BUDGET

Getting there: Delta offers round-trip rates from $358 to Palm Springs (connection via Salt Lake City) when booked two or more weeks in advance.

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Mark Davidson

The Palm Springs Follies puts on Broadway-like shows with performers ages 55 to 85.

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Del Marco Hotel

Each of the 16 guest rooms at the hip Del Marco Hotel comes with a private patio or balcony.

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Pepper Tree Inn

The Pepper Tree Inn in the Uptown District is a short walk from galleries, restaurants and the casino.

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Stay: Chill out at the Del Marco Hotel in the city’s historic district with high-season rates from $99 a night. This classic and hip hotel, designed in 1947, features just 16 guest rooms, each with a private patio or balcony — all surrounding a cool saltwater pool. It’s located in the shadow of the San Jacinto Mountains and just a block from the center of downtown. 225 W. Baristo Road, 800-676-1214, www.delmarcoshotel.com

Eat: Genuine Thai, seafood and vegetarian dishes are prepared to order at the family-run Peppers Thai. Average entrees are $10.95. 396 N. Palm Canyon Drive, 760-322-1259, peppersthai.com

Experience: Get out of town to the Indian Canyons, three ancient Indian communities that today are gorgeous recreational areas for hiking and spotting wildlife. Visit Tahquitz Canyon to see its 60-foot waterfall (seasonal) and Indian rock art. Canyons admission, with guided hike, is $12.50 adults; $6 children 12 and under. Within walking distance of town at 500 W. Mesquite. 760-416-7044, indian-canyons.com, tahquitzcanyon.com

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MODERATE

Getting there: One-way rates to Los Angeles are $184 on trips completed by May 8 with AirTran. Make the 105-mile drive to Palm Springs in a rental car — preferably a convertible with the top down.

Stay: In the heart of the Uptown District, guest rooms at the casually elegant Pepper Tree Inn are Spanish Colonial adobe-style. Walk to galleries, boutiques, antique shops, restaurants and the town’s casino. A deluxe king-bedded room with fireplace, private terrace and continental breakfast is $199 weekends; $179 weekdays. 622 N. Palm Canyon Drive, 760-318-9850, peppertreepalmsprings.com

Eat: Zin, an American bistro, serves up the classic dishes (buttermilk fried chicken with mashed Yukon Golds, creamy spinach and country gravy for $18) and a fine wine selection. 198 S. Palm Canyon Drive, 760-322-6300, zinamericanbistro.com

Experience: Pack a picnic, hiking shoes and warm clothing and ride the Aerial Tramway on a 2.5-mile, 20-minute ride to the top of Mount San Jacinto — elevation 8,500 feet. More than 50 miles of pristine hiking trails (from 1 mile to 5.5 miles in length) and fab views meet you at the summit. Rent snowshoes ($18) or cross-country skis ($21) in winter. Adult tram prices $22.25; $15.25 children ages 3-12. 888-515-8726, pstramway.com

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SPLURGE

Getting there: Walk-up Business Class rates on Delta into PSP start at $493.

Stay: Get the star treatment in a secluded villa at the lush Parker Palm Springs. The weekend rate of $1,325 (two-night minimum) includes morning coffee, two 60-minute spa treatments at the Palm Springs Yacht Club or on your villa patio, and dinner for two at Mister Parkers, a bistro on the resort’s estate. $750 midweek. 4200 E. Palm Canyon Drive, 760-770-5000, theparkerpalmsprings.com

Eat: Be dazzled at the Riviera Resort & Spa with a pre-dinner cocktail at the swanky Starlite Lounge. Then slip over to dine at the resort’s Circa 59 restaurant. Try the lobster pot pie ($45); other entrees to $47. 1600 N. Indian Canyon Drive, 760-327-8311

Experience: Don’t miss an extravagantly fun evening at The Palm Spring Follies, a flashy Broadway-like show performed by lovely ladies and gents, ages 55 to 85. The new show of the 18th season, “Get Your Kicks,” celebrates Route 66 with music, comedy and dance. Best tickets in the historic theater are $91.95. 128 S. Palm Canyon Drive, 760-327-0225, psfollies.com