Palm Springs
Mid-century modern architecture, the Aerial Tramway up to 8,500 ft, and 350 days of sun a year.
Distance
110 mi
Drive time
~120 min
Route
I-10 E from downtown LA to CA-111 — 110 mi to downtown Palm Springs
Best window
October through May for ideal desert temperatures
About Palm Springs
Palm Springs is the desert-resort escape closest to LA — about 110 miles and 2 hours east on I-10, in the Coachella Valley at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains. It's a small (~45,000 residents) but globally famous city: the world's densest concentration of mid-century modern residential architecture, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway (longest single-span rotating tram in the world, 2,500 ft to 8,500 ft in 12 minutes), Joshua Tree National Park 45 minutes east, and Coachella + Stagecoach festivals in Indio next door. A van keeps groups together for festival weekends, golf weekends, and the Aerial Tramway day trip.
Why it's worth the drive
- Palm Springs Aerial Tramway — 2,500 ft to 8,500 ft up Mt. San Jacinto in 12 minutes; the longest single-span rotating tram on Earth.
- Mid-century modern architecture — the city's Modernism Week (February) is the biggest event of its kind in the U.S.
- Joshua Tree National Park — main west entrance about 45 minutes east via Twentynine Palms Hwy (CA-62).
- Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival (April) and Stagecoach (April) at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, 25 minutes east.
Things to do
What groups actually do at Palm Springs
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
12-minute ride from desert floor to alpine Mt. San Jacinto State Park — usually 30–40°F cooler at the top.
Joshua Tree National Park
45 min east — Hidden Valley loop, Keys View, and the Cholla Cactus Garden are the must-stop loops for a day visit.
Indian Canyons (Agua Caliente)
Palm Canyon and Andreas Canyon hikes — towering native palm groves on tribal land 15 min south of downtown.
Palm Springs Art Museum & Aluminaire House
Strong mid-century and contemporary collection in downtown; the new Architecture & Design Center hosts the Aluminaire House.
Sunnylands (Annenberg Retreat)
200-acre desert estate in Rancho Mirage — free gardens; guided house tours (reserve online) of the Annenberg home.
Coachella + Stagecoach
Late-April weekend festivals at the Empire Polo Club in Indio — book lodging and van transport months ahead.
Group + van tips
Driving a 12-15 passenger van to Palm Springs
- Summer (June–September) is genuinely dangerous heat — 110°F+ days are routine. Carry extra water and never leave anyone (or any pet) in the van.
- I-10 westbound back to LA on Sunday afternoons is reliably congested — leave Palm Springs before 11 AM or after 7 PM.
- Coachella / Stagecoach weekends: van parking at the Empire Polo Club is in dedicated 12-15 passenger lots — book in advance via the festival site.
- The Aerial Tramway parking lot has a steep, winding access road but easily accommodates Sprinters and Transits in standard spots.
Downtown Palm Springs lots, the Aerial Tramway lot, and Joshua Tree NP visitor lots all accommodate 12-15 passenger vans.
When to go
Best time to visit
October through May for ideal desert temperatures. February is Modernism Week (city-wide architecture festival). Late April is Coachella + Stagecoach (peak crowds + prices). Avoid June–September unless you have specific resort-pool plans — daytime heat is extreme.
Need a van for the trip?
Our LA fleet of 12-15 passenger Sprinters and Ford Transits delivers to LAX, Burbank (BUR), Long Beach (LGB), and Hollywood / DTLA hotel doors.
See LA vansPlan your visit
Official Palm Springs resources
Visit Greater Palm Springs (CVB)
visitgreaterpalmsprings.com
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
pstramway.com
Joshua Tree National Park — NPS
www.nps.gov
Modernism Week (annual February festival)
modernismweek.com
More background
Palm Springs FAQ
How far is Palm Springs from LA?
About 110 miles east via I-10 — typically 2 to 2.5 hours each way. Sunday afternoon westbound is the worst window; expect an extra hour through the Banning Pass.
Can I do Joshua Tree as a day trip from Palm Springs?
Yes — the west entrance near Joshua Tree town is about 45 minutes from downtown Palm Springs. A 4–6 hour loop (Hidden Valley, Keys View, Cholla Garden, Skull Rock) works as a half-day from a Palm Springs basecamp.
Is the Aerial Tramway worth it?
Yes — it's the longest single-span rotating tram on Earth and takes you from desert to alpine forest in 12 minutes. Pack a layer; the top is usually 30–40°F cooler than the desert floor.
Where do I park a 15-passenger van for Coachella or Stagecoach?
The Empire Polo Club in Indio has dedicated 12-15 passenger / oversize-vehicle lots — book parking through the official festival site in advance. General lots will turn away oversized vehicles.
More day trips