Coachella’s music, scenery, and summer camp vibe makes it easy to escape from almost every aspect of reality—except, of course, for the desert heat. Around every day at 3:00 PM, it starts to feel like someone is personally taking a hot blow-dryer to your face. By the end of the weekend, most folks are a little sunburnt and totally fried. Fortunately, there’s an easy way to recover: set aside an extra day to relax, unwind, and cool off at one of these serene spots near Palm Springs.

Visit Palm Springs Surf Club

When you think of Palm Springs, a few images come to mind: the tall Moroccan palm trees, the bright painted doors, and the mid-century modern architecture, to name a few. But surfing? Introducing the .

The family-friendly Palm Springs Surf Club stands as a testament to the history and culture of the city. It first started as Oasis Water Park, which was built in 1986 and has since been acquired and rebranded several times, but in 2019, it found its current owners—and a new purpose.

The club’s main attraction is the high-tech wave pool, which allows surfers to pursue an otherworldly dream of surfing in the middle of the desert. The pool is capable of producing 200 types of waves at different sizes and intervals, so it’s easy to find the right surf to match your skill set. Around this time of year, Palm Springs’ temperature can soar up to 100 degrees, but the temperature of the wave pool is in the chilling 60s, making it easy to stay cool no matter the time of day.

The club itself is an experiential affair with slides, a lazy river, and plenty of food and cold drinks, says Massey Pitts, Palm Spring Surf Club’s vice president of marketing. Whether you’re looking to surf all day or just lounge at the cabanas and watch the pros shred, the Palm Springs Surf Club has something for everyone in your party.

Go Boating on Big Bear Lake

You may have heard of Big Bear’s famous , which is only two hours from Los Angeles, but in the summer, its namesake lake is a major draw for Californians looking for a change of scenery. After spending days soaking up the desert heat and dust, a lake escape at Big Bear is a quick adventure away that promises the ultimate relaxing experience.

One of our favorite ways to explore Big Bear Lake in its entirety is by boat. Thanks to the multiple , there are plenty of options for activities to match your adventure style. You can waterski, wakeboard, jet ski, paddle, or fish (the lake is famed for its rainbow trout). Too busy nursing a hangover? Cool off in the water with some good tunes and a cold beverage—the perfect cure, in our book.

SUP or Kayak The Salton Sea

If you’re looking for peace and quiet after the Coachella crowds, head to the town of Bombay Beach on the edge of the Salton Sea. Once a ritzy 1950s Hollywood getaway, it’s now an artist’s enclave and the lowest-elevation community in the U.S. at 223 feet below sea level.

The Salton Sea is massive, covering more than 340 square miles, and its high salt content makes it perfect for serene kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding tours. Glide across the glass-like surface of the lake and revel in feeling like you’re on another planet.

Good news for bird watchers: the Salton Sea is also home to the . The refuge has recorded 400 different species and offers an exclusive glimpse into rare vagrant species, birds that stray outside their expected breeding, wintering, or migrating range.

Whether you’re a history buff, looking for a transcendental experience, or a true birder, the Salton Sea is an off-the-beaten-path destination that gives you a special glimpse into California’s distinctive environment.

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If you’ve been alive the past two decades, you’ve probably heard of Coachella. The famous California music festival takes place in the desert haven of Palm Springs (first home of the Cahuilla Native Americans) amid the , Santa Rosa, and Little San Bernardino Mountains. The festival comes at the beginning of every April and runs over two weekends. The catch? Because people flock from around the world to the bask in Coachella’s revelry, the prices of accommodations can soar. The best way to avoid these hurdles but still make the most out of Coachella is to pay homage to the original festival lodgings: tents.

I’ve camped all over the country, but Coachella camping stands as one of my most favorite experiences. It offers a secret portal into the festival amenities and experiences that are inaccessible once inside the venue. In fact, I’ve opted to pitch a tent and camp every time I’ve gone. Want to give it a try? Here’s what you need to know.

Why Camp at Coachella

One of the truly memorable parts of Coachella (and most festivals) is the people you encounter, and there’s no doubt that the close camping quarters is a fast pass to long-lasting friendships. Camping means sharing gear, cooking breakfast with strangers, and sharing midnight mirth with someone you met days ago. That tends to lead to deeper connections.

At my first Coachella, my friendly Canadian neighbors cooked me an egg every day for after I told them I love to take Instagram videos of splitting egg yolks. Several acquaintances from Los Angeles became close friends of mine after we camped near each other and danced under the lights of the silent disco until 4:00 AM. Yes, there is magic at every single festival, but there’s something different about the divine spirit and community that is found under the lights of Coachella’s silent disco.

There’s also the practical element. With your home for the weekend being so close to the venue, you can be more flexible. We often ran back to camp between sets to grab supplies we needed, more , or outfit changes. Having resources so close helped us save on typically expensive festival food. Our morning breakfast routine included huddling around the cooler and rehashing the previous night over coffee. Camping didn’t limit us, it allowed us to personalize our experience to our taste and preferences.

All that said, it’s not always easy. The desert heat is real, and if you’re not used to roughing it, sleeping in a tent might come with a little bit of a learning curve. However, I find that camping turns the festival into a richer and more immersive experience. Plus, it’s only $150—hundreds less than you might spend at a hotel. Give it a try, discover a profound sense of community, and dance all night under the silent disco lights. If you’ve been car camping before, you’re more than capable of camping at Coachella.

Coachella’s Campground

The amenities at the campground are so far and wide that it has a site map separate from that of the venue. At the general store, you can buy that one item you completely forgot about despite swearing not to (i.e., earplugs). There’s also an activity tent where you can play pickleball, have a water balloon fight, or win a VIP upgrade. You can enjoy a meal hosted by Treetop Journey, a farm-to-table outdoor dining experience to break bread and connect with new friends.

If your legs are tired from the endless dancing, wrap yourself in a cozy hammock and cool off at the camp lounge, where no one will give you a second look if you decide to nod off for a mid-day nap. If you haven’t found a partner through your local run club yet, consider running the Coachella X Electrolit 5K and get some extra miles in.

For a spiritual experience, visit the Desert Sky truss tent, where you can relax with a yoga class or catch a guest speaker. Return to the Desert Sky later at night after the festival ends for a Kafakesuqe silent disco—for me, a non-negotiable experience.

Looking to heal your childlike wonder? Head to the Field of Dreams, where you can have a field day playing dodgeball and other fun games. If you’re a thrifter at heart, enjoy an exclusive shopping experience of vintage Coachella merchandise. And honestly, this still doesn’t even scratch the surface of everything the campground offers—it’s just my personal greatest hits. One more can’t-miss? The Coachella Art Studio.

The Art Studio is a creative summer camp. Last year, I was able to redecorate my cowboy hat with a new fringe and patches at one booth, and unwind by crafting a collage at another. Over the years, I’ve made air fresheners, perfumes, bracelets, earrings, and more.

The Ultimate Coachella Packing List

This festival packing list was gifted to me by a friend years ago. It still guides me today.

Camp Kitchen

• Water bottles
• Silverware & plates (we did disposable for easier cleanup)
• Cups
• Paper Towels
• Electrolytes
• Cooler
• Trash bags

Toiletries

• Wet wipes
• Towels (shower)
• Toothbrush/paste
• Shampoo/conditioner/body wash
• Toilet Paper
• Ear plugs
• Skincare products
• Sunscreen

Camping Gear

• Tents
• Camping chairs
• Air mattress & pump
• Plastic storage bin for our food
• Speakers
• Portable charger
• Pillows
• Blankets & Bedding
• Tapestries, tarps, or sheets to block the sunlight and create shade
• Clips to hang up your tapestries, etc.
• Pop Up
• Folding table
• Bluetooth speaker

Other Essentials

• Fan
• Hats
• Wristbands
• ID
• Credit Cards and cash for shower tokens
• Power bank
• Eye Mask

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