Facts

Population: 40,200. The total permanent population of the nine cities in the Coachella Valley is 180,000, with a seasonal rise to approximately 240,000.

Location: Palm Springs is located at the western end of the Coachella Valley, which is composed of nine cities: Desert Hot Springs, Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho, Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio, and Coachella.

Elevation: 487 feet

Time Zone: Palm Springs is in the Pacific time zone. When it is noon in New York City; it is 9:00AM in Palm Springs.

Weather

The weather is consistently pleasant in Palm Springs because of the San Jacinto Mountains. Rising nearly vertically 9,000 feet beside Palm Springs, it is one of the steepest climbs in North America and the reason why the rain (and air pollution) in Los Angeles can't reach Palm Springs.

Average Temperatures:

When to Go

Palm Springs is sheltered by the Little San Bernardino Mountains to the north, the Santa Rosa Mountains on the south, and the San Jacinto Mountains to the west. This geography gives Palm Springs its renowned warm, dry climate. Known for 354 days of sunshine and less than 6 inches of rain annually, winter temperatures average in the 70s with nights in the mid-high 40s. The dry desert heat of summer pushes daytime temperatures to the 100’s.

Business Hours

Banks are usually open weekdays 9 to 3 and some Saturday mornings; the post office from 8 to 5 weekdays and often on Saturday mornings. Shops in urban and suburban areas, particularly in indoor and smaller malls, typically open at 9 or 10 daily and stay open until anywhere from 6 to 10 on weekdays and Saturdays, and until 5 or 6 on Sundays.

Holidays

New Year's Day Jan. 1

Martin Luther King, Jr., Day 3rd Mon. in Jan.

President's Day 3rd Mon. in Feb.

Memorial Day last Mon. in May;

Independence Day July 4

Labor Day 1st Mon. in Sept.

Thanksgiving Day 4th Thurs. in Nov.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dec. 24 and 25

New Year's Eve Dec. 31.

In An Emergency

From any telephone dial 911

Fire & Medical 323-8181

Palm Springs Police 323-8116

AAA-Automobile Club of So. California 1-800-400-4222

Hospitals: Palm Springs Desert Regional Medical Center

1150 N. Indian Canyon Drive

323-6511

Medical Directory 323-6100

Trauma Center 323-6313

Eisenhower Medical Center

340-3911

39-000 Bob Hope Drive

General Information: Road Conditions 1-800-427-7623

Time of Day 853-1212

Weather Conditions 345-3711

Safety Tips

The Sun: No matter how cool the air, the sun may burn you because of the clear, dry air. Use sun screen daily, and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

Tipping

It is customary to tip your restaurant server 15% of the total bill. It is not included in the bill itself. If you receive outstanding service, a 20% tip would be appropriate.

Getting There

Palm Springs International Airport

3400 East Tahquitz Canyon Way

Palm Springs CA 92262

760-318-3800

There are excellent direct and non-stop flights and convenient connections from the major airlines serving the Palm Springs International Airport (PSP)

Airport Customs Service

Palm Springs International Airport has a Customs Officer available 24 hours a day (with just four hours prior notice) to clear international general aviation flights. This service is available on a user-fee-based system and is very popular with chartered corporate and privately owned aircraft.

General Inquiries: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 760-778-8455

City of Palm Springs

3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way

Palm Springs CA 92262

760-323-8299

Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce

190 West Amado Road

Palm Springs CA 92262

760-325-1577

Palm Springs Post Office

1-800-275-8777

Main Branch, 333 East Amado Road

By Rail

Amtrak Palm Springs platform is located at N. Indian Canyon Drive just south of 1-10. There is a telephone for passengers' convenience. Call for schedule and reservations 1-800-USA-RAIL (872-7245)

Amtrak's Bakersfield to Indio (Jackson St. and Southern Pacific tracks) daily service with stops in Palm Springs, N. Indian Canyon and Amado and Palm Desert Town Center, Monterey and San Gorgonio.

Metrolink/Riverside Sunline Transit has a connection from Palm Springs 760-343-3451.

By Car

If you're driving from Los Angeles, take I-10 east to the Calif. 111 turnoff to Palm Springs. Drive into town on North Palm Canyon Drive, the main thoroughfare. The trip from downtown Los Angeles takes about 2 hours. From San Diego, take I-15 north to I-10 east; it's a little more than 2 hours.

By Bus

Greyhound Palm Springs Bus Depot, 311 N. Indian Canyon Drive, 760-325-9557, Indio: 45-524 Oasis St. 760-347-5888

SunLine Transit Agency The desert's only public transit bus system is a good way to see the Coachella Valley on regularly scheduled, clean natural gas fueled buses. Wheelchair lifts and bike racks: Information 760-343-3456 ext. 170, 1-800-347-8628

Motorcoaches, Taxis, Shuttles & Limousines

AAA Limousine Service, Inc. 760-322-4454

Ace Taxi - 760-321-6008 (SRA #97-500)

Airport Taxi - 760-321-4470

Bus

Greyhound ................................................. (760) 325-2053

Laidlaw Transit (school & charter).................. (760) 320-8822

SunBus (Coachella Valley only)..................... (760) 343-3451

SunDial Curb to Curb

(For seniors & disabled only.......................... (760) 341-6999

Highways

Interstate 10 connects the City of Palm Springs with Los Angeles to the west and Phoenix to the east. State Highway 111 connects the communities within the Coachella Valley and Imperial County. State Highway 86 connects the City of Palm Springs with Imperial County, San Diego County and Mexico to the south. State Highway 62 connects the City of Palm Springs to Morongo Valley and Twenty-nine Palms to the northeast. State Highway 74 connects Palm Springs via Palm Desert to the Mountain resort of Idyllwild.