Palm Springs, CA

Palm Springs is a sun-soaked desert resort city in Riverside County, California, set in the Coachella Valley and framed by the rugged peaks of the San Jacinto Mountains. With a year-round population of roughly 45,000 residents, the city has an outsized cultural footprint, drawing visitors with its mid-century modern architecture, palm-lined streets, and a long history as a playground for Hollywood figures and design enthusiasts. It serves as a major gateway to Joshua Tree National Park and the broader desert playground of the Coachella Valley, and sits about 100 miles southeast of Los Angeles, roughly a two-hour drive via Interstate 10.

One of the most iconic attractions is the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which climbs nearly 6,000 feet from the desert floor to the alpine wilderness of Mount San Jacinto State Park in about ten minutes. The rotating tram cars deliver visitors to cool pine forests and hiking trails that contrast sharply with the arid valley below, making it a year-round draw in a region where summer temperatures soar. The tram's valley station is just a few minutes from downtown, and the experience is often described as the equivalent of a ride from Mexico to Alaska in a matter of minutes.

Just south of the city lies Joshua Tree National Park, a sprawling 800,000-acre preserve where the Mojave and Colorado deserts meet. About a 45-minute to one-hour drive from central Palm Springs, the park is celebrated for its otherworldly rock formations, twisted namesake trees, and exceptionally dark night skies, which make it a favorite for stargazers, rock climbers, and hikers. Its proximity to the city means many visitors base themselves in Palm Springs while spending full days exploring the park's scenic drives and backcountry trails.

Closer to town, the Indian Canyons on the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians' reservation offer miles of palm oases, hiking paths, and cultural sites just a short drive from the city center. Tahquitz Canyon and Palm Canyon, in particular, feature year-round streams and rock art, and they provide a quieter, cooler alternative to the more famous national park to the east. The canyon experiences and downtown's walkable shopping, dining, and gallery districts complement one another, giving visitors a mix of outdoor adventure and urban culture within a few miles of one another.

Together, these offerings make Palm Springs a compelling base for short-term rentals. The city blends resort amenities, distinctive architecture, and a vibrant food and arts scene with quick access to some of Southern California's most dramatic desert landscapes, drawing a steady mix of weekenders, festival-goers, snowbirds, and outdoor enthusiasts throughout the year.