Visiting Palm Springs in July

July brings the warmest days of the year in Palm Springs. But isn't it lovely to escape the heat of the summer by making a splash at the pools, eating ice cream, visiting indoor attractions, and indulging in air-conditioned retail therapy? There's even more fun stuff to do here in July if you're creative enough. Let's explore everything here!

But first…

Reasons to Visit Palm Springs in July 

(Photo credit@Peter Thomas / Unsplash)

Low-Cost Accommodations

Summer in Palm Springs is off-season, which means that July (the hottest month of the year) sees even fewer visitors than any other summer month, which consequently means that it's the cheapest to visit this city in July. There are great discounts and hotel prices go as low as $40 per night.

Indoor Attractions 

There is no lack of air-conditioned and indoor attractions in Palm Springs. From the Antique Galleries of Palm Springs to see mid-century modern art and jewelry to the famous Palm Springs Art Museum, which houses the Annenberg Theater. For military or history buffs, there's the Palm Springs Air Museum that gives you a close look at older aircraft and the history of aviation, WWII, and even stealth technology.

There are casinos like the Agua Caliente Casino, and escape rooms (Escape Room Palm Springs is everyone's favorite!). There's even more, including restaurants, shops, spas, and whatnot, to keep you entertained throughout your visit. Trust me you won't miss outdoors when you're here! (If you do, there are places to cool down as well.)

You'll Be More Cultured

Normally, when you go someplace, the outdoor activities keep you preoccupied, from the long-distance hiking trails to the ever-adventurous zip lines. No time for movies, art, and culture. (Of course, I'm not targeting the art connoisseurs. They make time for cultured things everywhere.) Palm Springs is the perfect place to skip the outdoor activities and just go watch a movie, catch a Broadway show, attend indoor fests, and visit museums (there's plenty here!).

Cooling Off

If you must indulge in some outdoor fun, you're in luck! The sun-dried desert oasis of Palm Springs has over 40,000 swimming pools (and even more outside the city's periphery). Taking a dip here is never just a dip—it becomes long, meditative, and even cultured. Yes, you heard it right! The several mid-century modern homes dotting the edge of the pools provide a perfect foreground for you to admire when you're making a splash at the pools. Oh, and there's always ice cream to cool off! 

Weather in Palm Springs in July

With the average daily mid-day temperature of 108 degrees Fahrenheit, Palm Springs can be hotter than what you're used to. Stay indoors, watch a theater production, catch a live music show, visit the shops (there's air conditioning), eat ice cream or other cold desserts, and the most important thing—drink lots of water and electrolytes (too much water can imbalance the level of the electrolyte in the body). If you wanna explore outdoors, it's better to visit the pools or take a night tour when the heat is manageable. Oh, and don't forget sunscreen! 

(Photo credit@Cody Board / Unsplash)

Things to Do in Palm Springs in July 

Early Morning Hikes

If you're ever in Palm Springs in July, start your day with early morning hikes. What better way to escape the dry heat AND experience the best views ever? As the sun sweeps its orange-red hues all over the sky, the rugged terrain that rises and falls in the desert bathes in the same colors. Straight out of a painting. The Indian Canyons in the Greater Palm Springs encompass the Andreas Canyon, Murray Canyon, and Palm Canyon, the former providing the shortest (and easiest) hikes in the desert oasis. Whichever hiking trail you choose, you won't be disappointed. 

The trails are dotted with towering palm groves amidst lush vegetation. Here and there, you'll spot a clear stream and indigenous wildlife. A more popular option for a hike would be the Tahquitz Canyon. On your hike, you'll be awestruck by the majestic beauty of the seasonal 60-foot waterfall, petroglyphs, earliest irrigation systems, and native flora and fauna. The visitor center has cultural exhibits, a theater room, old artifacts, and so much more! 

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway 

Who wouldn't want a bird's eye view from the largest rotating tram car in the world? Traversing over two-and-a-half miles of the alpine wonderland of Chino Canyon, this ten-minute aerial ride will carry you to the untouched wilderness of Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. On the Mountain Station, it'll be 30 degrees cooler even in July due to the elevation (8,516 feet). From there, you can hike up miles and miles of trails stretching out from Mt. San Jacinto State Park. 

You can spend the whole day here and have a nice dinner in one of the restaurants on the Mountain Station. Once you're done, explore the Natural History Museum, catch a documentary in one of the theaters, and get yourself a souvenir from their gift shop. To wrap up your experience, watch the sun melting over the desert oasis from the observation decks.

Palm Springs Pools

When it comes to sipping and splashing, July is such a perfect time to visit Palm Springs! With over 40,000 swimming pools, this city is a haven of cooling-off spots. There's the eclectic Saguaro Palm Springs with the poolside specked with a vibrant medley of colorful buildings and the Moroccan pool at Korakia Pensione with a gorgeous infinity edge (the whole place is a visual treat!). 

(Photo credit@Peter Thomas / Unsplash)

The Sparrows Lodge gives off a rustic vibe with its minimally designed pool, classic fire pits, a vegetable garden, TV-free rooms, and a communal barn. For an oversized Jacuzzi, homemade ice cream, and ping pong, swing by Arrive Palm Springs. 

Architecture Tours

Palm Springs is a modernist mecca with flat-roofed, minimal, and sleek buildings. Taking an architecture tour here to explore the mid-century modern gems is a must. From the low-lying single-story enclaves of Swiss Miss Houses by Charles DuBois to the curved form of the mushroom-shaped Hope Residence by John Lautner, this city has eclectically designed residences. But modernist architecture is not just beautiful, but also functional. So you'll be delighted at the sight of the eccentric shapes of the roofs and beautifully paneled walls of the buildings—everything meticulously designed to offer shade from the sun.

(Photo credit@Peter Thomas / Unsplash)

Desert Stargazing

Watching the sky blanketed with stars and meteors in the Desert of Palm Springs is one of the most staggeringly beautiful sights you'll ever see. The Rancho Mirage Library & Observatory offers some of the best stargazing tours and free astronomer-led stargazing parties. With a huge 27.5” research-grade telescope and an open-air viewing deck (with 4 telescope pads), the observatory is a tourists' favorite. 

If you want to stargaze without a guide, take a scenic drive to Coachella Valley Preserve, about 10 miles east of Palm Springs. Why should you choose this spot for stargazing? Because the night sky here is pure, absolutely clear of light pollution. Get off the road, spread your blanket, and watch the stars. 

Another popular option is the Joshua Tree National Park—California’s top Dark Sky Park nestled in the pristine wilderness of the Mojave and Colorado Deserts. This is one of those places where you might just feel like you're watching the stars for the very first time. Pro tip: go there on a clear and moonless night—where there's moonlight, there's less chance of seeing the stars.

So there you have it — a guide to making the most of your visit to Palm Springs in July. Enjoy!