Palm Springs Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.2/5
Based on 275 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Palm Springs Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour worth booking?
Palm Springs Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour is a 2-hour experience in Palm Springs, United States, from $17 per person. It scores 69 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.2/5 rating across 275 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 69 / 100
- Rating
- 4.2/5 (275)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $17 per person
Soak up some sun with this GPS self-guided driving tour of Palm Springs, where movie stars and other big-time celebs have flocked for almost a hundred years to get away from it all. Cruise past famous celebrity homes and
What you get
About this experience
Soak up some sun with this GPS self-guided driving tour of Palm Springs, where movie stars and other big-time celebs have flocked for almost a hundred years to get away from it all. Cruise past famous celebrity homes and estates, including the former homes of stars like Liberace and Frank Sinatra. Hear fascinating stories about Hollywood legends, their glamorous lifestyles, and their time in Palm Springs. And so much more! Plus, this driving tour of Palm Springs will take you to the serene Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve, a desert gem rich in natural beauty. NOTE: Homes may be obscured or partially hidden by gates, shrubs, or private roads. Please do not violate anyone’s privacy during your tour. After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
What's included
Included
- Just bring your car and phone; the app guides your tour.
- Support is available via chat, email, or phone if you need help.
- Planning tools, route maps, scenic stops, and area previews included.
- Private tour experience for your family, in your own car.
- Lifetime access: use the tour anytime and keep it for future trips.
- Works offline with GPS route guidance and automatic audio stories.
- One purchase covers everyone in your car, not per person.
- Self-guided audio tour through our easy-to-use mobile app.
- Hidden gems and local stories included along the route.
Not included
- Self-guided tour — no live guide. Entrance fees, parking, food, and car rental are separate.
What you'll see and do
Palm Springs Visitor Center
Our tour begins in the parking lot of the Palm Springs Visitor Center at 2901 N Palm Canyon Drive. If you’re not there already, you should head there now. Before we get started, there’s something important you should know about this tour: Palm Springs is bursting with historic celebrity homes, but most of them are hidden behind walls, hedges, or fences. Note: The tour is over 22 miles long, with more than 53 audio stories, and takes about 2-3 hours to complete. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
Pass by without stopping
In just a moment, we’ll have the option to take a detour to see the Kaufmann and Liberace Houses, two of Palm Springs’ most famous homes. The detour takes about five minutes, and I’d recommend it if you’re not in a rush. To visit the houses, turn right onto West Vista Chino ahead. Otherwise, continue straight to skip the detour. ⚠️ NOTE: Star Homes may be obscured or partially hidden by gates, shrubs, or private roads. Please do not violate anyone’s privacy during your tour.
Pass by without stopping
The Kaufmann Desert House is on our right, beyond that white gate. It’s considered one of the finest examples of mid-century modern architecture in the US! Businessman Edgar Kaufmann owned a successful department store in Pittsburgh. And he absolutely loved architecture. He even had famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright create a home he called Fallingwater in Pennsylvania. So when he decided to build a vacation home here in Palm Springs, he knew he wanted to hire the best. He contracted architect Richard Neutra for the job. Neutra was famous for designing open and adaptable houses with a distinctly modern appearance. And he put all his skills to use for the Kaufmann House. ⚠️ NOTE: Star Homes may be obscured or partially hidden by gates, shrubs, or private roads. Please do not violate anyone’s privacy during your tour.
Pass by without stopping
We’re driving through the Movie Colony, the neighborhood where many of Hollywood’s darlings moved in the 1900s. Frank Sinatra had a home here. Dinah Shore. Cary Grant. David O. Selznick. Jack Benny. Tony Curtis. They all lived here. The neighborhood owes much of its allure to El Mirador Hotel, which opened in 1928. It had an Olympic-size swimming pool, tennis courts, stables, and a bell tower that became a Palm Springs landmark. In the early days of Hollywood, movie stars would flock to that hotel for a bit of peace and quiet out here in the desert. And once they came here, many didn’t want to leave! So they contracted famous architects like Richard Neutra, Albert Frey, and Donald Wexler to build them permanent houses here.
10 minutes here
Robolights
Once we pass the next intersection, find a spot to pull over and park. Then get out and look for the colorful sculptures peeking out from behind the trees on the corner of East Granvia Valmonte and North Arquilla Road. It’ll be on our right.
10 minutes here
Here, 450 stars honor larger than life figures in Palm Springs history. But they honor more than movie stars. Humanitarians, architects, artists, soldiers, athletes, and city pioneers are all over this walk! If they made a contribution to Palm Springs in some way, they get a star!
10 minutes here
We’re going to leave downtown Palm Springs now to see more of Coachella Valley. Does that name sound familiar? It should! This valley is home to the world-renowned Coachella Music Festival. But there’s so much more to it than that!
10 minutes here
In 1939, the United States Corps of Engineers sought out space to build an Army Air Corps landing field. The country was on the brink of war, and they needed space for training more soldiers. Coachella Valley had pretty good weather almost all year round, and the mountains shielded the area from strong winds. It was perfect! After the war, it soon became a civilian airport.
10 minutes here
Frank Sinatra Gravesite
Sinatra passed away in 1998. He was buried with: A bottle of Jack Daniels whiskey, a zippo lighter, a pack of Camel cigarettes, and… 10 dimes. Okay, the first few make sense, but what’s with the dimes? Those go back to December of 1963. ⚠️ NOTE: Star Homes may be obscured or partially hidden by gates, shrubs, or private roads. Please do not violate anyone’s privacy during your tour.
10 minutes here
Just ahead is the Willis Palm Trailhead. This moderately strenuous 4-mile hike takes about three hours and climbs 500 feet of elevation along the way. But on the loop, you can see birds, desert wildlife, and desert wildflowers if you’re visiting during the spring!
10 minutes here
Pushawalla Palms trail is coming up on our right. This is right at the bottom of the Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve, but it actually goes in the opposite direction. It’s a moderate 4.5-mile hike with an elevation gain of 700 feet. But oh the views! You’ll be walking on the ridge of the San Andreas Fault, and you’ll see those palm tree oases where the water is bubbling up from way down deep in the Earth! There are groves and groves of palm trees! It takes around three hours to complete.
10 minutes here
We’ve reached the Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve! This magical place is home to plentiful walking trails, wildlife, and lush scenery. Officials are renovating a lot of this preserve at the moment after a storm hit it pretty hard, so the visitor center is closed until further notice. But the trails are open from sunrise to sunset!
Pass by without stopping
Forever Marilyn
This huge statue of Marilyn Monroe stands here courtesy of sculptor Seward Johnson, who designed this 26-foot-tall statue in 2011. He got the money to put it up first in Chicago for a year, then he got sponsorship to put it here in Palm Springs. The statue stood here in Palm Springs for two years, then toured the world showcasing the artist and his work. It moved to Australia for a while.
10 minutes here
This house at 1326 North Rose Avenue was ostensibly Marilyn Monroe’s house. Bus tours and maps of famous houses here have been saying that for years. But according to locals, it may not have been hers!
Pass by without stopping
Frey House II
The Frey House II at 686 Palisades Drive isn’t open to the public, but the Palm Springs Museum hosts guided tours of the property. It’s famous for a couple reasons. First of all, the architect who made it was known as the father of “desert modernism.” Albert Frey was Swiss. He got his architecture diploma in Switzerland, and he worked in Zurich, Belgium, and France. When he was 27, he moved to the United States. In New York, he started to build the American modernist architecture movement. After finishing work on the Museum of Modern Art in New York, he settled in Palm Springs. It was just after World War II and the population here was booming! Those people needed homes. ⚠️ NOTE: Star Homes may be obscured or partially hidden by gates, shrubs, or private roads. Please do not violate anyone’s privacy during your tour.
Pass by without stopping
Palm Canyon Trail
Palm Canyon Trail is a pretty easy hike. It’s only 2 miles out and back again and has an elevation gain of only 200 feet. Most people take around an hour to complete it. Hikers are treated to some fabulous canyon scenery along the way. But be aware before you set off: There is an entrance fee to do this trail. The little building in this parking lot is called The Trading Post. You can pay the entrance fee there.
Pass by without stopping
Andreas Canyon is an easy hike. It’s only a mile loop with an elevation gain of about 175 feet. Most people do it in about a half hour. Along the trail, you’ll see more than 150 plant species within a half a mile! The trail features tons of palm trees, lots of interesting rock formations, and Andreas Creek. Plus, you can still see dents in the rock where Cahuilla people would grind down their food to cook too. It’s just a beautiful hike!
Pass by without stopping
Moorten Botanical Garden
The Moorten Botanical Garden is a must-see for desert plant lovers. Chester “Cactus Slim” and Patricia Moorten created this garden in the 1940s. You see, Cactus Slim had been an actor in movies in the 1920s and 30s. He’d also been a stand-in for Howard Hughes! But he developed a bad case of TB on a film set and discovered he needed the dry desert air to breathe. ⚠️ NOTE: Star Homes may be obscured or partially hidden by gates, shrubs, or private roads. Please do not violate anyone’s privacy during your tour.
Pass by without stopping
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is the world’s largest rotating tram car. It travels 2.5 miles along Chino Canyon and climbs high up to the wilds of Mount San Jacinto State Park. Along the way, the tram car slowly rotates 360 degrees for a spectacular view of the valley below! The mountaintop has restaurants, a gift shop, and plenty of hiking trails
Pass by without stopping
Yeehaw! There’s no place like Pioneertown! This is a town created by Hollywood to mimic the Wild West. In 1946, Dick Curtis, Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, and several other show biz people invested in making this little spot in the California desert a living, breathing movie set. They bought 32,000 acres of land and transformed it into Pioneertown. They could film movies out here, they could vacation, and they could even have second homes out here!
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Palm Springs
Start near 595 W Chino Canyon Rd, Palm Springs, CA, beside The Arches House, with the gated home/adobe arches on your left. Continue along W Chino Canyon Rd to begin the route. Suggested start only; we’re not affiliated with residences or landmarks. Audio starts automatically—check email/text.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
This tour will end at Thousand Palms Canyon Rd.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Adventures with Action
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- NOTE: Homes may be obscured or partially hidden by gates, shrubs, or private roads. Please do not violate anyone’s privacy during your tour.
- Plan ahead: This preserve uses seasonal hours. They generally offer full access from November to April, but switch to a restricted, often weekend-only schedule from May to October for heat safety. Please confirm today’s hours before you arrive
- Easy to use: GPS-triggered audio plays automatically along the route for a hands-free experience.
- Private tour: Explore in your own vehicle without crowded buses or large tour groups.
- At your own pace: Start anytime and pause for hikes, picnics, photos, or scenic stops.
- Works offline: Once downloaded, the tour works using GPS without Wi-Fi or cellular service.
- Good value: One purchase covers everyone in your vehicle, not each person separately.
- More ways to save: Choose a single tour, a nearby bundle, or access to 200+ tours.
- Download in advance: Download the Tour Guide app by Action and tour while connected to Wi-Fi or a strong cellular signal.
- Follow the route: Begin at the suggested starting point or join anywhere along the route shown in the app.
- Lifetime access: Preview the tour before your trip and revisit the stories, photos, and details afterward.
- Supported devices: iPhone with iOS 15+, Android with version 9+, or a GPS-enabled iPad/tablet with cellular capability.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 275 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
275 verified traveler reviews for Palm Springs Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Not quite what I expected
My purchased audio tour didn't show up on my tours list, even after following all the numerous instructions. The code they sent me to use wasn't recognized by their own system. I had to call for support, and of course they were all busy but they did call me back later. The support person was incredibly hard to understand, but after some time he was able to make my tour show up so I could access it. The user interface wasn't quite what I was expecting. It does use GPS to know where you are driving, but I was expecting it to integrate into Google maps. It does not, and if you make a wrong turn, it's pretty difficult to figure out where to go next.
Response from the operator: Bill, I’m sorry the setup process was frustrating, the code didn’t work smoothly at first, and the support call wasn’t as clear as it should have been. The tour uses its own GPS-based map rather than integrating directly with Google Maps, so staying on the route shown in the app helps keep the audio and directions synced. If you miss a turn, you can return to the closest route point and continue from there. I’ll pass your comments to my team as we review ways to make setup, navigation, and route recovery easier.
via Viator
Perfect but one change
This driving tour was fantastic. The only change I would make is to do the Coachella stuff separate because when we bypassed that portion on the app, it did not take us directly to the next "event".... Palm Springs airport then Bob Hope and Frank Sinatra's cemetery memorial. We tried to put in an address and it didn't work. We ended our tour and were disappointed. Other than that, the tour was perfect. Too bad a lot of the homes have privacy gates and hedges.
Response from the operator: Sara, thank you for taking my Palm Springs GPS driving audio tour. I’m so glad you found the tour fantastic overall, though I’m sorry that skipping the Coachella section didn’t guide you smoothly to the next stop. The tour works best when followed in sequence along the route shown in the app, but I’ll pass your feedback to my team to make skipped sections and route recovery easier. Some homes do have privacy gates and hedges, but I’m happy the rest of the tour was a great experience.
via Viator
Great tour if you want to see where Alan Ladd or Dinah Shore lived
The technology itself is pretty cool: drive around and the voice automatically narrates details about a specific site. The content, on the other hand, was not what I was hoping for. If you’d like to know where Alan Ladd lived or maybe see Dinah Shore’s house, this is the tour for you! If you have no idea who these people are and would be more interested in local history or architectural details, you might be a little underwhelmed.
Response from the operator: Kenneth, I’m glad you found the GPS-triggered narration technology cool, but I’m sorry the content wasn’t what you were hoping for. The tour includes celebrity homes as part of Palm Springs’ story, but I’d like to know what additional local history or architectural details you expected so I can share your feedback with my team for review. I’m available daily from 9 AM to 6 PM EST, so feel free to reach out directly.
via Viator
A little tricky to get the app to work with the code that is sent. The application sends multiple tax to your email and
The tour was good overall, but getting it to work with multiple codes being sent to the phone in the email is redundant and not necessary. The app wanted the email code first, and then the code that sent to your phone in a second that was not in the directions and should be streamlined to just one code.
Response from the operator: David, I’m glad the tour was good overall, but I’m sorry the code and verification process felt confusing. After booking, I send detailed setup instructions along with a tutorial video, and my team and I are available daily from 9 AM to 6 PM EST to walk you through the app step by step. Please reach out directly, and I’ll be happy to help with a replacement tour or assist with a refund if needed.
via Tripadvisor
Easy
Great trip, saw a lot of things that we wouldn’t have without this app. Easy to follow the guide. Will definitely use again
Response from the operator: David, thanks for using my Palm Springs GPS audio tour. I’m glad you enjoyed your trip, found the guide easy, and saw sights you might have missed without the app. If you liked Palm Springs, try my Southern California Self-Guided Tour with experiences like Hollywood Star Homes, LA filming locations, La Jolla Cove, and Death Valley. Happy exploring!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 96
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 69
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Palm Springs Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Palm Springs.
How much does Palm Springs Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour cost?
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Prices start at $17 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Palm Springs usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Palm Springs Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Palm Springs is not rushed.
Is Palm Springs Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 69 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.2/5 across 275 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Palm Springs, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Palm Springs Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Palm Springs Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Palm Springs Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour?
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Around 96 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Palm Springs can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Palm Springs and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Palm Springs Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Palm Springs within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Palm Springs?
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Palm Springs sells architecture tours through midcentury neighbourhoods, Aerial Tramway trips up San Jacinto, Indian Canyons hikes, Joshua Tree stargazing and windmill farm runs. Shade, water and pickup points separate a good desert tour from a rough one. On Outty we rank every Palm Springs experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Bank Heist Escape Room Game for Private Group, Palm Springs Modernism Architecture & History Bike Tour, Vampire's Lair Escape Room Game for Private Group. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Palm Springs?
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November to April. Book dawn or evening slots in summer. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Palm Springs?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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