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Anniversary Trip Ideas: 10 Ways to Celebrate in Palm Springs
Updated: Oct 26
The best anniversary trip ideas are the ones that put you somewhere warm, quiet and close enough that you aren't spending half the trip in transit. Palm Springs does that well, and a romantic getaway in Palm Springs at The Muse gives you an adults-only courtyard, a six-person hot tub and king suites with private fenced yards. Below are 10 anniversary vacation ideas, plus how Palm Springs compares with the other usual suspects.
What makes a good anniversary trip?
Three things. Easy travel, so you arrive on speaking terms. A room you'd happily stay in all day. And one plan that feels like an occasion, whether that's a long dinner, a massage or saying your vows again.
Palm Springs International Airport is minutes from the hotel, and Los Angeles and San Diego are about two hours away without traffic. That leaves a lot more of the weekend for each other.
10 anniversary trip ideas in Palm Springs
1. Book a suite with its own yard. Brigitte, Audrey, Marilyn and Taylor each have a king bed, a full kitchen and a private fenced yard. Morning coffee in a robe, outside, with nobody watching.
2. Do absolutely nothing by the pool. The courtyard is adults-only. Bring the book you've been pretending to read since spring.
3. Book back-to-back massages in your suite. In-room massages run 60 or 90 minutes per person and book at least 48 hours ahead. Couples treatments are back to back, not side by side. Our couples massage guide has more ideas.
4. Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The rotating cars climb Mount San Jacinto and it's much cooler at the top. Check the schedule and go in the late afternoon.
5. Dress up for dinner. Copley's on Palm Canyon, set in Cary Grant's former guesthouse, is a classic anniversary table. Our list of romantic restaurants in Palm Springs has more.
6. Go house hunting, mid-century style. Palm Springs is full of mid-century modern homes with butterfly roofs and bright front doors. Drive the neighborhoods with the top down, or book a guided architecture tour.
7. Get real photos of the two of you. Book a photography experience at the hotel. Pink walls, palm trees, no tripod drama.
8. Have dinner cooked at the hotel. A private hibachi dinner means no reservation and no drive home.
9. Stargaze after the hot tub. Desert nights are dark and clear. Or drive about an hour to Joshua Tree for an even bigger sky.
10. Renew your vows. For a big milestone, book a full hotel buyout and bring the people who were there the first time. Micro weddings and vow renewals can be hosted on full buyouts, for up to 22 overnight guests.
Palm Springs vs other anniversary destinations
Every list of the best anniversary trips includes wine country, the coast and somewhere with a long flight. Here's how they stack up for a long weekend.
Destination | Good for | The catch |
Napa or Sonoma | Wine tastings and long lunches | A lot of driving between wineries and someone has to stay sober |
Big Sur or Carmel | Dramatic coastline | Cool, foggy mornings for much of the year and winding roads |
Hawaii or Mexico | Beaches | Flights eat a day each way |
Palm Springs | Sun, pool time, spa days and easy dinners | Summer afternoons often top 100 degrees |
If you want warmth without a passport, Palm Springs is the easy answer. October through May brings warm days and cool nights. Summer is hotter and quieter, and the pool gets a lot more use.
Anniversary getaway ideas in California
Short on time? Make it a celebration getaway from wherever you are in Southern California. Leave Friday after work, have dinner downtown that night, and spend Saturday between the pool and your patio. Coming from Northern California or out of state, fly into Palm Springs International Airport and you'll be in the hot tub not long after landing. Midweek is the quietest time and the easiest time to land a dinner reservation.
How long should an anniversary trip be?
Two nights is enough to feel away. Three is better: one day to land, one day for the big plan and one day to do nothing at all. Grab-and-go breakfast from Aspen Mills, parking and Wi-Fi are included, so the only decision each morning is pool or patio.
Anniversary trip FAQ
Where should we go for our anniversary?
Pick somewhere easy to reach with a room you'll enjoy. For California couples, Palm Springs works well: warm most of the year, close to Los Angeles and San Diego, with an airport minutes from The Muse.
What is a good anniversary trip idea that isn't too far away?
A two or three night Palm Springs weekend in a king suite with a private yard, an in-room massage and one dress-up dinner downtown.
Can we renew our vows at The Muse?
Yes. Micro weddings and vow renewals can be hosted on a full hotel buyout, which includes all nine suites for up to 22 overnight guests.
Is The Muse adults-only?
Yes. The Muse is adults-only, and every guest must be 21 or older, including on full hotel buyouts.
Easy to get to. Hard to leave. Pick your suite and make it the anniversary you'll talk about at the next one.
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