Dreaming of a desert vacation? Whether traveling with friends or family, Palm Springs is a desert destination that won’t disappoint. Surrounded by mountains, this resort area is full of foodie-approved eateries, outdoor activities like hiking and golfing, world-renowned entertainment and sporting events, casinos, spas, galleries, museums, theaters, and more. Its central location makes it a great home base for day trips to other southern California destinations like LA and San Diego as well as desert locales like Joshua Tree National Park.
Mid-century modern architecture abounds here — in fact, Palm Springs has the largest concentration of it in the world! The desert heat means there are also swimming pools galore. You’ll see a lot of both in the Palm Springs Vrbos we’ve rounded up below. Starting with the most swanky stays, our list of vacation rentals gets more affordable the further you scroll down. Do keep in mind when booking that special rates may apply for festivals and holidays. Be sure to book soon, these Palm Springs vacation rentals are amazing, so they probably won’t be available for long!
North Pacific Beach House
Just a few blocks from the ocean in the heart of Pacific Beach, this three-bedroom, two-bath vacation home boasts a fantastic patio, complete with fire pit. Crystal Pier is just a five-minute walk away, while Cass Street and Garnet Ave eateries are at your doorstep.
Downtown Palm Springs Condo
There is a 7-night minimum to stay in this one-bedroom, one-bath upper-unit condo. Part of Plaza Villas Condos, this vacation rental is just behind the casino, two blocks from the center of downtown so guests can walk to everything. The unit has its own washer and dryer. Shared amenities include two pools, a spa, tennis courts, and free covered parking.
Townhome In Gated Community Near Downtown
Private and quiet yet centrally located, this condo is part of the gated community of Ventana del Sol and just a 3-minute walk to the Palm Springs Convention Center. Highlights include soaring 20-foot-high ceilings, a large private walled-in patio with a private spa and barbecue, a washer and dryer, and a desk in the loft bedroom.
Downtown is just 5 minutes away by car, putting you close to attractions, shops, restaurants, and art galleries. This is a small, quiet community that is also fewer than 7 minutes from the airport.
Murano Midcentury House With Mountain Views And Pool
Located in the community of Murano, this three-bedroom, three-bathroom house boasts an
unobstructed southwest view of the San Jacinto Mountains from the pool and spa in its private gated courtyard. The larger of the dual master bedrooms features a wall of sliders so you can wake up to these majestic mountain views and walk right out to the spa. The third bedroom/den has a daybed to accommodate more guests. Outdoors there is a firepit, while inside there’s a wall-mounted gas fireplace. A two-car garage provides covered parking. This Palm Springs vacation rental is just minutes from the world-famous downtown, the Tramway, and Interstate 10.
Boojum Ranch In Desert Park Estates
Nestled in the quiet residential neighborhood of Desert Park Estates, this 1,300-square-foot mid-century ranch home is just a couple of miles away from the famed Palm Canyon Drive and the mod mecca of the Uptown Design District.
Sitting on a quarter-acre lot, rare and majestic Boojum trees preside over the yard of this scenic property. Both bedrooms have king-sized mattresses, their own bathroom with a soaking tub and shower, and access to the pool area. This resort-style retreat is a private outdoor oasis, complete with a spa, pool, breathtaking views of Mount San Jacinto, and a natural gas fire pit. Grill up a poolside meal to enjoy under the pergola. The meticulously kept grounds are filled with palm and fruit trees, rock gardens, desert flora, and all sorts of succulent plants.
The washer and dryer are included, but there are also luxury services available upon request, including mid-stay cleaning, a private chef, poolside massage, and pre-arrival grocery stocking.
The Uptown Design District’s upscale restaurants, designer boutiques, vintage furniture shops, hipster coffee cafes, cocktail lounges, and art galleries are just a short drive or bike ride away. Tee off at Escena Golf Club and enjoy fantastic panoramic mountain views from its popular clubhouse. A restaurant, bar, grocery stores, drug store, and gym are all conveniently located nearby as well.
Indian Canyons Midcentury Charmer With Pool
Featuring a saltwater pool and panoramic mountain views, this mid-century gem can be found in the Indian Canyons neighborhood. With three large bedrooms, one loft bedroom, and two baths, it can accommodate up to eight guests. We can’t get over the turquoise Smeg refrigerator! There is also a home office for those who need to get some work done. Parking is provided in the two-car garage. Smoketree, Ace Hotel, Saguaro, Parker, and the revitalized South Palm Springs area are all within close proximity.
Private Oasis In The Movie Colony
Tucked away in the sought-after Movie Colony area, this four-bedroom, three-bath home is known as the “Olive Oasis,” for its green exterior. The interior decor is questionable, but you’ll be spending all your time outback, taking in majestic mountain views as you relax by the pool, in the spa, or by the fire pit. Casinos, shops, galleries, and restaurants are all conveniently located within a 5-minute drive.
Warm Sands Estate With Moving River
The interior decor of this four-bedroom, four-bath house could use an update, but it doesn’t matter because you will be outside the entire time enjoying the river/pool, outdoor fireplaces, putting greens, grotto-like spa with waterfall, slide, and swim-up bar. This is the perfect place to get together with friends or family. If you need more room, you can rent the entire estate, which includes two casitas that can accommodate up to 14 guests.
Cross the bridge over the river and you’ll find yourself on an island, complete with barbecue, fireplace, table, hammock, sandy beach, and lounge chairs. For $30 an hour, special jets can be turned on to create a current in the river.
Designer Barclay Butera’s Gated Spanish Estate In Movie Colony East

You’re in for an unforgettable Palm Springs vacation at Villa Butera. Basically your own personal resort, one reviewer called the luxurious vacation home a “fairytale oasis fit for royalty.” Nestled in the prestigious Movie Colony East neighborhood, this 3,158-square-foot Spanish-style hacienda sits on over half an acre of spacious, secluded, manicured grounds. Highlights include a lagoon-shaped pool and spa with a tiered waterfall, bar-height fire pit, an outdoor shower, and two fountains. Unlike some other Palm Springs properties that have loud, questionable decor, this haven has been professionally decorated by renowned interior designer, Barclay Butera, who just so happens to own the place.
Each of the four bedrooms comes with an ensuite bath. Three of them open up to private furnished patios, while the main bedroom also opens up to the pool and spa. The fourth bedroom is a guest casita with its own private entrance. A three-car garage and eight-car motor court ensure that there’s plenty of parking within the private walled grounds. Bougainvillea lends pops of pink to the grassy backyard and spacious furnished patio. Enjoy mountain views extending from Mt. San Jacinto to the Indian Canyons.
Private Little Tuscany Retreat With Mountain Views
This luxurious, private vacation rental features spectacular views of the San Jacinto Mountains and Coachella Valley by day and Palm Springs city lights by night. The highly coveted hillside neighborhood of Little Tuscany is known for its large boulders in the landscape and quiet, narrow streets. Within walking distance of downtown, this location offers the best of both worlds: spectacular views of the San Jacinto Mountains with the convenience of city living. Frederick Loewe Estate, a popular wedding venue, is right next door.
The exquisitely appointed 3,500-square-foot home has three bedrooms in the main house and another bedroom in the 480-square-foot casita. In the main house, the master bedroom opens up to a private patio, complete with a view of the fabulous pool and majestic mountain backdrop. You’ll have a hard time choosing between the walk-in shower and the oversized soaker bathtub in the master bath, which has sliding doors that open up to the zen patio.
What kind of mid-century modern house would this be without a sunken living room? Mix up a drink at the vintage bar to sip by the firepit out back.
A few things to note about this property: The pool can be heated for $100 a day. There is no smoking. At the time of this writing, there is a 5-night minimum stay, which can add up quickly, especially with the cleaning and service fees.
Desert Princess Grandeur Home In Cathedral City

This two-bedroom, two-bath single-level home is actually located 15 minutes south of Palm Springs in Cathedral City in the gated Desert Princess community. This family-friendly retreat has a king-sized bed in each of the bedrooms. Other amenities include a washer/dryer, a covered patio, and community pools and spas. Do observe the noise restrictions: no outdoor music is allowed. Use of outdoor amenities is prohibited from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. The garage provides parking for one vehicle only.
Eclectic Escena Home With Pool
This three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath has a pool, hot tub, fire pit, and mountain views. What more could you ask for? Located in the master-planned gated golf community of Escena, this home was designed by award-winning architect Anthony Poon and professionally decorated. Its main bedroom has a king-sized bed, an ensuite bath with a soaking tub and walk-in shower with dual showerheads, plus direct access to the pool/spa area. Split guest bedrooms both have queen-sized beds and share the hall bath. There is also a washer and dryer for your convenience. Walk to the Escena Lounge & Grill and public golf course. Four cruiser bikes are available to take to the store or wherever you need to go.
Hillside Home With Pool
Tucked into the mountain landscape, this hillside property takes up a quarter of an acre of the desirable Mesa neighborhood. This modern retreat has three bedrooms, each with its own bath and patio leading to the UV-filtered private pool and built-in spa. Miles of hiking trails are within a quarter-mile of the house, as is Moorten’s Botanical Garden. Ruth Hardy Park is also nearby, offering free public tennis courts.
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