Palm Springs and Scottsdale are desert cities with sunny climates, outdoor activities, and accessible attractions. In comparison to Palm Springs, Scottsdale receives a bit more rainfall. Nightlife and dining scenes are unique in both cities. The cost of living in Scottsdale tends to be lower. Your budget and preferences will determine what you choose.
So, look no further as we will discuss everything you need to about the difference between Palm Springs and Scottsdale.
Palm Springs vs Scottsdale: A Detailed Comparison
Before going into the detailed comparison of Palm Springs and Scottsdale, here is a sneak peek of the essential factors of both desert cities.
| Factors | Palm Springs | Scottsdale |
| Location | Within the Colorado Desert’s Coachella Valley, Riverside County, California. | Just outside of Phoenix, in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona. |
| Climate | Desert climate with minimal rainfall and little humidity. | A little more rainfall than Palm Springs. |
| Weather | A hot, dry summer and a mild winter. | Extreme summer heat and mild winters. |
| Best time to visit | January to April and October to December | February to April and October to December |
| Destinations / Local Attractions | – Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
– Joshua Tree National Park – Palm Canyon Drive – Indian Canyons |
– Salt River Fields at Talking Stick
– Talking Stick Resort Casino – Eldorado Park – Oldtown Scottsdale – Octane Raceway |
| Accessibility | – Palm Springs International Airport is about 20 minutes from downtown.
– Wheelchair-accessible attractions and tours available. |
– 15 minutes drive from the Phoenix airport.
– Accessible to persons with disabilities. |
| Activities | – Architecture tours
– VillageFest on Thursday evenings – Hiking in the nearby canyons and mountains |
– Hiking and biking in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve
– Attending MLB Spring Training games – Exploring the OdySea Aquarium |
| Dining options | French, German, and vegetarian restaurants around the downtown area of North and South Palm Canyon and Indian Canyon drives. | Famous farm-to-table restaurants, and dining options around North, South, Central, and Oldtown Scottsdale. |
| Nightlife | Plenty of restaurants, bars, and clubs. | Various bars, clubs, live music, and lounges in the downtown area. |
| Where to stay | Various hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals are available. | – Numerous luxury resorts, hotels, and vacation rentals available
– The Old Town – Fashion Square – North Scottsdale |
| Cost | Costly. | Slightly cheaper than Palm Springs. |
So, now that we have a brief understanding of what Palm Springs and Scottsdale offer, let’s explore a bit more about them.
Location
Both Palm Springs and Scottsdale are located in opposite areas of the Sonoran Desert.
Coachella Valley of the Colorado Desert is home to Palm Springs, a city in Riverside County, California, United States.
In contrast, Scottsdale, Arizona lies at the base of the scenic McDowell Mountains in the beautiful Sonoran Desert. Salt River, the Tonto National Forest, and the McDowell Mountains border the city.
Climate & Weather
Both Palm Springs and Scottsdale offer desert climates with sunny days, a little humidity, dry and hot summers, and mild winters. But Scottsdale offers a little more rainfall year-round than Palm Springs.
Palm Springs, CA
The hottest month in Palm Springs is July with temperatures reaching as high as 108°F whereas Scottsdale is even hotter in July with above 111°F.
Scottsdale, AZ
Palm Springs’ coolest month is December with temperatures below 44°F, while Scottsdale’s are January to December with temperatures below 40°F.
Best Time to Visit
Palm Springs is best enjoyed between January and April, while Scottsdale is best enjoyed from February to April.
Palm Springs, CA
For pleasant weather and fewer crowds in Palm Springs, CA, the best time to visit is between February and April or late October to early December.
Scottsdale, AZ
If you want to avoid extreme summer heat and enjoy optimal weather in Scottsdale, AZ, visit from February to April or from late October to early December.
Destinations / Local Attractions
There are a number of top attractions in Palm Springs, including
- The Mojave Desert
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
- Mt. San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness
- Indian Canyons
- The Palm Springs Art Museum.
The Mojave Desert, Palm Springs, CA
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Meanwhile, some of Scottsdale’s top attractions include
- The Musical Instruments Museum
- Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West
- The Desert Botanical Garden
- Salt River Fields at Talking Stick
- Talking Stick Resort Casino
- Eldorado Park
- Oldtown Scottsdale
- Octane Raceway
- Taliesin West
- The McDowell Sonoran Preserve
The Desert Botanical Garden, Scottsdale, AZ
Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West
Accessibility
For individuals with disabilities, both Palm Springs and Scottsdale provide wheelchair accessibility and transportation services.
The Palm Springs Art Museum is wheelchair accessible, and Sunline Transit Agency offers ADA-certified transportation services. Scottsdale prioritizes accessibility with its programs and facilities, focusing on aging facilities for accessibility.
Just 20 minutes from downtown Palm Springs is Palm Springs International Airport (PSP). Enterprise, Hertz, Alamo, Budget, and Thrifty are some of the well-known car rental companies at the airport.
In addition, taxis, Uber, and Lyft are readily accessible at the terminal. As an alternative to the Greater Palm Springs Shuttle Service, Skycap Shuttle Service offers luxury SUVs, town cars, and vans.
Alternatively, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) is just a 20-minute drive away, offering extensive domestic connections to Scottsdale. From the airport to major hotels, SuperShuttle and Uber are convenient options.
Amtrak does not have a station in Scottsdale, but the Maricopa Station in Phoenix serves New Orleans and Chicago. You can drive to San Diego and Los Angeles via I-10 and I-8 road.
A Greyhound bus station is conveniently located near Sky Harbor Airport, so you can shuttle or rent a car to Scottsdale if you prefer.
Activities
Activities in Palm Springs:
- Horseback riding, hiking, biking, golfing, and golf courses.
- Native American artifacts, contemporary art, and photography are all on display at the Palm Springs Art Museum.
Palm Springs Art Museum
- There are hiking trails and guided tours available in Indian Canyons.
Indian Canyons, Palm Springs, CA
- A new and emerging filmmakers festival that takes place every January in Palm Springs.
Activities in Scottsdale:
- Biltmore Fashion Park and Scottsdale Fashion Square offer shopping.
- At Papago Golf Course, golfers can swing away to their heart’s content, while anglers can cast their lines in well-stocked fishing lagoons.
- The former home and studio of Frank Lloyd Wright, Taliesin West.
Taliesin West, Scottsdale, AZ
- Art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants can be found in Old Town Scottsdale.
- Mountain biking and hiking trails are available at McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
For a beach getaway, you can compare beaches like Palm Beach or Eagle Beach Aruba. These are exciting beaches with various beach activities. Also, there are options such as Pensacola Beach of Florida or Gulf Shore of Alabama.
Dining Options
Travelers can enjoy unique culinary experiences in both Palm Springs and Scottsdale.
In Palm Springs, a celebrity clientele and food network fame have earned Executive Chef Beau MacMillan fame at Elements at Sanctuary Resort & Spa. A history of famous visitors can be found at Rusty Spur Saloon, the city’s oldest saloon. With exceptional steaks and sports memorabilia, Don & Charlie’s was a beloved Spring Training spot.
Alternatively, Scottsdale’s Old Town Tortilla Factory offers alfresco dining on a charming patio for southwestern cuisine. There is an acclaimed wine program and a James Beard-nominated chef at FnB.
The culinary scene in Scottsdale stands out for its vibrant food culture and renowned chefs. Palm Springs, on the other hand, offers classic Old West dining and celebrity-infused restaurants.
You may choose between a trendy food scene or a laid-back, historically rich dining experience.
Nightlife
Nightlife in Palm Springs:
- Bars, restaurants, and nightclubs can be found on Palm Canyon Drive.
- Live music, food vendors, and local artisans are all featured at VillageFest on Thursday nights.
- Live music and entertainment are offered at the Purple Room.
- DJs and dancing at Tryst nightclub.
- Drag shows and karaoke are available at Toucans Tiki Lounge.
Nightlife in Scottsdale:
- The Old Town Scottsdale area has restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.
- Live music and DJs at Wasted Grain.
- Live music and entertainment at The Mint.
- Kazimierz World Wine Bar features live music and a wide selection of wines.
- DJs and dancing at Riot House.
Where to Stay
Palm Springs offers many attractive hotels. Here are the top five hotels and their addresses.
- Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel – 888 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262
- Hotel Zoso – 150 South Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262
- Hyatt Palm Springs – 285 North Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262
- Les Cactus – 555 Warm Sands Drive, Palm Springs, CA 9226
- Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs – 1600 North Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Scottsdale also offers lodging accommodations with attractive benefits for tourists around Old Town, North Scottsdale, and Fashion Square.
In Old Town Scottsdale:
- Hotel Valley Ho – 6850 E Main St, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
- The Saguaro Scottsdale – 4000 N Drinkwater Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
In Scottsdale Fashion Square:
- The Phoenician, A Luxury Collection Resort, Scottsdale – 6000 E Camelback Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
- The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch – 7700 E McCormick Pkwy, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
In North Scottsdale:
- Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North – 10600 E Crescent Moon Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85262
Cost
Scottsdale offers cheaper travel expenses than Palm Springs with similar attractions and more.
Now, let’s see the cost comparison of Palm Springs for solo, family, and couple travel groups for a 7-day trip.
| Travel Style | Average 7-day Trip Cost | Budget 7-day Trip Cost | Luxury 7-day Trip Cost |
| Solo | $1,413-$3,440 | $947-$2,029 | $2,946-$14,782 |
| Couple | $2,542-$5,230 | $1,570-$3,218 | $4,758-$18,164 |
| Family | $4,464-$9,200 | $3,140-$6,016 | $9,516-$29,488 |
Compared to that, Scottsdale offers a slightly cheaper travel expense.
| Travel Style | Average 7-day Trip Cost | Budget 7-day Trip Cost | Luxury 7-day Trip Cost |
| Solo | $1,268-$2,513 | $701-$1,723 | $2,909-$8,779 |
| Couple | $2,634-$4,518 | $1,282-$3,026 | $4,816-$12,542 |
| Family | $4,124-$8,420 | $2,492-$6,052 | $9,632-$23,080 |
So, compare the cost and choose the vacation you want in between these desert cities.
Verdict: Palm Springs vs. Scottsdale
The decision between Palm Springs and Scottsdale depends on your interests and budget now that you know all their advantages. If you love nature, Joshua Tree National Park of Palm Springs is perfect for you. While Desert Botanical Garden and McDowell Sonoran Preserve are the attractions of Scottsdale.
Art and culture lovers will enjoy Palm Springs’ laid-back charm and the Palm Springs Art Museum. Old Town Scottsdale is home to museums and art galleries. Scottsdale’s culinary scene and vibrant nightlife in Old Town are a highlight for food and nightlife enthusiasts. Whereas Palm Springs offers celebrity-infused dining and live music.
There are wheelchair-friendly options in both cities, but Scottsdale may be slightly more budget-friendly, especially for families. In the end, a desert getaway should ultimately reflect your interests and what you’re looking for.
End Note
It’s ultimately up to your preference to choose between Palm Springs and Scottsdale.
Compare all the options discussed above and take reviews from your close ones who visited these places. You’ll get the answer. And as both offer a stunning desert western experience, you might want to visit both places for a great time. Good luck!
