THE 37 BEST PLACES TO TAKE PICTURES IN PALM SPRINGS

If you’re looking for the best places to take pictures in Palm Springs then you’re in luck because we’ve got 37 locations around the iconic town you won’t want to miss!

Palm Springs is everyone’s perfect getaway, from colorful hotels to cactus filled botanical gardens, to one of the most famous music festivals in the world, Coachella, there are so many amazing places in Palm Springs to snap photos that you’ll be booking your next trip before you know it!

And we know this is common sense, but we have to say it anyway – please keep in mind that our Photoguides include some of the coolest photo-opps in a city, some of which may be at a hotel, business, restaurant or even near a private home. If that’s the case then you may need to book a hotel room, order something at a restaurant or even arrange a shoot in advance to be able to take photos in that location. If it’s near a private home please be respectful and treat the situation like you would want to be treated if your house was an Instagrammer’s dream.

We also sometimes include locations that are museums or art installations, which keep in mind can change at their discretion – but usually they’ll replace it with something along the same vibe so you’ll still get the shot. If you don’t want to take the risk then make sure to call ahead and check to see what’s there just in case. We hope you enjoy using our Photoguides and if you love them as much as we do, please leave a comment at the end to let us know!

Address: 4200 E Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264

Coordinates: 33.79486, -116.50016

Sidewalkers: Jenn Lake | @jenniferlake + Jordan Jones | @packedparty + Julia Engel | @juliahengel + Hannah Hagler | @hannahhagler + Meg | @meg_legs

Address: Empire Polo Club, 81-800 51st Ave, Indio, CA 92201, USA

Coordinates: 33.67836, -116.23718

Sidewalkers: Tezza | @tezzamb + Laurie Ferraro | @laurie_ferraro + Rebecca Laurey | @rebeccalaurey + Michelle | @cremedemichelle + Cathie Rattanakone | @darkmintdaisy

If you’re heading to Coachella this year and want to get your photo game on, you’re in the right place. When it comes to the best places to take pictures in Palm Springs, our photoguides are just what you need in your life.

The Coachella music festival starts off one of the best times of the year, as LA natives (and those traveling Sidewalkers) migrate to the desert for two weekends in the Coachella sun. Between the colorful festival grounds and day parties at the numerous pools around Palm Springs, there is an unbelievable amount of fun (and a multitude of cute Insta snaps), to be had at Coachella. 

Coachella is known for their amazing lineup and colorful art installations within the festival grounds. Although the installations change yearly, they will always make for fun backgrounds so you can get new shots each time you go!

And of course, don’t forget to snap a pic with the iconic ferris wheel which is by far everyone’s favorite shot! 

Address: Grapefruit Blvd & Avenue 54, Thermal, CA 92236

Coordinates: 33.65659, -116.15354

Sidewalker: Gabby Epstein | @gabbyepstein

Palm Spring photo-opps trivia time! Did you know that the Coachella city limits sign was actually made famous by Nicki Minaj and Beyoncé’s music video, ‘Feelin’ Myself’, which they reportedly filmed during the 2015 Coachella festival weekend? This just goes to show that touring the area’s Instagram spots could actually lead to your seeing some of the stars themselves! 

You May Find Some Of The Most Instagrammable Places In Palm Springs At Your Hotel!

There is no denying that Palm Springs has its own architectural and design vibe. No wonder there are so many photography spots in Palm Springs! Between the mid-century modern buildings, the stark contrast between whites and bright colors, and the beautiful hotels (and pools), Palm Springs makes the perfect weekend getaway for all Southern Californians and anyone looking for a relaxing vacation!

The number of adorable hotels to choose from may make it difficult to decide where to stay, and don’t forget about the amazing homes to rent too! It seems that every place to stay offers its own set of perks, interesting corners and delicious restaurants. Lounge by the pool with a cocktail or ride your bike through the various neighborhoods in search of the perfect colorful doorway for your next Instagram shot. 

Address: 1800 E Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264

Coordinates: 33.80187, -116.52757

Sidewalkers: Whitney | @blonde_atlas + Kat | @kathleen_barnes + Jenn Lake | @jenniferlake

Location: Around Palm Springs.

Sidewalker: Leonie Hanne | @ohhcouture + Molly Long | @molllified

Getting lost in the neighborhoods of Palm Springs is an Instagram goldmine. Between the super cute houses and iconic palm trees, you’ll always be able to find some amazing shots to share!

Address: 701 E Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264

Coordinates: 33.80093, -116.54041

Sidewalkers: Coy Aune | @rcoya  + Juliana Aragon & Nicki Kukis | @julianaaragonphoto & @nicki_face + Mckenna Bleu | @mckennableu

Address: 257 S Patencio Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262

Coordinates: 33.82018, -116.55148

Sidewalkers: Leonie Hanne | @ohhcouture + Jessi Malay | @jessimalay + Brittni Pope | @brittnipope

Address: El Paseo, Palm Desert, CA 92260

Coordinates: 33.71982, -116.38576

Sidewalker: Angie | @thelovelyescapist

Address: Palm Springs, CA 92262

Coordinates: 33.85858, -116.55819

Sidewalker: Jen Vieira | @jenkvieira

Address: 75 Willow Ridge, Palm Desert, CA 92260

Coordinates: 33.76443, -116.37168

Sidewalker: Carolina Lindo | @imnotsorrydarling

You can’t leave the desert without a few photos with cacti. Don’t worry, they’re everywhere, but you’ve got to go to the Westin Desert Willow Villas to get this specific shot!

Address: San Gorgonio Pass, California 92230

Coordinates: 33.91668, -116.75084

Sidewalkers: Cass Dimicco | @cassdimicco + Sharon Wu | @stylelullaby

A few places on the way to Coachella are definitely considered some of the best Instagram spots in Palm Springs! The windmills aren’t just great for the environment, they’re also the perfect backdrop for your next Insta, and to let your friends know that you’re on your way to the desert.

Address: Cabazon Dinosaurs, California 92230

Coordinates: 33.92011, -116.77284

Sidewalker: Ashley Wagner | @ashleyswagner

Next stop on your road to capture the best photos in palm springs is the Cabazon Dinosaurs! In the 1960’s, Claude K. Bell spent $300,000 and two decades crafting these enormous creatures in the middle of the desert- a brontosaurus named Dinney and a tyrannosaurus named Rex.

Coordinates: 33.87341, -115.90099

Sidewalkers: Brit Savage | @lifesetsail + Ashley Renne | @travellushes

When it comes to best places to take pictures in Palm Springs, Joshua Tree is an absolutely beautiful place to stop while at Coachella. You may need a bit more time to see the park (it’s quite vast) but the scenery is unbeatable. The desert is a great place to see the sunrise or sunset and if you stay for the stars- you won’t regret it!

Address: Joshua Tree Acres, Yucca Valley, California, 92284

Sidewalker: Anais Tori | @mynextwanderlust

One of the newest accommodation options on the scene is the picturesque airstream within Joshua Tree national park! Staying in one of these airstream homes can be a great alternative to camping- it can get you outdoors without forcing you to give up your basic necessities aka glamping at its finest! We’ve heard that the Joshua Tree Acres airstreams are a great alternative to the traditional Palm Springs hotel and definitely Insta-worthy. 

Address: Ave 42, Indio, CA 92203

Coordinates: 33.74456, -116.19958

Sidewalkers: Kelly Lee | @kellygolightly + Karen Alexandra | @littleblackshell + Amy Marietta | @amy_marietta + Rebeh Ganzon | @mrmrsganzon

Desert X is a very popular stop on the way to the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and we’re sure you can see why! The exhibit is a collaboration between 15 artists and was erected in the Spring of 2017. Word on the street is it will be installed for the next two years so you better make sure to get there ASAP. 

Desert X describes the project – “artists from different parts of the world were invited to make work in response to the unique conditions of the Coachella Valley. The desert is the blank canvas upon which contemporary artists- like the writers, architects, musicians and others before them- were invited to project their vision and to create from the extraordinary natural and social history around them objects and experiences that reflect upon the matchless spectacle of the geologic epic, the radical abstraction of the surroundings and the singular inclusion of man into the seemingly barren landscape.” We’d say they definitely met their artistic goals!

This amazing work is definitely worth making the time to see and is considered one of the most instagrammable places in Palm Springs. You can click the map on their website to see where the instillations are scattered around the desert.

Location: Around Palm Springs

Sidewalker: Betty Autier | @bettyautier

The road from Palm Springs to Coachella is full of abandoned towns and ghost towns that you can explore to find fun photo-opps that are off the beaten path.