People ask us all the time: "Is summer really that bad in Palm Springs?" And our honest answer is — it depends entirely on your mindset. If you come expecting to hike, shop, and explore, yes, summer is brutal. But if you come expecting to plant yourself next to a private pool, day drink frozen margaritas, and not move for 72 hours? Summer in Palm Springs is absolutely incredible.
The secret that locals know: summer is actually one of the best times to rent an Airbnb here. Prices drop significantly, the crowds thin out, and you get the whole desert to yourself. The trade-off is it's going to be 108-115°F outside. The solution is a private pool and a game plan. Here's exactly how to pull it off.
First: Embrace the Heat
The number one mistake summer visitors make is fighting the heat instead of leaning into it. Stop planning outdoor activities for the middle of the day. Stop trying to walk around downtown at 2pm. The desert summer has its own rhythm and once you sync with it, everything clicks.
The schedule that works: sleep in, slow morning by the pool, big cold lunch indoors, back to the pool in the late afternoon when the light is golden and the temperature is dropping to a merely aggressive 100°F, then out for dinner after 7pm when it actually feels nice outside. That's the Palm Springs summer formula and it works every time.
Real Talk
When it's 110°F the pool water is going to feel like a warm bath by mid-afternoon. That's not a bug, it's a feature. Lean in. You're basically in a giant outdoor hot tub with mountains and palm trees. Worse things have happened.
Set Up Your Airbnb Like a Resort
A summer Palm Springs pool party lives or dies by how well your Airbnb is set up. The goal is to never need to leave. Here's what you need:
Frozen Drinks on Demand
This is non-negotiable in summer. A margarita machine running all day is not a luxury in 110°F heat, it's a necessity. Rent a Ninja Slushi Pro margarita machine from Party Wagon PS and you have an unlimited supply of frozen margs, spiked slushies and frosé without anyone having to run to the blender every 20 minutes. Keep it in the shade near the pool and let people serve themselves. It changes the whole dynamic of the day.
A Stocked Cooler
Load up a rolling cooler the night before and keep it poolside. Beer, water, seltzers, juice — whatever the group drinks. The key is having everything within arm's reach so nobody has to go inside. In summer, every trip inside to the air conditioning makes it harder to come back out. Keep the party outside by keeping everything outside.
Shade
If your Airbnb has umbrellas or a covered patio area, use them. Rotating between full sun and shade is how you survive a long summer pool day without getting wrecked. Apply sunscreen aggressively and reapply every two hours — the desert sun at summer intensity is no joke.
Pool Snacks
A roller grill with taquitos and hot dogs running throughout the day is the perfect poolside snack setup. Easy, fun, nobody has to cook a real meal, and the smell of taquitos rolling on a grill is genuinely one of the great sensory experiences of a Palm Springs summer afternoon.
Party Wagon PS Delivers
The Full Summer Pool Party Setup
Margarita / Slushie Machine, Roller Grill and Wheeled Cooler delivered to your Palm Springs Airbnb. Everything you need for a full day pool party — drop-off and pick-up included. Bundle discounts available.
Book Your RentalsThe Summer Pool Party Checklist
Before Your Group Arrives
- Book your Party Wagon PS rentals — margarita machine, roller grill, cooler
- Hit the grocery store the night before: frozen drink mixers, ice (lots of it), drinks, taquitos, hot dogs, snacks, breakfast food
- Stock the freezer with extra ice — you will use more than you think
- Set up the cooler the night before so it's pre-chilled
- Download a good playlist — summer pool energy only
Day Of
- Get Mentosa Coffee orders in early before the heat hits
- Get the margarita machine running by 11am
- Set up umbrellas and shade before everyone gets in the pool
- Sunscreen before you go outside — reapply every 2 hours, no exceptions
- Keep cold water available alongside the fun drinks — hydration matters in summer heat
- Plan indoor time from about 1-4pm for lunch and a midday reset
- Get back outside around 4-5pm for the golden hour
Getting Out: What Actually Works in Summer
You're not going to be hiking or doing outdoor tours in July. That's fine. Here's what Palm Springs summer actually has going for it:
Morning Activities Only
If your group wants to explore, do it before 10am. The Palm Springs Art Museum, a quick walk through the Uptown Design District, or coffee and a slow browse through Mojave Flea Trading Post are all great early morning activities before the heat becomes genuinely oppressive.
Dinner After 7pm
Palm Springs evenings in summer are genuinely lovely. The temperature drops into the 80s and 90s and the whole city feels like it exhales. This is the time to go out for dinner. Lola Rose, Gabino's Creperie, or just a long meal anywhere with outdoor seating — summer evenings here are special.
The Casino
Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage is perfectly air conditioned and a great mid-day summer activity when being outside is not an option. Set a fun group budget and make an afternoon of it. It's one of those Palm Springs summer activities that locals genuinely enjoy.
Spa Day
Two Bunch Palms in Desert Hot Springs runs great summer deals and is one of the few activities that actually improves in the heat. Indoor pools, mineral soaks, treatments — it's a natural fit for a hot summer day and most places offer summer discounts worth looking into.
The Honest Summer Packing List
Sunscreen, and then more sunscreen. SPF 50 minimum. The desert sun at summer intensity will burn you faster than you expect, especially when you're in and out of the pool all day.
A quality insulated water bottle. Keep it filled with cold water at all times. The heat is serious and staying hydrated alongside the frozen drinks is genuinely important.
Light loose clothing for evenings. The evenings are warm but not oppressive and you'll want something comfortable for going out to dinner.
Pool shoes or flip flops with grip. Pool decks in summer sun get extremely hot. You will need these to walk from the door to the pool.
Everything else — the equipment, the snacks, the frozen drinks — we handle the delivery. You just show up.