the past by visiting a Cahuilla Indian Village and learning about their lifestyle, culture, and survival techniques. So, if you’re ready to see the San Andreas Fault up close and discover the hidden secrets in the surrounding area, I highly recommend this fantastic jeep tour!
Incredible tour, so much to see and learn. Never realized how much happens at a fault and the canyon tours showing the effects on rocks at the fault were stunning.”
Brian C. (see more reviews)
✅ Check rates & availability for this highly-rated San Andreas Fault Jeep Tour
Other Palm Springs Tours to the San Andreas Fault
Of course, if you prefer a longer tour, one that doesn’t involve visiting the recreated Native American site, or just want to have a bit more of an adventure off-roading…there are a few other tour options available! They just tend to be more expensive.
2. Joshua Tree National Park Offroad Tour
✅🌵Check rates & availability for this thrilling Joshua Tree National Park Offroad Tour
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 — 300+ 5-star reviews! | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 5 hours
The Joshua Tree National Park Offroad Tour includes:
This 4xx4 tour is a great option for those ready to explore the hidden side of Joshua Tree that’s inaccessible to people in a regular car. You’ll experience all the rugged beauty and natural wonder that this area has to offer. Plus, your awesome, knowledgeable guide will enlighten you about the unique flora and fauna of Joshua Tree, as well as its incredible history. You may even catch a glimpse of some fascinating wildlife, like bighorn sheep or goats! So, if you want to take a tour that’s off the beaten path, then this is definitely for you!
“The tour was incredible. Our tour guide, Will was very knowledgeable, friendly and pleasant. We learned so much about Joshua tree and its surrounding communities. There’s a lot of history to be told.”
Tour Guest. (see more reviews)
✅🌵Check rates & availability for this thrilling Joshua Tree National Park Off-road Tour
How Far Is Palm Springs to Joshua Tree?
Since both Palm Springs and Joshua Tree are massive, the distances can vary a lot depending on your starting and ending point. But, from downtown Palm Springs to the Joshua Tree Visitor Center, it’s 40 miles or ~64km. It takes approximately 53 minutes to drive this distance when there’s no or minimal amount of traffic.
Other Tours From Palm Springs to Joshua Tree
Again, if this tour doesn’t sound like the one for you, there is an assortment of other tours available. For example, you can opt for a tour that travels down smooth roads and hits up all the main attractions in the park.
3. Earthquake Canyon Express Downhill Bike Adventure
✅ 🚴♀️ Check rates & availability for this Easy Earthquake Canyon Bike Adventure Tour
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 — 200+ 5-star reviews! | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 4 hours
The Earthquake Canyon Bike Adventure Tour includes:
This guided bike ride is the perfect tour for those who crave an active yet relaxing excursion. You’ll get to intimately travel along the San Andreas Fault and admire sweeping views of the desert at your own pace. It’s truly a wonderful way to appreciate the beauty and vastness of the region as well as the history of the area.
“Captain Ron was fabulous, full of history & information. The ride through the canyon was beautiful. We rode at our pace, being met along the ride with plenty of water & snacks. I highly recommend this tour! Well done!”
Lisa r. (see more reviews)
✅ 🚴♀️ Check rates & availability for this Easy Earthquake Canyon Bike Adventure Tour
4. Palm Springs Hike to an Oasis
✅ 🌴 Check rates & availability for this beautiful hike to the hidden desert oasis
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 3.75 hours
The Palm Springs Hike to an Oasis includes:
This is an excellent excursion for those who want to explore the desert landscape on foot but don’t want to run the risk of getting lost. The hike is led by Carlos, a very friendly and expert guide who will ensure your safety and comfort and keep you entertained with all the incredible sights to see. That said, this hiking tour is better suited for those with outdoor experience and who are in relative shape. Because while 5.5 miles isn’t that long, over rocky terrain it can take a bit out of yah!
“Carlos, our guide was terrific! He was knowledgeable and had a fun personality! Hike was great, beautiful scenery and Carlos paced the hike perfectly according to our group! I would highly recommend.”
Alison A. (see more reviews)
✅ 🌴 Check rates & availability for this beautiful hike to the hidden desert oasis
5. Palm Springs Escape Room
✅ 🔓 Check rates & availability for this exciting escape room in Palm Springs
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 — 230+ 5-star reviews! | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1 hour
The Palm Springs Escape Rooms include:
These escape rooms put your problem-solving skills to the test as you complete immersive challenges. I know you’re not technically exploring Palm Springs, but it’s such a memorable activity that I immensely enjoy doing with my friends and family. So, if you want to get out of the heat and exercise your mind instead, this is an awesome activity to try.
“This our first time attempting an escape room experience and we totally enjoyed the experience and the teams who helped us with clues. I think this would be a great team building or bonding exercise.”
Janet C. (see more reviews)
✅ Check rates & availability for a fun escape room in Palm Springs
Why Do a Palm Springs Tour
From my perspective, there are three main reasons why a Palm Springs tour is worth it. First, if you don’t have a car and want to explore the area, taking a tour is your best option. This is because it’s no secret that public transportation in California and the United States, in general, is less than ideal. And rather than Ubering yourself around the city, you can just take a ride to and from the meeting point for the tour and then be shown around!
Another reason is so you don’t have to worry about navigating unfamiliar roads! This is especially true if you want to explore Indian Canyon, see the San Andreas Fault, find the desert oasis, or go hiking in the area. As someone who has ended up stranded alone in Bratislava, a foreign country I intended to day trip to…there’s nothing that ruins a trip quite like getting lost, missing your transit, and becoming ridiculously panicked.
Lastly, taking a tour with a knowledgeable guide ensures that you gain insight into the areas that you visit. I’ve always found that learning the history, culture, and relevance of an area from an educated person brings so much more meaning to the experience.
Plus, every tour guide I’ve ever interacted with has been more than willing to answer my questions and provide local recommendations on other key attractions to visit! So, if it’s in your budget and there’s time in your schedule, a tour while staying in Palm Springs is a must!
🌵 NOTE: For any fellow solo travelers, tours are the ultimate way to meet people and make new friends! And, you already have one commonality with everyone else on the tour — you all are interested in the subject of the tour!
What to Bring for Palm Springs Tours?
Since I want to have the best experience, here are a few things to bring, regardless of your tour selection.
- 💧Reusable Water Bottle — Do not underestimate the heat. Bring more water than you think you’ll need
- 🍎 Snacks — I normally carry granola bars, apple slices, and some salty foods, like pretzels, because you’ll likely sweat.
- 🌞 Sunscreen & Chapstick — Protect your skin. This is the travel-sized bottle of sunscreen I like to use and normally carry with me.
- 🥾 Closed Toe Shoes — It’s the desert, so expect lots of dirt and dust. No one likes grime-y feet mixed with sweat.
- 🥶 Jacket — A light jacket will probably suffice until you’re visiting during the winter. Since there’s little moisture in the air, once the sun dips behind the mountains, it becomes really cold, really fast. Even during the day, sometimes it gets windy and it can get cold.
Other Things to Do in Palm Springs
In case you aren’t interested in the tours above, there are several other tour options available. I’ll also include a list of some places and additional activities my family likes to do when we go to Palm Springs
- The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens – A smaller zoo that’s home to African, North American, and Australian plants and animals. You can get up close with giraffes, pet adorable Nigerian dwarf goats, and learn about the zoo’s conservation efforts. For tips and ways to save money check out my dedicated post.
- The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway – To avoid the sweltering heat that Palm Springs normally experiences, ride a massive rotating “tram” to the top of San Jacinto Peak, which is 5,783 feet (1,790 meters) above the desert floor! You’ll get to revel in breathtaking views of the Coachella Valley, and enjoy about 40°F cooler temperatures! Thus, dress appropriately and bring quarters to use the telescopes!
- Palm Springs Air Museum – This is an amazing museum that has lots of aircraft from WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Global War on Terror. You can even fly in a vintage aircraft if you visit on a Saturday and pay ~ $125. But, what I love most is that almost everyone who works there is a veteran who can share their experiences and pass on their knowledge. Everyone can appreciate the museum.
How to Get to Palm Springs
For those traveling from overseas or who aren’t driving to Palm Springs, you can fly into the Palm Springs International Airport (PSP). It’s a smaller airport that’s pretty easy to navigate and only 5 minutes away from downtown Palm Springs by car.
Speaking of which, there are rental cars available for pick-up directly from the airport. Otherwise, your options are to take an Uber or take the bus, which is the city’s only form of public transportation.
✅ 🌴 Check the Availability of Rental Cars from Palm Springs
✈️ NOTE: For finding flights the cheapest flights, I recommend using Skyscanner and StudentUniverse. And if you’ve never heard of StudentUniverse, it’s because it’s the best-kept secret…I have a full review here explaining it.
Where to Stay in Palm Springs
If you’re coming from out of town, chances are you’re going to need housing. Here are a few hotels that are centrally located near downtown Palm Springs that I recommend checking out.
Low-Cost Stays
- Caliente Tropics Resort — Cute 3-star hotel with bar, spa, and pool | ⭐️ 8 / 10
- Palm Canyon Resort — Nice 3-star hotel with massive outdoor pool | ⭐️ 8 / 10
Mid-Range Stays
- Hilton Palm Springs — Chic 4-star hotel with pool, spa, and airport shuttle | ⭐️ 8.4 / 10
- Los Arboles Hotel — Adorable, boutique 3-star hotel with pool & bike rentals | ⭐️ 8.8 / 10
- Hotel California — Charming 3-star hotel w/ outdoor pool & BBQ facilities | ⭐️ 9.3 / 10
Luxury Stays
- Arrive Palm Springs — Upscale 4-star hotel w/ free bike rentals & outdoor pool | ⭐️ 9.2 / 10
- The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage — Stunning 5-star hotel w/ spa & 3 restaurants | ⭐️ 8.7 / 10
Alternatively, you can also explore stays in other people’s homes with Vrbo, a platform like Airbnb… but in my opinion, better.
Palm Springs: FAQs
Palm Springs is best known for being a comparatively lush oasis in the middle of the scorching Sonoran desert. Visitors can find natural hot springs and lots of golf courses. The area is also recognized as a generally wealthy area where older people like to retire and celebrities like to vacation. And, of course, the greater Palm Springs area is known for hosting one of the largest sporting events in California, the famous Indian Wells Tennis Tournament. Thousands of tennis fans visit during the tournament season!
I believe Palms Springs, California is pretty in a different way than what many normally envision. For example, I admire all the palm trees lining the streets and the numerous sleek mid-century modern homes. However, I know other people need the coastal beaches like those in San Diego or in picturesque Nice, France for places to be pretty. So it all depends.
I do think it’s worth visiting for a few days unless you’re there for the BNP Paribas Open — then, of course, the full two weeks!
To avoid the blistering hot summers that give places like Red Rock Canyon a run for their money, I recommend going between November and April. During these months, the average high temperature doesn’t surpass 87°F and the average low is 44°F. That said, if I had to pick the best month to go to Palm Springs for a friend, I’d say either December or January. The weather is quite pleasant (high: 70°F, low: 44°F) during the winter, and you can see Christmas decorations!
No, they are separate cities located right next to each other.
Wrap-Up: 5 Best Palm Springs Tours (2024)
Palm Springs is a city filled with all kinds of natural wonders and a fascinating past. Opting to discover these sites and hidden gems with a knowledgeable guide means you’ll be not only able to visit spectacular places but also learn about the local culture and history in a way that is simply not possible when traveling alone. Whether it’s a jeep tour, a bike tour, a hiking tour, or a challenging escape room, there are endless opportunities for adventure and exploration here. So, if you’re ready to experience the understated beauty of Palm Springs, then be sure to check out all the tours the area has to offer!
Explore California
- 🏄♀️ Keen on visiting San Diego? Read about how to get around the city, where to find the best surf for beginners, all the mouthwatering food you can look forward to, and the one place all wine lovers have to go!
- 🌲 Thinking of heading to Santa Cruz during the winter? Make sure you know what to expect weather-wise and how to make the most of your time.
