Sacred Geothermal Waters: The Spa at Séc-he (Downtown), Agua Caliente Museum & Desert Hot Springs

Why is Palm Springs called Palm Springs? In the centre of Downtown, at Indian Canyon Drive and Tahquitz Canyon Way, an underground fault forces 12,000-year-old, 40°C (105°F) geothermal mineral water to the surface. Known to the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians as Séc-he ('The Sound of Boiling Water'), this sacred spring is the spiritual birthplace of the city, and following a major redevelopment opened in 2023 and 2024, visitors can experience both the museum and the healing waters (also see the tribe's palm groves at Indian Canyons).

1. Downtown: 'The Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza & The Spa at Séc-he'

1. The Agua Caliente Cultural Museum & Free Outdoor 'Oasis Trail' (140 N Indian Canyon Dr): inspired by coiled Cahuilla basketry and desert canyons, the 48,000-square-foot museum (check admission on the official website) presents a 360-degree animation of the Cahuilla creation story, ancient pottery and basketry, and how the all-female 1950s Tribal Council fought to the US Supreme Court to protect their land. Outside, stroll the free landscaped Oasis Trail, mimicking the boulder pools of Tahquitz Canyon.
2. The Spa at Séc-he (200 E Tahquitz Canyon Way): beside the museum, this 73,000-square-foot luxury bathhouse pipes sacred Séc-he mineral water into 22 private sunken mineral soaking tubs.
   • 'Taking of the Waters' Day Pass vs Treatment: guests booking a treatment or a Full-Day 'Taking of the Waters' Pass receive a 15-Minute Mineral Bath Soak in a private room (filled fresh from the spring) plus all-day access to the palm-fringed resort pool, zero-gravity chairs, halotherapy salt caves, menthol sauna and eucalyptus steam rooms.

2. Fifteen Minutes North: 'Desert Hot Springs' Mineral Pool Resorts

To soak in large outdoor hot-mineral swimming pools on a day pass overlooking the Coachella Valley, drive 15 minutes north across I-10 into Desert Hot Springs. Here, odourless, sulphur-free hot mineral water feeds historic Two Bunch Palms (an adults-only wellness retreat famous since Al Capone's 1930s hideout days, with teak tubs under tamarisk trees), modern Azure Palm Hot Springs Resort & Day Spa Oasis (home to Southern California's largest outdoor mineral pool), and boutique El Morocco Inn or Good House.