visit indian wells

Indian Wells

Nestled in a cove of the Santa Rosa Mountains, the city of Indian Wells, California, blossoms with palm trees, gardens and lush, breathtaking scenery in all directions and features some of Greater Palm Springs’ most  luxurious resorts  offering world-class  dining ,  spas  and  meeting facilities —yet is just a 20-minute drive from the Palm Springs International Airport.

World-class cultural and sporting events and attractions, including BNP Paribas Open , which brings the best tennis players in the world to the city each year. 36 holes of championship golf invite visitors to tee off where the likes of Arnold Palmer and President Dwight D. Eisenhower once played. And with its unmatched collection of spectacular  accommodations  and  pampering spas , the options for finding your own oasis are as endless as the city’s pristine views and blue skies.

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Restaurants & nightlife, relaxation & wellness, the ultimate family friendly vacation in indian wells.

In Indian Wells, breathtaking mountain views, towering palm trees and beautiful, lush grounds combine with challenging yet playable courses to create a truly remarkable golf experience.

When it comes to tennis in Greater Palm Springs, nothing compares to Indian Wells. Welcome to "Tennis Paradise".

Plan Your 2024 Meeting in Indian Wells

Relax, replenish, and rejuvenate in indian wells, 6 reasons to meet in indian wells, your guide to golf in indian wells, say "i do" in indian wells, what will you find, #findyouroasis, discover everything, greater palm springs has to offer.

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Things to Do in Indian Wells, CA - Indian Wells Attractions

Things to do in indian wells, tours near indian wells.

Joshua Tree National Park Air-Conditioned Tour

Joshua Tree Open Air Hummer Adventure

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Admission Ticket

Joshua Tree National Park Offroad Tour

Joshua Tree National Park Driving Tour

San Andreas Fault Offroad Tour

San Andreas Fault Jeep Tour from Palm Desert

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The Legends & Icons Tour of Palm Springs

Palm Springs Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

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Top Things to Do in Indian Wells, CA - Indian Wells Must-See Attractions

Things to do in indian wells, tours near indian wells.

Joshua Tree National Park Air-Conditioned Tour

Joshua Tree Open Air Hummer Adventure

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Admission Ticket

Joshua Tree National Park Offroad Tour

Joshua Tree National Park Driving Tour

San Andreas Fault Offroad Tour

San Andreas Fault Jeep Tour from Palm Desert

Palm Springs Drag Brunch

The Legends & Icons Tour of Palm Springs

Palm Springs Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

Top attractions in indian wells.

Other Top Attractions around Indian Wells

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Shop and stroll along El Paseo. (Photo: Alamy)

Insider’s Guide to Hidden Gems in Indian Wells and Beyond

As the playground of celebrities and presidents, Indian Wells and its surrounds have larger-than-life attractions — world-famous golf courses, the Indian Wells Tennis Garden and the high-altitude Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. But there are also unexpected pleasures that often fly under the radar.

The Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Indian Wells is ideally positioned within easy reach of the major attractions — and the hidden gems — that make Greater Palm Springs a joy to visit.

Whether you’re looking for classic activities, such as a midcentury architecture tour — Palm Springs has the world’s largest concentration of this style — or off-the-grid locals’ favorites to experience the desert’s inner personality, your Renaissance hotel Navigator, a modern take on the traditional concierge, can steer you in the right, and oh, so rewarding, unique direction.

The El Paseo shopping district in Palm Desert is an art lover’s mecca. Dotted with bold, colorful public art, the avenue is home to dozens of galleries featuring works in all mediums by artists ranging from renowned local talent to Picasso and old Masters.

CODA Gallery , midway along El Paseo, sports a cheerful vibe to match its vibrant collection of paintings, photography, sculpture and glass by emerging and established artists. You’ll find works here by several artists who designed the public installations.

Consider ending your art sojourn with a stroll along the landscaped paths of the Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden at the Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert . It’s at El Paseo’s north end, with four acres of significant works by modern masters. Admission is free. A free one-hour tour is given at 11 a.m. every Wednesday.

French Flair

Find authentic French cuisine at reasonable prices at the French Corner Café in Palm Desert. This local treasure serves it all — breakfast, lunch and dinner — from crepes to croques-monsieur (and madame), cassoulet to steak au poivre, coq au vin to filet of sole and more.

Plus it houses a bakery with house-made macarons and other heavenly pastries and pain frais (fresh bread). Don’t be surprised if your server is one of the French owners.

A Blast from the Past

Tucked into the same spot in Palm Desert since 1957, Keedy’s Fountain & Grill is a time warp back to the ’50s, with Formica counters, delicious pancakes and burgers, and a real soda fountain serving milkshakes and even cherry Cokes.

When romance is on the menu, dining under the twinkly lights on the patio at the Lavender Bistro La Quinta is pure magic. With soft live music, fine wines, Scottish salmon, rack of lamb, lobster tail and other sophisticated fare, this will be a night you’ll remember.

Resale Heaven

Escada. Pucci. Chanel. For pennies on the dollar? You bet! Marga’s Repeat Boutique in Palm Desert has stylish new and gently used designer and upscale women’s apparel, shoes, handbags, accessories and jewelry.

If you prefer vintage finds for men and women, Mitchells Palm Springs features a curated collection of new and vintage designer apparel, jewelry and killer retro sunglasses including original Porsche aviators. His Emilio Pucci dresses are to die for.

Star Struck

Not many community libraries have an observatory and full-time astronomer, but the Rancho Mirage Library has gone where no library has gone before.

Opened in spring 2018, the Rancho Mirage Observatory allows visitors to explore the night sky and interstellar space through a 27-inch PlaneWave CDK telescope. Check the website for nighttime star parties and talks. Daytime observatory tours are Monday to Friday.

Get Outdoors

The Coachella Valley is the only spot in North America where you can experience a true oasis, where cool waters bubble from the desert beneath the shade of California fan palms. The Coachella Valley Nature Preserve offers an opportunity to explore this phenomenon on your own, or on naturalist-led hikes (no reservations needed) into the Thousand Palm Oasis.

For a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of the desert landscape, drive up Highway 75 to Coachella Valley Vista Point , about five miles into the Santa Rosa Mountains. You’ll enjoy a panorama across the entire valley, the San Jacinto and San Gorgonio mountains, and on a really clear day, the Salton Sea sparkling 40 miles away. Entry is free. Parking is plentiful, and you’ll often have the views all to yourself.

Sip a Cocktail

At happy hour — and really, any hour — cocktails are a way of life in the desert.

The Nest , just down the street from the Renaissance Esmeralda, has been a favorite hangout for decades, and not just with locals. You may even see a celebrity or two. Sit at the bar or a high-top table, soak up the scene and dance the night away.

Looking for lowbrow? Head to The Hood in Palm Desert. It’s a great little dive bar (on purpose) with live music, pool and delicious pizza.

Bernie’s Lounge and Supper Club in Rancho Mirage offers casually sophisticated cocktail camaraderie and cool jazz combos. Regulars include local interior designers and once, Lady Gaga.

For spectacular sunsets over the Coachella Valley, clink your glasses at La Quinta Cliffhouse Grill & Bar . Sit outside at the bar — it’s carved into an actual cliff!

Part the velvet curtain and enter the dark and sultry Libation Room in Palm Desert. It’s a modern speakeasy with a classic 1920s twist. Dress the part — or not. Lounge, sip expertly crafted cocktails, and groove to the resident DJ.

Discover genuine local experiences at our 160+ hotels worldwide by visiting RenHotels.com .

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How to Plan a Trip to California’s Indian Wells Tennis Tournament

When my mom and I were planning a trip to Indian Wells, one of the major tennis tournaments, a couple years back, I had so many questions. What sessions should we buy? Where should we stay? And how many days on site is enough? This is California, after all; we’ll likely want to see more of the Palm Springs area beyond tennis, right?

This post was last updated in March 2024.

Though Indian Wells is not one of the four grand slams, it’s one of the biggest master events—the fifth-most attended tournament after the slams whose gardens boast the second-largest permanent tennis stadium in the world after Arthur Ashe in New York—and all your favorite pro tennis players will be there assuming they aren’t sidelined with an injury. In fact, it’s a mandatory WTA 1000 and ATP Masters 1000 event, and the player field includes the top 75 male and female players in the world, as well as wild cards and qualifiers. It’s also in a stunning setting referred to as “the Garden,” sheltered between desert and mountains.

I took copious notes during our five days at BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells in hopes it’s easier for you to plan your own trip to one of the most prestigious tournaments in pro tennis. Even if you’re a fair-weather fan, you’ll love this event, I promise you.

How to get to Indian Wells

First things first: How do you even get to Indian Wells? Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) is just 15 miles west of the tennis garden and services many direct flights a day. I’ve flown into Palm Springs via Dallas on American Airlines, and I’ve also flown direct from Nashville to Palm Springs on Allegiant Airlines . You can also fly into any of the LA-area airports like LAX, rent a car and drive the two hours to the desert. In our case, it was cheaper to fly into Palm Springs.

You will need a rental car when you arrive, especially for getting out to and around Indian Wells. The desert area of Southern California is very spread out, and while ride-sharing does exist out there, it’s not the most reliable mode of transportation in the area. On my last two visits to Palm Springs—March of the two past years—I’ve rented a car and only taken an Uber if parking was going to be an issue.

Also worth noting is the Indian Wells tennis tournament falls during prime Spring Break season, so you’ll also be competing with families looking for a little late-winter sun. In other words, book your rental car ASAP, a lesson we learned the hard way two years ago and couldn’t find a single vehicle for rent when I looked two to three weeks out.

Where to stay for Indian Wells

The Greater Palm Springs area spans nine cities—Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio and Coachella—so it can be hard to figure out where to stay for Indian Wells. If I were going to the area simply to enjoy the food, dining and art, I would absolutely stay in Palm Springs as we did two years ago.

However, traveling to Palm Springs for tennis is a different ball game. If you’re a mega-fan and plan to be on site from start time till well after dark each day, you’ll want to stay as close to the grounds as possible: in Indian Wells, Rancho Mirage or Indio. For our own Indian Wells experience last year, Mom and I booked a vacation rental in Cathedral City with a pool. It was great to kick it by the pool each morning before heading to the tennis center grounds each afternoon.

That 25-minute drive to and from Indian Wells, plus parking then walking to the courts, at the start and finish of each day got old quickly, though. If we were to do it again, I’d book much further out and snag a rental house in Indian Wells instead. It’s a good strategy for groups, too; if some individuals don’t want to stay as long as you do, they can easily Uber or Lyft back to your hotel or rental.

Hotels and rental houses can be pricey during the BNP Paribas Open, and we booked our rental about six months before when inventory was still high. Here are a few hotels in Indian Wells and rentals near the tennis garden where you might start with your lodging search:

• Sands Hotel
• Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa
• Indian Wells Resort Hotel
• Miramonte Indian Wells Resort & Spa
• Desert Retreat 3BR House
• Marriott’s Desert Springs Villas II
• Dakota Trail Escape 4BR House

How to pick seats at Indian Wells

By far the most annoying thing about Indian Wells was hacking the ticketing system. There are so many options, and while I’ve been to tennis Grand Slams, seating for every tennis tournament is different. When I first booked our seats at Indian Wells, I had no idea what sessions to book and whether I needed seats or not—and wound up wasting a lot of money. Hopefully, my errors helps others in the same situation. The short of it is: If you plan to watch the center court matches, you’ll need to book seats.

Grounds passes at Indian Wells

Grounds passes (from $30 to $60 a day) are available for day sessions only and will allow you to stay at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden for the evening sessions, as well. Grounds passes do give you access to non-reserved seating for Stadiums 2 through 9 the entire day; that said, a good majority of night sessions take place on Court 1 so only having a grounds pass is not the best option if you want to see night matches.

Stadium 2 is included in the day session as well as the night session and many of the big players who aren’t assigned the main stadium will play their matches there. The only issue we found is that a lot of Stadium 2 is reserved, so seats can be tough to come by during big matches and on the opposite side of the stadium from the entrance. Also, this court is half-shaded and half-direct sun in the height of afternoon, which can not only be brutally hot but also tough conditions for watching a match.

Access to the main court at Indian Wells

If you want access to the matches at the main court, Stadium 1, day or night, you must purchase a separate ticket, which is attached to a seat. We didn’t realize this in advance and found ourselves buying night tickets each day to ensure we saw the big matches.

Stadium 1 prices range dramatically from $57 into the thousands. On average, I’d say we spent around $175 per person for seats every time we booked a Stadium 1 ticket. This was often on top of what we had already spent for day session passes. A few times we sat in nosebleeds, and two nights we sprung for the lower bowl. The 400 levels are  so  high, it’s incredibly hard to follow the match, so I’d say if you’re going to spend the money, do so when you can get tickets in a 100 or 200 section.

Since they scan your tickets via the BNP Paribas app to get into Stadium 1, you will only be able to access the section for which you bought your ticket. In other words, no seat-creeping to move up to a vacant section.

For Stadium 1, there’s a Daily Double option where you can reserve the same seat for the entire day; this is the more economical option now that I realize how much extra we spent to see matches at Stadium 1 after already purchasing day grounds passes. Next time we go, I’ll go this route on the days when all of our favorite players are scheduled for the main court.

My biggest tip for booking tickets is to wait until the week you’re attending—even day of in some cases—so you know what matches you’ll want to see. We made a classic rookie move and booked all our tickets months out being afraid sessions would sell out, then wasted so much money on tickets we didn’t use once we arrived to the garden and realized we needed a separate ticket for some matches. We wound up springing for several nighttime sessions because my mom is tennis’ number one fan and wanted to see many of her favorites take the court.

Luckily, we were able to buy tickets day of on the app. We also stopped in the box office to buy some tickets in person, but that was a much lengthier experience. When possible, I recommend buying tickets through the app.

Tennis is not a spectator sport for the budget traveler; that said, if you don’t care about seeing the biggest names in tennis, you can get away with just purchasing single day sessions and it will be much more affordable.

The food and drink at Indian Wells

We ate many meals on-site at the tennis garden, and they were fine, nothing impressive but they did the trick when we didn’t want to leave between matches. The lines were often long, and if you want to get into any of the handful of seated restaurants like Nobu, you need to get there early as they don’t do reservations, only walk-ins.

We also had quite a few drinks, which were limited to frozen margaritas and a limited selection of domestic beers. That said, if you go to the center of the garden, you’ll be able to buy more cocktails from whatever tournament sponsors have activations that year.

When is the best time to attend Indian Wells?

This is all personal opinion. Like any tennis tournament, I prefer attending right in the middle. We got into Palm Springs on a Saturday at the end of the first week and went to Indian Wells every day but one from Saturday through Wednesday and, as a result, saw second, third and fourth round matches for men’s and women’s, both singles and doubles.

While seeing the semifinals or finals would be awesome, my mom and I both agree that we love attending a tennis tournament right smack in the middle due to the sheer number of matches we get to see and the fact that we have a better chance of seeing all our favorites play.

Other things to know about attending Indian Wells

There’s a clear bag policy for larger bags . Like most sporting events, Indian Wells requires the use of clear bags . Since the weather changes dramatically in the desert and you likely will need a light jacket after the sun sets, I recommend buying a clear plastic backpack that’s the maximum size (12” x 6” x 12”) to use as a day bag for your time at the tennis tournament. You can also bring in a purse (does not have to be clear) so long as it isn’t larger than 4.5″ by 6.5”.

Bring a hat or visor and sunscreen . No big surprise, but the sun in the desert is brutal. Even when the temperatures hover in 70, the direct sunlight beating down on you is court side. Be sure you put some sort of hat in your bag, lather up on sunscreen and plan on a touch-up every few hours.

Bring in your own water . The refreshment lines at Indian Wells were long, and it was rare we didn’t have to wait 10 minutes or more just to get water. Had I known you could bring in your own canister, I would have packed my S’well (and also cut back on single-use plastic in the process).

The grounds open at 10am every day . While the matches don’t start until 11am—and often, there weren’t any we wanted to see until 2 or 3—it was nicer being there early in the day when crowds were fewer and parking lots not as packed.

Make sure your phone is charged before you arrive . Everything at Indian Wells—tickets, food and drink sales, merch—is cashless. Because the service is so bad in the desert, this will very quickly drain your phone battery, and you’ll need your phone to check the app for updated match times, as well as to scan in and out. A few times, my phone died entirely and there’s virtually nowhere to charge it inside the grounds, so I’d recommend also packing a portable external charger in your purse or day bag.

Note where you parked . Be sure and drop a pin on your phone reminding you where you parked. The parking lot is massive, and it all looks the same (because, well, desert!). Make a note before you go in the grounds and take a photo of it to help as a visual reminder. And then also write it down in case your phone does die!

Would I go back to Indian Wells?

Absolutely. This was such a fun tennis tournament in the most magical setting. We got to see so many of our favorite players take the court—Coco Gauff, Emma Raducanu, Taylor Fritz, Rafael Nadal, Shelby Rogers, Jenson Brooksby, Maria Sakkari, Paula Badosa, Jack Sock, Caty McAnally, the list goes on—and I’ve rarely seen my mom happier. I’m hoping we can make a repeat trip to the Indian Wells tennis tournament in the years to come.

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this was the best source i have seen about a trip to indian wells so far. thank you so much!

I’m so glad to hear it, Mel! My mom and I were super confused when it game to day vs. night sessions and general grounds passes, so glad we could share some insight we learned through the experience!

Thank you this resource and id agree…but do get grounds passes a couple weekscearly as ‘day of’ this year were either in the $200 range EACH, or sold out. Stadiums 1 & 2 prices started at $250+ often

Getting there early 💯 agree…and DO get a clear bag for entry!

Oooh that’s good to know! I’ve watched nearly every match online over the past week, and it’s baffling to me how empty the stands are for the day matches (in the quarters and beyond) but maybe that’s because you have to buy a separate ticket to get into the main court.

Great review and helpful thank you !

Thank you so much for this! It was very helpful

I’m so glad! Hope you’re getting to go this year.

Very helpful information. I’m so excited to go for the first time in just a few weeks!

Lucky duck! I wish I were doing Indian Wells again this year; however, we are doing the Cincy tournament in August (Western & Southern Open), and I’m very excited about that one, as well!

this was so helpful!! i’m taking my momma this year too!

Have the best time, Angel! Mom and I will be watching from home and wishing we were there, too.

Hi! Can you explain how Stadium 2 tickets work? Is a Stadium 2 reserved seat hood for the entire day? Or do you have to purchase a reserved seat for Stadium 2 evening session if you want to watch your favorites that are scheduled to play at or after 6pm. I’m trying to watch both Coco and Tiafoe tomorrow evening. I appreciate your guidance and help. Thanks in advance!

Yes! I’m fairly sure a reserved Stadium 2 seat is for the entire day. Personally, I wouldn’t buy a Stadium 2 ticket just for the reserved seat, as both the Grounds Pass and the Stadium 1 pass includes access to Stadiums 2-9. So really, you’d only need to buy that Stadium 2 if you were dead-set on having an assigned seat, but there was no problem finding seating in that one for any of the big matches, so I wouldn’t recommend paying separate for a reserved seat there.

Hello, Random question maybe but for the finals day of Indian wells tennis final on March 19th, 2023. Is it just one ticket for the entire day that starts with 1pm?

Yes! Just one ticket for Stadium 1 for the finals.

This was so helpful! If you buy a grounds pass can you come and go during the day and evening?

You can buy grounds passes for day sessions only, during which you can come and go; however, they allow you to stick around at night, as well (not sure if you could show up just for the night session and still get in). That said, grounds passes won’t get you into Stadium 1, and a lot of night matches are played on the main court, especially in the later rounds (if you’re going the first week, you’ll probably be fine doing grounds pass as more of the courts are used at night). If you buy admission for Stadium 1 for day or night (or both), that will get you onto all courts for the duration of the session.

Or you can do as we plan to in the future, buy a grounds pass for your first day or two you’re there if you plan to stay multiple days, then wait and buy any Stadium 1 tickets when you know who is playing where (if that’s important to you). There were *plenty* of seats still available day of!

What are the best areas (north, south, east, or west) of the stadiums to either sit in the shade or have the sun to your back in the afternoon?

I’m sorry I forgot to respond to this comment earlier! I found this link, which gives you visuals from each section of the stadiums that might be helpful to you, John:

https://www.eseats.com/sports_tickets/BNP-Paribas-Open-Seating-Guide.html

How far in advance to you recommend booking air bnb/airfaire?? Thanks!

I would book your Airbnb as soon as possible as prices will only go up and availability down! We booked ours in November last time, but I started searching around September. Airfare, you could book now or you could wait until a couple months out. Assuming you’re traveling domestic, flights prices aren’t as dynamic as vacation rentals/hotels are. That said, March also is Spring Break season, so I’d keep that in mind!

Thanks very much – this was super helpful and so well laid out and easy to read!!

I’m glad you found it useful! We went to the Cincy Open (Western & Southern) last month, so I plan to write a guide to that one, as well, for next year. 🙂

That was really helpful. I’m planning to go this 2024 for first time, I think I’d get Stadium 1 reserved seat tickets, since I want to see top players and I’ll be able to access to other Stadiums as well. So, for Stadium 1, you think I can get still good seats if I buy it like in same week? And which zones do you recommend for Stadium 1? Thanks in advance 🙂

Happy to help! I’m so excited for you—it’s a really great tournament.

I think if you’re doing day sessions during week one, you can get good seats for Stadium 1 the week of. The tougher seats to land are obviously championship weekends and the match nights that pit your Top 20 players against each other. But also, a lot of tournament goers who buy the full book of tickets for all sessions often do resale on the ones they choose not to attend, so you could get lucky.

As far as where to seat, that’s a bit of personal preference depending on if you like to be behind player benches, opposite them, or in one of the “end zones”—we went to the Cincy Open in August and sat in a different section every session just to see what we liked (my mom loves to be behind the benches whereas I like to be completely opposite them).

I would aim for the 100 levels if the pricing is within your budget. It’s a very large stadium, and the night we sat in the 400/500 level, I felt a bit of vertigo! I found this link that shows different views based on where you’re sitting that should give you a better perspective on the stadium:

So Helpful! Wondering which hotel to choose to stay at Tommy Bahama resort or Indian Wells Resort. It’s me, wife, and two 14 year olds (getting two rooms or a suite). This site is awesome BTW

Thank you so much! Having not stayed at either resort, I’d go for whichever one suits your budget the best and/or has better offerings for your teens. Based on Google reviews, it looks like Tommy Bahama has slightly higher user ratings, but both are so close to the Garden that I don’t think you can go wrong. Enjoy your time there!

Wow, this is so helpful. Thinking of taking my elderly parents, who like tennis but really only know the top players that everyone has heard of. What tickets would you suggest for that? Do they usually play at night? Also, is it possible to drop them off near the entrance and then I go find parking? Thank you!

I think the general session passes for right in the middle of the tournament (R3 or R4) would be perfect for them, so first weekend and into early the second week of play. At that point, the pool is narrowed down, but you still have a steady play throughout each day of matches on various courts. By the time it’s quarters, semis and finals, most of the matches are on the main court (so fewer matches to see), and what I love about tournaments like these is the ability to see so many different players on various courts.

I would do a Stadium 1 ticket for whatever sessions you want to go to, because that gives you access to all the courts, 1-9. Personally, I’m a fan of the day sessions, but it depends on how they do in heat.

And don’t forget doubles! I’ve loved seeing some of the top tennis players in the world play a tiny court with just 10 rows of seating or so.

From what I recall, the Uber/Lyft drop-off point is pretty close to the courts, so I would think you could drop them off there when you park. This link also has more accessibility information about the tournament that might be helpful:

https://bnpparibasopen.com/plan-your-visit/faqs

What is the policy on bringing cameras and lens?

I didn’t bring one on this trip (just used my iPhone), but saw plenty of non-media with DSLRs and mirrorless models. Here’s what the site says:

Cameras (without a flash) may be used to capture photos/videos for personal and private domestic use. Videos and photographs may not be reproduced, cannot be exploited or displayed in any manner or in any medium whatsoever without the express written consent of the ATP, WTA or the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

Just a heads up. I have attended this tournament for years and always brought a fairly high end camera with 100-500mm zoom lens. I loved shooting photos for personal use. This year as I entered the tournament gate the security detail said I could not bring in the “professional” camera equipment with the telephoto lens. Even the stated policy for the tournament says cameras are fine as long as no flash, the security folks ejected me. So be aware, don’t bring a big telephoto lens to the tournament.

That’s good to know! I only took my point-and-shoot last time, but there were definitely plenty of spectators with long lenses. They need to update their website policy if they’re going to change that! Thanks for letting everyone know, Dean.

This was very helpful, thank you for sharing! Just to make sure I understand before I buy tickets…if I buy a Stadium 1 ticket for night matches, do I have to also buy a grounds pass if I want to go earlier in the day for the other courts?

Correct: Day and Night are treated as separate sessions so you would need a ticket for both (e.g. grounds pass for day, Stadium 1 ticket for night).

Indian Wells does offer a Daily Double ticket where you can purchase for the entire day, but all the dates I checked didn’t seem to have availability. Worth looking at for your dates just in case, though. Enjoy!

Thank you for confirming. One more question…do you have any sense for if the grounds pass tickets sell out in advance?

I don’t recall them being sold out any of the five days we attended. Because they don’t guarantee you a seat in specific stadiums, it seems they have a much larger inventory of grounds passes than anything.

Thanks for these tips! Very helpful as I’ll be there next month 🙂

Jealous! I wish I were going back this year, but am very happy for you!

I’m so excited to read this blog post! I’ve been wanting to plan a trip to the Indian Wells Tennis Tournament for years, and now I have all the information I need to make it happen. Thanks for sharing!

Excited for you. It’s definitely a fun one!

Thanks Kristin. My wife and I are going back again this year for the second time. Your info and advice is spot on! It’s easy to overspend on seats, which is what we did the first time. Wish I knew now what I didn’t know then 😛

So true! We’re about to do Roland-Garros for the first time, and I’m nervous about the ticketing process having never done it. It’s much easier the second time you go back to a tournament knowing what you need to book in advance and what you can plan on the fly!

Thanks Kristin. One more question, is the general parking lot free?

Looks like parking is free now:

General Parking is free and available in the General Lot accessed via Miles Avenue.

https://bnpparibasopen.com/visit/getting-here

If you’re staying nearby, I would consider doing Uber or Lyft as the walk to the parking lots was quite long!

Plan as early as possible if you want lodging. I like to go during early rounds. The ticket prices are less ($30 and up). You can easily get a seat in the stadiums and watch the players up close at the practice courts. I save my appetites for many of the great restaurants. I usually go to palm desert. It really is a tennis paradise

I’ve been surprised how empty the stadiums are on these early rounds!

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Top Things to Do in Indian Wells, CA

Places to visit in indian wells, tours near indian wells.

Joshua Tree National Park Air-Conditioned Tour

Joshua Tree Open Air Hummer Adventure

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Admission Ticket

Joshua Tree National Park Offroad Tour

Joshua Tree National Park Driving Tour

San Andreas Fault Offroad Tour

San Andreas Fault Jeep Tour from Palm Desert

Palm Springs Drag Brunch

The Legends & Icons Tour of Palm Springs

Palm Springs Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

Top attractions in indian wells.

Other Top Attractions around Indian Wells

What travellers are saying

The Best Time to Visit Indian Wells, CA, US for Weather, Safety, & Tourism

The best times to visit Indian Wells for ideal weather are

February 5th to April 29th

October 22nd to december 9th.

based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.

Indian Wells Travel Guide

Temperature.

• Perceived Temperature
• Rain and snow
• Humidity and wind
• The busiest and least popular months
• Overall travel experience by time of year

Other Indian Wells Travel Info

Weather in indian wells.

Average temperatures in Indian Wells vary drastically. Considering humidity, temperatures feel hot for about half of the year and otherwise nice with a very low chance of precipitation throughout the year. The area is somewhat temperate — in the 55th percentile for pleasant weather — compared to tourist destinations worldwide. Weeks with ideal weather are listed above . If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Indian Wells, the hottest months are July, August, and then September. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally mid August where highs are regularly around 109.6°F (43.1°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 80.4°F (26.9°C) at night.

Indian Wells Temperatures (Fahrenheit)

Indian wells temperatures (celsius), “feels-like” temperatures.

The way we experience weather isn’t all about temperature. Higher temperatures affect us much more at higher humidity, and colder temperatures feel piercing with high winds. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person.

Indian Wells Perceived Temperature (F)

Indian wells perceived temperature (c), average indian wells temperatures by month.

Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. A significantly lower mean and low generally just means it gets colder at night.

Show Fahrenheit

Show celsius, precipitation (rain or snow).

If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Indian Wells are June, May, and then April. Note that we define “significant precipitation” as .1 inches or more in this section. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around early March. For example, on the week of March 5th there are no days of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in late January with an average of 1 days of significant precipitation the week of January 22nd.

Chance of Precipitation

The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in Indian Wells.

Snow on the Ground

The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in Indian Wells (in).

Average Rain and Snow by Month

Show inches, show centimeters, humidity and wind.

Indian Wells has no months that would be considered humid, with some very dry months. The least humid month is June (13.9% relative humidity), and the most humid month is December (30.2%).

Wind in Indian Wells is usually calm . The windiest month is May, followed by June and April. May’s average wind speed of around 7.4 knots (8.5 MPH or 13.7 KPH) is considered “a gentle breeze.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in late May where average top sustained speeds reach 18.8 knots, which is considered a fresh breeze.

Relative Humidity (%)

The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in Indian Wells.

The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots.

Average Wind Speeds

Show wind speeds.

All wind speeds are in knots. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH.

Show Relative Humidity by Month

Is it safe to travel to indian wells.

Our best data indicates this area is generally safe. As of Dec 04, 2023 there are no travel advisories or warnings for the United States; exercise normal security precautions. Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories . This advisory was last updated on Dec 04, 2023.

The Busiest and Least Crowded Months

The busiest month for tourism in Indian Wells, CA, US is August, followed by June and May. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. Tourists are unlikely to visit Indian Wells in November. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.

Estimated Tourism by Month

Most popular months to visit, overall indian wells travel experience by season, spring (march through may).

Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel warm. Highs range from 100.4°F (38°C) and 75.9°F (24.4°C) with warmer temperatures in the later months. Rain is nonexistent with roughly 0 days of significant precipitation per month. Spring is the second busiest for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for things to do.

Summer (June through August)

The middle-year months have hot weather with high temperatures that are extremely hot. These months see moderate precipitation with 0 to 1 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the busiest season for tourism in Indian Wells, so lodging and other accommodations may cost more than usual.

Fall (September through November)

Fall daily highs range from 105.9°F (41.1°C) and 74.2°F (23.4°C), which will feel very nice given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a barely noticeable amount: 0 to 1 days per month. Tourism is the slowest during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be affordably priced.

Winter (December through February)

Weather is somewhat cool this time of year in Indian Wells to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 76.7°F (24.8°C) and 66.8°F (19.3°C). On average, it rains or snows a smalll amount: 1 to 2 times per month. These times of year are fairly slow with tourists.

Best Times to Travel › the United States › Indian Wells, CA, US

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Meet The 2024 Champions

• Get Involved
• Manage Tickets
• Partnership Opportunities

Memberships

Tennis programs.

• Special Events
• BNP Paribas Open

Nobu Indian Wells

• Tennis Calendar
• Adult Programs
• Junior Programs
• Fitness Center
• Game Arranging
• Universal Tennis (UTR)
• Sensei Porcupine Creek Tennis

Home of the BNP Paribas Open

Located 15 miles southeast of palm springs in the resort community of indian wells, ca..

It is one of the world’s most revered and critically-acclaimed sports and entertainment venues. The state-of-the-art facility is a year-round tennis club that is open to the public, and also plays host to incredible live music performances and diverse sporting events – including the world’s largest combined men’s and women’s tennis tournament – the BNP Paribas Open.

Tennis Club

Indian Wells’ Players Course a waste of taxpayer money

The planned redesign of the Players Course at the Indian Wells Golf Resort is unnecessary and a total waste of taxpayer money. The Player’s Course is currently rated in the top 30 public courses in the U.S. to play by Golfweek Magazine. Remember the old adage, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.  One big concern is that the course will be downgraded because of shortening of the course. In a recent article, The Desert Sun stated one of the reasons for the redesign was due to the need to return the property to the Renaissance Hotel, where holes 17 and 18 are located. That information was inaccurate. The city holds a perpetual easement on the property and cannot be forced to sell or return the property. The redesign is motivated by the city manager, reasons for which nobody knows other than to deplete the city’s reserves as he did when he was city manager of West Covina. The estimated cost by the designer John Fought is $9.8 million, money that could be spent on more important projects, such as senior housing. Other estimates obtained by TROON, the manager of the golf course, were $11 to $13 million.

Douglas H. Hanson, Indian Wells

Palm Springs needs wind tunnels, not bridges  

Has it finally sunk in? Building bridges on Indian Canyon Drive and Gene Autry Trail will not solve the problem! Yes – we will be able to cross the valley when the water flows; but not when the wind blows! As architecturally unsound as it might appear – tunnels on top of the bridges are needed. This practice is used in many parts of the world to keep snow from closing railroads during the winter. If we spend the money to build these two bridges and do nothing about the sand – we will have wasted a lot of money. It is entirely possible to go an entire winter without any water flowing; but the wind always blows. Include tunnels in the plans now. Waiting will not solve the wind problem and will increase the costs in the future. Solve the problem!

Richard Clapp, Cathedral City

Dealing with the dust

La Quinta and other cities east of Cathedral City have been getting more dust than usual this year due to silts put down from Tropical Storm Hilary, I hope that Cathedral City and Palm Springs will spray sealants on the dusty areas in their cities and the Whitewater channel so that those of us in the east valley can breathe clear air again.

Dori Quill, La Quinta

Saudi Crown Prince sponsoring BNP?

So now the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud or The Public Investment Fund is a Platinum Sponsor of our beloved BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament and the ATP? How sad.

L.G. Peters, La Quinta

Coachella’s new housing development? A waste of money

Congratulations to the new residents of the 56-unit, $44.2 million Placita Dolores Huerta affordable housing development in Coachella. Hopefully, they're thrilled with their new digs since that works out to $789,000 per unit! To put that in perspective, in the last 12 months, 49 three-bedroom single-family homes sold in Coachella for an average cost of $386,000 each or a total of $18.9 million. In other words, they could have purchased each and every three-bedroom house that sold last year in Coachella for less than half the total price of this project. And have about $25 million left over for the next project. 

Bill Clawson, Palm Desert

Let’s lose the excess tipping culture

Restaurant workers are finally making a good, living wage in this state but I believe they should be prepared to lose our tipping culture. With the high cost of food and wage increases, business owners are passing the increase in costs onto the consumer. In the UK, because of these same high costs, tipping is neither expected or done. The U.S. will undoubtedly have to follow this same pattern in order to continue patronizing local businesses. It is either that or quit eating out and this is the lesser of two evils.

Patricia Mobley, Palm Desert

Congrats, Amistad High School investment club

Amistad High School had a remarkable year of fun and success in their investment club. Under the direction of myself and Gregory Kraus, teams were created to compete in “The Stock Market Game.” Students who participated not only became well-versed in the art of investing but also learned about financial topics and the importance of research. The yearlong competition culminated with Amistad Investment Club earning first place in the San Diego Region.

Brent Knigge, Indio