FUN • Oct 1st '26

Palm Springs Girls' Getaway: The Perfect Fall Weekend

Once the summer heat breaks, Palm Springs is at its best. October and November bring warm, sunny days that are perfect for the pool, cooler evenings for dinner outside, and fewer crowds than the busy winter and spring seasons. Here's how to spend a perfect fall weekend in the desert.

Friday: Arrive and Unwind

Check in, put on your swimsuit and head straight to the pool. Palm Springs is full of boutique hotels with midcentury style, colorful loungers and poolside bars. In the evening, take a stroll down Palm Canyon Drive, the main street downtown, for dinner and drinks. If you're there on a Thursday night, don't miss VillageFest, the weekly street fair with local art, food and music.

Saturday: Mountains and Midcentury

Start the morning with the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which climbs up the cliffs of Chino Canyon to Mount San Jacinto State Park. The rotating tram car gives you 360-degree views, and it's usually much cooler at the top, so bring a layer. There are hiking trails and a restaurant at the top station.

In the afternoon, explore the city's famous midcentury modern architecture. You can take a guided tour or simply drive through neighborhoods like Old Las Palmas and the Movie Colony to spot the classic flat roofs, breeze-block walls and bright front doors. Planning ahead: Modernism Week's fall edition runs October 15–18, 2026, with home tours, talks and parties. The bigger flagship festival is held every February.

Sunday: Canyons and Brunch

Go early to the Indian Canyons, the ancestral home of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Palm Canyon is lined with towering native fan palms and is one of the prettiest easy hikes in the desert. Then reward yourself with a long brunch before you head home.