The Ultimate Palm Springs Bachelorette Party Guide

Whether you fly into Palm Springs International Airport or drive in from California or neighboring states, planning a bachelorette party in Palm Springs means enjoying your own little slice of desert paradise. “It’s a tropical getaway without your ocean. You’re in between Vegas and L.A.—we are the hotspot,” observes Jacquelyn James, VP of business development and brand awareness for dinner cabaret experience AsiaSF, which rolls out the red carpet—quite literally—for bachelorette party groups of all sizes and orientations. “You come here and you literally get away. It’s a retreat, a resort, a whole special place.” 

Not sure where to start? Consider this your ultimate guide to enjoying everything Palm Springs, California, has to offer bachelorette parties. From where to stay and what to do to where to eat and how to get around, we'll help you plan the perfect getaway for your group.

Why You'll Love Palm Springs 

From the natural beauty of its desert surroundings to the chic, design-forward vibes around town, Palm Springs has always had an aesthetic all its own. Add to the mix a strong LGBTQ culture; celebration-worthy dining and nightlife scene; and hotels and pools aplenty—that’s Palm Springs in a nutshell. 

• Chic Accommodations: Whether you book rooms at a larger hotel in town, buy out part of a local boutique hotel, or book an Airbnb-style rental, homes and hotels here tend to be quite stylish, embracing the “desert chic” ethos of the location.
  
• LGBTQ Culture: Palm Springs takes a lot of pride in its LGBTQ positivity, and the destination is all the more colorful and friendly for it.
  
• Food and Nightlife: Brunch every day of the week? That’s Palm Springs, which has a food scene that’s as delicious as it is fun, festive and celebration-worthy. When the sun goes down, you have no shortage of options for where to toast to your upcoming nuptials in any number of ways.

Where to Stay in Palm Springs

The beautiful thing about having your bachelorette party in Palm Springs is that nothing is really that far away. Whether you book rooms at the Kimpton Rowan—which could not be more centrally located in Downtown Palm Springs and has incredible amenities, including a rooftop pool and restaurant—or one of the super stylish and charming Uptown Palm Springs boutique hotels—such as newly-opened Fleur Noire Hotel, pictured here, which has lovely communal courtyards that will feel exclusive to your group—you really can’t go wrong. 

Generally speaking, local accommodations fall into three categories, each of which have their own appeal: 

• Resorts and larger hotels: Fabulous pools, bars/restaurants on site, concierge available to help answer local questions/assist with bookings. Spa services and wellness activities (yoga classes, pickleball courts, bikes to ride) may also be offered. 
• Boutique hotels: Bespoke decor and stylish themes, charming courtyards and patios with unique features (fire pits, outdoor games, and so forth). Lovely, relaxing pool and lounge areas. Depending on the size of your Palm Springs bachelorette party group, there may be an option to buy out the entire property, or a significant portion of it. Housekeeping and front desk services available, plus bar/restaurant on site or very close by.
  
• Rental house/Airbnb: Privacy and built-in communal gathering spaces, plus the ability to prepare your own meals and/or bring in a private chef or catering. Many homes have a pool and nicely appointed backyard hang out/BBQ areas. Plus, it’s always special to have a group under one roof together.

Whether you stay Uptown, Downtown or even a bit further out in one of the surrounding residential neighborhoods, you’re never too far from the action. 

Where to Eat in Palm Springs

The Palm Springs dining scene has something for everyone, from high-energy brunches to more casual, seasonally-driven California cuisine. There are also plenty of special occasion-worthy establishments, where surf and turf are the name of the game or the destination’s Mexican cuisine, that will make for a memorable meal. 

• Best Brunch Spots: Lulu California Bistro, Wilma & Frieda's, Cheeky’s, Farm, Oscar's
• Best Dinner Spots: Eight4Nine, Trio Restaurant, Birba Palm Springs, Mr. Lyons Steakhouse, Tac/Quila
  

What to Do in Palm Springs

The ebb and flow of activities in Palm Springs follow the sun: Wake up for a morning hike or to get out to a hot springs day spa. If you'd rather sleep in, get the day started with brunch, which is available any day of the week here—although brunch events kick into high gear on the weekends. Once the sun sinks over the San Jacinto mountains, the nightlife scene starts to heat up. 

Best Daytime Activities in Greater Palm Springs 

You can't beat a morning hike into one of the palm oases at stunning Indian Canyons. Palm Canyon and Andreas Canyon are both suitable for non-hikers, but remember that closed-toed shoes are a must. Complimentary ranger-led interpretive hikes and ranger nature and history talks are available seasonally, so do your research before you arrive.

If you'd prefer to plan something that's less physically demanding, take in the panoramic views from the top of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway—the ride up and down the mountain is a memorable part of the adventure. There may even be snow at the top of the mountain in the winter months!

You could also book a custom group cycle experience with Sunny Cycle. Options include an Instagram Photo-Op Tour, a Modernism Tour, or Discover the Past & Future of Historic Palm Springs Tour. After your tour, do a little shopping in the Uptown Design District, where boutiques include local artisan and maker shops, fashion-forward clothing, apparel and accessories retailers, as well as Palm Springs-inspired merchandise (check out the gift shop at Shop(pe).

And if pure relaxation is what you're after, you should look into a day pass to a local hot springs retreat/ Experience the natural mineral water pools and soaking tubs at Azure Palm Hot Springs Resort & Day Spa Oasis, located in Desert Hot Springs, California, about 15 minutes away.

Best Nighttime Activities in Palm Springs

Start your fun night on the town at AsiaSF's cabaret dinner show, which features glamorous transgender starlets performing pop hits and Broadway favorites. AsiaSF pulls out all the stops for bachelorette parties, including free entry into the nightclub after the show on weekends.

For a tame post-dinner gathering, you can't beat cocktails out on the spacious patio of cozy, speakeasy vibe cocktail bar, Seymour's, which is tucked away like the jewel that it is inside Mr. Lyons Steakhouse. (Ask the restaurant hostess to point you in the right direction.) PS Air Bar is another fun, hidden treasure. If dancing and bottle service are what you're after, reserve a booth at Hunter’s Palm Springs, located along Arenas Road, the heart of Palm Springs’ gay-oriented nightlife scene. Uptown, Toucan’s Tiki Lounge and Cabaret hosts a variety of drag shows throughout the week.

And for something a little more unexpected, plan an evening of fun at Escape Room Palm Springs. There are six different escape rooms to play, with themes such as bank heist, the Titanic, and a vampire’s lair.

How to Get Around in Palm Springs

Generally speaking, Palm Springs is a compact destination, which means you can easily walk to some restaurants and nightlife locations from a centrally-located hotel home base. And if you also have to get out and explore, most anywhere you'll want to be is located within a couple of miles’ radius. 

It’s entirely possible to plan a Palm Springs bachelorette by just simply arriving and using rideshare services (Lyft/Uber) to get from here to there. However, without renting a vehicle—or driving in with a couple of your own—you’ll also be reliant on the availability of cars and drivers, which isn’t always consistent. You also have to think about the size of your group, particularly if you’ll need more than one vehicle.

Many larger hotels and boutique hotels have some beach cruiser-style bikes to lend out to guests who want to pedal around, and rentals are also available locally. If you’re trying to borrow more than a few bikes at a time, that’s when you need to start thinking about alternatives, such as booking a two- or three-hour group excursion with Sunny Cycle, which can accommodate up to 15 people. 

Palm Springs Bachelorette Party Itinerary

Day One

• Morning: Arrive in Palm Springs.
  
• Afternoon: After decorating your rooms, gather your group for pre-dinner cocktails.
  
• Evening: Make dinner reservations at a restaurant close to your hotel. After, give your guests a few different casual going out or hanging in options—drinks around the fire pit at your hotel or drinks at a nearby bar are low-pressure options.

Day Two

• Morning: Start your day with a morning hike into one of the palm oases of Indian Canyons, which will be about two to three hours, round-trip, from your hotel, including drive time. Once you're back, change into your cutest outfits and hit the town for brunch.
• Afternoon: Book a two- or three-hour custom adventure with Sunny Cycle or head to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to take in some incredible views
  
• Evening: Allot some downtime for everyone to relax and get refreshed before a big night on the town. Start with the dinner cabaret show at AsiaSF, then enjoy nightclub dancing or high-end cocktails at a local bar.

Day Three

• Morning: Start your day with a late morning brunch reservation—you'll want to give your group time to recover from the night before. Anyone who happens to be up early can get in some morning pool time or take a walk to discover some of the incredible public art and sculpture around Downtown Palm Springs.
  
• Afternoon: Spend several hours enjoying the facilities at Azure Palm Hot Springs Resort & Day Spa Oasis. There’s a cafe on site for refreshing beverages and snacks. Another option is a casual group hang out and pool time at your Palm Springs accommodations; the Kimpton Rowan, for one, offers day cabanas available for rental. If anyone in your party is up for some local shopping, this afternoon would be a great time for that, too.
  
• Evening: Since your group is leaving tomorrow, an earlier dinner reservation is a great idea; plan an evening activity for those who'd like to join in for one last night of fun—it can be a night on the town or a casual evening in at your accommodations.

Day Four

• Morning: If anyone in your group doesn’t immediately have to head to the airport, plan one last meal together as a nice way to wind down. Breakfast or brunch in town, followed by some light shopping, is perfect.