Finally got to check out Palm Springs last weekend!
Here are some highlights and tips:
- Palm Springs International Airport = very cool interior decor and the fact that it’s ceiling-less. It has a chill Cali feel for sure. Only downside that I quickly noticed, though, is NO AIRPORT LOUNGES.
- Car Rental = due to the small size of this airport, there is no way you’ll miss the car rental area: it is a row of front desks of different rental car companies. You also cannot miss it because everyone will be racing to there after they arrive. This brings me to another important highlight – namely, that if you are planning to visit Joshua Tree National Park, renting a car is a must.
- Joshua Tree National Park = aside from going to Coachella, this national park is essentially why one would visit Palm Springs! Most people who visit will start at the west entrance and then head east and come out of the south exit. That is the path I took, but I’m sure you can go the opposite route. What I did: first enjoyed a latte at the hipster cafe called Frontier, then headed over to the nearby Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center. I recommend purchasing the visitor entrance pass here (or at the Cottonwood Visitor Center if you are doing the opposite route). It costs $30, covers everyone in your party in the vehicle, and is good for 7 days.
At Frontier 
Coachella Valley 
With a Yucca (not a tree, so the park’s name is somewhat of a misnomer)
Thoughts on Joshua Tree National Park?
Particularly intriguing to see the more desert terrain of Cali since when I’m in that state, I’m usually in the more urban parts (SF and LA) or in a beach-y town (San Diego/La Jolla). The roads in the park itself are fairly well maintained and I would say there are plenty of signs pointing you to places of interest to see such that you won’t get lost (you’ll often notice the words “Exhibit Ahead” – sounds so law/lawyer-y, I know). You can pretty much drive for a little bit and then pull over when there is something to see – some parts look cool (Coachella Valley), others not so much. If you are hardcore (so not me), you can do some climbing or camping/glamping (which means spending the night). Otherwise, a good 2-3 hours would be a decent amount of time to drive through and see the park. Just a heads up that you will NOT have cell phone reception in the park (no Google Maps), so I would recommend printing a map beforehand and/or downloading an offline version on your phone. Travelers I’ve talked to also suggest bringing water. I saw some areas in the park with public restrooms so no worries when nature calls – better stay hydrated when in a desert.
The entrance 
Taking a break