Top Palm Springs Day Trips

Experience Joshua Tree National Park on a small-group tour from Palm Springs Art Museum. Explore surreal desert landscapes, towering rock formations, and hidden backroads. Learn about the San Andreas Fault's forces shaping the land and hear stories of the indigenous Cahuilla people. This half-day tour includes general admission, removing the need for separate park entry arrangements.

Soar over Palm Springs on the Aerial Tramway for spectacular views of the desert. Ascending to 5,783 feet (1,790 meters), the tram transports you to the San Jacinto Mountains. View unspoiled wilderness, including mountain spires and Ponderosa pine trees, during your ascent. Disembark and explore the area around Mountain Station, which includes a cocktail lounge, restaurant and observation deck. Hike, snowshoe or cross-country ski on the trails in the Mt. San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness Area around Mountain Station.

Explore a shady oasis and rugged canyons on a Hummer adventure that goes deep into Joshua Tree’s arid landscape. See the park's most iconic sights and learn about its geology, fauna, and cultural history. Immerse yourself in the majesty of this park in the company of an expert guide and small group, for personalized attention. Choose from morning or afternoon tour times to suit your schedule.

At nearly 800,000 acres, Joshua Tree is nearly impossible to take in on foot, and the best views are far off the paved path. Touring the park via 4x4, you’ll get to ride deep into the rugged backcountry, nabbing enviable views of the Mojave Desert, the sacred Joshua trees, wild rock formations, and more, making the most of your precious time in this incredible national park.

Explore Joshua Tree National Park and Palm Springs at your own pace with two self-guided driving audio tours in one package. GPS-triggered narration plays automatically as you follow the recommended routes, providing historical background and local insight without a group schedule. Download in advance and use offline for flexible touring. With lifetime access, this bundle is suitable for extended stays or return visits to the area.

Explore Joshua Tree National Park on a private guided tour designed for flexibility and ease. Travel by SUV or van with hotel pickup included, allowing you to cover more of the park without driving or planning routes yourself. With time for short walks and optional hiking, this experience offers a balanced way to see key landscapes while adjusting pace and activity level to your group’s preferences.

Tour Highlights: Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail Hike: Enjoy a 2.5-hour guided hike with scenic views of the forest and mountains. Idyllwild Exploration: Free time to wander through this charming mountain town and take advantage of exclusive discounts at local restaurants and shops. Scenic Lookout Point: Capture breathtaking photos of the Coachella Valley from a stunning lookout point on the return journey.

Say goodbye to the glitz of Palm Springs, and step back in time to simpler days, with an experience you won't find anywhere else. Leave behind modernity for a true eco-adventure, hopping on a mule-drawn covered wagon through the Sonoran Desert. With a naturalist leading your way, explore the vast landscapes of the Coachella Valley, returning to the ranch for music, yard games, barbecue, dancing, campfire marshmallows, and desert views under the stars.

Explore the uncanny landscape of Joshua Tree National Park with a tour from Palm Desert, near Palm Springs. Enjoy the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle as you navigate soaring granite formations and groves of the park’s famously spiky trees, and capture unforgettable images of terrain. Trace a gentle trail into the rocks at Hidden Valley and Keys View, watch for the park’s reclusive wildlife, and experience the unique beauty of one America’s most remarkable national parks.

Discover Palm Springs through the eyes of its famous residents and historical icons on this short tour through the bustling resort city. Instead of piling into a crowded tour bus with a mass of strangers, enjoy a personalized private tour with a guide who can answer your questions and tell you the stories you want to hear. Roam around some of the city’s historic districts, get photo ops at locations like Indian Canyon and the San Andreas faultline, and visit the property where the Rat Pack partied their way through the ‘60s.

Meet our sweet, social Goldens in a calm, loving environment designed for cozy bonding. Our open-air property in the desert is the perfect backdrop to relax, reset, and reconnect—with nature, and most importantly with yourself. Whether you're visiting for emotional comfort, a mindful escape, or just some joy, these dogs have a way of healing. All of our Golden Retrievers are Rescues

Explore the geology around California’s legendary San Andreas fault during a Jeep tour from Palm Desert. See a desert oasis fed by an underground spring as your naturalist guide describes how the Native American Cahuilla tribe used the desert's plants for food, medicine, and shelter. Marvel at steep-walled canyons and tall twisted rock mountains, and learn about the plant and animal life of the area. Choose from a morning or afternoon tour that includes light snacks, and bottled water.

Explore Palm Springs and Indian Canyons by bike and on foot during a half-day tour from downtown Palm Springs. With guide, bike rental, and snacks included, it’s easy to discover one of southern California’s most scenic city and desert landscapes. You'll ride through Palm Springs on a 10-mile (17-km) loop to Indian Canyons, then hike in the canyon at a leisurely pace suitable for reasonably active people.

Death Valley is one of America’s most evocative national parks, with desolate desert landscapes, dramatic mountain ranges, and of course, the lowest point in North America. Let Shaka Guide lead the way! We take you to many of the park’s most fascinating and awe-inspiring places. Plus, we’ll discover some surprising references to popular culture. You don’t know what you don’t know about Death Valley! Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the Death Valley National Park Tour! • Take in views of Badwater Basin at Dante’s View • Walk along of field of sand dunes at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes • Watch the sunrise, or set, at Zabriskie Point All Shaka Guide tours come with customer support and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Tours never expire. *Download the Shaka Guide app to access your purchased tours.*

Experience Southern California’s iconic sights with this self-guided driving and walking audio tour bundle! Visit the star-studded Hollywood Celebrity Homes, explore famous filming locations in Los Angeles, wander through the unique landscapes of Joshua Tree and Death Valley, and discover the architectural beauty of Palm Springs. From the glitzy Rodeo Drive to the serene La Jolla Cove, this bundle offers an unforgettable road trip through California’s diverse attractions. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! After booking, you can check your email, then download the Action Tour Guide App, enter your unique password, and access your tour. The preceding steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. Simply follow the audio instructions and the route from there. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want. This is not an entrance ticket to attractions along the route. Check opening hours before your visit.

This private, full-day tour makes it easy to escape Los Angeles for the relaxing desert sun of Palm Springs. Your private driver will pick you up from your LA hotel and whisk you off to the Coachella Valley to explore Palm Springs’ diverse attractions, from the San Jacinto mountains to the city’s mid-century modern architecture.

Discover Los Angeles in a single unforgettable day. Departing from Palm Springs, this full-day guided adventure takes you through the heart of LA — from the glitz of Beverly Hills to the iconic beaches of Santa Monica & Venice. You’ll explore the city’s most famous landmarks, neighborhoods, and cultural hotspots, gaining a real sense of LA’s size & energy. Stroll down the Hollywood Walk of Fame, shop along world-famous Rodeo Drive, grab a bite in Beverly Hills, and relax by the Pacific Ocean as you take in the classic Southern California vibe. Our flexible itinerary allows you to customize your stops — spend more time where you want, whether it’s people-watching on the Santa Monica Pier or snapping photos at the Hollywood Sign. We depart Palm Springs at 9:00 AM and return around 9:00 PM (depending on traffic), traveling in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle. If you’ve never been to Los Angeles, this tour is the perfect way to experience the city’s highlights in one incredible day.

Experience the harsh beauty of a land like no other: Death Valley. Famed for its record-breaking temperatures, this valley also serves up some sizzling scenery, from sprawling salt flats to rainbow-colored badlands and soaring mountain ranges. This self-guided driving tour shows you the best spots in the park and fills you in on this area’s rich history. Follow in the footsteps of Gold Rush miners and hear their stories as you explore this bizarre, unforgettable valley. Recommended: purchase one tour per car. Everyone can listen at the same time! After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.