A quick hop from Los Angeles, Palm Springs has long been a prestigious and luxurious getaway destination for the rich and famous. Nowadays, it’s a perfect respite for those looking for sun, fun, and an escape from big city life.
The area boasts lots to do, from its sun-drenched resorts to golf courses to party hotspots to festivals. It’s little wonder that many fun-seekers consider it one of the ultimate bachelor party destinations.
If you’re considering taking advantage of the city’s 300-plus days of sunshine, we don’t blame you and want to help you make the most of it! Here are our top Palm Springs bachelor party ideas.
No matter what type of bachelor we’re dealing with, we’re confident there will be something on this list to entertain him. Palm Springs has you covered whether you’re there for a single day or a multi-day extravaganza.
If your groom loves the fresh air and great outdoors, it can’t get much better than making a quick trip to Joshua Tree National Park. This is where two great deserts — the Mojave and the Colorado — collide, providing two unique ecosystems to explore.
Pitch a tent, camp out, and take the opportunity to explore the many trails. Go vertical with Joshua Tree Rock Climbing School and try climbing the many unique rock formations.
Palm Springs and the nearby city of Palm Desert are well known for their plethora of golf resorts. You’ll have more than 100 courses to pick from, so make it a bachelor golfing tour.
Stay at the luxurious Westin Rancho Mirage resort and try your hand at the 18-hole Pete Dye course. Then, take in the incredible views while playing the Desert Willow golf course, and finish with some great food at Indian Wells Golf Resort.
Adrenaline junkies certainly aren’t left behind in Palm Springs. Rent a Harley Davidson from Eagle Rider and cruise through the city and desert. For an aerial view, check out Palm Springs Biplanes and take to the skies in a 1940s aircraft.
For a different kind of thrill and a Las Vegas-style fix, Palm Springs offers casinos like Fantasy Springs Resort Casino and the Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs.
All that fun needs fuel, so, at some point, you’ll have to stop, take a breath, and sample one of the many eateries.
For an upscale dinner, The Ritz Carlton at the Rancho Mirage offers a sumptuous seasonal menu accompanied by local brews and distilled liquors.
Cheeky’s is where you want to be the morning after. The breakfast menu and hangover-busting spicy bloody mary will set you up for the day ahead.
For a relaxed evening meal, Babe’s BBQ and Brewery will provide all the comfort food you need. The Rooster and the Pig offers an interesting fusion of Vietnamese and American fare. Get your fill of oysters at Shanghai Red’s Oyster Bar. For more seafood, sushi-style, we recommend Sandfish Sushi and Whiskey.
The ultimate bachelor party always features a bar or three, and there’s no shortage in downtown Palm Springs.
The Hair of the Dog is a British-themed pub serving beer and spirits in a welcoming atmosphere. For beer aficionados, the Coachella Valley Brewing Company will introduce you to refreshing brews and give you a tour of where the magic happens.
No trip to Palm Springs is complete without a visit to a tiki bar. Try out Tongahut for karaoke and a special escape room hidden behind a phone booth, or Bootlegger Tikis for the wildly popular mouth-watering craft cocktails (Book this place in advance!).
Finally, head to the exclusive 4 Saints and take in the panoramic views before dinner.
If you’re going to go big, go to Coachella. Nothing tops this massive festival for bachelor party madness. While it’ll empty your wallet, you won’t get this melting pot of A-list musicians and performers anywhere else.
For something more affordable, Toucan’s Tiki Lounge serves up awesome drag acts, cabaret, and bottle service. If you want less glitter and more guitar, Neil’s Lounge will treat you to live music, karaoke, and pool until the small hours.
Of course, you can’t set foot in Palm Springs without tripping over a pool party. Splash House is your go-to location, with all the hot tub, cocktail, and water madness you can handle. If you just can’t bear to stop, it’s a well-known secret that Splash House hosts after-hours parties at the Palm Springs Air Museum.
Resorts are awesome. They have all the facilities and amenities you could ever need, all within a very short walking distance. You have refreshing pools, plenty of dining options, and entertainment without having to leave. It’s perfect for the bachelor who wants to relax and soak up the sun!
For resorts, we like the Miramonte Indian Wells Resort and Spa for its luxurious rooms, tennis courts, golf course, and dining, and The Saguaro for its amazing pool vibes and chill cabanas. However, the best has to be Margaritaville Resort for its six bars and restaurants, fire pit, two pools (and pool parties), wellness center, and more. There’s literally no reason ever to leave, and you and your boys will be well looked after.
Despite being in the middle of the desert, Palm Springs is incredibly well-connected, so no matter where you live in the U.S., you can get here easily.
The city is a mere two-hour drive south of Los Angeles, two hours north of San Diego, four hours west of Phoenix, and four hours south of Las Vegas. That’s four major cities within less than a day’s drive, each with an international airport. In fact, Ontario International Airport (ONT) (east of LA) is only an hour away.
Palm Springs also has its own Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), serving major cities in the U.S. and a handful in Canada.
Throwing an awesome bachelor party involves picking the right location and planning activities in accordance with the groom-to-be’s preferences. Choose and book two or three activities, but don’t overplan, as this won’t leave any room for spontaneity.
Plan two or three activities, but don’t make the itinerary too rigid. There should be a healthy balance of planned fun and opportunities to “go with the flow.” For organized activities, always book in advance so you’re not disappointed.
There is no hard and fast rule for how many people should attend a bachelor party. However, consider that larger groups are harder to organize and book activities for. The average size of a bachelor party is around six to eight individuals, but larger parties are also common.
Bachelor parties tend to consist of a weekend trip away with planned activities and a lot of drinking. The costs of a hotel, activities, transportation, meals, and drinks soon add up. For a less expensive experience, opt for a cheaper activity, such as a camping trip.
If the brother-in-law is invited to the wedding, then it’s a nice gesture to invite him to the bachelor party, too. Ultimately, it depends on the groom’s relationship with the brother-in-law and whether or not they want him present.
Palm Springs is just one of a million locations you could choose for your bachelor party. From Miami to New York and beyond, The Groom Club covers all the top locations to help you pick the best destination for your best bud’s big trip.
