Why Honeymoon in Palm Springs
Palm Springs offers something rare: reliable winter sun within a short flight of most of the West. While much of the country is cold, highs in the Coachella Valley often sit in the 70s from December through February. That makes it a good honeymoon for couples married in late fall or winter who do not want to travel far.
The town has a strong personality. It is known for desert modernism, the clean lined architecture of the 1950s and 60s. Many hotels are restored motels with bold colors, private patios and salt water pools. Some are kid-free, which keeps things quiet. The scenery is close: hikes into canyons with native palm groves start at the edge of town, the Aerial Tramway rises to pine forest in about ten minutes and Joshua Tree National Park is about an hour away. For two people who just want to rest after a wedding, there is little pressure to do anything at all.
When to Go
The best months are October through April, with March and November especially pleasant. Winter days are warm and sunny, but nights can drop into the 40s, so bring a sweater for evenings by the fire pit.
Peak season runs January through April, when prices climb and big events fill the valley. Modernism Week brings architecture tours and parties in February. The Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals in nearby Indio fill hotels across the valley on two April weekends each, so check festival dates before booking.
May is warming up but often still pleasant. From June to September, temperatures commonly reach 105°F or higher and can climb past 115°F. Rates drop sharply and some smaller hotels and restaurants reduce hours or close for the season. If summer is your only option, plan for early mornings, a pool with shade and cool evenings up on the tramway.
Where to Stay
Most couples choose a small boutique hotel rather than a big resort. The Movie Colony and Warm Sands neighborhoods, a short walk or bike ride from downtown, are full of restored mid-century and Spanish style inns with only a handful of rooms. Korakia Pensione and Sparrows Lodge are two well known examples with a rustic, quiet feel. The Parker Palm Springs offers a playful, colorful resort with gardens and a spa.
Downtown Palm Springs puts you within walking distance of restaurants and bars along Palm Canyon Drive. For a more secluded feel, look at private vacation rentals with their own pool, which are common here; check the minimum stay and local rules, which limit some rentals.
If you want a full service resort with golf and large spas, the neighboring cities of Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert and Indian Wells have several. Desert Hot Springs, north of town, has mineral spring spa hotels.
Romantic Things to Do
- Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway up Mount San Jacinto, where it can be 30 or more degrees cooler, then hike the pine forest at the top.
- Walk through palm groves and streams in the Indian Canyons, on the reservation lands of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.
- Drive to Joshua Tree National Park for a sunrise or sunset walk among boulders and twisted yuccas, then stay for the stars.
- Rent bikes or join a tour to see famous mid-century homes in neighborhoods such as Twin Palms and the Movie Colony.
- Book a couples massage at a mineral spring spa in Desert Hot Springs.
- Spend Thursday evening at VillageFest, the weekly street fair on Palm Canyon Drive.
- Take a sunset jeep tour along the San Andreas Fault.
Getting There and Around
Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) is one of the most convenient airports in the country, a few minutes from downtown. It has nonstop flights from many western cities and, in the busy winter season, from a number of East Coast and Midwest cities as well. Schedules change by season, so check current routes.
Many couples fly into Los Angeles (LAX) or Ontario (ONT) and drive. LAX is about 2 hours away without traffic but can easily take 3. That drive pairs well with a few days on the coast.
A car is useful for Joshua Tree, the canyons and resorts down valley, but within central Palm Springs you can walk, bike or use rideshare. Many hotels lend bicycles. In the heat of the day, walking even a short distance can feel like a lot, so plan outings for mornings and evenings.
Food and Drink
Dining in Palm Springs leans toward relaxed patios, retro supper clubs and good brunches. Melvyn's at the Ingleside Inn is a long running throwback with a piano bar and tableside service. Downtown has plenty of modern California restaurants with misters on the patio and views of the mountains.
The cocktail is a local institution. Martinis, margaritas and anything with grapefruit appear on every menu. Happy hour is a serious ritual. Brunch is equally important, especially on weekends.
The Coachella Valley grows most of the country's dates, so try a date shake, a milkshake blended with dates, at Shields Date Garden in Indio or at a stand on the way to Joshua Tree. The town of Joshua Tree and nearby Pioneertown have quirky roadhouses; Pappy and Harriet's in Pioneertown is a well known spot for barbecue and live music.
Honeymoon Tips
Drink more water than you think you need. The air is so dry that you can dehydrate without feeling sweaty. The sun is strong even in winter. Use high SPF sunscreen and wear hats on hikes.
For hiking in Joshua Tree or the canyons, start early, carry at least a liter of water each and never hike in the heat of a summer afternoon. Joshua Tree has limited cell service and few services inside the park, so fill up on gas and download maps first.
Check whether your hotel is kid-free if quiet matters to you; many small inns are. Book festival weekends and Modernism Week early or avoid them. Dress is casual, though some supper clubs are a bit dressier in the evening; one smart outfit each is enough. Finally, if you want a private pool, a vacation rental can cost less than a hotel suite.
