Palm Springs in the Summer is Still My Home
- Kathy Condon
- Aug 5
- 5 min read
As a resident of Palm Springs, California, for 14 years, I’ve learned how to navigate through the summer months of June, July, and August. Granted, May and September can reveal temperatures in the high 100s, but we won't have temperatures that remain consistently high for days.
Discover The Unique Summer Experience in Palm Springs
Dining in Palm Springs
During the summer, Palm Springs restaurants often close for a short period, allowing employees to take their well-deserved vacations and for necessary maintenance or updates. As locals, we've learned to adapt to these changes, turning a simple dinner outing into an unexpected adventure.
When dining, consider taking a wrap with you. The temperature changes from 110 degrees to 75 degrees when you enter a restaurant, which can be quite daunting.
PRO TIP: If you are planning to meet friends for cocktails or dinner at a particular place, give the venue a call to make reservations. This way, you can also confirm the restaurant is open when you all arrive.
Retail in Palm Springs during the Warm Summer Months
With the help of a close friend, Kim Galland, who owns Kimbals, a fashion boutique store downtown Palm Springs, across from the Hyatt Palm Springs, I stay up to date on pedestrian traffic on our famous Palm Canyon Drive—Hwy 111.
Smiling, I recall hearing that when the temperature hits 110, it sometimes gets quiet. However, the cooler nighttime air is when people are leisurely walking the street before or after dinner at one of our nearby restaurants, relaxed and happy people come into her boutique store.
PRO TIP: If you walk into a clothing store and want personalized attention to update your wardrobe, the afternoon is a good time to experiment with different looks. Not all stores stay open later at night, so if you have a favorite one, I’d call to check to see if they are open.
You noticed I said, "Pick up the phone.” The reason is that some small businesses forget or lack the time to update their hours and menus during the summer months.
Is it Too Hot to Hike in Palm Springs in the Summer?
If you are an early riser, it is possible to go on a hike. I suggest, in the summer, only going on hikes where you see others appreciating our magnificent Coachella Valley landscape. You cannot be too careful, because if you have not been training, some of our hiking trails may be more rigorous than you expected.
With over 100 hiking trails, there is a wide range of lengths and strenuousness. Plus, remember we are at sea level, so you're moving up to higher elevations on many of them.
PRO TIP: Hats and more water than you expect to drink are a necessity.
Evenings in the Summer
Evenings in Palm Springs during the summer are a time of beauty and tranquility. Residents like me emerge from our homes, head to the pool, and enjoy a cocktail while witnessing the breathtaking sunsets over our mountains. The unique play of sun rays bouncing off our mountains never fails to captivate me, even after 14 years.
This is also the time when people walk their dogs—I know, for I am a dog sitter who stays in people’s homes. A cooler evening is when both Bing, one of my clients, and I enjoy walking around the nearby neighborhoods.
PRO TIP: If you are visiting and know people in the Coachella Valley, consider inviting them over for cocktails or dinner at your resort. You will find them grateful for the opportunity to see you, but also a nice reprieve for them from the confines of their homes.
Don’t get me wrong, but we get a little stir- crazy—just think how you feel when you are stuck at home more often because of the snow and cold.
Can you golf in the summer?
As I'm not a golfer, I cannot comment much on how much golfing you will be able to do. I will say I see an inordinate number of cars parked early in the morning at our Clubhouse—thus, I assume they are golfing.
This is also the time of year when some of our 100-plus golf courses close down for a month for maintenance.
PRO TIP: If you need golf clubs, consider checking out our consignment shops. Each time I visit, I notice a corner with a selection of clubs and bags ready for you to try out on the course.
Festivals in Palm Springs in the Summer
Unlike the Northwest, where I visited this summer and was overwhelmed by numerous events, Palm Springs in the summer remains very quiet. The International Film Festival, Modernism Week, both in the fall and February, Art Shows, BNP Paribas Open, Coachella, Stagecoach, have kept us busy during the season, which is considered October through the middle of May.
On the other hand, the breather is somewhat of a relief, for traffic is better, and we can get into our favorite restaurants when we want.
Plus, we have put in our stints of volunteering—though even in the summer here, you will see people giving and generously volunteering for places like the animal shelter, Mizell Center, DAP Health (Healthcare for all citizens), and the Palm Springs Cultural Center.
Yes, it is hot for four months of the year. Recently, a friend and I, who could move anywhere too, brainstormed about the possibility of moving. My criteria were few bugs, proximity to an international airport, and no snow or long periods of cloudy days.
This morning, I was up at 5:00 a.m. I made myself a cup of coffee, went out my door to the patio, sipped my coffee, looking at the range of mountains before me. My life is so good, how could it get better than this? There are no plans for me to move; however, I learned long ago not to use the term “Never.”
Kathy Condon is a travel writer and award-winning author. Her writing niche includes
luxury experiences, hidden delights, and communities living in the shadows of large cities. www.PalmSpringsInsiderGuide.com
760-902-3094 kathy@kathycondon.net
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