Palm Springs, California, is a desert city known for its warm and sunny weather all year long, luxurious hotels, restaurants, great attractions, and sensational beauty. There are natural hot springs, great lakes, and some posh resorts that are pup-friendly as long as your fur baby is on a leash. In fact, dogs are very popular here, with 40% of the population having at least one dog. That means there are approximately 18,000 cuddly canines in Palm Springs.
With so many dogs in the city, you know there are plenty of places that allow dogs. In fact, there are over 1,100 vacation rentals that allow pups, 63 dog-friendly eateries, several dog parks, and dozens of pet stores and dog-friendly shopping. Here, we list our favorite hotels, parks, restaurants, activities, vets, and other pet services, as well as dog safety tips, best times to visit, and the most pup popular neighborhoods in Palm Springs.
Things dog parents need to know about Palm Springs
No matter where you go with your cuddly canine companion, you need to be aware of the local dog regulations, laws, and responsibilities. Like leash laws and waste disposal. It is also good to know the cultural etiquette and whether or not you can bring them on a bus or train. Here are a few that we think are important to know.
- Riverside County leash law 070 states that no pup parent should allow their dog to run at large or they will be fined up to $500. The Palm Springs law 10.28 also states the same thing, going further by saying the leash may not be longer than six feet.
- In addition, you must pick up your dog’s solid waste immediately, no matter where you are. Always bring poop baggies with you to pick up whatever he drops.
- Your fur buddy needs to be licensed and have a current rabies tag, and must be up-to-date on their immunizations.
- Only service animals are allowed in grocery stores. There are some stores that allow your pooch to visit, like PetSmart and some department stores, but you should keep them leashed.
- The Palm Springs Aerial Tram does not allow pets. Only service dogs are allowed. Small dogs are allowed on the California Metro Bus as long as they are in a carrier on your lap.
Dog friendly Hotels in Palm Springs
Before searching for a hotel for your trip to Palm Springs, you need to know which ones allow dogs. There are actually over 1,100 vacation properties that are dog-friendly that including 42 hotels and over 1,000 rental properties. Some of them do not charge any fees while others charge per day or per stay. Here are a few of our favorites.
- Desert Hot Springs Inn is fantastic because not only is there no fee, but they also allow dogs of any size. This is also one of the only hotels in the area that lets your pup join you at the pool and outside seating area.
- Those who are on a tight budget will appreciate the low prices at Travelodge Wyndham Palm Springs. For under $100, you get a great room with a big HDTV, microwave, coffee maker, and minifridge. And they have a pool, gym, and barbecue pits. And the pet fee is only $10 a night.
- L’Horizon Resort & Spa is for those who want to live luxuriously. Chose one of the bungalows with private outdoor showers, and your pup will get his own bowls, treats, toys, and cozy bed. And you are just a few minutes from Palm Springs Dog Park.
For a little more freedom and a lot less money, you can enjoy the California weather even more at one of the campgrounds. Shadow Hills features a clubhouse, pool, jacuzzi, pond, gym, and even pet stations with 118 campsites.. Cathedral Palms has 12 acres with over 100 sites that include a dog park, pool, spa, clubhouse, snack bar, and picnic areas. For even more selection, Thousand Trails has 401 campsites with a pool, whirlpool, playground, game room, library, and a dog park.
Palm Springs Dog parks
Being in southern California, there is an abundance of sunshine and warm temps all year long, so outdoor fun is especially fun. Although it does get really hot from June through September, the rest of the year is great for playing at the dog park. Here are a few that we like.
- Palm Springs Dog Park at City Hall has 1.6 acres with fire hydrants, drinking fountains, and benches for pup parents. There is also a separate section for small dogs.
- Rancho Mirage Dog Park also has a space just for small and shy pups, as well as a quarter-mile of walkway and lots of shaded seating. It is the perfect size for a game of fetch or frisbee, too.
- Lake Panorama Dog Park boasts a large space for both large and small fur babies with a stunning expanse of lush grass, an irrigation system, shade trees, and drinking stations.
Dog Friendly Restaurants and Dining
You may not want to take Fido with you for every meal while you are in Palm Springs, but it is always nice to know the places where you can go with him. There are over 100 eateries, bars, breweries, wineries, and coffee shops that are pup popular in the city. Here are some that we like.
- Spencer’s is named after the owner’s dog, so you know this is going to be a dog-friendly place! Chow down with your chow hound under the fig trees and beautiful ball lights. They have awesome dishes, from prime rib to sea bass.
- Speaking of hounds, Boozehounds is a pooch-friendly bar where dogs bring their humans to drink and socialize with other pup parents. It was started by three dog lovers who wanted a place to drink and eat with their fur babies and friends.
- Las Palmas Brewing welcomes your fur baby to join you on the front patio or the beer garden. They have unfiltered IPAs, farmhouse ales, and European lagers, as well as pilsner ales and other drinks.
- If you would rather enjoy a glass of wine, Snow-Line Orchard is a family-friendly winery and orchard that allows human kids as well as fur babies. They have fun activities like wine tastings, apple picking, and raspberry harvesting too.
- Starbucks is pup popular in Palm Springs with several locations to choose from. There is one on South Sunrise Way, Technology Drive, and Palm Drive, to name a few.
Things to do in Palm Springs with a dog
From botanical gardens to scavenger hunts, you can have fun with your cuddly canine in many different ways when you are in Palm Springs. The Moorten Botanical Garden is a great way to enjoy the native flora and see some rare plants as well. Or take your pooch to Palm Springs Air Museum, where they have the largest collection in the world of aircraft from WWII. You can also take your cuddly buddy to Eldorado Polo Club to watch a Sunday game.
If you want to take your pup to the beach, Big Bear Lake is where you should go. Pack up the sunscreen, lots of water, and some doggie bags to enjoy a day on the sand at one of the beaches around this lake through the Alpine Pedal Path.
Speaking of paths, there are over a dozen trails you and your leashed pooch can explore, like the granite boulders and open hills of the 7-mile Black Mountain Trail, the 8-mile Pyramid Peak Trail through the San Bernadino National Forest, and the easy 2.3-mile Cross Trail in Palm Desert. Bring lots of water and baggies.
If you are looking for a dog-friendly event in the area, check out Barktoberfest at White Park in Riverside in mid-October. Then, take your canine companion to Friends of Upland Dogtoberfest at the end of October at Upland Memorial Park. If you are going to be in town in mid-November, you and your pupster can join in the Winter Wonderland Walk & Santa Paws Pet Photos at the Humane Society of San Bernardino Valley.
Daycare and Boarding
No matter how much you love your pup, there are some places that he just cannot go. For those times, you can leave him with a dog sitter or boarding house. Palm Springs has many luxury hotels for humans, but did you know that they also have luxury pet hotels? Barkingham Pet Hotel has been in business since 2011 and has excellent reviews for boarding, spa services, and training. The Grand Paw is another posh pup place with their own small rooms that have TVs and beds. And the Village Pup is a renowned daycare, boarding, and grooming salon.
Dog Care and Safety
Ask where to go with a sick doggie in Palm Springs, and you will likely hear VCA Desert Animal Hospital almost every time. Dr. Coldwell is a pet popular veterinarian who really cares and offers everything from emergency surgery to pharmacy services. At Pet Lux Services, Dr. Kim and Dr. Taylor are both all-in when it comes to pet care. Whether your pup needs allergy meds, acupuncture, parasite protection, or emergency care, they can get it here.
Keep your pup cool by staying indoors during the day from June through September. The temperatures often reach the triple digits in Palm Springs and can be deadly to your pooch if he gets heat stroke. When you do go out, bring plenty of water and sunscreen. Dogs with thick coats or flat faces (brachycephalic) are even more susceptible.
Palm Springs is a desert area with lots of dangerous flora. There are many different kinds of cacti that can hurt your fur baby with their sharp points, and foxtails are notoriously dangerous and hard to remove. They can get lodged in the nasal cavity or ears, needing surgery to remove them. They are also known to cause blood clots.
Rattlesnakes are also deadly in the desert. The Mojave Green has the most potent venom in the world so keep your fur puppy on a short leash and do not let him dig in the rocks or tall grass. Palm Springs also has two kinds of scorpions that can hurt your pooch. You should also watch for venomous spiders like the black widow and large animals like bears, cougars, and mountain lions.
Best time to visit Palm Springs with your dog.
San Diego is a dog-friendly destination with consistent weather and sunshine year-round. However, you should avoid certain times of the year depending on your dog’s breed, health, and age.
- Shoulder Season: (September – December): From September to December, the temperatures are in the 90s during the day and 60s at night. Perfect for nighttime walks or beach days spent in the water with lots of breaks and extra water and sunscreen. It is also the busiest time so you will see crowds in some places.
- High Season (January – April): This is the best time for visiting with your pooch because the days are warm but not too hot, and the nights are mild. The tourists are still around, though and you will see lots of crowded restaurants, hotels, and attractions.
- Low Season (May – August): When the temperatures are in the triple digits during the day and the upper 70s at night, you will want to spend your days indoors with your puppers. It is not a safe time for daylight activities.
Monthly highlights
- January: The days are perfect in January with highs in the 70s, so take your pooch to the dog park!
- February: You can still count on warm days and cool nights, so take advantage of them. Visit one of the dog-friendly parks for a day of hiking.
- March: Now it is getting hot during the day, so it is perfect for a day at the beach or a dog park that has water features. The night is best for brisk walks.
- April: With the daytime temps close to 90, it is time to enjoy the evening hours doing outdoor activities.
- May: Find an indoor dog park or pup-friendly bar and take your pooch to play with some other pups. It is too hot for daytime activities outdoors.
- June: Now that the days are reaching the triple digits, it is best for everyone to stay inside. Make your plans for anytime after 8 PM if you want to go out.
- July: This is the hottest month of the year in Palm Springs, so be sure to get a hotel with a lot of indoor fun for you and your pup. Or take an early morning walk at dawn.
- August: Another scorcher, Sleep late, and hang out by the pool if it is indoors. Let your pup enjoy the day lounging around the room.
- September: Evenings are perfect for walks in the park again. Take your canine companion out after 7 PM for some fun.
- October: It is still in the 90s during the day, but evenings are great. You can enjoy the dog park with your pup after dinner.
- November: Days are warm enough for the beach or park, but nights are cool enough for a jacket. Take a walk in the woods in the afternoon.
- December: This is the perfect month for any kind of outdoor activities during the day except swimming. And nights are cold, so get your dog a hoodie.
Palm Springs Neighborhoods
Even though Palm Springs is not very big, there are over a dozen neighborhoods that are as unique as you and I. Some of the places are very dog-friendly while others seem to be no-dog zones. Here are some of the best neighborhoods to enjoy with your fur baby.
- Andreas Hills: In southern Palm Springs by the Indian Canyons, you and your pooch can enjoy some hiking in the mountains here. One of them will take you to Bob Hope’s estate, and another goes to Palm Canyon.
- Twin Palms Estates: If you want to rub elbows with some of the rich and famous, leash your cuddle buddy and go check out Twin Palms Estates. It is located in eastern Palm Springs and features the Frank Sinatra Estate.
- Old Las Palmas: With almost 300 homes at the bottom of Mount San Jacinto, this is the perfect place for a walk through the old Spanish villas. You can also go see where Lucille Ball, Kirk Douglas, and Leonardo DiCaprio live.
- Sunmor: Located right by the airport, you and your pooch can visit the Palm Springs Air Museum or spend a few hours at the Palm Springs Dog Park. Sunmorloves dogs!
- The Movie Colony: Hollywood discovered Palm Springs in the 1920s, and the area became a great place for fun in the sun. Take your pup to see the home of Marilyn Monroe, Rory Calhoun, and Cary Grant.
- The Mesa: Protected from the sun by the San Jacinto Mountains, the Mesa in southern Palm Springs has lots of fun trails to explore with your pup. You can see where Cher and Sonny Bono lived, too.
- Araby Cove: This southeastern Palm Springs community has a bohemian flair with some of the best views of the surrounding mountains. Take your canine compadre up to the Araby Trailhead and do some hiking.
If you are in town during the winter, you can feel safe visiting any of these areas during the day because the temps are not too hot. However, it can get cold in the desert at night, so keep that in mind. Summers are best spent indoors except for at night. But no matter when you go out, bring extra water and doggie bags.
The Final Woof
You and your cuddly canine compadre will have plenty of places to see and things to do while you are in Palm Springs. You can take your poochie on a scavenger hunt tour, watch a game of polo at the Eldorado Polo Club, see some beautiful flowers at the Moorten Botanical Garden, or check out some old planes at the Palm Springs Air Museum. Or why not take your pup to see the largest dinosaur park in the world at Cabazon Dinosaurs? In this guide, we include all these and hotels, dog parks, and restaurants to visit, as well as some vets, the most pet popular areas, and some important laws and things to avoid.
