Scottsdale and Palm Springs are the two classic desert escapes in the Southwest. Both have sun, golf and pools, and both are warm when most of the country is cold. The differences are in the details: the weather month by month, how you get there, and what a group does between pool days.
Back to the estate| Month | Scottsdale high / low (°F) | Palm Springs high / low (°F) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 68 / 46 | 71 / 48 |
| February | 71 / 49 | 74 / 50 |
| March | 78 / 55 | 81 / 54 |
| April | 86 / 61 | 87 / 59 |
| July | 107 / 85 | 109 / 79 |
| November | 77 / 54 | 79 / 53 |
| December | 66 / 45 | 69 / 46 |
Scottsdale: Arizona State Climate Office, Phoenix normals 1991 to 2020. Palm Springs: NOAA normals for Palm Springs, as published by Visit Palm Springs.
| Scottsdale | Palm Springs | |
|---|---|---|
| Main airport | Phoenix Sky Harbor, about 25 to 30 minutes to Scottsdale (estimate) | Palm Springs International, in town |
| Best for | Groups flying in from many cities | Groups driving from Southern California |
| Big winter events | Phoenix Open, Barrett-Jackson, spring training | Smaller events; the big spring music festivals are in nearby Indio |
| Golf | TPC Scottsdale, Troon North, Grayhawk and more | Many resort courses across the Coachella Valley |
| Hiking | McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Pinnacle Peak | Indian Canyons, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway |
If Scottsdale wins, Paradise Reserve sleeps up to 16 in North Scottsdale. Events and parties are not permitted at the house, and quiet hours apply. For another comparison, see Sedona or Scottsdale.
Slightly. Palm Springs averages about 71°F in January against about 68°F in Scottsdale, and runs a degree or two hotter in summer.
Usually Scottsdale, because Phoenix Sky Harbor serves more cities, and Scottsdale is about 25 to 30 minutes from it by car (estimate).
Scottsdale, with the WM Phoenix Open, Barrett-Jackson and Cactus League spring training between January and March.
Scottsdale weather from the Arizona State Climate Office. Palm Springs weather from Visit Palm Springs, citing NOAA normals. Drive times are estimates.
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Your Home Base
Six bedrooms, a heated pool and spa, pickleball court, golf simulator, and putting green: the perfect retreat after a day exploring Scottsdale.
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