Map Itinerary for the Most Insta-Worthy Places In Palm Springs

Palm Springs, California, is home to some of the most unique, distinctive, and altogether striking desert landscapes on the planet. With its breathtaking blend of soaring mountains, towering palm trees, and mid-century modern architecture, it’s no wonder that this colorful desert oasis is an Instagrammer’s paradise. If you want to adorn your Insta profile with some of the best desert backdrops around, we've put together a simple roadmap you can follow to photographic perfection. See the map here and read on for instructions below.

Stop #1: The Cabazon Dinosaurs

50770 Seminole Drive
Cabazon, CA 92230

 

If you're traveling from Los Angeles, jump on the world-famous Interstate 10 and head east toward Palm Springs. Before you reach your destination, you’ll pass the small town of Cabazon, home to the Cabazon Outlets and Morongo Casino. It’s also home to some life-size dinosaur replicas that aren’t to be missed. Featured in popular films like Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, the Cabazon Dinosaurs provide the perfect spot for one-of-a-kind selfies. The entrance fee is just $12 for adults and $10 for kids, and there are over 50 realistic-looking dinosaurs on the grounds. Make sure to get a photo in front of the giant T-Rex!

 

Stop #2: The Palm Springs Sign

 

2901 N Palm Canyon Dr.
Palm Springs, CA 92262

 

Once you’ve had enough of your frontier adventure, you’re finally ready to enter Palm Springs, so of course you’ll need a photo in front of the iconic Palm Springs sign. Venture south on highway 62 and exit N Indian Canyon Dr. From there, head south to N Palm Canyon Dr and go about half a mile west. Park at the Palm Springs Visitors Center and walk over to the sign. Make sure to get the mountains and palm trees in your shot, and avoid early-morning photos to ensure the best light.

 

Stop #3: Palm Springs Walk of Stars

 

10 N Palm Canyon Dr.
Palm Springs, CA 92262
 

Continue south on N Palm Canyon Dr. until you hit the Palm Springs Walk of Stars. Located downtown, this walk of fame offers a wealth of prime Instagram opportunities. The sidewalks are covered with shimmering plaques honoring such celebrated Palm Springs residents as Frank Sinatra, Ronald Reagan, Natalie Wood, Bob Hope, Lena Horne, and hundreds of others. There’s even a giant statue of Marilyn Monroe in her famous flyaway dress as seen in The Seven Year Itch. This statue is one of the most popular photo spots in the entire city, so make sure to add it to your list.

 

Stop #4: Moorten Botanical Garden

 

1701 S Palm Canyon Dr.
Palm Springs, CA 92264

 

Continue south on N Palm Canyon Dr. until you hit Moorten Botanical Garden. Open since 1939, this unique one-acre garden has more than 3,000 types of plants organized by region, including a wide range of desert cacti and succulents. There are even some rarely seen plant species from South Africa and South America. Make sure to take some photos in the colorful cactarium, the world’s only enclosed cactus solarium. The sun-drenched glass walls and twisting cactus plants provide a stunning background.

 

Stop #5: The Ace Hotel and Swim Club

701 E Palm Canyon Dr.
Palm Springs, CA 92264
 

Head a couple of blocks east on E Palm Canyon Drive, and you’ll come to the Ace Hotel and Swim Club. This place is as “Palm Springs” as it gets: a Bauhaus-inspired hotel that exemplifies the desert modernism architectural style. More specifically, the style represents a 1950s vision of a utopian future: bright white walls, sloped roofs, and eclectic light fixtures that hang almost precariously from the ceilings. The interior is adorned with retro-futurist kitsch, including oval Acapulco chairs and Eero Saarinen tables. There are stone walls and white bricks that line the interior and exterior, and clashing colors abound from floor to ceiling. It’s actually pretty amazing. Make sure to get a photo in front of the giant Ace sign.

 

Stop #6: That Pink Door

1100 E Sierra Way
Palm Springs, CA 92264

Colorful doors are actually a thing in Palm Springs, California and none is more famous than “that pink door” on E Sierra Way. The door got its name from its viral Instagram hashtag, #thatpinkdoor, which—as of this writing—has been posted over 6,000 times. Just drive a couple of blocks south of the Ace to reach E Sierra Way, and be sure to wear your best pastel colors when taking photos in front of the door. Also, remember to be respectful, as this door is attached to a private home on a residential street.

 

Stop #7: The Saguaro

1800 E Palm Canyon Dr.
Palm Springs, CA 92264

Return to E Palm Canyon Drive, and you’ll find The Saguaro less than a mile east of the Ace. This resort is another Instagram essential, as it’s been featured in some of the top style magazines including Esquire, Elle, and Vogue. You’ll find the same style of desert modern architecture that’s present at the Ace, but this hotel takes it to another level with an exterior that’s painted in bright pastels. Pink, blue, yellow and orange are just some of the vibrant colors that distinguish this hotel. There’s also a gorgeous courtyard, a ballroom, and a terrace with breathtaking mountain views. This place is awash with color, so make sure to use your Hefe or Lo-Fi Instagram filter to really make those hues pop.

 

Stop #8: The Orange Doors at The Parker

4200 E Palm Canyon Dr.
Palm Springs, CA 92264

As previously noted, colorful doors are a thing in Palm Springs, and the orange entrance doors at the Parker make up yet another beloved Insta spot. This bold set of double doors is a spectacle on its own, but it’s made even more striking by the bright cinder-block wall that surrounds it. Like the rest of the resort, this facade is the work of famed designer Jonathan Adler. To get to the Parker, just jump back on E Palm Canyon Drive and head 1.7 miles east of the Saguaro. Midday is an excellent time to get photos of this south-facing facade, as the shadows of the palm trees can be seen along the massive white wall.

 

Bonus Stop: Pioneertown Post Office

53441 Mane St.
Pioneertown, CA 92268

It’s a bit of a detour, but it’s worth it to take a selfie at the most photographed post office in America. After jumping back on the i-10 toward Palm Springs, you’ll soon come to highway 62. Head north on highway 62 from the 10 freeway and exit Pioneertown Rd. Make a right on Pioneertown Rd., and the post office is just a short distance away. Pioneertown is an authentic Old West movie set complete with a frontier-inspired jail, bank, motel, and bathhouse. The weathered-wood post office looks like it was ripped straight from a John Wayne movie, and it’s still fully operational. Take a photo right in front of the facade, and use Instagram’s Earlybird filter to create an authentic Western look, complete with sepia tint and gold tones. The surroundings aren't as cozy as our Palm Springs villas, but the potential for an awesome Instagram story is excellent!

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