
From iconic anniversaries and architectural transformations to immersive cultural experiences and next-generation wellness, Greater Palm Springs continues to evolve, offering new reasons to visit with every season. With its distinctive blend of creativity, inclusivity, and calm, this nine-city oasis is a place where visitors can unwind, reconnect, and discover something unexpected.
Whether it's a century-old resort revealing fresh upgrades, a surf park opening in the heart of the desert, or a drag event unlike anything else in the country, Greater Palm Springs delivers a mix of legacy and new energy across every experience.
Hotel & Resort Highlights
- Thompson Palm Springs (Opened 2024) – Midcentury modern meets luxury in the Uptown Design District in downtown Palm Springs. Features include rooms and suites with patios, two pools with mountain views, the HALL Napa Valley Tasting Room, and Lola Rose—a signature restaurant led by an award-winning chef.
- The Riviera Palm Springs (IHG) (Renovations through 2027) – Formerly Margaritaville, this historic property is returning to its legacy name and undergoing phased updates while remaining open.
- La Quinta Resort & Club (100th Anniversary in 2026) – A cornerstone of Greater Palm Springs hospitality. The resort's century milestone is marked by refreshed spaces and special programming that honors its storied past and modern evolution.
- Sensei Porcupine Creek – This ultra-luxury wellness retreat continues to attract high-end travelers with a personalized approach to health, mindfulness, and movement in an exclusive private estate setting.
- Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Villas (Rebranded September 2024) – Formerly Hyatt Regency Indian Wells, this resort completed a $64 million renovation, introducing redesigned guestrooms, luxury villas, an expanded lobby, two new dining concepts, and a reimagined pool complex with extended cabana offerings.
- Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Indian Wells – This resort has recently updated its accommodations, infusing them with distinctive modernism that reflects the vibrant aesthetic of Southern California. Guests can unwind in redesigned rooms with private balconies offering scenic views.
- JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa – A resort icon in Greater Palm Springs, this expansive property features gondola rides, lush waterways, multiple restaurants, championship golf, and a full-service spa—making it a top pick for meetings and leisure alike.
Celebrations & Milestones
- Route 66 Centennial (2026) – Greater Palm Springs joins this statewide celebration with the “Ultimate California Desert Road Trip,” connecting quirky roadside attractions, hidden gems, and iconic desert landscapes.
- La Quinta Resort 100th Anniversary (2026) – Celebrating a century of world-class hospitality, design, and wellness in one of the Coachella Valley's most iconic resorts.
- IGLTA Global Convention (October 2025) – Greater Palm Springs will proudly host the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association's annual convention, with pre- and post-FAM tours spotlighting inclusion, culture, and wellness across the nine cities.
Attractions & Cultural Experiences
- Drag & Fly Tour –Drag & Fly is a one-of-a-kind LGBTQ+ experience celebrating identity, artistry, and the magic of Greater Palm Springs. The event series will feature drag performances in iconic locations, behind-the-scenes cultural tours, and immersive moments that blend local storytelling with unforgettable flair.
- Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza – Located in downtown Palm Springs, this cultural campus includes:
- The Spa at Séc-he – A 73,000-square-foot wellness spa rooted in the sacred mineral waters of the Agua Caliente Hot Mineral Spring.
- Agua Caliente Cultural Museum – A stunning museum that shares the stories, traditions, and enduring connection of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians to the land.
- Palm Springs Surf Club – A vibrant surf and recreation destination with state-of-the-art wave pool, lazy river, mountain views, and private event space that blend adventure and relaxation.
- Temalpakh Farm – Operated by the Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians, the farm features Indigenous foodways, organic produce, and hands-on educational programs.
- Expanded Mural Trails – The cities of Coachella and Indio continue to expand their public art programs with new large-scale works that celebrate community, heritage, and creativity.
- Urban Palm Springs Black History Tours – A growing experience that offers a deeper perspective on the Black artists, architects, entertainers, and pioneers who helped shape Greater Palm Springs.
What's On the Horizon
- DSRT SURF, Palm Desert (Opening 2026) – This innovative surf resort will bring the wave to the desert with a 5.5-acre surf lagoon powered by Wavegarden Cove technology. The project includes a luxury hotel, wellness amenities, dining, and a community-centric design—redefining recreation in the Coachella Valley.
- Cotino™, A Storyliving by Disney Community – Rancho Mirage (Opening TBD) – Disney's first Storyliving by Disney community will blend resort-style living with a 24-acre grand oasis lagoon, wellness programs, dining, and public experiences rooted in Disney storytelling.
- Downtown Indio Transformation – Indio is undergoing a major revitalization of its downtown core, including streetscape improvements, new housing, retail, and restaurant spaces. The transformation is designed to celebrate the city's cultural roots while enhancing its appeal for residents and visitors alike.
- Certified Autism Destination Initiative (Ongoing) – Greater Palm Springs continues to lead with inclusivity, offering destination-wide training and certification through IBCCES. More hotels, attractions, and tourism services are joining this initiative every season.
- Wellness Evolution – The region's wellness identity continues to grow with offerings such as floating sound baths, desert stargazing, cacao ceremonies, guided meditations, and spa rituals inspired by the surrounding landscape. This fall, Greater Palm Springs will debut its first-ever Spa Month in September 2025, featuring exclusive wellness experiences and limited-time offers at top spas across the oasis—making it the perfect time to relax, recharge, and explore the destination's most soothing escapes.
- Culinary Spotlight – From Michelin Guide recognition to a thriving farm-to-table movement, Greater Palm Springs continues to blend bold flavors, agricultural heritage, and chef-driven innovation. Highlights include celebrity chef restaurants such as Kestrel, a Richard Blais Kitchen + Lounge at Indian Wells Golf Resort, and Tia Carmen by Chef Angelo Sosa at Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Villas. The newly opened Bar Issi at Thompson Palm Springs brings breezy, coastal Italian cuisine to the desert with housemade pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and raw bar favorites crafted from seasonal California ingredients. Beautifully designed, its cocktail program and curated wine list draw inspiration from both European escapes and local harvests.
- Film Oasis Momentum – The destination's profile as a production hub continues to rise, with film scouts and commercial crews drawn to its diverse locations, production-friendly policies, and scenic backdrops across the nine cities.
###
About Greater Palm Springs
Greater Palm Springs, Southern California's storied oasis, is celebrated for its year-round sunshine, iconic midcentury design, world-class wellness, and vibrant cultural experiences. The destination is made up of nine distinct cities—Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio, and Coachella—each offering its own blend of charm and discovery.
Easily accessible from Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix, and Las Vegas—and with 30+ nonstop flights into Palm Springs International Airport—Greater Palm Springs makes getting away effortless. With natural hot mineral springs, lush palm groves, and more than 300 days of sunshine each year, the oasis invites travelers to relax, recharge, and find inspiration in every direction. www.visitgreaterpalmsprings.com
