By Gregg Fletcher
One of the things I love most about living and working in Palm Springs is watching people discover what this place actually is — not just a resort town with good pools, but a genuine outdoor destination with some of the most varied terrain in Southern California. Within an hour of downtown, you can hike through ancient palm oases, ride a tramcar to a snow-dusted alpine wilderness, golf beneath the San Jacinto Mountains, or boulder in one of the country's premier climbing parks. For buyers drawn here by the lifestyle, the outdoors is often the part that seals it.
Key Takeaways
- Palm Springs sits at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains, giving it access to both desert and alpine terrain
- Indian Canyons and Tahquitz Canyon offer world-class hiking minutes from downtown
- The Coachella Valley has over 100 golf courses, from accessible public layouts to PGA Tour venues
- Joshua Tree National Park is under an hour away and offers hiking, climbing, and stargazing
Hiking: Desert Canyons to Mountain Trails
The hiking here is genuinely exceptional, and most of it requires no long drive. The landscape changes dramatically depending on how far you go and how high you climb.
Top Hiking Destinations In and Around Palm Springs
- Indian Canyons — just south of downtown on the Agua Caliente Reservation; Palm Canyon and Andreas Canyon wind through palm-lined gorges with trail options for every fitness level
- Tahquitz Canyon — a 2-mile loop leading to a 60-foot seasonal waterfall, with ancient rock art and interpretive exhibits along the route
- Mt. San Jacinto State Park — accessed via the Aerial Tramway; trails range from easy walks near Mountain Station to the full 10,834-foot summit; snowshoeing is available in winter
- Lykken Trail — a local favorite running along the base of the San Jacinto Mountains with sweeping valley views, with the South Lykken trailhead right off downtown
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
The Aerial Tramway rides the world's largest rotating tramcar up 8,500 feet of sheer granite cliffs in about 10 minutes, dropping you into cool pine forest even in the middle of August. People expect a tourist attraction and find something much better.
What to Know Before You Go
- Temperature difference — expect 30 to 40 degrees cooler at Mountain Station; bring layers
- Dining and views — a full-service restaurant and cocktail lounge at the top with panoramic desert views
- Backcountry access — the state park trailhead connects to serious routes used by day hikers and overnight backpackers
- Book ahead in summer — it's the valley's best cool escape, and tickets go fast
Golf: Over 100 Courses in the Valley
The Coachella Valley has earned its reputation as the Golf Capital of the West. More than 100 courses stretch across Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, Rancho Mirage, and La Quinta — from walkable public layouts to championship tracks that host the PGA Tour. For many buyers, the course they want to live near shapes the neighborhood they choose.
Courses Worth Knowing
- Indian Canyons Golf Resort — a classic 1960s layout with 850 palm-lined fairways at the base of the mountains, historically favored by Hollywood regulars
- Desert Willow Golf Resort — top-rated public facility in Palm Desert with two courses; the Firecliff Course features over 100 bunkers and panoramic mountain views
- Escena Golf Club — a Jack Nicklaus design adjacent to the Palm Springs airport; wide fairways, large greens, and one of the most accessible championship rounds in the valley
- PGA West Stadium Course — Pete Dye's famously demanding La Quinta layout that hosts The American Express each January; the island-green 17th, nicknamed "Alcatraz," is one of the most recognizable holes in California
Joshua Tree National Park
About 45 minutes from downtown, Joshua Tree spans nearly 800,000 acres of high desert with surreal boulder formations, world-class climbing, and night skies that rival anywhere in the country. Most people who move here end up going back regularly.
Why Joshua Tree Rewards Repeat Visits
- Rock climbing and bouldering — thousands of routes at every skill level, from beginner boulders at Hidden Valley to serious vertical faces near Intersection Rock
- Hiking variety — Barker Dam adds a desert oasis element; Ryan Mountain delivers summit views across both the Mojave and Colorado deserts
- Stargazing — dark sky designation and high elevation make it one of the best night sky spots in Southern California
- Photography — golden hour light on the rock formations at Skull Rock or Cholla Cactus Garden is worth the early alarm
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time for outdoor activities in Palm Springs?
October through April is ideal for hiking, golf, and canyon exploration. Summer still works for early morning activities before 9 a.m., and the Aerial Tramway is actually at its busiest then — it's the coolest escape in the valley.
Do I need a car to get around?
For most of the best experiences (Indian Canyons, the Aerial Tramway, golf courses, and Joshua Tree), yes. Downtown Palm Springs is walkable, and bike rentals cover the neighborhoods well, but trailheads and parks require a short drive.
Is Joshua Tree worth more than one visit?
Without question. The light, the seasonal changes, and the variety of terrain make it a genuinely different experience each time. It's one of the reasons living near Palm Springs never gets old.
Contact Gregg Fletcher Today
The outdoor lifestyle here is one of the most compelling parts of what makes Palm Springs real estate such a strong long-term choice. Buyers don't just get a house; they get daily access to hiking, golf, climbing, and some of the most dramatic scenery in California.
If you're considering a move to the Coachella Valley, reach out to me, Gregg Fletcher, and let's find the right home for the way you want to live.
