On a hot summer's day, one of the best things to do in Palm Springs is to take a ride from the dry desert floor with the Aerial Tramway, 5,873 feet up into the cool climate of the San Jacinto Mountains. Come and ascend into a pristine wilderness aboard the world's largest rotating tramcars! Truly one of the greatest experiences in Southern California!
The world's largest rotating tramcars carry visitors from an elevation of 2,643 feet to a Mountain Station located at the 8,516-foot level of Mt San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness. It has the steepest vertical cable rise in the U.S. and the second steepest in the world. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is truly one of the greatest experiences in Southern California.
What is remarkable about the ride, aside from the breathtaking views of the valley, is the change in temperature. At the bottom of the tram route, the temperature on the desert floor can reach 120 degrees. Rising up through mountain canyons and chimneys, you arrive in an arctic-alpine forest with giant Ponderosa pines. The thrilling vertical ascent gives you views of the Chino Canyon and the San Jacinto Mountains from the front of the car, while the Sonoran Desert is splayed out below from the rear of the car. Look to the top of Chino Canyon, snap a few photos, then look behind and below as you move from one ecological zone to another.
At the Mountain Station, you can walk from the car into the large, 3-story facility which has a cocktail lounge, dining facilities, gift shop and observation decks. The station theater features "Building on a Dream", an 18-minute film on the history of the history and construction of the Tramway. At the top you can also explore the 14,000-acre Mt. San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness Area, which has 54 miles of hiking trails, rustic campgrounds, and granite outcroppings providing clear views of the cities below.
During the winter months “mid-November to mid-April” you can strap on snowshoes or cross-country skis and head into the packed powder of a winter wonderland at the Top of the Tram. There are so many ways to enjoy the snow in the San Jacinto Mountains but snowshoeing is perhaps the most exhilarating family adventure. The Tramway’s Adventure Center (snow conditions permitting) is open for snowshoe and cross-country ski rentals.
A must do, so beautiful and really different to being down in the valley.
Review by: Andrew W, April 2018
Fantastic experience - a must do if you are in the area!!
Review by: amelia p, April 2018
Booking on line made it very easy. Once you get there, you wait on line and they give you a departure time. The tram leaves every 10 minutes. The views were spectacular and there's a café and a restaurant up top.
Review by: ALAN M, March 2018
brilliant
Review by: Susan B, January 2018
The tram to the top of the mountain was a perfect way to spend the day. While the food up top was way overpriced, the hiking was priceless. The weather was spectacular and the views were breathtaking.
Review by: Maureen B, November 2017
The view was like looking down at a map of the valley. Parking was well-orchestrated. Regretfully, we forgot to watch the movie about the construction of the tram which I assume would have been highly informative. Lunch at the restaurant was very good and not over-priced given the fact that there is not much competition for lunch customers up top. Price for the tour was reasonable.
Review by: Karen Y, November 2017
This was truly amazing, as we happened to be there during a full noon.
Review by: Cnosan, November 2017
I'm giving this a 4 because I didn't enjoy the trip up. If you feel any motion sickness, sit in the middle where the tram doesn't turn!
Review by: Mareidy V, November 2017
Great experience for cousins reunion.Thanks.
Review by: Linda N, October 2017
Beautiful views on the tramway.
Review by: Ty K, August 2017
This is a very enjoyable tour, we highly recommend it. The views are spectacular, and even though it was a very hot day, temperatures at the top are 30 degrees cooler. We plan to go again and enjoy the hiking trails that are available. It's a wonderful way to get to the top of what otherwise would have been a very steep climb!
Review by: Laura M, July 2017
Hands down, this was my family's favorite activity during our trip to Rancho Mirage. The views were spectacular, the temperature at the top was a welcome change from the July heat, the hiking trails were well maintained, and the price was reasonable. This is an experience that shouldn't be missed!
Review by: Gwen D, July 2017
The tour was amazing! Everything I hoped for and more.
Review by: Brenda S, July 2017
What an experience. Unbelievable. IT was awesome!!!!
Review by: Patrick R, May 2017
Fantastic experience. Went in early May and the difference in temperature and weather from the desert floor of Palm Springs to the top of the San Jacinto Mountains was unbelievable. Come prepared to hike the Desert View Trail for breathtaking views. Definitely worth the money.
Review by: Hasse, April 2017
This was great. Cheap prize. Nice view and about 10 degrees chillier at the top of the mountain.
Review by: Anne M, March 2017
It is a good way to see the aerial view of Palm Springs. It is also an excellent way to get out of the heat if you go in summer! Go early in the day though because it gets crowded at the day progresses.
Review by: Gauri C, March 2017
Great tour!! Definitely needs to be done when in the area!!! Personally, I feel it doesn't matter whether you buy the tickets through viator or in person over there since you cannot reserve a specific time slot!! The price is the same and you still have to stand in line once over there to get actual tickets!!! But, a must do no matter how one does it.
Review by: yodanut787, February 2017
Great Trip! Fell a little light headed at the top probably due to the change in elevation. Nice and pristine park.
Review by: Michael M, February 2017
We checked in around 7 pm and the Hotel was very quiet and clean. But my room was a Handicap room, set up and 40 steps from the the office. The room was simple no flare and because it was a Handicap room the Bathroom did have a lot of room, but the bathtub was standard size, with no drain stopper. My wife wanted to soak after we went up the Palm Springs Tramway and spent the day up there_br/_ the next Morning, we went to their Breakfest, very Basic at best. Coffee, toast, Bagel and Hard Boil Eggs. _br/_ For what I got was a Hotel 6 at 133 price.
Review by: Angel R, February 2017
It was a winter wonderland. For those with fear of heights be warned, its a little scary, but once you get up there is all worth it. Would definitely do it again.
Review by: Nicole C, January 2017
If you buy a voucher without a confirmed time through a travel website, you will have to wait HOURS to get on the gondola. We had lunch in town then went up and were confirmed for a 4:40 PM tram. There was not enough seating or manpower to manage crowds at cafe. To leave, there were huge lines and wait times as well. By the time we got to the mountain, we only had a little while before it got dark. It was a long day with little reward.
Review by: Janice L, January 2017
This is a MUST do when visiting the Palm Springs area!!!
Review by: Christian B, January 2017
Horrible, you are purchasing a non refundable voucher that's good for a ticket. You are not actually purchasing a ticket. We arrived and were advised it would be a 5 hour wait until we could get on the tramway. The voucher says that the cost covers parking but it does not, they charge you anyway. You can purchase tickets onsite so I would recommend NOT purchasing through Viator. That way if it's a 5 hour wait to get on the tram you can turn around without losing all of your money. Views were great but when it's 10 hours of waiting to get up and down the mountain it really is NOT worth it. It would probably be worth a 30 minute wait at the most.
Review by: Sam T, January 2017
Brilliant views, worth taking extra time to follow the many miles of hiking/walking trails at the top.
Review by: Janice S, January 2017
Without a doubt one of the absolute best outings in Palm Springs! The views are spectacular, the ride up the mountain is swift and smooth. Very interesting and informative tour. Would definitely do it again-well worth it!
Review by: Ouida P, December 2016
This was amazing and beautiful. The food there was excellent too!
Review by: Angele J, December 2016
Never stops being a wonderful thing to do with my family - especially this time of year!
Review by: antony w, November 2016
Amazing experience and fantastic views. Highly recommend .
Review by: Mim, November 2016
It was a beautiful clear day for the ride to the top, which is about 10,000 ft above sea level. It's a smooth and fast ride up. Commentary by operator interesting. Once at the top there are walks and picnic places. Cafe and restaurant is also available. Views are spectacular from various notches on the trails.
Review by: Jill B, October 2016
Excellent! Really awesome. Can highly recommend.
Review by: Todd B, September 2016
I've been on Tram before and the one in B.C. to Capilano bridge has more beautiful scenery.
Review by: Kari M, August 2016
This is a great experience!! Take the tram up in the late afternoon so you can park at the closest parking lot. Take the tram back down after it gets dark so you can see the lights of the city - beautiful!! The tram's inner floor rotates so everyone gets a good view. It was 104 in Palm Springs the day I went, but it was 60 degrees up at the top - cool and refreshing!! Bring a light jacket though because it's chilly once the sun goes down. If you like to hike in the woods you can access them from up there San Jacinto National Park. Views of the woods are very pretty although, to be honest, I think Sedona AZ is much more beautiful! But it's a fun trip and gives you a new perspective on the Palm Springs area. From up above, you can view the windmills below.
Review by: Paul N, August 2016
You should absolutely do this if you are staying in the Los Angeles area. The desert drive is breath-taking and the views from the top of the mountain are absolutely amazing. All staff are friendly and helpful. You can spend as much time as you like at the top. We travelled up late afternoon daytime and travelled down after dark, which was beautiful.
Review by: Kenneth S, August 2016
A pleasant excursion and a relief from the heat -- not that I minded the heat.
Review by: Laura L, July 2016
Awesome experience! Temperatures are slightly cooler at the top. Great opportunity for lots of picture taking!
Review by: claudia c, July 2016
Awesome view, there are multiple trails, it is possible to see different kind of animals, the weather was very comfortable, there were a lot of people but the line moves easy, they sell only the right quantity for each hour
Review by: scott a, July 2016
A totally exceptional experience.....don't know why I waited 20 years
Review by: Kaye J, July 2016
We forfeited our tickets and did not. No rating
Review by: Jose S, July 2016
Truly has been one of the best experiences of my life. Such a beautiful view and such helpful employees. I highly recommend this to everyone.
Review by: Charleen A, July 2016
This tour was amazing!
Review by: Gloria D, July 2016
Great experience with my granddaughter!
Review by: tori, July 2016
Very good, terrific views.
Review by: Solomon Y, July 2016
We took the tram in early April and it was an amazing ride. There was a some fog as we got to the top but we were able to get the spectacular views on the way down. The tram operators are friendly and knowledgeable and the information provided over the intercom was interesting. wool go again.
Review by: Wilfredo R, July 2016
Excellent adventure with the family !
Review by: Viviana A, July 2016
This tour was amazing!
Review by: Raymond T, June 2016
My trip was amazing, using viator was a waste of time. I saved no money, still had to wait in line to get a ticket, and had to carry and take care of a paper vouchers for three weeks. Got to the tram, just pay at the gate.
Review by: John C, June 2016
Brilliant - I can't stand heights but it was still brilliant. Bit daft you have to pay to park your car when you are paying not cheap to go up and down in the Tramway.
Review by: Angela G, June 2016
The kids and I have been up before, but now they are adults and they were much more impressed with it now than they were as children. The value for the dollar was perfect and there was friendly service and no crowding at the tope. Please indicate that there is a 5 parking fee. Although it was not huge, it would have been nice to know ahead of time because we do not always carry cash.
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