California is packed with unforgettable experiences, and Palm Springs is no exception. Whether you’re flying in for a major sporting event, a concert, a wedding, or simply passing through on a layover, you can turn your brief stay into a true adventure in this desert oasis, just two hours east of Los Angeles.
With just 24 hours, you’ll discover hot springs, great food, stunning landscapes, and plenty of opportunities to relax or play. To help you make the most of your day, the “Extra Time” team has crafted an itinerary designed to slow down and reconnect with your travelers, soak up the California sun, and end feeling better refreshed and renewed.
Tee off in a desert oasis at SilverRock Resort Golf Course, La Quinta
Start your day with an out-of-the-ordinary golf session at SilverRock Resort Golf Course in La Quinta. If the staff PGA instructors and course accolades aren’t enough to impress you, then the views certainly will. Set against the backdrop of the Santa Rosa Mountains, SilverRock feels more like stepping into a rugged oasis than your typical day on the links. Its curving streams, massive date trees, and challenging Arnold Palmer Classic Course make this a bucket-list stop for golfers.
Bliss out at Azure Palm Resort and Spa, Desert Hot Springs
They don’t call it Desert Hot Springs for nothing. Go for a restorative soak at one of Azure Palm Hot Springs Resort and Spa’s numerous hot springs. At 174 degrees, these are among the hottest (and most mineral-rich) in the region.
Overnight guests can bathe in the healing aura of the Himalayan Salt Room, the only one of its kind in the Coachella Valley. Be sure to check out the expansive spa menu, with treatments ranging from mud wraps to Finnish saunas and reflexology walks.
Lounge poolside at the colorful Saguaro Hotel, Palm Springs
Bask in Palm Springs’ famous sunshine at the vibrant Saguaro Hotel. With a pool pass in hand, make your way to the rentable cabanas, where you can order a spicy guava margarita and a plate of Baja fish tacos—best enjoyed poolside.
Explore botanical marvels at Moorten Botanical Garden, Palm Springs
Walk the world’s first Cactarium at this locally owned botanical garden with a fascinating backstory in downtown Palm Springs. Created by noted landscape designer Chester “Cactus Slim” Moorten and his wife, Patricia, Moortens Botanical Garden houses more than 3,000 varieties of plants, plus nature trails and a dozen-plus biomes to peruse. Take a stroll through the greenhouse, spot vintage trinkets, or adopt a prickly keepsake at the onsite nursery.
Sip on craft cocktails at Seymour's, Palm Springs
Sneak past Mr. Lyons through an unmarked side entrance to make your way to Seymour’s. Inside this enchanting neighborhood bar you’ll find highly skilled bartenders shaking up standout cocktails, from signature drinks like the Little Owl with an IPA reduction or the Thirteen Petals finished with cardamon bitters. Liven up the evening with a game of bocce ball under the stars on the spacious outdoor patio.
Take in sweeping views—and dinner in the sky—at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
A trip to Palm Springs is hardly complete without a ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Ascend 8,516 feet to the Mountain Station for unmatched views of the San Jacinto Mountains from the observation deck. Beyond the scenery, you’ll find a state park visitor center, a natural history museum, two documentary theaters, a gift shop, numerous hiking trails, and two dining options, plus a cafe at the Valley Station. End the day with a pink sunset and sky-high meal at Peak’s Restaurant, which was named one of the World’s Best Cliffside Restaurants by Architectural Digest.