A Little Palm Springs History
It's that time of year on the West Coast when the leaves start falling, the air turns crisp, and we find ourselves longing for one more day of summer sun, maybe one last afternoon at the summer house. Getting outside suddenly takes a little more effort. What many of us start craving instead is a getaway to the desert, with its soft tan landscape, sun-baked earth and that deep, smoky warmth of agarwood and cedar with golden resins somewhere in the distance.
Palm Springs has long been one of the most reliable winter escapes, and for good reason. Tucked into the interior of California, it somehow manages to keep the feeling of endless summer even as the rest of the coast cools down. The valley comes alive once the cooler months arrive.
What began as an ancient Indigenous oasis slowly transformed into a world-class desert playground in the 1930s and 1940s. Walking down Palm Canyon Drive in the decades that followed felt like strolling through a town filled with familiar faces. Elvis might pull up in a convertible. The Rat Pack could be hosting a party just a block off the main strip. The reason was simple and very Hollywood: the famous two-hour rule. If you were under contract, you couldn't be more than two hours away in case the studio needed you for a reshoot. When the cold weather settled in, some of the biggest stars simply headed for the desert.
Today the valley is still a winter playground, just a little more discreet. There are more than 100 golf courses, along with some of the country's most private estates, clubs and resorts. What many people come to appreciate most, though, is the openness of the place. Because so many residents are seasonal, the community tends to welcome newcomers and longer-stay guests with ease. Dinner parties, club events, charity gatherings and casual introductions make it surprisingly simple to build a social circle, especially if you're settling in for several weeks or a full season.
Getting to Palm Springs by Private Jet
When you fly private from Victoria or Vancouver, Palm Springs is a single nonstop flight of about three hours. You leave the grey skies and wet tarmac behind, and by the time you've settled into the cabin, the San Jacinto Mountains are rising out of the desert floor below. You'll touch down at Palm Springs International and head to a private partner FBO, where warm, dry air meets you at the aircraft door. From there, it's just ten minutes to downtown and an easy drive to Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells and La Quinta.
When to Visit Palm Springs: Events
A few times of year stand out if you want to plan around something special:
Modernism Week
February 11 to 21, 2027 (and a shorter edition each October)
This is the one we'd plan around first. Eleven days of midcentury and modern architecture, design, art, landscape and vintage culture, with hundreds of tours, talks and events. The most popular home tours sell out, so booking early is wise. One stop that stands out to us is the Elvis Presley Honeymoon Hideaway, the striking circular house where Elvis and Priscilla spent their honeymoon in 1967. It's a lovely reminder of how thoughtful and theatrical desert modernism could be.
BNP Paribas Open, Indian Wells
February 28 to March 14, 2027
Often called tennis's "fifth Grand Slam," this brings many of the top players to the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Picture 29 courts and a 16,000-seat stadium under clear March skies, the Santa Rosa Mountains behind the baseline and the soft pop of the ball carrying across the grounds. It's polished and expansive without the intensity of a true Grand Slam. A wonderful option if you enjoy world-class sport in a setting that still feels relaxed enough for multi-generational groups.
If you and your guests want something more energetic, the big music festivals are also here:
Coachella
April 9 to 11 and April 16 to 18, 2027
It remains one of the world's most recognisable music and arts festivals, drawing major pop, rock, hip hop and electronic artists to Indio.
Stagecoach
April 23 to 25, 2027
It's a three-day country music festival produced by Goldenvoice, the same team behind Coachella, and held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio.
Where to Stay in Palm Springs
A few places that feel especially right for this kind of trip:
The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage: Resort living on a 650-foot bluff above the valley, with mountain views, several pools, a full spa and programming that works well for mixed ages. A comfortable base that feels complete.
The Parker Palm Springs: Jonathan Adler's playful, high-design take on desert glamour. The grounds and spa are generous, the atmosphere lively without being loud. It works nicely for couples or families who want character.
Korakia Pensione: A Moroccan-inspired hideaway with courtyard living and a sense of old-world oasis calm. Intimate and atmospheric. Guests 13 and up.
La Serena Villas: Quiet villas with private patios, outdoor soaking tubs and fire pits, and a residential feel. Ideal when you want privacy more than a full resort experience. Adults only.
Twin Palms Frank Sinatra Estate: The original Sinatra estate, available for private rental. There's something special about spending a weekend in the house where Sinatra hosted his famous desert parties.
For the most private stays of all, see Sensei Porcupine Creek under Spas and Wellness and the Invisible House under our Bucket List.
A quick sense of the different corners of the valley:
Palm Springs for architecture, character and its long celebrity history.
Indian Wells for gated estates, quiet country clubs and world-class tennis each March.
Rancho Mirage for classic desert elegance and a quieter residential feel.
La Quinta for mountain views, golf heritage and a more secluded atmosphere.
Palm Desert for a central location, especially if you like walking El Paseo, one of the most picturesque streets in the valley, with palm trees, boutiques, art galleries and dining running the length of it.
Things to Do in Palm Springs
Adventure
If you like a good thrill, we recommend the following:
BMW Performance Center track experience in Thermal: Structured, high-performance driving on a private track inside the members-only Thermal Club, with professional instructors alongside.
Joshua Tree National Park: Iconic boulder fields and otherworldly landscapes. Best early or late in the day, ideally with a private guide so the experience stays unhurried.
4x4 through Painted Canyon: A guided off-road outing into colourful slot canyons and badlands. Dramatic scenery with a real sense of discovery.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway: The world's largest rotating tram cars climb from desert floor to alpine heights in minutes. A striking shift in temperature and landscape.
Hot-air balloon over the valley: Sunrise flights that reveal the full sweep of mountains and golf courses in soft light. Quietly spectacular.
Jeep into the San Andreas Fault: A guided geological and scenic tour that makes the desert's underlying drama tangible.
Golf and Tennis
A more refined sport getaway. Golf is everywhere, with more than 100 courses across the valley. For those thinking about a more permanent winter base, a few of the private clubs stand out:
BIGHORN Golf Club, Palm Desert: An exceptionally private club with two highly regarded courses (Canyons and Mountains). Golf Digest currently ranks the Canyons course No. 27 in California, and both courses sit inside the state's top 30. Membership is tied to property ownership and includes extensive spa, dining and social life.
The Madison Club, La Quinta: A Tom Fazio course, estate homes and a very discreet clientele, with golf membership limited to property owners.
Beyond the BNP Paribas Open, tennis here is a daily ritual: early sets in the cool morning air, the mountains catching the first light. Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage offers a more traditional private-club experience, with 29 tennis courts across grass, clay and hard surfaces, plus 20 separate pickleball courts.
Spas and Wellness
Sensei Porcupine Creek, Rancho Mirage: One of the valley's most private wellness retreats, set on Larry Ellison's former 230-acre estate and co-founded with physician Dr. David Agus. With only 22 rooms, it's built around personalised health data, guided movement, nourishment and rest rather than a menu of treatments. Ideal if you want the reset to be as considered as the rest of the trip.
Integratron sound bath in Landers: A uniquely memorable experience inside a wooden dome designed for pure acoustic resonance. Guests lie on the floor while tones wash over them; many find it deeply restorative.
Two Bunch Palms Spa Resort, Desert Hot Springs: A historic mineral-spring spa with a quietly bohemian feel, built around a natural spring said to be 600 years old. Natural hot pools and thoughtful treatments in a secluded setting.
The Parker Palm Springs spa: Stylish and comprehensive, set within the hotel's expansive grounds. Easy to spend a full restorative day without leaving the property.
For the Grandchildren (and the Rest of the Family)
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert is a standout. It explores desert ecosystems from Africa, Australia and North America, with more than 150 species across 1,200 protected acres. Kids can feed giraffes, see black rhinos and explore interactive habitats. It's polished enough for grandparents and engaging enough for the younger ones, and genuinely enjoyable for everyone.
Where to Eat in Palm Springs
A few places that feel especially worth the table:
Melvyn's: Classic old-Hollywood dining inside the Ingleside Estate. Tableside Steak Diane, a proper martini and an atmosphere that still carries the glow of Sinatra's Palm Springs.
Workshop Kitchen + Bar: Serious, farm-driven California cooking in a striking converted 1920s building. Consistently one of the valley's most respected kitchens.
Bar Cecil: Intimate, art-filled and Michelin-recognized. Classic American dishes and the famous martini. Tables book weeks out, for good reason.
4 Saints: Rooftop modern American cooking at the Kimpton Rowan in downtown Palm Springs, with sweeping desert and mountain views. Lovely for a long dinner as the evening settles in.
Bucket List
If there's one experience we'd put at the very top of our list, it's the Invisible House near Joshua Tree. A mirrored architectural landmark with a 100-foot heated indoor pool running the length of the living space, set on roughly 90 private acres at the edge of the national park. It feels both radical and peaceful, a rare stay that delivers genuine awe. Book well ahead; availability is limited.
Palm Springs FAQ
How do I fly to Palm Springs privately from Vancouver or Victoria? It's a single nonstop flight of about three hours by private jet into Palm Springs International (PSP), where you'll head to a private partner FBO. From there it's about ten minutes to downtown Palm Springs and an easy drive to Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells and La Quinta.
When is the best time to visit Palm Springs? The season runs roughly November through April. February to April is the busiest stretch, with Modernism Week, the BNP Paribas Open, Coachella and Stagecoach.
Can visitors play the private golf clubs? Clubs like BIGHORN and The Madison Club are for members, and guests play when hosted by a member.