The Best Time to Visit Palm Springs: Season-by-Season Guide

As a California native, I’ve been lucky enough to visit Palm Springs countless times over the years. This means I know the ins and outs of vacationing in this iconic desert destination during each season!

Generally speaking, the early spring and late fall are both considered the best time to visit Palm Springs. This is when you get that ideal, sunny weather that is perfect for lounging by the pool and spending time outside. 

That said, there are pros and cons of visiting during each season. Depending on your budget and travel preferences, another time of year may work best for you! Here’s a closer look at visiting Palm Springs during each season, and how you should decide when to book your desert getaway.

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Visiting in the Summer and Early Fall (late June through September)

The summer into early fall is the least popular time of year to visit Palm Springs. From June through September, the desert heat is truly extreme. It’s normal for temperatures on most (if not all) days to reach into the 100s. 

If you really want to explore the best of Palm Springs and spend lots of time out and about, this isn’t the best time of year to go to Palm Springs. With frequent triple digit temperatures, you’re not going to be able to enjoy being outside and sightseeing. 

That all said, there are some benefits to visiting Palm Springs in the summer. That extreme heat drives visitors away, which means there are far fewer crowds and better prices for accommodations. 

If you’re planning a super low-key, pool-centric Palm Springs vacation (and can handle the high temperatures!) the summer may be a great time to visit – especially if you’re looking for a steal on hotels. 

One other popular attraction that you can enjoy during the summer is the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The temperatures are typically around 30 degrees cooler at the top of the mountain, offering a much-needed respite from the heat!  

Events in the Summer:

• Splash House (music festival and pool party that spans across multiple properties in Palm Springs, over two weekends in August)

Visiting in the Winter (December through mid-March)

As mentioned above, a lot of tourists visit Palm Springs around the holidays. While the crowds may calm down a touch right after the holidays, people still flock to the area from January through March to soak up the sun and escape colder weather in other parts of the country. You should expect bigger crowds and higher accommodation prices during this time of year, especially in the later winter. 

Average temperatures tend to hit the low 70s during the day. This is an excellent time of year to go hiking and generally explore all of the attractions around Palm Springs. It’s also a great time to plan a day trip to Joshua Tree!

It’s important to highlight that there are quite a few events in Palm Springs in the winter (as well as in the greater Coachella Valley), which impacts crowds levels and accommodation prices even more. This includes the popular film festival in January, Modernism Week in February, and the Indian Wells Open in March. 

Events in the Winter:

• Palm Springs International Film Festival (a multi-day event from early to mid January)
• Tour de Palm Springs (a 1-day event in early February)
• Modernism Week (an 11-day event around the middle of February)
• Indian Wells Open/BNP Paribas Open (a two-week event from early to mid March)

Visiting in the Spring (mid-March through early June)

The spring (especially around March and April) is one of the busiest times in Palm Springs.  

In the early spring, you can expect perfect weather. It’s a great time to plan a fun weekend trip to Palm Springs! 

Daytime temperatures hit the low to high 80s. It’s hot (but not uncomfortably so!), and especially ideal for lounging by the pool. It continues to warm up in the later spring, with temperatures often reaching into the 90s (and occasionally the low 100s, especially once you hit June).  

As you might expect, accommodation prices tend to be higher around the early spring. You may be able to snag a slightly better deal around May and early June, which is the shoulder season…you’ll just have to deal with hotter temperatures!

It’s also important to note that the Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals happen over multiple weekends in April. If you’re visiting Palm Springs proper, the crowds shouldn’t impact your visit too heavily, as the festivals are located in Indio (about a 45-minute drive from Downtown Palm Springs). However, Palm Desert and La Quinta will see more crowds from festival goers. 

No matter where exactly you are visiting, traffic heading into and leaving the greater Coachella Valley will be heavier at the start and end of each weekend. 

Events in the Spring:

• Coachella Music Festival in Indio (over two long Weekends in mid/late April)
• Stagecoach Music Festival in Indio (over one long weekend in late April)

Planning Your Perfect Trip to Palm Springs: The Best Months to Visit for Your Needs

For ideal weather, I recommend visiting Palm Springs around March, April, October, or early November. These are often considered to be the best months to visit Palm Springs, thanks to the sunny, warm weather.

If you want to save on accommodations (and want to avoid the crowds), consider booking around the shoulder season (May and October), or the summer…if you can handle the heat!