Palm Springs may not be a conventional summer escape, but that’s the point. High-season crowds disperse and the desert city allows for unhurried sightseeing, crowd-free cultural programming, sunrise hikes, stargazing and wellness rituals.

Here your guide to the best of the desert, according to Parker Palm Springs:

Like a Local  

Enjoy competition-free access to the city’s cultural landmarks, including Palm Springs Art Museum, where Parker Palm Springs can arrange private after-hours tours for guests.

Mister Parker’s © Courtesy of Parker Palm Springs

Embrace the desert’s early mornings as locals do. Guests of Parker Palm Springs can join guided hikes in Indian Canyons, led by a Hiking Sherpa. The city delivers plenty of warm-weather diversions like Palm Springs Aerial Tramway; evening screenings at Palm Springs Cultural Center; and a Parker Palm Springs exclusive of late-night cocktails at Frey House II, the former home of architect Albert Frey who helped define Palm Springs’ architectural identity.

Palm Springs is a designated “dark sky” city, meaning street lighting is thoughtfully designed to minimize glare and preserve nighttime visibility. Summer is especially prime for stargazing, with the 100-400 billion stars that make up the core of the Milky Way visible most nights from around 10 p.m. through sunrise. The Space Out with the Parker offer includes a two-hour, private stargazing experience by Sky Watcher Sky Tours; a kit complete with flashlight, portable telescope and iPad with SkyView star locator map; and a music mix of songs from the NASA Wake-up Call soundtrack. Savor a celestial-themed picnic with treats like moon pies and galaxy star cookies, and a bottle of Dom Perignon Champagne.

© Courtesy of Parker Palm Springs

Summer as Wellness Season  

Take in the desert sanctuary of Parker Palm Springs and its 13 acres of gardens and nautically inspired Palm Springs Yacht Club spa. This summer brings a new menu of wellness-forward offerings like newly launched IV Therapy program. The resort also introduced a private, sleep-focused yoga experience tucked into the gardens. Another new offering invites guests to reserve Palm Springs Yacht Club’s indoor pool for a private evening float experience.

The Parker’s new seasonal offers include booking three nights and paying for two, or booking four nights and paying for three..