Early winter · Weather & things to do
Palm Springs in December
This is the coldest month in Palm Springs: highs average 66°F (19°C) and lows 44°F (7°C), with about 0.9 in (22 mm) of rain.
At 97/100 for comfort (4th of 12), it's one of the best months to visit.
- Avg high
- 66°F (19°C)
- Avg low
- 44°F (7°C)
- Rain
- 0.9 in (22 mm)
- Humidity
- 48%
- Cloud cover
- 39%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 46 min
- Comfort score
- 97/100 · Great
What December feels like
Highs near 66°F (19°C) make for comfortable sightseeing weather.
Lows average 44°F (7°C).
It's one of the drier stretches, with only about 0.9 in (22 mm) of rain.
Plan around December
December is one of Palm Springs's best months on the climate data.
- Start of the wettest three-month stretch (December – February), which brings about 2.7 in (68 mm) in total.
- Shortest days of the year, about 9 h 46 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 100/100 in November to 97/100.
- December sits inside the Oct – Apr window our Palm Springs & Joshua Tree route recommends.
What to pack for December
- A warm layer for eveningslows near 44°F
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Palm Springs in December
December is good outdoor weather here, so these picks lean toward the open air.
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
Museum on Cahuilla culture at the Spa Cultural Plaza downtown.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Rotating tram climbs 8,500 ft to cool pine forest and trails.
Palm Springs Art Museum
Art, architecture and design museum at the foot of the mountains.
Cheeky's
Breakfast and brunch spot known for its flight of bacon.
Indian Canyons
Palm oases and streams on Agua Caliente tribal land.
Why now Our curated notes say it's best Oct–Apr mornings.
Nearby in December
- Joshua Tree in December~37 mi · highs 57°F, 0.6 in rain · 5°C (8°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- La Jolla in December~80 mi · highs 63°F, 2.5 in rain · 1°C (3°F) cooler by day, wetter
- Downtown San Diego & Gaslamp Quarter in December~85 mi · highs 66°F, 2.0 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, wetter
- Pasadena in December~94 mi · highs 64°F, 2.6 in rain · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~924 m to Palm Springs's ~146 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Palm Springs in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Palm Springs?
Yes. On the climate data it's one of the best months, scoring 97/100. Expect highs of 66°F (19°C) and 0.9 in (22 mm) of rain. December is inside the Oct – Apr window our Palm Springs & Joshua Tree route recommends.
How hot is Palm Springs in December?
Average highs are 66°F (19°C) and average lows 44°F (7°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Palm Springs in December?
Not much: about 0.9 in (22 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 3rd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 5.0 in (127 mm).
What should I pack for Palm Springs in December?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (lows near 44°F) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Palm Springs
Routes in season in December
- Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Oct – Apr
Planning Palm Springs in December?
Share this December plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.