Palm Springs in March: Tennis, Wildflowers and Pool Season Starting

Weather and the wind

March averages highs around 80 Fahrenheit with nights in the low 50s. That combination is the sweet spot for most visitors: warm enough to spend the afternoon in a pool, cool enough to hike in the morning without heat risk. It is also the windiest stretch of the year in the valley, particularly in the San Gorgonio Pass and the north end of Palm Springs. Wind cancels outdoor events, closes exposed patios and can make the Aerial Tramway suspend service, so keep a flexible plan.

In a wet winter, March brings desert wildflowers in the canyons and along Highway 74. Hiking in the Indian Canyons is at its best early in the month.

Events with confirmed dates

• BNP Paribas Open — through March 14, 2027, Indian Wells. The valley's largest sporting event. The main draw's second week is the busiest and most expensive; the first weekend and qualifying rounds are cheap, uncrowded and a genuinely good day out. Traffic on Highway 111 and Washington Street is heavy around session changes.
• Cathedral City LGBT Days — March 19–21, 2027 (dates published, not yet confirmed by us). Check [the official site](https://cathedralcitylgbtdays.com/) before booking.
• Palm Desert Food & Wine — March 26–28, 2027 (dates published, not yet confirmed by us). Check [palmdesertfoodandwine.com](https://palmdesertfoodandwine.com/).

Weekly fixtures — VillageFest, farmers markets, the College of the Desert Street Fair, free Thursday evenings at the art museum — run all month. See the events calendar for your dates.

Spring break and crowds

Demand stays high all month and shifts in character: families and college spring break arrive as the snowbird season winds down, and Palm Springs pool scenes get loud. If you want a quiet trip, avoid the mid-March weekends, book a smaller adults-only property, and read the spring break and festival season guide for what to expect.

Hotel rates hold near peak through the tennis, then soften slightly in the last week of the month. For tennis, staying in Indian Wells, La Quinta or Palm Desert removes a long drive; see the city comparison.

How to plan the days

This is the first month where the classic Palm Springs day works exactly as advertised: hike or ride the tramway early, pool from noon, patio dinner at sunset. Add a day trip — Joshua Tree is superb in March — and be careful about afternoon hikes late in the month, when highs can reach the 90s.

Who March suits

Almost everyone: tennis fans, families, poolside travelers, hikers and photographers. Less ideal if you want quiet — March is loud — or if wind would ruin your plans.