Every April, the Coachella Valley draws over 200,000 visitors for the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, transforming Greater Palm Springs into a center of music and activity. However, those without festival wristbands can still find plenty to do in the area.
The Palm Springs Surf Club offers a daytime retreat with DJ sets, performances, a wave pool, surfing sessions, water slides, and a lazy river. Visitors can also enjoy cabanas, wellness zones, gourmet food options, and poolside cocktails.
Moorten Botanical Garden and Cactarium provides an opportunity to explore more than 3,000 species of cacti from around the world. The garden was established in the 1930s as a private family project and now welcomes visitors for $7 per adult and $3 per child aged 5-12. Master gardeners lead daily tours through this unique collection.
For those interested in local nightlife, Bootlegger Tiki is located in the former home of Don the Beachcomber’s tiki bar. The small venue features drinks made with passion fruit and lemongrass under distinctive decor such as blowfish lamps.
The Palm Springs Historical Society organizes guided walking tours that highlight Hollywood’s connection to Palm Springs. Participants can see homes once owned by stars like Elizabeth Taylor and Leonardo DiCaprio or learn about Modernist architecture from designers such as William Cody.
Desert X has become an annual event in Greater Palm Springs since its launch in 2017. In 2025, eleven artists contributed installations across the valley. The next edition is scheduled for March 4 through May 7, 2026; some works from previous years remain viewable online.
Festivalgoers looking for attire can visit The Frippery for vintage clothing ranging from colorful kaftans to mod accessories.
Finally, Joshua Tree National Park is less than an hour away from downtown Palm Springs. The park features unique desert landscapes where two deserts meet—Mojave and Colorado—and offers opportunities for hiking among wildflowers and stargazing at night.
Those planning a trip during festival season have several options beyond attending Coachella itself.
