Sunshine is nearly guaranteed year-round, mountain ranges frame the horizon, and mid-century modern architecture turns an afternoon stroll into a sightseeing day trip. If you love that mix of desert scenery and design, here are a few of the city’s most iconic sights.*

ICONIC SIGHTS FOR DESIGN LOVERS

In the mid-20th century, architects in Palm Springs didn’t try to soften the desert or shut it out; they worked with it. Mid-century modernism was a practical response to heat, glare, and open space, creating one of the world’s most celebrated collections of desert modernism. To catch a glimpse of this, indulge in these experiences:

• Modernism Week (June, October, February): A citywide celebration of desert modernism, with guided tours, lectures, and special access to private homes.
• Frey House II (Palm Springs Art Museum tour): Perched high above the city on a rocky hillside, this 1964 Albert Frey landmark incorporates massive boulders into the structure and looks out over the desert in every direction.
• Stroll Old Las Palmas and other mid-century modern neighborhoods: Follow a self-guided route from Modern Tours Palm Springs for celebrity homes and classic design at an unhurried pace.
• Palm Springs Historical Society bike tours: Scheduled group rides (about 8- to 9-mile routes) that explore the city’s social and architectural history.
• Browse downtown design shops: Start at The Shops at 1345 for linens, ceramics, and Moroccan rugs; then pop into Christopher Anthony Ltd. for fine art and vintage furnishings, and Peepa’s for curated apparel, art, and accessories.

ICONIC SIGHTS IN NATURE

Beyond the built environment, Palm Springs is tethered to the natural world, from mountain peaks to desert canyons. Find great nature escapes at: 

• Palm Springs Aerial Tramway: Ride from the desert floor into alpine forest in minutes for a dramatic change in perspective. Experience panoramic views over the Coachella Valley and scenic overlooks in Mount San Jacinto State Park.
• Indian Canyons: The 31,500-acre reserve on the ancestral lands of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians offers trails from easy 1-mile loops to 10-plus-mile treks. If you’re visiting during March or April, ask about seasonal waterfalls fed by winter rain and snowmelt.
• Joshua Tree National Park: An easy day trip from Palm Springs, where the Mojave and Colorado deserts meet among Joshua trees and massive boulder formations. With more than 100 miles of hiking trails, it’s best enjoyed early (or at sunset) for cooler temperatures and with plenty of water.

ICONIC SIGHTS WITH SIPS AND BITES

Palm Springs dining shines when architecture and setting work together. Start here to immerse yourself in views while enjoying a bite or drink. 

• Workshop Kitchen & Bar: Housed in the town’s first movie theater, the space pairs soaring ceilings and concrete design details with a MICHELIN-recognized seasonal, farm-to-table menu.
• Boozehounds: An open-air favorite with one of the Coachella Valley’s best patios for brunch and sunset happy hour.
• Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge: Playful interiors and a spacious patio make it quintessential Palm Springs.
• Melvyn’s Restaurant & Bar: Located within the Ingleside Estate, Melvyn’s is the place to catch a glimpse of an earlier Palm Springs. Come for the piano bar, Rat Pack-era dining room, and outdoor patio—the perfect spot to sip a martini and watch the sunset. Reservations are recommended.

Maggie Downs has written for The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Travel + Leisure, and many others. She is the author of Braver Than You Think: Around the World on the Trip of My (Mother’s) Lifetime and 50 Things to Do Before You’re Five.

WHERE TO STAY 

Hyatt Vacation Club^® at Desert Oasis

Set up camp at Desert Oasis. With sunshine on most days of the year, it’s easy to balance architecture spotting and scenic drives with time back at the resort, where these amenities and activities await: 

• Two pools for sun-soaked swims and post-hike cooldowns
• A fitness center to help you keep your routine
• An activity room with virtual reality, pool tables, a Nintendo Switch^TM, and more
• An on-site escape room for a break from the great outdoors

ADDITIONAL AVAILABILITY ACROSS NETWORKS^**

Platinum Collection and Heritage Collection Owners can access each other’s resort networks through Interval^®, with priority access and a reduced exchange fee when exchanging between the two collections.

• Visit The Lounge to find out how many Platinum Points, Portfolio Points, or Club Points you need to make an exchange. 
• Place an exchange request on the Interval website or mobile app or call 800-GO-HYATT.
• Owners can exchange for stays at some 3,200 resorts in 90+ countries.
• Receive confirmation for your vacation and get ready for your next adventure.

^* No inquiry has been made into the off-site locations, activities, services, or events, or the qualifications, safety, or quality of the off-site locations, activities, services, or events, and WHV Resort Group, Inc. and HV Global Group, Inc. (collectively, “HVC”) make no warranty, express or implied, as to the condition, capacity, performance, or any other aspect of such off-site locations, activities, events, or service providers listed herein. Do not consider this an endorsement of or recommendation for any of the off-site locations, activities, services, events, or providers. Neither WHV Resort Group, Inc. nor HV Global Group, Inc. assumes liability for attendance at, or visits to, any off-site locations, or the products, activities, or services furnished by independent service providers. Additional fees and costs may apply. Activities and events are subject to change. Some activities or events may require the participant to be in good health and have a certain level of skill.

^** Participation is subject to Interval International^®’s Terms and Conditions of Membership and Exchange. Access to resorts and services described as part of the exchange with Interval International is provided via an affiliation with Interval International, Inc. Actual participating resorts are subject to change. Participation in exchange may require the payment of additional fees.