Romantic Getaway in Palm Springs: Things to Do for Couples
Palm Springs is an easy place to fall in love, or back in love. Sunny days, mountain views, spas built on hot mineral water, intimate garden restaurants and a backyard pool you do not have to share make it one of the best couples’ destinations in California. This is our guide to a romantic weekend here: what to do, where to eat and how to make the stay itself part of the romance.
We manage homes in Palm Springs, Indio and Desert Hot Springs, and many of our couples book for an anniversary, a birthday or simply a weekend away from everyone else. These are the things we would plan for ourselves.
Where can couples relax at a spa?
The desert’s spa culture is built on real hot mineral springs. Two Bunch Palms in Desert Hot Springs is the classic: natural hot-spring pools under the palms, couples’ treatments and a grotto that feels a world away. In Palm Springs itself, The Spa at Séc-he at Agua Caliente draws on the mineral hot spring the city was named for, with private soaking tubs and a full treatment menu. The Ritz-Carlton spa in Rancho Mirage is the polished resort option. If you would rather stay in, book a mobile massage therapist to set up beside the pool.
What are the most romantic things to do in Palm Springs?
- Ride the Aerial Tramway up Mount San Jacinto for cool air, forest trails and a sunset dinner at the top with floor-to-ceiling windows over the valley.
- Stroll Moorten Botanical Garden, a small, shady desert garden full of cacti and quiet corners, perfect before brunch or coffee.
- Hike the Indian Canyons. Palm Canyon and Andreas Canyon follow streams through palm groves. Pack a picnic and go at your own pace.
- Take a hot air balloon ride over the Coachella Valley at sunrise or sunset. Several companies fly from the east valley, and it is as unforgettable as it sounds.
- Visit Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage, the historic estate that hosted presidents and royalty, for a walk through its gardens and a tour of the house.
- Spend a day in Joshua Tree National Park among the boulders and Joshua trees, and stay for the stars.
- Wander downtown for mid-century shops, a coffee at Koffi, the Walk of Stars and a photo with the giant Forever Marilyn statue.
- See the Palm Springs Art Museum for contemporary and Native American art and rotating exhibitions.
Where should we have a romantic dinner?
Palm Springs does patios beautifully, and from fall through spring you will want to eat outside.
- Spencer’s Restaurant, with a canopied patio at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains and classic American cooking.
- Birba, for pizza, pasta and cocktails in a garden strung with lights. Casual, charming and always busy.
- Melvyn’s at the Ingleside Inn, for Old Hollywood romance: tableside flambe, white-jacketed waiters and a piano bar afterward.
- Mister Parker’s at the Parker, dim and dramatic, for a dinner that feels like an occasion.
Book ahead in season. And consider one night in: a private chef cooking dinner in your own kitchen while you sit by the pool is the most romantic meal many of our guests report.
Where should we go for a sunset drink?
High Bar at the Kimpton Rowan is the rooftop with the mountain view, and sunset there is the right way to start an evening. Bootlegger Tiki is a tiny, dark tiki bar for a nightcap, and the patio at The Tropicale is a lovely happy hour. Back at the house, a bottle of wine by the fire pit is hard to beat.
When is the most romantic time to visit?
Late October through April. Days are warm, evenings are cool enough for a fire pit and the hot tub, and everything outdoors is open. Winter nights get genuinely cold, which is wonderful if your pool is heated and less so if it is not, so ask us about pool heating when you book. Summer is very hot; if that is your window, lean into the spa, the tram and late dinners.
Where should couples stay?
The point of a home over a hotel is privacy. No elevator, no shared pool deck, no one on the other side of the wall.
- Ultimate Outdoor Oasis is close to downtown with a pool, hot tub, fire pit and hammock, and it is pet friendly if your getaway includes the dog.
- Acacia Retreat has a heated pool and spa with mountain views and a fire pit, which makes it our winter favorite for couples.
- Salida Del Sol in Desert Hot Springs puts you in the spa town itself, minutes from Two Bunch Palms.
Our homes have three or four bedrooms, so a couple will have far more space than they need, and many of our guests bring another couple or two and split the stay.
Frequently asked questions
Is Palm Springs a good destination for couples?
Yes. Spas built on natural hot springs, intimate restaurants with patios, the Aerial Tramway, desert hikes and private pools make it one of the best romantic getaways in Southern California.
What is the most romantic restaurant in Palm Springs?
Spencer’s for its patio under the mountains, Melvyn’s for Old Hollywood tableside service, Mister Parker’s for drama and Birba for a garden of string lights. Reserve ahead in season.
Which spa should couples visit near Palm Springs?
Two Bunch Palms in Desert Hot Springs for natural hot-spring pools and couples’ treatments, or The Spa at Séc-he in downtown Palm Springs for private mineral soaking tubs.
When is the best time for a romantic trip to Palm Springs?
Late October through April offers warm days and cool evenings for fire pits and hot tubs. Ask about pool heating in winter. Summer is very hot but quiet, with good spa and dinner options.
Do you have smaller homes for just two people?
Our Palm Springs homes have three or four bedrooms, so a couple will have plenty of space and privacy. Many couples invite friends to share the house and the cost.
Book your desert stay direct
A romantic weekend is better in a home of your own: a private pool, a hot tub under the stars and nobody on the other side of the wall.
Booking on our own site rather than through a platform means no service fee and about 10 percent less on a like-for-like booking, with our cancellation terms shown before you pay. Browse every home we manage on our Coachella Valley vacation rentals page, or call us at (949) 407-7448 or email support@ratherbeproperties.com and we will help you choose.
Because there’s no place you’d rather be.
