Palm Springs is full of resorts, restaurants, shopping centers and other shopping areas and golf courses. It's deadly hot in summer (average high temp. in August is 107 °F.)

There is some hiking, national parks etc. around, but simply, it's not the place I'd choose for an August vacation.

It is REALLY hot Bluejeans - I would come at another time. Not sure where you are traveling from - but enjoy our Southern California Coast in August - Not Palm Springs.

Palm Springs would be a great place for your party. You'll be able to get some really good deals at 'nice' places during this time of year but it will be scorching. I did a spa getaway weekend one year in June and it was HOT. I loved the bargain but during the day it's inside or in the pool. Most places for outside dining have misters running. Get the picture? And golfing would be completely out for me. You have to really LOVE heat if you are thinking about going in August.

Thank you for you speedy replies. Here's more information. Work schedules only allow for us to travel during July and August, so we have gotten used to extreme temps. For example, we have been to Florida, Arizona, and even St. John, USVI in July/August in years passed. We are from Chicago, so we like summer type destinations (winters are loooooong and cold). We like to do a little shopping, sight-seeing (museums, places of interest, etc.) and spend a few days lounging around the pool. We also like to do some of our own cooking, which is why the smaller lodging is so appealing. While we are cordial and sociable, we are not really looking for others to hang out with. We just enjoy being with each other for 1 week out of the year. Also, we do tend to laugh and play around the pool area when we are there. I am just a bit confused about whether we belong in Palm Springs. Some things seem very upscale and posh (not us), and then other things seem very casual and family oriented. We respect the fact that others are on vacation as well, and we do not want to feel out of place, or interrupt someone else's relaxing, quiet, retreat-type getaway. Please advise if you can.

Thank you so much.

bluejeans

Weather. Check 1.

Shopping. Check 2.

Museums. sort of but not really IMO.

Palm Springs has all sorts of experiences available, no need to worry about posh and upscale. And I don't think you are going to have to worry about bothering anyone in August. However, I can't say that by experience, but June wasn't crowded at all. If you want casual you'll find it. Downtown Palm Springs is very casual.

I don't know what your budget is but take a look at the link below. It is about a 25 minute drive to downtown Palm Springs but we stayed here twice and can't wait to go back. It's a large resort but the stay always feels very private, even during Thanksgiving. It's family oriented and you feel a 1000 miles away from it all. Each casitas area has it's own private pool. There's a community one if you want more action. The rooms have refrigerators and you can stock up at the nearby Trader Joe's. Eating at the hotel will add up quickly. Some people like the historical aspect of the hotel- I almost find the experience spiritual if that makes sense. If you're not up to driving to Rancho Mirage or Palm Springs there is shopping and dining nearby. At a quick glance, it looks like they have great rates right now.

Good luck with your decision making process.

http://www.laquintaresort.com/

Palm Springs has all sorts of experiences available
_________________________________________________________
I should have said- Palm Springs AREA.

Since you like to splash around in the pools as well as cook, I think would fit into a timeshare resort such as Marriott's Shadow Ridge, or a condo rental (although there are some with quiet pool policies). You might look at Shadow Mountain Resort (a small resort with kitchens in the units, and a great pool).

http://www.shadowmountainresort.com/

But do be aware that the August temps may be more than you are accustomed to. Usually you do things outside at night and before noon. Afternoons in the air conditioning.

As far as things to do you can visit the Living Desert (zoo), Air Museum, art museum in Palm Springs, galleries. Many places are going to have reduced hours in August.

OK, you already know it will be blazing hot and seem fine with that. The upside is that you can get some amazing deals at some great resorts during the summer months. We like the Marriott condo resorts, such as Desert Springs Marriott Villas and Shadow Ridge, as well as the Westin Mission Hills. You can get two bedroom condos, so you can spread out and have a kitchen and living rooms. Some of these have kiddie pool areas as well as quiet, adults only, pools.

The Rancho Las Palmas resort is always sending us promotional emails. That property is closer to shops and restaurants, but I believe the units are just standard hotel rooms. www.travelzoo.com/hotels/los-angeles/848894/

Other activities (you need to check if some of these are open in August, though)
Village Fest - Street Fair every Thursday night www.villagefest.org
Palm Springs Aerial Tram: www.pstramway.com
Living Desert Zoo and Botanic Garden www.livingdesert.org
Joshua Tree National Park
Cabazon Factory Outlets
Palm Springs Air Museum

I recommend completing your daily activities by lunchtime when the temps. are lower. You can then hang by the pool (there are shaded areas and misting devices at most resorts) after lunch. I have found that the hottest time is between 3-5 pm, so maybe you can head inside to the a/c for a siesta or board games at that time.

Most places are very casual, and I don't think you would feel out of place at all.

I have to agree with sf7307. When temps are at 107, even lounging around a pool can be miserable.

What is it about Palm Springs that made it show up on your son's radar?

Your pool lounging time will mostly be 6 - 10AM and 10PM - midnight. The rest - you'll be inside a/c'd something (car, condo, shopping, whatever)

As long as that's OK w/ you - then you can stay 5 star on a 1 star budget.

we just got back from Scottsdale for the week and it was 110 and with drinks and a pool it was lovely but its stinking hot.
Deals are everywhere right now and check out San Diego.
5* resorts in Phoenix are around $100 and though I like Palm Springs, its better when its around 90 degrees so you can play golf and tennis.
Check expedia.com for some resort ideas.
I like the Phoenician, Royal Palms, Montelucia, Sanctuary, Boulders, Biltmore, Four Seasons.

The one thing I don't care for in Palm Springs Area in the summer is that many of the restaurants and other things we enjoy in the winter are not open or have very reduced hours in the summer. We have traveled a lot and have been in a lot of heat but I have to admit that the heat in PS in the summer is unbearable. I'd go for either San Diego to LA Area instead.

The nice thing about Palm Springs in August will be the quietness!

Make sure you have a nice pool (it will probably heat up in the daytime to about 90 degrees and be like a hot tub) and a room with air conditioning. You won't want to be outdoors much either.

Thank you to everyone who replied. I am checking out your suggestions and looking into other destinations as well. As for why my son selected Palm Springs I think it was because of the luxurious looking accommodations and scenery.

Thanks again.

bluejeans

The only other thing to warm you about in August is sometimes it is NOT quiet by the pools.. My son and DIL are going next week and we have gone before and it can be a bit rowdy at some of the resorts... due to the low rates.

The only other thing to warm you about
_____________________________________________________________
LOL Freudian slip?

Look into Lake Tahoe. South Lake Tahoe or Incline Village on the north Shore. Fly in/out of Reno or Sacramento. July & August are perfect there.

Palm Springs is great in the winter/spring. I suggest the coast: La Jolla, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach. The boys will enjoy the scenery there.

Ourstar

<<<Look into Lake Tahoe. South Lake Tahoe or Incline Village on the north Shore. Fly in/out of Reno or Sacramento. July & August are perfect there.>>>

Michelle, I was going to recommend Lake Tahoe, but then I went back to look at what the OP was looking for, which included shopping and sightseeing (museums and places of interest). I'm just not sure Lake Tahoe fits the bill (though I agree with you, it IS perfect in July & August and it's where I would go).

Which is why we were going to go to Tahoe in August. Waahhhhhhhhhhhh

I would go to San Diego and stay downtown in August - see a Padres game - hang out in the gaslamp.

I know it's hard for some of Fodorites to believe but there is a "summer" crowd as well as a winter crowd, and they are completely different. The summer crowd CAN be noisy! In August at the hotels the target market is families with cheap rates and things like "Splashtopia".

so cal! Hahahahh - yes, "warming" her

mlgb - exactly - plus is attracts a younger "rowdy" drinking crowd in our experience.

Some resorts that cater to families will have lots of kids splashing around. At others, there is quite a singles bar scene at the pools, especially the JW Marriott on weekends. (Not at the Villas pool, but the main resort pool)

DS was there a few weeks ago with another family. His quote "I've never seen so many hot girls in one place in my life."

Maybe that's what's attracting the OP's 20-something sons to the desert in the summer?

We stayed at the Chase in Palm Springs, loved the location, one block away from the main street, quiet, but close to everything. It was recommended here on Fodor's.

http://www.chasehotelpalmsprings.com/Breakfast.html

Make sure you are in PS on Thursday - there is an evening market attended by all punk kids in the area

The small museums will be closed for summer.

You guys are the best. That is why I came right to the experts for advice! We are actually considering The Chase Hotel, it looks beautiful. We are also looking at other destinations but oldest son is really pushing for PS. AND...he's going to the gym everyday hmmmmm...maybe it's not the scenery...lol

bluejeans

The Chase is very nice but the pool is small and I am not sure it would have the guests that your sons would like. I think it tends to cater more to couples and families with smaller children.

lvk mentioned the JW Marriott and I am sure some of the other bigger resorts would have more young people.

The Chase does look great! And if your son is pumping iron- the La Quinta Resort would bore him. Yes... it is all starting to come back- Palm Springs spring break- years 19?? -19??

The JW Marriott is a singles galore at the main pool. If you want to escape that - go get a spa treatment and spend the day at the "spa" pool - I am sure your boys would be happy by the pool at the main hotel

The Chase is nice. I visited it when Dayenu stayed there. She and I went to lunch and sat outside with the misters. Dayenu was wondering why they had the misters but it didn't take long to find out why!!

I'm just afraid The Chase won't have many singles especially those "hot girls" in their bikinis. Not sure it's a singles type of hotel.

If you stay at one of the Marriott Desert Springs Villas, you can pay for pool passes for the 20-somethings to the JW Marriott hotel pool. There's also a nightclub at the hotel. The parents can hang by the small Villas pools, and the Villas units will have kitchens, so that might be a good choice.

Shadow Ridge is more of a family complex.

"maybe it's not the scenery" Or maybe it IS the scenery. It's just that his idea of scenery is a bit different than yours.

Another option, if choosing the Marriott, would be that they stay in the villas (with kitchens, etc.)rather than the hotel. I think the villas have 7 pools or so, with differing degrees of activity, but no singles scene. If the sons want to wander over to the main resort and partake in those activities, they'd have the option.

Here's more info for the 20-somethings in the desert:
www.pubclub.com/losangeles/palmspringsbars.htm

lvk-Love the video and website. Probably not something a Mom wants to see though. LOL We try to pretend our kids don't do those things!!

I'm gonna pretend I didn't see that! Yikes. Thanks for the info. I'm thinking about whether or not to pass it onto my "boys" Maybe they'll find it on their own. Thanks to everyone for their input.

bluejeans

Well, of course our "angels" wouldn't participate in anything like this!

Neither would we have, back in the day.

Amen!

I lived 10 years in P.S..... lots of good advice above ... air-conditioned car of course! .. large pool and accommodation with cooking facilities.

A favorite trip in the summer was up to Idyllwild - like being in Yosemite - once achieving it via cable car up then hike down to the village; dinner in a lovely restaurant with friend who drove up to meet me. Another "circular" route is via Cabazon shops...Up...then down via Palm Desert.

Re. your "concern" ... POSH Palm Springs is not. (0H PS!)

Completely second San Diego; loved it as a teenager and love it as an adult with children!

We go every year and stay at Casa Cody which is the oldest Inn in P.S. It has a wonderful, old, comfy Mexican rancheria feeling. If you book, try to talk to manager Ellisa Goforth. Rates are really low now. With four of you there are several options with two bedrooms, living room, kitchen, etc. There are two smallish pools and a hot tub. (Maybe not!) Casa Cody is two and a half blocks west of the center of old town P.S. with lots of restaurants. Very near the hotel is one of the classiest museums ever...The Desert Museum. Hike to the falls (ask for directions) early a.m. to see where many old movies were partially shot. There is a very bizarre family owned cacti garden that is unbelieveable. You sons will absolutely love going on the tram to the mountain top where it will be almost cold...dining up there too. Good to great restaurants: Kaiser Grille, Spencer's (they have tennis there), Zin, Copely's....Cary Grant's old P.S. home. Palm Desert: lunch upstairs at Tommy Bahama's...store on 1st floor. Check to see if anything is playing at the McCallun Theater in Palm Desert. It is very reasonable and a lovely theater. Now, the down side....beside the heat which generally is dry, a lot of restaurants and other venues close down for summer, such as the Follies. We did go once in August and had a thunder storm, torrential rain, 109degrees...sorta like Chicago! Let us all know what you decide!

Casa Cody looks delightful. You might check palm-court inn.com where I always stay. No cooking facilities but fridge in the room. Excellent (60's style) restaurant on site unfortunately not open for dinner. Continental breakfast included in room rate -- huge glass of freshly squeezed O.J + danish. Restaurants nearby. Pizza eaten by the pool and so on.
Bluejeans I'm truly looking forward to a Trip Report.

Thank you to everyone for their wonderful advice. We started moving our destination toward San Diego, kept going west, and ended up booking a place in HAWAII!! Might do Palm Springs next year. Thanks to everyone for their thoughts, will keep them in mind for next years trip. You guys are the best!!

bluejeans

BTW - I almost forgot...Casa Cody looks fabulous.

bluejeans

Cannot go wrong with Hawaii! You will be much happier with the weather there