What to do and see in Greater Palm Springs, California Desert: The Best Sightseeing Tours

May 21, 2022 Cedrick Jardin

Greater Palm Springs is an oasis for art, culture, adventure and relaxation. Take in the views from the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the world’s largest rotating tram car, before exploring exhibits at the Palm Springs Art Museum and its Architecture & Design Center. Visit the Empire Polo Club, home of the Coachella Music & Arts Festival and Stagecoach Country Music Festival. Dozens of spas in Desert Hot Springs let you soak in the healing mineral waters that flow beneath the city.
Restaurants in Greater Palm Springs

1. Playground of the Stars Palm Springs Tour

Jack Alley
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

There are a number of movie stars and celebrities who have (or had) a home here. In some cases, it was the hideaway, for others, the primary home. Without a doubt, its heyday was in the '40s, 50's and '60s, partly driven by the constraints of the old Hollywood studio system, which required them to be able to report to work at a moment's notice. In recent years, young celebrities have flocked to the desert, renting homes, or in some cases buying a second home as a refuge. Palm Springs will always be part of that Tinseltown allure. Locals and visitors still marvel at many celebrities' houses, some for their architectural prowess, others for their curious history. You don't want to miss this tour, because these people made this area what it is today. They had such a profound impact on Palm Springs, you can still feel there presence. The tour takes you to all of that, and then some. Palm Springs was built by movie stars for movie stars.

Inclusions: Bottled water

Exclusions:

Reviewed By isabellY9654EV

My family and I were in Palm Springs for the week, so we decided to take Jack's tour on one of our days and it was the best choice of my trip! From the start, he was very accommodating and answered any questions my family had. He's a great storyteller and this made our trip so enjoyable. There was no limit to his knowledge of Palm Springs, he rattled off facts from even the most specific of questions. Also, he weaved in dates, home prices, and names effortlessly. You could tell he loves Palm Springs, he was prideful of everything he described. We got to see a lot of cool mid-century modern buildings, homes of the rich and famous, and historical landmarks. He was friendly and you can tell he loved his job! I highly recommend Jack and his tour if you're ever in the area! Thanks for an amazing day!

2. Indian Canyons Walking Tour by Jeep from Palm Desert

100 S Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262, USA Desert Adventures Red Jeep Tours & Events
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Explore the lush palm oases of the Indian Canyons on this morning or afternoon 3-hour eco-tour from Palm Springs. Learn about the rich history and culture of the Cahuilla Indians as you ride a jeep their ancestral homelands with your knowledgeable guide. Take an easy 1-mile guided walk up Andreas Canyon for captivating views and see a stunning palm oasis from the rim of Palm Canyon. This small-group open-air outdoor adventure is limited to seven people per Jeep for a more relaxed, intimate experience.

Inclusions: Admission Fees, Granola Snack, Naturalist guided Jeep tour, Bottled water

Exclusions: Food and drink (unless otherwise specified), Gratuities

Reviewed By SicilianSliceNYC

Wonderful! A private tour with a very knowledgeable guide. A real treat and would definitely do this again!

3. San Andreas Fault Jeep Tour from Palm Desert

Desert Adventures Metate Ranch, 38635 Monroe St, Indio, CA 92203, USA Desert Adventures Red Jeep Tours & Events
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4.9 based on 229 reviews

Only Red Jeep Tours can take you to Metate Ranch, located in the heart of the San Andreas Fault Zone. On this awe-inspiring OPEN-AIR Jeep Tour, you will travel deep into the heart of California’s world-famous San Andreas Fault and witness the forces of nature that have created amazing, steep-walled canyons and the most twisted and tormented landscapes on Earth! You will be awestruck by the spectacular scenery as your Jeep winds its way through the bones of the earth. During your adventure, you will stop several times for short nature walks, including a short hike through a slot canyon, if desired. This tour also stops at a natural palm oasis, where water bubbles up from the ground year-round. Here you will learn about how the Cahuilla Indians used desert plants to survive in this inhospitable environment. A final highlight is a guided tour of our recreated Cahuilla Indian Village that showcases the lifestyle and culture of the Cahuilla people.

Inclusions: Naturalist guided open-air Jeep eco-tour, Granola snacks, Bottled water, Land Use Fees

Exclusions: Gratuities, Food and drink (unless otherwise specified)

Reviewed By SicilianSliceNYC

Wonderful! A private tour with a very knowledgeable guide. A real treat and would definitely do this again!

4. Indian Canyons Walking Tour by Jeep from Palm Springs

100 S Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262, USA Desert Adventures Red Jeep Tours
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4.9 based on 18 reviews

Explore the lush palm oases of the Indian Canyons on this morning or afternoon 3-hour eco-tour from Palm Springs. Learn about the rich history and culture of the Cahuilla Indians as you ride a jeep their ancestral homelands with your knowledgeable guide. Take an easy 1-mile guided walk up Andreas Canyon for captivating views and see a stunning palm oasis from the rim of Palm Canyon. This small-group open-air outdoor adventure is limited to seven people per Jeep for a more relaxed, intimate experience.

Inclusions: Naturalist guided Jeep tour, Granola Snack, Bottled water, Admission Fees

Exclusions: Gratuities, Food and drink (unless otherwise specified)

Reviewed By kradela7

What an awesome day! Travis Nolan gave us an awesome tour of the San Andreas Fault and environs. Travis is non-stop incredibly knowledgeable about the fault, local history, geology and botany, and a heck of a lot of fun to hang with! Thank you, man! I'll be doing this tour again when I have the opportunity to round up another group of friends and family!

5. Palm Springs off the Beaten Path Tailormade & Private Tour

501 S Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264, USA Jack Alley
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4.9 based on 8 reviews

Allow another side of Palm Springs to help you get the most out of your experience by providing a personal and private tour guide to show you the way. Your guide extraordinaire will help you to put together a personalized and customized tour before your trip to Palm Springs, they will get a feel for your likes and dislikes and will work one-on-one with you to show you a side of Palm Springs you could never have seen on your own. Allow us to make your trip to Palm Springs as easy and carefree as it should be. The tour takes you to see the homes and buildings designed by Frey, Williams, Wexler, Cody, just to name a few. You don't want to miss this tour, because these people made this area. They had such a profound impact on Palm Springs, you can still feel their presence. Palm Springs is becoming the center of "Desert Modernism, " with stellar examples of mid-century modern architecture tucked throughout the community and available to enjoy.

Inclusions: Bottled water, Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: Food and drinks

Reviewed By teamvickers

Jack was prompt, and so knowledgeable. We enjoyed our tour, seeing things we would have never known were there. Getting old Hollywood tidbits and facts. Learning about the Indigenous culture and historic architecture of the area, all while laughing and enjoying ourselves. We will be back and always recommend him!

6. Joshua Tree National Park Self-Driving Audio Tour

Joshua Tree Visitor Center, 6554 Park Blvd, Joshua Tree, CA 92252, USA 17 Mile Day Trips
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4.6 based on 17 reviews

Explore the rugged, mystical beauty of Joshua Tree National Park with a self-guided driving tour. This raw desert landscape features amazing vistas, stunning rock formations, and the eponymous cartoonish trees. As you drive through Joshua Tree and listen to stories around each bend in the road, keep an eye out for desert animals like the roadrunner, tortoise, & even bald eagle. Plus, enjoy a Bonus Tour of Palm Springs! Purchase only one tour per car. Everyone can listen at the same time! Here's how it works: Within 30 min, we'll send you two things a unique password and an app. Download the app onto your phone, enter the password, and download the tour. When you arrive, go to the first stop, launch the app, and follow the instructions! Stick to our recommended route & speed limit for the best experience. This is not an entrance ticket. Check pandemic rules & opening hours before your visit. No expiration — the tour is available from the minute you book until forever!

Inclusions: GPS Map, Audios and Text, Online Support

Exclusions: Admission to paid attractions

Reviewed By ENISHA33

This audio tour was surprisingly really good and well worth it. This was my first time trying an audio tour and I was extremely skeptical buying it, thinking we wouldn't actually use it. However, I love knowing history of places I visit and thought I would enjoy it just for myself. After a day of buzzing around Cannery Row, I offered up to my partner trying the tour. I was surprised of the accuracy of the tour guide who was very informative. Once paying and entering the official 17-mile drive the stops were gorgeous. I liken this to a much more enjoyable CA version o f the road to Hana, in Maui. The beaches were gorgeous undisturbed and in pristine condition. I could have stayed for hours at some of these locations. If I ever did this again I would treat these beaches as my destination vs. just passing by. You can easily make a day out of this by packing a light lunch. I would definitely recommend.

7. San Andreas Fault Jeep Tour from Palm Springs

38635 Monroe St, Indio, CA 92203, USA Desert Adventures Red Jeep Tours
Excellent
80%
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4.5 based on 10 reviews

Only Red Jeep Tours can take you to Metate Ranch, located in the heart of the San Andreas Fault Zone. On this awe-inspiring OPEN-AIR Jeep Tour, you will travel deep into the heart of California’s world-famous San Andreas Fault and witness the forces of nature that have created amazing, steep-walled canyons and the most twisted and tormented landscapes on Earth! You will be awestruck by the spectacular scenery as your Jeep winds its way through the bones of the earth. During your adventure, you will stop several times for short nature walks, including a short hike through a slot canyon, if desired. This tour also stops at a natural palm oasis, where water bubbles up from the ground year-round. Here you will learn about how the Cahuilla Indians used desert plants to survive in this inhospitable environment. A final highlight is a guided tour of our recreated Cahuilla Indian Village that showcases the lifestyle and culture of the Cahuilla people.

Inclusions: Land Use Fees, Granola snacks, Naturalist guided open-air Jeep eco-tour, Bottled water

Exclusions: Food and drink (unless otherwise specified), Gratuities

Reviewed By tnt4au46

Wonderful trip, so informative. Will definitely do others. Our guide Morgan was absolutely amazing!!

8. Palm Springs Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour

101 N Museum Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262, USA Palm Springs Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour
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4.3 based on 3 reviews

Tour the history, culture, points of interest, and local favorite spots in town by solving scavenger hunt and trivia style riddles on this engaging walking tour. Your team will earn points and be guided farther along the route with every riddle. Play from the convenience of your smartphone whenever you’re ready for an adventure!

Inclusions: Scavenger Hunt

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9. Palm Springs All-City Tour

Jack Alley
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3.0 based on 1 reviews

The Begining of a Playground This is a special tour in the Palm Springs area and is a favorite for international travelers and locals alike. As your personal guide, we will drive around the Palm Springs area, and I will tell insightful stories about the history of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, and why Downtown Palm Springs is a very sacred piece of land. Coming in 2020 the new Cahuilla Indian Cultural Center. . Wellhead into 2 of the most famous neighbor's in Palm Springs, and talk a little about why they call it the Playground of the Stars. Let's also see why Palm Springs has the highest concentration of both commercial and residential modernism(mid-century)architecture in the world. . . . . Can't wait to share with you and your family the many wonderful stories of Palm Springs, and "What we hear in Palm Springs stay's in Palm Spring". Let's gaze into the Palm Springs skyline of the downtown area, and learn the secrets of how to get your jackpot at one of the casinos

Inclusions: Bottled water

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Reviewed By isabellY9654EV

My family and I were in Palm Springs for the week, so we decided to take Jack's tour on one of our days and it was the best choice of my trip! From the start, he was very accommodating and answered any questions my family had. He's a great storyteller and this made our trip so enjoyable. There was no limit to his knowledge of Palm Springs, he rattled off facts from even the most specific of questions. Also, he weaved in dates, home prices, and names effortlessly. You could tell he loves Palm Springs, he was prideful of everything he described. We got to see a lot of cool mid-century modern buildings, homes of the rich and famous, and historical landmarks. He was friendly and you can tell he loved his job! I highly recommend Jack and his tour if you're ever in the area! Thanks for an amazing day!

10. Joshua Tree National Park Tour with GPS Virtual Guide

West Entrance Station, Joshua Tree, CA 92252, USA Adventure Hummer Tours
Excellent
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2.3 based on 3 reviews

Have a virtual guide with you on this downloadable app to come with you into Joshua Tree National Park. Instead of missing the highlights in this park, our "guide in your pocket" comes with you. This is the best Covid-safe way to have a guide take you into this park at far less than the cost of a guide to come with you. When you purchase this download, you will be asked what day you estimate you will come to Joshua Tree. We will provide a code for this GPS tour GOOD FOR 1 YEAR of the date of purchase. This tour is narrated by a park geologist who will accompany you into the national park. Major sights in the park will be pointed out as well as great optional hiking areas.

Inclusions: Virtual GPS Guide

Exclusions: All Fees and Taxes

Reviewed By 1FastHonda1

We had a great guide who was very informative and friendly. Our outdoor, open roof Hummer tour changed to an enclosed H2 Hummer because of the cold temps and SNOW. My wife was happy about that. Our route apparently changed because of the weather, so we really did not go where most people could not go and the Tour stuck to the main roads of the Park. We did get out and explore a few times. It is a good way to see the Park.

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