Palm Springs Activities
During Your Free Time

Some of you have never been to Palm Springs, for others, it’s old hat. If you are in the latter category, feel free to ignore these musings. If, however, you’d like some thoughts on our personal favorite things to do, read on.

Peter and I have been to Palm Springs about a half dozen times. Maybe that’s an exaggeration, but it’s the kind of place that feels familiar the first time you go. It’s not that the landscape is familiar, as it’s quite singular, so that’s not it. I think what feels familiar or wants to be familiar is the embrace of fun. I am always drawn to places that center on the enjoyment of life, and for me, Palm Springs is all about that.

As many of you know, it’s my natural tendency to over-plan, and sometimes I could be credibly accused of micro-managing social interactions. The reason for this isn’t because I think I know better, it’s just that I want to “bite the sponge” to get all the juice out. It’s an expression a photography instructor gave me long ago that I never forgot.

And it’s not enough for me to fully embrace life; I want it for all of you, too. That being said, my idea of fun and yours could differ ever so slightly, so in recognition and out of respect, I have not scheduled every inch of this weekend but have left you to create whatever fun feels like to you.

Below are some suggestions of what you might consider during your well-deserved time off from Biting the Sponge with us.

Soar above it all on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Hold onto your hat for this one! Climb aboard the world's largest rotating tramcar and prepare for the ride of your life as you ascend nearly 6,000 vertical feet up Chino Canyon's dramatic cliffs. As your car gently spins, you'll gasp at 360-degree views revealing the entire Coachella Valley spreading out like a magnificent patchwork quilt below. In just 10 breathtaking minutes, you'll travel from the desert floor to alpine wonderland at 8,516 feet, where temperatures drop 30 to 40 degrees and suddenly, you're in a completely different world. Explore hiking trails through pine forests, check out the natural history museum, grab a bite with the most incredible mountain views, and pinch yourself because yes, this is really happening!

Discover the Magic of Indian Canyons

Get ready to witness some of Mother Nature's finest work! These sacred canyons on ancestral Agua Caliente land will absolutely blow your mind with their towering California fan palms creating lush oases in the heart of the desert. Andreas, Murray, and Palm Canyons each offer their own brand of magic, from easy strolls perfect for soaking in the scenery to more challenging treks for adventure seekers. Keep your eyes peeled for bighorn sheep scaling rocky cliffs, listen for hundreds of bird species, discover ancient irrigation systems that still amaze engineers today, and feel the cool mist from hidden waterfalls. This is the desert at its most enchanting, and you're about to fall head over heels.

Chase Waterfalls at Tahquitz Canyon

Yes, there really is a 60-foot waterfall in the desert, and you're going to see it! This 2-mile loop trail is pure magic from start to finish, winding through a canyon that holds deep spiritual significance for the Agua Caliente people. Your journey takes you past ancient rock art, along a flowing stream (in the desert!), through fascinating desert vegetation, and finally to that spectacular cascade tumbling into a crystal-clear pool. The ranger-led tours at the visitor center bring the canyon's legends to life in ways that'll give you goosebumps. Moderate hiking meets incredible payoff; this is the kind of experience that turns into your favorite vacation story.

Fall for Palm Springs' Iconic Architecture

Welcome to the largest concentration of preserved mid-century modern architecture in the entire United States; design lovers, this is your happy place! Cruise through neighborhoods where every turn reveals another architectural gem: clean lines, walls of glass, butterfly roofs, and that seamless indoor-outdoor flow that defines desert modernism. See masterpieces by legends like Richard Neutra, Albert Frey, and William Krisel. Take a self-guided tour at your own pace or join organized tours that get you inside private homes while dishing all the celebrity gossip and design stories that make these buildings legendary. It's like stepping into a perfectly preserved time capsule of cool.

Get Cultured at the Palm Springs Art Museum

Prepare to spend hours getting lost in this stunning 150,000-square-foot temple to creativity right in downtown Palm Springs! The permanent collection is seriously impressive; contemporary masterpieces, jaw-dropping glass art installations by Dale Chihuly, thought-provoking photography, fascinating Native American artifacts, and Western American art that captures the spirit of the frontier. The building itself is a work of art with galleries bathed in perfect natural light and peaceful sculpture gardens. With rotating exhibitions featuring international artists and free admission on Thursdays, your only problem will be tearing yourself away.

Tour the 'Camp David of the West' at Sunnylands

Prepare to be absolutely dazzled by this 200-acre historic winter estate of the late ambassadors Walter and Leonore Annenberg, where presidents, royalty, and world leaders have gathered to shape history. The spectacular mid-century modern house designed by A. Quincy Jones showcases museum-quality art and period furnishings that'll have you swooning over every detail (home tours require advance reservations, book early!). The public gardens are freely accessible and absolutely stunning: nine acres of sustainable desert landscaping, tranquil water features that create shimmering reflections, contemporary sculptures adding artistic flair, and a striking visitor center with fascinating exhibits about international diplomacy and California history. It's elegance, power, and beauty all wrapped up in one unforgettable experience.