5 days trip to Palm springs and Joshua Tree National Park

An aerial tramway, exciting hikes featuring mountains, deserts, iconic Joshua Trees and an actual desert oasis makes Palm springs the premier choice for adventure seeking travelers.

Fun facts

Palm Springs boasts over 300 days of sunshine.
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway operates the world’s largest rotating tramcars, and the eight-minute ride up from the desert floor to the mountain station is one of the steepest ascents in the world.
The Joshua Tree isn’t really a tree but actually a yucca plant.
The Joshua trees were named after the Biblical Joshua by the mormons.

Travel tips

Palm springs has a dry desert climate, summer seasons (Jun-Sep) is very hot. Best time to travel is Nov-May.
Avoid hiking alone, pack plenty of drinking water, stay alert, and stick to the trails..
America the beautiful National park pass grants you access to Joshua Tree National Park and all US National parks.
Carry daypack for your snacks, water, camera and anything else you need for your day adventure.
Carry sun protection and hiking essentials.

Recommended daily itinerary

Estimated cost: $700-$1200 per person (Excluding Airfare)

Day 1

First day of the trip, check in to your hotel, and get settled.

If you’re flying, fly into Palm Springs International Airport.
Checkin to Ingleside Inn hotel. A relaxed elegance carries through 30 hideaway rooms and suites, lush lawn with pool and hot tub lined with with Italian shaded loungers, firepit and hammock, and Melvyn’s restaurant and bar. Brass-keyed rooms blend plush velvets and natural materials, with handsome beds dressed in luxurious linens and Denver Mattresses.
Explore amenities at your hotel.
Enjoy dinner at Melyvn’s Restaurant & Bar.

Day 2

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and San Jacinto Mountain.

Opened in 1963, Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is the world’s largest rotating Tram car. The Tram’s 80-passenger cars travel along the beautiful cliffs of Chino Canyon from the Valley Station to the Mountain Station in approximately 10 minutes. Mt. San Jacinto State Park offers over 50 miles of hiking trails located within a 14,000 acre pristine wilderness, one of the last in California.

Enjoy your breakfast at Ristretto. We recommend bacon burrito.
Drive to Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Make sure to buy your tickets online and reserve your spot on the tram. Enjoy the tram cars which offered picturesque and spectacular vistas of the valley floor below. Follow the nature trail posts around the ¾ mile loop which provides an excellent introduction to the Park’s plants and animals.
Head over to Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge for delicious lunch.
Drive to San Jacinto Mountain. There are several hiking trails here ranging from easy to very strenuous. We recommend Desert View Trail that features beautiful wild flowers and leads through five viewpoints to get you acclimated.
Enjoy your dinner at Billy Reed’s Restaurant.

Day 3

Indian Canyons, Palm Canyon and Coachella Valley Preserve.

The Indian Canyons are the ancestral home of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Fifteen miles long, Palm Canyon is one of the areas of great beauty in Western North America. Coachella Valley Preserve, formed by a system of sand dunes is home to several species of rare wildlife and a number of palm oases.

Enjoy early morning breakfast at Juniper Table. We recommend Challah French Toast.
Take an early morning (8 am) Indian Canyons Ancient Footprints Walking Tour by Jeep where you will journey to the ancestral homeland of Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians where stunning rock formation and the contrasting greens of magnificent California fan palms and more than 150 species of plants beckon travelers to these lush oases.
Enjoy your lunch at Native Foods. We recommend Portobello And Sausage Burger.
Make your way to Coachella Valley Preserve. Visit the rustic Visitor center to learn about the Preserve, San Andreas Fault and the Palm Oasis. You can also get maps of the preserve and trails information. The preserve has over twenty five miles of hiking trails that wind through the oasis and cover a few different ecosystems ranging from sand dunes, mountain canyons, or dried up riverbeds.
Enjoy your dinner at Azúcar Restaurant and Bar. We recommend skuna bay salmon.

Day 4

Joshua Tree National Park.

Joshua Tree National Park is a vast protected area in southern California. It’s characterized by rugged rock formations and stark desert landscapes. Explore two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado and come close to a fascinating variety of plants and animals that make their homes in a land sculpted by strong winds and occasional torrents of rain.

Enjoy your breakfast at Cafe Jasmin. We recommend spinach scramble.
Pack your lunch, snacks and water and head over to Joshua Tree National Park. Start exploring the park walking the dirt trail of Cholla Cactus Garden. If you time your visit before sunrise, you’ll be able to capture a mesmerizing view of the garden. Head back along park boulevard to explore and climb Arch Rock. Continue along park boulevard to Skull Rock. Stop for pictures and sightseeing, then make your way to Ryan Mountain for a day hike. You can observe sweeping views of the national park from the summit. Find a shaded spot to enjoy your lunch. Make your way to Hidden valley trail where you can spot many Joshua trees and Yucca plants. Drive the scenic route to Keys view. You can stop along the way to capture Joshua trees shots. Plan to arrive at Keys View parking lot 45 minutes before sunset and enjoy grand views of Palm Springs and Coachella Valley.
Enjoy your dinner at Sammy G’s Tuscan Grill. We recommend shrimp risotto.