First, the facts and figures. By the time you arrive at the Palm Springs Tram Visitor Center, you will be at an elevation of just over 2,600 feet. At the top, it is over 8,500 feet. Two tram cars travel back and forth, each with a capacity of 80 people. They pass more than five towers on the road and cross five distinct vegetation zones (the botanical equivalent of driving from Mexico to Canada).
If you last visited the Palm Springs streetcar in the 20th century, you will find that it has new cars, bigger than before and with a new twist: they turn. However, don’t let it worry you. The tram itself is stable as the floor moves inward, making two slow rotations during the 15-minute ride to the top.
While the rotation isn’t scary, the Palm Springs streetcar can be an uncomfortable ride for anyone nervous about heights. The tram runs quite high above the ground and the cars sway a bit after passing over each tower. Standing near the center of the car and looking inside can help.
At the top of the Palm Springs trolley there are two restaurants. Pines Cafe is a self-service cafe and Peaks Restaraunt is a place to dine. Both are open for lunch and dinner. Do you just want a cocktail with that beautiful view? Lookout Lounge offers a full service bar, with a variety of cocktails and appetizers.
You can watch a movie about the construction of the Palm Springs cable car and go outside to enjoy the panoramic views of the Coachella Valley. In nice weather you can take a 3/4 mile self-guided nature hike or let a volunteer guide show you around (summer only). In winter, they rent cross-country ski equipment if there is enough white material accumulated on the ground. The more energetic will find more than 50 miles of hiking trails, including a 5.5-mile climb to the top of Mt. San Jacinto
Palm Springs Trolley Tips
- Bring your camera. Take your binoculars if you have them with you.
- The temperature at the top of the Palm Springs trolley can be 30 to 40 ° F cooler than in the city, leaving you shivering in your shorts if you’re not prepared.
- You will need sunscreen even more at the top than in the valley.
- If you have an extreme fear of heights or confined spaces, you may consider skipping the trip.
- Sunset and night are particularly pretty, with the city lights shining below you. It can also be less crowded.
- Make reservations in advance for the Peaks restaurant or call 760-325-4537 if you plan to dine there once you reach the top.
- The Palm Springs trolley is accessible, with an elevator at the visitor center. Some areas at the top cannot be reached in a wheelchair, but you will still find a lot to see.
What you need to know about the Palm Springs streetcar
Open every day with trams that run every half hour. The Palm Springs streetcar closes during September for annual maintenance. The best time to visit is anytime, but snow can impede winter hiking. Ticket prices vary according to the age of the visitors. Allow at least an hour, more if you are hiking or eating. Visit the Palm Springs Tram website for more information on ticket prices and times.
Palm Springs Tram
One Tramway Road
Palm Springs, CA
888-515-8726, 760-325-1391
The Palm Springs Streetcar is north of Palm Springs, near Palm Canyon Drive (Highway 111). Turn west on Tramway Road and go 4 miles uphill to the Palm Springs trolley entrance. On busy days, you may have to park in one of the remote lots along the road and take a shuttle to the visitor center.
