Where to Stay in Palm Springs in 2023 (Best Places & Areas)

7 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Palm Springs

With over 45,000 residents, Palm Springs is quite spread out and has enough room to accommodate hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. 

There is an abundance of neighborhoods in Palm Springs close to the downtown shopping area and dispersed further throughout the desert. I recommend staying in Downtown Palm Springs to be close to the amenities, main attractions, and nightlife of Palm Springs.

Downtown Palm Springs

👉 Best Area For Central Location | ✨ Best Downtown Palm Springs Hotels: Andreas Hotel & Spa • Desert Star • Triada Palm Springs 

The density of Palm Springs attractions and establishments is located downtown. If it’s your first time in the palm tree city, I suggest staying in this neighborhood to be closest to the action.

Spend an entire day or two exploring the many attractions of Downtown Palm Springs like the Palm Springs Walk of Stars or the Moorten Botanical Garden. The VillageFest also takes place downtown, an event not to be missed. Find locally-made handicrafts every Thursday at this night market from 6-10 pm. 

The bulk of the hotels in Palm Springs are in this area, so you can’t go wrong with the location. You will find adults-only hotels in Downtown Palm Springs with lavish pools and complete bars as well as kid-friendly resorts with water slides and kiddie pools.

Many restaurants and bars are also within walking distance of Palm Springs hotels, saving you money on transportation.

Pros of Staying in Downtown Palm Springs Neighborhood:

• Lots of great restaurants and bars
• Easy to walk to main attractions
• Luxury hotels and resorts are offered 
• Close to Palm Springs golf courses

Cons of Staying in Downtown Palm Springs Neighborhood:

• Hotels can be pricey
• Noise levels can be high, especially on the weekends
• There is almost always traffic on the weekends
• Attractions can be crowded

Movie Colony

👉 Best Area For Vintage Charm | ✨ Best Movie Colony Hotels: Movie Colony Hotel • Alcazar Palm Springs • Old Blue Eyes Vacation Rental

This historic Palm Springs neighborhood was once home to many Hollywood celebrities. Big-name actors and singers would flee the mayhem of Los Angeles to the quiet, sunny Palm Springs area where directors and Hollywood fans couldn’t find them.

The Movie Colony bears resemblance to this early twentieth-century past. The restaurants retain a glamorous vibe and the vintage hotels of the surrounding area accurately represent Old Hollywood.

The nearby Ruth Hardy Park is an ideal place to lounge during the day or participate in outdoor activities like tennis, jogging, or working out on outdoor gym equipment. The Movie Colony is the best place to stay in Palm Springs for tranquility without venturing too far away from downtown.

The main attraction of this Palm Springs area is Frank Sinatra’s desert house, a true party location in the 1950s. Even if you don’t stay in the Movie Colony during your trip to Palm Springs CA, a visit to the area is a must!

Pros of Staying in the Movie Colony Neighborhood:

• Close to Downtown Palm Springs
• Historic neighborhood
• Removed from tourists
• Gated and safe community

Cons of Staying in the Movie Colony Neighborhood:

• Accommodation options fill up fast
• Less big hotel amenities are offered
• Few restaurants and bars in the neighborhood

Palm Desert

👉 Best Area For Golfing | ✨ Best Palm Desert Hotels: JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa • Hotel Paseo • Full Moon Rising Vacation Rental

Technically just outside of Palm Springs CA, Palm Desert is the mecca of golf courses. Golfers rush to Palm Desert to enjoy some of the most famous courses in all of California.

The Shops on El Paseo are another draw to the area. Designer boutiques comprise the area as well as art galleries and hip restaurants. Palm Desert is also a good place to stay near Palm Springs CA if traveling with children. The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens is a top attraction for families.

The hotels in the area receive far fewer visitors than some over-packed Palm Springs hotels and resorts, making Palm Desert an ideal choice for visitors who don’t like big crowds.

Pros of Staying in Palm Desert Neighborhood:

• Access to high-quality golf courses
• Fewer crowds than in Palm Springs
• Lots of delicious restaurants and bars
• Plenty of budget options
• Great for families

Cons of Staying in Palm Desert Neighborhood:

• Farther from Palm Springs attractions
• Dining options can be expensive
• Not much nightlife or bar scene

Indian Wells

👉 Best Area For Tennis | ✨ Best Indian Wells Hotels: Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa • Indian Wells Resort Hotel • Rancho Dorado Vacation Rental

Indian Wells is a desert town with breathtaking mountain views, towering palm trees, and playable golf courses. This is also the site of the most complete tennis facilities in the greater low desert area. 

Tennis fanatics stay in Indian Wells to be close to the world-famous BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament. This is the biggest tournament in California and showcases the top professionals.

Indian Wells is in between Palm Desert and La Quinta and is away from the major Palm Springs CA crowds. Other attractions in the town include a weekly farmers market, spas, and hot air balloon rides.

This desert escape town is also close to The Living Zoo Desert and Gardens and Desert Adventures Jeep Tours, making it a family-friendly area as well. Most of the restaurants are within walking distance of the main downtown area and visitors have a varied selection of nightlife bars.

Pros of Staying in Indian Wells Neighborhood:

• Close to the famous tennis tournament
• Many tennis courts and country clubs are available
• Many spas
• Restaurants and bars within walking distance of the downtown area
• Fewer crowds 

Cons of Staying in Indian Wells Neighborhood:

• Farther from the main Palm Springs attractions
• Hotels can be expensive
• Not many unique dining options
• Can be crowded on the weekends

Vista Las Palmas

👉 Best Area For Chic Architecture | ✨ Best Vista Las Palmas Hotels: Mountains at Sunset Vacation Rental • Fleur Noire Hotel • ARRIVE Palm Springs

Vista Las Palmas, or in English “view of the palms,” is righteously named so. The streets are lined with an abundance of palms, making this neighborhood one of the most iconic areas of Palm Springs CA.

This area exhibits midcentury-modern architecture and some of the most noticeable buildings in Palm Springs. You will find the ultimate desert hideaway in this vintage town, including one owned by the late Elvis Presley himself.

This neighborhood has a laid-back feel of leisure and desert retreat. Its small community keeps the area secure and the noise levels regulated. Vista Las Palmas is the perfect option for visitors who prioritize a full night’s rest over extravagant nightlife.

There are multiple accommodation options offered here, including the Mountains at Sunset Plum Guide rental, which is equipped with a pool, outdoor fireplace, a built-in barbeque area, and breathtaking views of the nearby mountaintops.

Pros of Staying in Vista Las Palmas Neighborhood:

• Close to Downtown Palm Springs
• Vintage and secured neighborhood 
• Many rental options are available
• Beautiful architecture
• Quiet environment

Cons of Staying in Vista Las Palmas Neighborhood:

• No prominent nightlife scene
• Accommodation options can be expensive
• Not many dining options

Tahquitz River Estates

👉 Best Area For Hiking Trails | ✨ Best Tahquitz River Estates Hotels: Agave Moon • La Maison Hotel • Villa Royale

Located on the southern portion of Palm Canyon Drive, Tahquitz River Estates is a tight-knit village community with vintage shops and diverse dining options. The area of Palm Springs is popular for walking tours among its quirky-style homes.

This neighborhood is only minutes from Tahquitz Canyon, a beautiful waterfall hike through granitic canyons and characteristic desert flora. This hike is highly recommended if staying in the area. There is even rock art found throughout the site and an informative visitor center.

 Another popular hike in the area is the Tahquitz Creek Footbridge and Trail. This is an ideal hike to watch the sunrise or sunset and follows the creek along the towering Tahquitz Canyon. It’s a great change of pace from Downtown Palm Springs CA and one of the best places to hike in California.

Tahquitz River Estates is a good place to stay in Palm Springs that receives fewer crowds than the heart of downtown. The popular VillageFest is within walking distance of this neighborhood as well as the most popular restaurants and bars in Palm Springs. 

Pros of Staying in Tahquitz River Estates Neighborhood:

• Close to nature and hiking trails
• Father away from main tourist crowds
• Within walking distance of main bars and restaurants
• Near Palm Springs International Airport
• Great shopping options

Cons of Staying in Tahquitz River Estates Neighborhood:

• Fewer accommodation options are available
• There can be traffic on the weekends
• Dining and nightlife are expensive
• Louder at night than other neighborhoods

Rancho Mirage

👉 Best Area For Recreational Activities | ✨ Best Rancho Mirage Hotels: The Ritz Carlton Rancho Mirage • Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa • To The Fairway Vacation Rental

A part of the greater Palm Springs area, Rancho Mirage is between Cathedral City and Palm Desert. This town is surrounded by the stunning San Jacinto Mountains and if you’re lucky enough, you may catch a bighorn sheep jumping from boulder to boulder in its natural playground.

Rancho Mirage boasts world-class resorts, award-winning dining options, and many recreational activities. The accommodation options are more affordable in this town than in Palm Springs, making this town a reasonable option if on a budget.

The Rancho Mirage Agua Caliente Casino is one of the best things to do around Palm Springs. It’s one of only a few California casinos and worth a visit if you’re in the area, you may just strike gold.

The golf courses are also a top attraction of Rancho Mirage. Nestled at the base of the mountains, the full courses here have some of the best views of all California golf courses.

Pros of Staying in Rancho Mirage:

• Agua Caliente Casino
• Farther away from the main Palm Springs crowds
• Scenic golf courses
• Many resorts to choose from
• Affordable accommodation options

Cons of Staying in Rancho Mirage:

• Fewer entertainment options are available
• Farther away from the main Palm Springs attractions
• There can be traffic
• Noise levels can be high, especially on the weekends
• Not many activities for kids are offered

Tips for Staying in Palm Springs

Visit in the Non-summer Months

Palm Springs frequently reaches temperatures of over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer months. You will want to visit Palm Springs in the other three seasons for the most enjoyable experience.

Oftentimes, pools aren’t even refreshing when it’s so hot outside. Be prepared for nice weather in the winter that only requires a light jacket. This is actually the peak season in this low desert city and the best time to visit California.

Consider Day Trips

There’s much to explore in Palm Springs but the surrounding areas offer some of the greatest Southern California attractions. Joshua Tree National Park is just under an hour from the city and is one of the main national parks in California. 

Check out our guide to what to do in Joshua Tree for inspiration.

Another great day trip from Palm Springs is Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. This is one of my favorite state parks to visit in California and is a thousand times worth the hour’s drive from Palm Springs. 

Bring Your Hiking Gear

The Mount San Jacinto hike starts in Palm Springs. Don’t forget to bring your hiking equipment because the views of the Inland Empire are the greatest from the summit of this mountain. 

From the Palm Springs tram, hike through pine trees and manzanita trees until you reach the top of the 10,834-foot summit. This is an all-day experience so you will want to pack the hiking essentials.

Make sure you have at least 3 liters of water, plenty of food, extra clothing layers, and a rain jacket for this all-day Palm Springs hike.

Keep Your Thursday Nights Free

The VillageFest is one of the top attractions in Palm Springs. California locals drive as much as 2 or 3 hours just to attend the event!

This Thursday night market hosts local artisans and live art performances. VillageFest is a highly populated Palm Springs attraction, especially in the summer months, so be prepared for a crowd. 

Consider Leaving the Kids at Home

While there are kid-friendly attractions in Palm Springs, you will have a more enjoyable trip if you take an adult-only trip to the desert city. There are even hotels and resorts that are specific adults-only establishments.

Children are certainly welcomed but nightlife and drinking are the big draws to the city. A babysitter is the last thing you want to worry about on vacation.

Rent a Car

Renting a car makes it easy to take day trips to and from the city. Discover Cars is one of the best car rental options in Southern California with affordable prices and reliable services.

Rideshares are plentiful in California but can be spotty late at night. Having the flexibility of your own transportation allows you to enjoy the vacation more instead of worrying about rideshare availability.

Make Dinner Reservations

Eating out in Palm Springs CA can become extremely crowded, especially on the weekends. If you don’t like waiting in long lines with a “hangry” demeanor, then I suggest making reservations before you eat out.

Reservations are recommended for dinner every day of the week but also breakfast, brunch, and lunch on the weekends.

Palm Springs is a popular day trip from LA and elsewhere on the weekends, so places to eat tend to fill up. Be ensure you have your reservation at your favorite restaurant ahead of time.

Research Hotels Ahead of Time

The sheer amount of hotels and resorts offered in the Palm Springs CA area can be incredibly overwhelming. Research hotels ahead of time to find the perfect one for you within your budget.

From small-scale boutiques to house rentals and lavish 5-star resorts, there’s something for everyone in Palm Springs. You may also find bundle deals online if you book ahead of time so don’t forget to do so before you touch down in the desert town. 

You can often find the best deals by searching Booking.com’s Palm Springs inventory. 

For apartment rentals, check out Plum Guide or VRBO.

Don’t Miss the Palm Springs Aerial Tram

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is one of the main attractions of the city. Don’t miss your chance to soar high among the rock cliffs and mountain walls of Palm Springs CA.

There is a cafe at the top of the tram, the perfect place to sit with a coffee and unwind on your vacation. You can also catch the beginning of the San Jacinto hike from the top of the tram if you’re up for a challenge.

FAQs About Where to Stay in Palm Springs

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Thank you for reading my helpful guide on where to stay in Palm Springs. If you have a few days to explore the area, you will also find my where to stay in Joshua Tree guide useful. 

Enjoy the trip!