Palm Springs is a desert resort city located in Riverside County, California, within the Colorado Desert's Coachella Valley. It serves as the administrative capital of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians reservation, which is the most populated reservation in California. The city covers approximately 94 square miles, making it the largest city in Riverside County by land area. More than 10% of this territory consists of checkerboard-patterned plots belonging to the tribal reservation.

The area was originally settled by the Cahuilla people, who referred to it as Se-Khi, meaning boiling water. Mexican explorers first recorded the existence of Agua Caliente in 1823, and the region became part of the United States in 1848. Early European settlers included Jack Summers, who ran a stagecoach station in 1862. The name Palm Springs appeared on U.S. Topographical Engineers maps in 1853, evolving from earlier names like Palmetto Spring and Big Palm Springs.

The city is noted for its mid-century modern architecture, design elements, and arts scene. It became a fashionable resort in the early twentieth century when health tourists arrived seeking dry heat. The area attracted Hollywood movie stars in the 1930s and 1950s, leading to estate building in neighborhoods like Movie Colony and Tahquitz River Estates. Notable sites include the historic El Mirador resort and various tennis clubs established by celebrities.

Palm Springs offers a wealth of indoor and outdoor activities, including hiking and swimming in sparkling pools. It is a favorite destination for gay travelers and naturist communities. The city features a vibrant cultural scene with numerous museums and entertainment venues. Its microclimate, shielded by Mount San Jacinto, provides comfortable winter conditions that have long drawn visitors seeking relief from colder climates elsewhere.

The population was 44,575 as of the 2020 census, though it triples between November and March due to winter snowbirds, many of whom are Canadian. Palm Springs International Airport provides year-round service to western hubs and seasonal connections to major cities. The city has a hot desert climate with extremely hot summers, where temperatures can reach 121 °F, making the cooler winter months the primary time for visitation.