What to do in Palm Springs while house and pet sitting

Going on a pet sitting trip to the sunshine state sounds almost too good to be true, doesn’t it? But just ‘almost’ – cause if you’re a member of our pet-loving community, your chances of pet sitting in, let’s say Palm Springs, are actually pretty good!

But what to do in Palm Springs once you’re there? The city is famous for a whole array of cool things, from its hot springs and spas to its stylish hotels, golf courses and mid-century-modern architecture. In other words: There are many different things to do in Palm Springs, for every taste possible.

So, if you’re looking to get a really good idea about where to have adventures in the desert or spend a day in blissful relaxation, which tasties to try where, or what Palm Springs’ points of interest are, you’re in the right place!

Palm Springs attractions

Let’s jump right into this: What are the best things to do in Palm Springs? Here’s a small selection of the city’s many attractions, handpicked from us for you:

1. Palm Springs Art Museum: Do you love to stroll through museums and look at all the wonderful art pieces there? Then we’re sure you’ll love this must do in Palm Springs, too! The permanent exhibition of the Palm Springs Art Museum consists of two major areas: an art section that includes fine art pieces, photographs, Native American art, and Mesoamerican art, as well as a natural science section which includes ceramics, lithics, tools, weapons, minerals, fossils, rocks, casts of fossils, herbaria, preserved animals, and more.
2. Cabot's Pueblo Museum: A little ways outside town, but still among the things to do in the Palm Springs area, is a stunning historical sight: Cabot’s Pueblo Museum, a Hopi-style pueblo (or village) exhibiting Native American and Native Alaskan artefacts as well as artworks and correspondence of the site’s founder, the adventurer Cabot Yerxa.
3. The Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway: If you love Elvis Presley as much as we do and always wanted to know where The King spent his honeymoon, this is it! The Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway is located in the north-west of town, close to the Aerial Tramway, and is open to music-loving guests for guided tours, overnight stays, or even their own wedding.
4. Moorten Botanical Garden: Speaking of weddings... We don’t think it’s very likely you’ll use your pet sitting trip to quickly get married between walking the dog and feeding the cat, but just in case: You can also get married at the scenic Moorten Botanical Garden! Or you could just visit and enjoy the stunning landscapes, featuring hundreds of cacti and other desert plants.
5. Desert Hot Springs: The greater Palm Springs area, especially Desert Hot Springs, is famous for its – we’re sure you guessed it – hot springs and spa resorts. If you’re sitting a pet, you probably won’t be staying at one of the spa hotels, but maybe you’ll find time in between your trip to enjoy one of the day spas and spend a few hours blissfully soaked in the hot water.

Free things to do in Palm Springs

Are you on a small budget and wondering what cool things to do in Palm Springs that don’t require any money? Never worry, we’ve got you covered on this, too!

1. Palm Canyon Drive and Indian Canyon Drive: If you enjoy window shopping or just wanna have a look at Palm Springs historical heart, this is where you want to be! Both drives are lined with art galleries, historical buildings, all manner of shops, as well as pubs and restaurants. Palm Canyon Drive is also the home of the Walk of Stars, Palm Springs’ very own version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, featuring stars in honour of various famous previous and current greater Palm Springs residents.
2. Palm Springs VillageFest: Every Thursday night, Palm Canyon Drive is transformed into a fun pedestrian street fair called the Palm Springs VillageFest. Featuring arts, crafts, food and entertainment, the VillageFest is the perfect opportunity to mix and mingle, taste some of California’s finest snacks, or just let loose and have fun!
3. Hikes into nature: The Palm Springs area boasts some of the most beautiful landscapes and natural sights of all of California – and if you’re there to pet sit a lovely pooch, you should most definitely seize the opportunity to take the fur buddy for a very special walk neither of you will ever forget (okay, mostly you)! Some worthy destinations to consider: Tahquitz Canyon, with its stunning waterfall and rock art, the Indian Canyons, which you can explore on foot or horseback, the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, the Cactus to Clouds Trail, or the Palm Springs Museum Trail. Careful, though! Not all hiking trails in the greater Palm Springs area allow dogs!
4. Backstreet Art District: One of the lesser-known but still most interesting places in Palm Springs – at least if you’re into art – is the Backstreet Art District, located along Highway 111. Here you can find a plethora of art studios and galleries, featuring anything from traditional paintings and sculptures to photography, ceramics, jewellery and more!

Fun things to do in Palm Springs

Traditional sightseeing, free things to do – now what’s there to do in Palm Springs that’s fun and maybe even a little wacky? Read on and find out!

1. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway: Tramways are nothing too special, right? But aerial tramways? That’s a different matter. And Palm Springs doesn’t only have any of these beautiful, fun vehicles, but the largest rotating one in the entire world! So, jump on, take a ride, and enjoy the breath-taking views!
2. International Banana Museum: If you’d love to learn more about this delicious, yellow, curvy fruit than you ever thought you could learn, the International Banana Museum is just the place for you! From wondrous specimens to tasty home-made banana treats – this quirky museum has it all!
3. Night Adventures in the Monument: Are you more of an early bird or a night owl? If the latter is true and you’re not afraid of the occasional creepy crawly, here’s another great experience in Palm Springs for you! Night Adventures in the Monument takes you on a nocturnal tour into the desert to scour the land for various night-active creatures of the desert. Using a black light, you might come across scorpions, spiders, lizards, snakes, owls, jackrabbits – maybe even a coyote.
4. Celebrity Tours: Many celebrities have called Palm Springs their home, and if you’d like to see their residences and learn a thing or two about them, best go on one of Palm Springs’ celebrity bus tours. Some private tours will even take you to places other commercial tours can’t go, and be sure the guides know some cool trivia you haven’t heard before.

Restaurants in Palm Springs: food and drink

After so much sightseeing and adventure, you’ll most definitely be hungry – so let’s finish this little guide with some pointers on where to find the best restaurants in Palm Springs!

1. Lunch or dinner on Palm Canyon Drive: As mentioned before, the main place to go for a shopping tour in Palm Springs is Palm Canyon Drive – and the same is true if you’re looking for a tasty lunch or dinner! From the quirky French Miso Café, that offers French-Japanese fusion cuisine, to the rustic Farm, the European Miro’s Restaurant or the refined Le Vallauris you’ll find eateries here for every fancy and budget.
2. Vegetarian meals at Chef Tanya’s Kitchen: If you’re looking for a yummy, all vegetarian option among Palm Springs’ restaurants, head over to Saint Eugene Road and check in at Chef Tanya’s Kitchen. The menu here consists of all-time classics such as sandwiches, burgers, soups, and salads, all lovingly prepared and humming to your taste buds.
3. Brunch, snacks & delicious treats at the Carousel Bakery: Mouth-watering cakes, pastries and pies, freshly baked croissants, and juicy sandwiches are just some of the many tasty snacks you can munch on at the Carousel Bakery on El Cielo Road. If you’re looking for a lovely place to have breakfast or brunch, or crave a bite between your adventures, be sure to pay them a visit!

“What is there to do in Palm Springs?” you asked? A whole lot, as you can see! So, whether you’d like to spend a few days visiting the historical sights of Palm Springs, are out for some money-free fun, or want to try all the local tasties, after reading our article you should have more than enough ideas to do all of that! Happy sitting!

Are you ready to connect with owners in Palm Springs or other beautiful cities to start planning your own exciting sitting trip? Then here you go!

For more travel tips and advice, be sure to head on over to TrustedHousesitters' Community Forum.