Explore California – Backyard Tourist | www.ladybugblog.com | Photo credit: Krista

Looking for a day trip or road trip destination with breathtaking views and stunning scenery? Then look no further than an excursion on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway where you ascend two-and-one-half miles – aboard the world’s largest rotating tramcar – to the pristine wilderness of the Mt. San Jacinto State Park. During the approximately ten-minute journey, the tram cars rotate slowly while offering spectacular and picturesque panoramas of Chino Canyon’s cliffs, the area around Palm Springs, and the Coachella Valley floor. At the top, there is plenty to do – including observation decks, a natural history museum, restaurants, documentary theaters, a gift shop, and over 50 miles of hiking trails.

In late December, we made a day trip from San Diego to Palm Springs to check out the aerial tramway. In the mid-1990s, I took a trip on the aerial tramway, but this was my husband’s and grandson’s first visit. Since 1963, nearly 18 million people have traveled on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which begins at the Valley Station (elevation 2,643 feet) and ends at the Mountain Station (elevation 8,516 feet). In 2000, a major overhaul of the tramway was completed. This ambitious modernization program resulted in the world’s largest rotating tramcars.  So even though I had been on the tramway before, the rotating cars were new for all of us.

Our drive from San Diego took about two-and-one-half hours. From the 10 freeway, we took the ramp for CA-111 toward Palm Springs. After about 8.5 miles, we turned right onto Tramway Road and drove nearly 4 miles to the Valley Station parking area. We arrived near opening, so we were able to park near the station. A parking lot shuttle is available if you arrive later and end up parking farther away. Our tickets were for the 9:00 AM tram and the weather was sunny, clear, and crisp. At the base, Valley Station, the temperature was 46 degrees and at the top, Mountain Station, it was a brisk 34 degrees!

The ride up to the top was smooth and offered amazing views. During the trip, you pass through five unique life zones, from the Mexican Sonoran Desert to an Alpine wilderness.

We’re here! Valley Station from the top parking lot. | Photo credit: Krista

During your ascent, you pass through five unique life zones: (1) Sonoran Desert, (2) Upper Sonoran, (3) Lower Transition, (4) Upper Transition, and (5) Arctic/Alpine. | Photo credit: Krista

View of the Mountain Station end of the tramway as we were finishing our ascent. | Photo credit: Krista

At the top, we spent a few minutes out on the front observation deck. It was breezy and the change in temperature was noticeable. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is a major gateway to the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. We also explored for a few minutes on the back observation deck and the start of the hiking trails. Next, we drank some hot cocoa from the snack bar and spent a few minutes in the natural history museum before departing.

The Mt. San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness Area encompasses 14,000 acres of pristine wilderness and offers a wide range of recreational activities from self-guided nature walks (3/4-mile loop) to expert level hiking trails (12-mile round trip hike). Camping is allowed in the primitive campsites designated throughout the State Park (permits are required, reservations are recommended).

We would have spent more time on the front observation deck that overlooks the Coachella Valley, however it was pretty cold and breezy! | Photo credit: Krista

View of the Arctic Alpine climate zone from the back observation deck at Mountain Station (elevation 8,516 feet). | Photo credit: Krista

Monkey joined us for our day trip on Dec. 22, 2017. He even dressed up for the holidays! | Photo credit: Krista

On the ride back down, we were able to get some good views of the Coachella Valley floor and the helicopter landing pads on the tramway’s upper towers. Even though we visited in late December, the San Jacinto Mountains did not have snow, yet, and we saw many trees showing fall colors around Valley Station.

Looking down to the valley floor and another view of a helicopter landing pad. | Photo credit: Krista

The construction of the Tramway was considered an Engineering Marvel, because of the use of helicopters in transporting crew and material to the Mountain Station and four of the five towers. The helicopters landed on the pads at the top of the towers, as can be seen here from the tramway window. | Photo credit: Krista

As one tramway car is heading up, the other one is heading down so they pass mid span. | Photo credit: Krista

Along the way up or down, you’ll observe special plants, and possibly some animals, that are distinct to each climate zone. | Photo credit: Krista

Heading back down to Valley Station (elevation 2,643 feet). | Photo credit: Krista

From the back deck of Valley Station, you can watch the tram cars depart and arrive. | Photo credit: Krista

From the back deck of Valley Station, you can watch the tramcars depart and arrive from the picnic area. Before we left, we made sure to stop at the official “selfie spot” in front of one of the original tramway cabins that was used from 1963 until 2000.

View from the back of Valley Station | Photo credit: Krista

Be sure to hashtag your pictures when sharing them to social media #palmspringstram #pstramway | Photo credit: Krista

Selfie Spot in front of original cabin #2 (Krista, Monkey, Logan) | Photo credit: Krista

Original Cabin #2 (1963 – 2000) | Photo credit: Krista

When you are planning your visit to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, be sure to visit the official website along with its other social media channels on FaceBook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. The official website has all the details you will need (hours, tickets, parking, FAQ, dining, things to do) along with information on upcoming special events. You may also be interested in checking out the official “Tram-Cam”, reading about the tramway’s history, or checking out all the technical information about the tramway’s mechanics.

During the summer months, the high temperatures at the Mountain Station are cool – in the 70s – while much of the Palm Springs desert area is usually over 30 degrees warmer. Winter months can range from in the 50s to below freezing. Snow is common in winter and spring, with several inches or feet of snow on the ground. You will definitely want to check on the weather for the Mountain Station and be sure to dress accordingly!

Your visit to Palm Springs may be for the day, like we did, or maybe you will decide to book a hotel and stay longer for a weekend getaway. There is plenty to do so be sure to explore more of what Palm Springs and the surrounding areas have to offer. Check out some of these ideas:

Palm Springs for Foodies

Palm Springs for Museum Goers

Palm Springs – Arts & Culture

Palm Springs – Photography Spots that are Instagram Worthy

Palm Springs with Kids

Tram Car Vital Statistics:

• MODEL: Largest in the world; only one of its kind in Western Hemisphere
• MANUFACTURER: Von Roll Tramways, Ltd., Olten, Switzerland
• INTERIOR DIMENSIONS: 18 feet in diameter, 8 feet high
• CAPACITY: Up to 80 passengers; 35,600 pounds, cabin weight loaded
• ROTATION: Slow cabin floor rotation – twice per trip on ascent and descent
• CABLES: Actual length traveled by cars = 12,708 feet
• CABLE TOWERS: Total five; first tower is tallest at 227 feet

Have you visited the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway? What did you think?
What are your “must-do” activities in Palm Springs?
Looking forward to hearing from you in the comments!

Comments welcome and shares appreciated. Find me on Facebook to discuss this post and more. Subscribe for email notifications when new posts publish. Please feel free to leave me a message with suggestions for future blog posts – I love hearing your ideas!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”