Let's be upfront: most travel guides will tell you to avoid Palm Springs in the summer. They're not wrong that it's hot — we're talking 108-115°F on a typical July afternoon. But those guides are also missing the point entirely. People who come to Palm Springs in the summer and know what they're doing have some of the best trips of anyone who visits all year.
Prices are lower. Crowds are basically nonexistent. The best Airbnbs are available. And the desert in summer has a wild, dramatic, almost otherworldly quality that you just don't get in the mild months. This is our honest guide to making it work.
The Golden Rule: Work With the Heat
The entire summer Palm Springs experience is built around one simple principle: be inside or in water during the hottest part of the day (roughly 11am-5pm), and be outside for the mornings and evenings. Once you accept this structure everything else falls into place naturally.
Mornings here are genuinely lovely even in summer — often starting in the low 80s before climbing. Evenings drop back into the 90s and feel almost cool by comparison. The hours in between are for pools, air conditioning, casinos, spas, naps, and frozen drinks. This is not a hardship. This is a vacation.
The Local Schedule
9am coffee run, 10am pool, 1pm lunch inside with the AC blasting, 3pm afternoon nap or casino, 5pm back outside, 7pm dinner, 9pm sitting outside in what now feels like a pleasant evening. Repeat until you have to go home.
What to Actually Do
Start every day with a Mentosa run. Best coffee and matcha in Palm Springs. Go early before the heat picks up and enjoy it on the way back to the pool.
This is the activity. This is the whole trip. A private pool in a Palm Springs Airbnb in summer is one of the great vacation experiences available to humans. Don't underestimate it.
An indoor market full of local artists and makers. Air conditioned and genuinely fun. Great morning activity before the heat makes any outdoor exploring miserable.
The best vintage shopping in the valley. Go early, budget time because nobody leaves quickly, and get back to the pool before noon.
Perfectly air conditioned and a genuinely great midday summer activity. Set a group budget, make an afternoon of it. One of those things that sounds random and ends up being a highlight.
Desert Hot Springs spa that actually makes sense in summer. Mineral pools, indoor treatments, great summer deals. Book ahead for groups.
Around 5-6pm the light hits the San Jacinto mountains and goes gold. Wherever you are, stop and look. It's one of the things you don't forget about Palm Springs.
Great food and genuinely fun energy for a group. Perfect for a bachelorette or birthday group that wants to actually go somewhere memorable. Book ahead.
Savory crepes that are among the best food in the city. Get there right at opening before the heat of the day fully arrives. Easy for groups.
Great food, great atmosphere, perfect group dinner. Go after 7pm when the evening has cooled down and Palm Springs is at its most pleasant.
Drive through Movie Colony and Old Las Palmas in the evening when it's actually comfortable outside. The mid-century architecture is stunning and the neighborhood light at dusk is something else.
Highly recommended in summer specifically — you ride from 110°F desert to pine trees and cool mountain air at the top. The temperature contrast is genuinely wild and the views are incredible.
What Not to Do in Summer
Don't plan outdoor hikes or long walks. The trails around Palm Springs are genuinely dangerous in summer heat. Even early morning hikes can become serious situations quickly. Save the hiking for a fall or spring trip.
Don't expect a nightlife scene. Palm Springs evenings are quiet and bar-centric in the gay male community. Build your social energy around daytime pool hours and dinner, and you'll have a great time. Expecting a late-night bar crawl will leave you disappointed.
Don't try to do too much. Summer is a time to do less, more slowly, and enjoy it more. The groups that have the best Palm Springs summer trips are the ones that fully commit to the pool and the pace. Stop fighting the heat and lean into it.
Make Your Airbnb the Main Event
We Deliver Everything You Need
Margarita / Slushie Machine, Roller Grill and Wheeled Cooler delivered to your Palm Springs Airbnb. Perfect for groups of 4-20. Bundle discounts available for summer multi-day rentals.
Book Your RentalsSummer vs. Other Seasons
If you're deciding when to visit, here's the honest breakdown. March through May and September through November are the sweet spot — great weather, not too crowded, everything is open. These are the best months for a first-time visit.
Summer (June through September) is for people who want a deal, a private pool experience, and don't mind the heat as long as they're prepared. Airbnb prices can drop 30-50% from peak season and the best properties are available on short notice.
Winter (December through February) is peak tourist season — higher prices, busier restaurants, and a slightly different energy. Still great, just different.
Summer is underrated specifically because most people avoid it. That's your opportunity.