Top 3 Girls Trip Trends Taking Over Palm Springs This Summer

The road trip starts the same way every time: coffee in hand, playlists queued, snacks packed, and someone already asking, "Who's making the first margarita stop?" A few hours later, the palm trees appear, the mountains come into view, and suddenly everyone is in vacation mode. This summer, these are the three biggest girls trip trends taking over Palm Springs.

1. Milestone Birthday Road Trips

Birthday trips are officially the new birthday dinner. Whether you're celebrating 21, 30, 40, 50, or any fabulous milestone in between, friend groups are hitting the road for Palm Springs and the surrounding desert destinations like Joshua Tree and La Quinta. The itinerary? Pool days, spa appointments, champagne toasts, matching outfits, and creating the kind of memories you'll still be laughing about years later. The desert just knows how to throw a birthday party.

2. "Buy the Birthday Girl a Drink"

The bridal trend has officially gotten a birthday glow-up. Instead of "Buy the Bride a Drink," girls are celebrating their bestie with "Buy the Birthday Girl a Drink." Friends, family, and even new vacation besties can send the birthday queen a cocktail, making everyone feel like they're part of the celebration. It's a fun, social way to keep the birthday vibes flowing all weekend long.

3. Boutique Hotels Are the Main Attraction

Forget cookie-cutter hotel chains. Girls trips are checking into Palm Springs' stylish boutique hotels, where every stay feels curated just for your crew.

The Cactai Hotel is old Palm Springs reimagined for the modern traveler. The self-check-in boutique property offers spacious apartment-style suites complete with kitchens or kitchenettes,

making it perfect for stocking champagne and late-night snacks. Even the bathrooms are elevated with luxurious Japanese heated bidet toilets that add a little extra spa-like comfort.

The Muse delivers all the retro desert charm with just nine adorable suites surrounding a sparkling pool and hot tub. The intimate, pet-friendly property feels like your own private oasis, making it ideal for smaller girls trips that want a relaxed, Instagram-worthy escape.

The Stardust Hotel was practically designed with girls weekends in mind. Located just a five-minute walk from hotspots like the Ace Hotel, Del Rey, Mr. Lyons, Koffi, and Bar Cecil, it's the perfect home base for exploring. Groups can enjoy private retro-luxe bedrooms, a high-end kitchen for cooking—or bringing in a private chef—plus an outdoor dining space, pool, and fire pit. Some friend groups are even renting out the entire property for milestone birthday celebrations, creating their own private desert retreat.

Palm Springs has always been the ultimate girls getaway, but this summer it's less about checking destinations off a list and more about celebrating life's biggest moments with your favorite people. So grab your cutest swimsuit, cue the road trip playlist, and let the desert do what it does best—turn an ordinary weekend into an unforgettable one.

About the Author

Kai Li is a millennial writer with a passion for travel and fashion, blending her love for exploration with a sharp eye for style. She writes to inspire others to embrace both the adventure and artistry of life. Whether she’s jet-setting to new destinations or curating the latest looks, Kai brings a unique blend of creativity and wanderlust to everything she does.