Ultimate Guide for Snowbirds in Palm Springs

When you hear the term “snowbirds,” you may think about people who are retired. However, with more people working remotely than ever, many people are looking for a place they can visit for a few months to escape the cold, snowy weather—and what better place to escape to than the Coachella Valley in Southern California?

Palm Springs is one of the most popular cities for snowbirds in Southern California. Keep reading to discover why Palm Springs is one of the top destinations for winter visitors—in addition to some fun ways to soak up the sun while you’re there!

Why Is Palm Springs a Good Snowbird Destination?

Did you know Palm Springs has a population just shy of 50,000 people, but from November to March, the population triples?

It seems that everyone around the country wants to visit Palm Springs to enjoy the city’s four beautiful mountain ranges, stunning palm trees, golf courses, warm weather, clear skies, and constant sunshine during the winter months.

What Is the Winter Weather Like in Palm Springs?

Palm Springs has plenty to do, including outdoor adventures, excellent shopping, and unique dining experiences. However, the primary reason people visit Palm Springs is for the incredible weather—especially in the winter!

Palm Springs is a hot desert city located in the Coachella Valley, so it experiences minimal rainfall, constant sunshine, and temperate winter weather. Palm Springs has average high temperatures between 68–75°F from November to March, making it an ideal destination for snowbirds and winter travelers.

Top Things to do in Palm Springs for Snowbirds

If you’re planning to spend your winter in this warm destination, here are some activities you can enjoy in Palm Springs and the surrounding area.

1. Golf Courses

Palm Springs has over 100 championship-level golf courses in the city and other surrounding cities in Riverside County (including La Quinta, Indian Wells, Rancho Mirage, Cathedral City, and Palm Desert). Palm Springs has more world-class golf courses than any other region in California, making this desert oasis the state’s golf capital!

Some of the most appealing golf courses open to the public include:

• PGA West
• Indian Wells Golf Resort
• Indian Wells Resort Hotel
• Hyatt Regency Indian Wells
• Marriott’s Shadow Ridge
• Indian Canyons Golf Resort

If you’re looking for more golf courses, check out this list of the best public golf courses in Palm Springs.

2. Outdoor Adventures

Golf courses aren’t the only place to soak up the sunshine during your time in Palm Springs. You can also enjoy these popular outdoor activities:

• Hiking—There are dozens of hiking trails around Palm Springs to explore. You can trek through the desert or take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to climb to the top of San Jacinto Peak.
• Horseback riding—Embark on a horseback adventure through the desert with Smoke Tree Stables, Coyote Ridge Stables, or Crazy Horse Ranch.
• Swimming pools—Lounge around the pool at your vacation rental or purchase a ResortPass to enjoy one of the swimming pools at the luxury resorts around the city!
• Tennis—In addition to golf courses, Palm Springs also has plenty of tennis courts you can enjoy during the pleasant winter weather.

3. Downtown Palm Springs Museums

There are tons of museums and attractions in Palm Springs that will keep you busy for weeks (or months!) at a time.

If you love art, you’ll likely enjoy browsing the regional art galleries at the Palm Springs Art Museum. If you’re into history, you’ll love to see the aircraft from WWII at the Palm Springs Air Museum. If you enjoy surrounding yourself with plants and animals, you may want to check out the replicas of natural habitats around the world at the Living Desert Zoo and Botanical Gardens.

Regardless of your interests, you’re sure to find a cultural activity that appeals to your interests in Palm Springs!

4. Weekend Trips

There are plenty of things to do in Palm Springs to keep you busy for the entire winter season. Still, the city is also located in the ideal spot for fun weekend trips to fabulous warm-weather destinations in California, Nevada, and Arizona.

Some popular weekend adventures to embark on during your winter getaway to Palm Springs include San Diego, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and famous sites in Orange County, like Disneyland and Huntington Beach!

5. Day Trips

If you don’t have much time for weekend trips, there are still plenty of great day trips you can take from Palm Springs, including:

• Joshua Tree National Park—This national park is just 40 miles north of Palm Springs and offers gorgeous landscapes filled with the iconic trees the park is named after.
• Salton Sea—The Salton Sea is a unique lake with an unusually high salt content. There is also a nearby abandoned town, Salton City, that is an exciting place to explore.
• Slab City—Slab City is an abandoned squatter camp, but it’s also the location of Salvation Mountain, one of the most photographed attractions in Southern California.

Soak Up the Beautiful Winter Weather in Palm Springs with a Monthly Rental with Savvy VRM

Ready to cure your winter blue? Book a winter vacation to Palm Springs to enjoy the world-class golf courses, beautiful hiking trails, interesting museums, and other activities around the city!

Whether you’re looking for a short-term vacation rental for a weekend getaway or a long-term rental for an extended stay—we’ve got you covered at Savvy VRM. We offer spacious rentals with top-notch amenities in Palm Springs for every type of traveler, including snowbirds!

Browse our monthly rentals in Palm Springs, California, to see which of our rentals is the right fit for your upcoming winter vacation.