The Best Time of Year to Visit Palm Springs
Mid-century modern design decor inside the Riviera Hotel.
Mid-century modern design decor inside the Riviera Hotel.
Palm Springs is one of California’s favorite playgrounds for both bachelorette gals in their 20’s to families with children. This desert oasis offers warmth and sunshine most of the year, but events and temperatures vary from month to month.
Every month of the year offers benefits and challenges with traveling to Palm Springs. Some months are crazy hot (an average of 107 °F!) and other months are very busy and expensive. I’ve broken down the highlights of each month so you can best plan your perfect vacation.
Spoiler alert - February, March and November are probably the most popular months to vacation in Palm Springs. Although there’s special benefits to traveling during the off-seasons.
Mid-century modern interior design lips art in the hallway inside The Parker Palm Springs.
Mid-century modern interior design lips art in the hallway inside The Parker Palm Springs.
January
For outdoor adventure seekers, January and February are the best months to visit Palm Springs. The temperatures are the most mild and you can comfortably spend time outdoors. There’s plenty of desert hiking trails, camping inside nature parks and open air markets.
Palm Springs Activities & Events in January:
The average Palm Springs temperature in January is 71°F.
Hiking inside Indian Canyons Recreational Park.
Visit the The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens.
Palm Springs Farmer’s Markets.
February
The temperatures start to slightly rise in Palm Springs in February, but the average highs still remain in the mid-seventies. In most years the snow begins to fall between February - March in San Jacinto Mountains which is a short drive from central Palm Springs.
Palm Springs Activities & Events in February:
The average Palm Springs temperature in February is 75°F.
Desert X Art Installations begin in February.
The creative conference Alt Summit for bloggers and artists is usually held in February or March in Palm Springs.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway - Take a leisurely ride to visit the snowy San Jacinto Mountains.
Modernism Week - A week-long conference with events celebrating and education on modern design. There’s also the Modernism Fall Preview in October in Palm Springs.
Super tall palm trees growing in Palm Springs.
Mid-century modern outdoor pool lounge chairs at The Parker Palm Springs.
March
Spring break is in full-swing in March and tourism really starts to pick-up in Palm Springs. Both families and college-spring breakers will cause the prices of hotels and flights to increase. The weather is beginning to warm up in March which is perfect for poolside water activities.
Palm Springs Activities & Events in March:
The average Palm Springs temperature in March is 81°F.
Desert wildflower season in Palm Springs begins in early March.
Joshua Tree National Park averages around 71°F in March - a perfect place for hiking and camping.
Hike to the hidden Thousand Palm Oasis inside Coachella Valley Preserve.
April
In the month of April Palm Springs is flooded with party people who frequent the popular music festivals. The city and surrounding areas are filled with hustle and bustle, and it can be a challenge to make hotel reservations.
Palm Springs Activities & Events in April:
The average Palm Springs temperature in April is 87°F.
Music festivals include Coachella, Stagecoach and White Party Desert Rave.
Vintage colorful glass vases as decor inside the lobby of The Parker Palm Springs.
May
May is the beginning of the hot summers in Palm Springs, but the temperatures are still manageable for those who enjoy heat. Memorial Day weekend can get busy because so many folks have time off.
PALM SPRINGS ACTIVITIES & EVENTS IN May:
The average Palm Springs temperature in May is 95°F.
June
Feeling hot, hot, hot! We’ve now entered the triple digit hot summers in Palm Springs. This is the beginning of the slow season because you are forced to stay indoors with the AC on most of the day. You can find good deals on hotels in the summer and you won’t have to wait in lines at restaurants.
PALM SPRINGS ACTIVITIES & EVENTS IN June:
The average Palm Springs temperature in June is 104°F.
Splash House - A summer pool party music festival hosted at multiple trendy hotels throughout Palm Springs. Think DJ’s spinning music at fabulous pools. There’s one date in June and a second in August.
Lush jungle garden paths inside The Parker Palm Springs.
Mid-century modern outdoor pool lounge chairs at The Parker Palm Springs.
July
Another scorching hot month is the desert. You can find discounted rates for hotels and a quieter Palm Springs. You can escape the heat with day trips to Mount San Jacinto State Park, which is significantly cooler.
PALM SPRINGS ACTIVITIES & EVENTS IN JuLy:
The average Palm Springs temperature in July is 108°F.
Mount San Jacinto State Park is much cooler in the summer with an average temperature of 87°F in July.
The Palm Springs Cultural Center hosts annual 4th of July events which include a fireworks show.
August
Yet another insanely hot month in Palm Springs is August. You’d have to really be a sun-lover to enjoy this intense heat, but there are some who can enjoy their vacations sipping cool summer cocktails. You can also find great deals on indoor spas inside many of the resorts during the hottest months of the year.
PALM SPRINGS ACTIVITIES & EVENTS IN August:
The average Palm Springs temperature in August is 107°F.
Splash House hosts their second event of the year in August.
Ace Hotel hosts the Draught in the Desert craft beer festival in August.
Fresh flowers and mid-century modern design decor inside The Parker Palm Springs Hotel.
Fresh flowers and mid-century modern design decor inside The Parker Palm Springs Hotel.
September
While it’s still very hot in September, the temperatures are starting to drop a little bit in September. If you’re wanting to still hold on to those endless summer days, Palm Springs can be a great last hurrah vacation destination.
PALM SPRINGS ACTIVITIES & EVENTS IN September:
The average Palm Springs temperature in September is 102°F.
Bhakti Fest is a yoga and spiritual desert retreat in September (dates may vary).
The Pink Cabana at Sands Hotel & Spa in Indian Wells hosts an exclusive annual dinner called Cabana Under the Stars in September.
October
October is when you are really begin to feel the temperatures dropping and the weather is much more comfortable. The hustle and bustle begins to come back into Palm Springs as visitors come to celebrate Halloween.
PALM SPRINGS ACTIVITIES & EVENTS IN October:
The average Palm Springs temperature in October is 91°F.
Modernism Week Fall Preview - A conference to educate and celebrate all things modern.
There’s Day of the Dead / Día de los Muertos celebrations of Mexican Halloween throughout Palm Springs.
Both family-friendly and adult-only Halloween parties and events.
Pink walls and vintage photography art inside hotel room at Saguaro Hotel.
November
November is a favorite month for many to travel to Palm Springs. The overbearing heat of the summer has officially passed and there’s a magical feeling in the air with the beginning of holiday festivities. For those searching for a colorful and less-traditional Thanksgiving, Palm Springs can be the perfect vacation destination. There’s many upscale restaurants in Palm Springs that serve both traditional and non-traditional Thanksgiving dinners.
Shopping in Palm Springs is a unique experience because there’s a huge market for highly curated vintage and antique clothing, decor and more. Because the weather is so pleasant in November, a plethora of outdoor markets open up for the public to enjoy leisurely shopping trips.
PALM SPRINGS ACTIVITIES & EVENTS IN November:
The average Palm Springs temperature in November is 79°F.
Props & Hops Craft Beer Festival.
Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival & Food Truck Fiesta.
Palm Springs Farmer’s Markets.
LGBT Pride in Palm Springs is celebrate in November (unlike most California cities where they celebrate in June).
December
Christmas in the California desert is filled with twinkling lights and palm trees. It’s a welcomed escape from cold winter days in other parts of the country in December.
PALM SPRINGS ACTIVITIES & EVENTS IN December:
The average Palm Springs temperature in December is 70°F.
Indio International Tamale Festival.
Multiple tree lighting ceremonies in the greater Palm Springs area.
Walk of the Inns - A holiday walking tour of festive boutique hotels.
More Guide to Palm Springs on the Blog:
Mural in the courtyard at Ace Swim Club Hotel.
Pink walls and palm trees at the Saguaro Hotel.
On Etsy.
On Etsy.
