Get a bird’s eye view of Palm Springs from the world’s largest rotating aerial tramway. The tramway soars over the stunning cliffs of Chino Canyon to reach Mountain Station—at an elevation of 8,516 feet, it’s often 30 degrees cooler than the desert floor.
At the top, enjoy two restaurants (including the sit-down Peaks Restaurant and the cafeteria-style Pine Cafe), a natural history museum, theaters, and more. More Details
Getting There
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is one of those must-see attractions that will stick with you long after your trip. Just like visiting the Empire State Building in New York, going up in the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway gives you a sense of grandeur and really allows you to appreciate the wide-open skies and dramatic mountain backdrop that makes the Coachella Valley so unique.
Getting to the tram is easy enough, you park in the lot at Valley Station and buy your tickets (you can also do this online if you’d prefer). Then board one of the world’s largest rotating tram cars and ascend two and a half miles up to Mountain Station within Mount San Jacinto State Park where outdoor adventure awaits.
Mountain Station has observation decks, a cafeteria-style restaurant (Peaks Restaurant) and a snack bar, two theaters, a small natural history museum, and trails that can be used for hiking or snowshoeing in winter. There’s even a gondola ride at the top, weather permitting. More Details about El Paseo Shopping District
The Ride
The tram cars are the largest of their kind in the world and slowly rotate during the ten minute ride as you soak up spellbinding views. On a clear day you may be able to see the Salton Sea to the southeast and Mt Charleston in Nevada.
During the ascent, the air can be 40 degrees cooler and you will be transported to a different world above the sweltering desert below. You’ll savor views of pristine wilderness including mountain spires and Ponderosa pine trees as you soar above the cliffs of Chino Canyon.
Passengers disembark at the Mountain Station, located in the midst of Mount San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness Preserve. The Mountain Station offers a full-service restaurant, cocktail lounge and observation deck along with miles of hiking trails.
At the Top
The top of the tram is a completely different world. It’s 40 degrees colder up here and the air is crisp, clear and full of pine trees. There’s hiking (and in the winter cross country skiing) and pristine wilderness and on a clear day you can see the Salton Sea and even Mount Charleston north of Las Vegas.
The view from the mountaintop is spectacular and the Peaks Restaurant Palm Springs at the top is a good place to sit and drink a glass of wine or beer. There are also curio shops, a snack bar and an observation deck here.
The 18-foot-diameter cars rotate as they ascend and descend, which makes it easy for guests to take in the full panorama from anywhere on the tram. This is the largest rotating tram in the world; there are also similar trams in Cape Town, South Africa and Titlis, Switzerland. Taking the tram is a must-do for visitors to Palm Springs, but it’s not for people who are afraid of heights or who get motion sickness.
The Mountain Station
The Mountain Station is a great place to enjoy a meal and the views from the observation deck. It is also the start of several hiking trails and home to the Snowbird Ski Area in winter. The Mountain Station features 2 restaurants (Peaks Restaurant and Pines Cafe) with fabulous views, a Natural History Museum, and two documentary-style movies on the history of the tramway and the Mount San Jacinto State Park.
This is a wonderful way to take a temperature break from the sweltering valley, catch some amazing views, and spend a memorable time with friends and family. Just a heads up, if the weather is windy, it can be scary for those who are sensitive to heights. The tram cars sway in the gusts (which they are fully designed to do) and that can be unnerving. If you can, go on a calm day. Otherwise, be prepared to be a little nervous during the ride
