A Three-Day Palm Springs Itinerary
Pools, canyons, architecture and one day trip
Palm Springs Spots Editors · Published Aug 28, 2026 · Updated Aug 28, 2026
Three days is exactly right for Palm Springs: one slow day, one active day, and one day out of the valley.
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| One | Design District | Pool | Workshop |
| Two | Indian Canyons | Aerial Tramway | Tac/Quila |
| Three | Joshua Tree | Drive back | Sandfish |
Day one — settle in
Coffee at Koffi, vintage shopping on North Palm Canyon, lunch at Trio, then the pool until sunset. Dinner at Workshop.
Day two — up and out
Start Indian Canyons at 8am before the heat. Shower, then take the Aerial Tramway up for the afternoon — it is 30 degrees cooler at the top. Tacos at Tac/Quila after.
Day three — day trip
Joshua Tree is an hour away and best in the morning. If you would rather stay in the valley, do Sunnylands gardens and El Paseo instead.
FAQ
- Do I need a car?
- Yes for day two and three. Downtown itself is walkable.
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In this guide
Where to go
Indian Canyons
Palm oases and streams on Agua Caliente tribal land — Palm, Andreas and Murray Canyons.
Full detailsJoshua Tree National Park
Boulder piles, Joshua tree forests and the best night sky within an hour of the valley.
Full detailsPalm Springs Aerial Tramway
The world's largest rotating tram car climbs 8,500 feet from the desert floor to alpine forest in ten minutes.
Full detailsWhile you're here
Coming up nearby
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