For many Palm Springs California conjures up glamorous poolside cocktail parties at gorgeous mid-century modern homes, for others, it conjures up images of the leisurely day of golf followed by an Arnold Palmer, they were invented here after all. This quintessential desert town filled with desert warmth and beauty has been a Hollywood weekend getaway since the 1950s and many current Hollywood stars continue that tradition.
Palm Springs has been really thriving in the past few years – due to a renewed interest in mid-century modern architecture coupled with an influx of top-notch chefs, restaurateurs, and sommeliers who are creating amazing dining experiences.
The best time to visit is from November until April when it’s warm enough to enjoy outdoor activities but not too hot that you think about staying in the air conditioning all day long.
Getting There and Around
Palm Springs is a quick flight or a two-hour drive from LAX. If you’re looking to hike or check out some places outside of town like the Coachella Valley, Salvation Mountain, or Joshua Tree, I recommend renting a car. If you just want to stay in town, there’s Uber and Lyft, and many hotels have bikes, so it’s not a total must.
What to Pack
It’s hot, but the temperature can dip in the evening. Sunscreen is essential, a few hats and sunglasses. A few chic swimsuits, fab cover-ups and cool dresses for dinner. Maybe something chic for a poolside DJ party. California casual for the guys. Pack workout gear if you plan to head out to hike.
Downtown Palm Springs Shopping
Downtown Palm Spring is super walkable and filled with great shops, galleries, and restaurants. Shopping ranges from quirky vintage clothing stores to high-end luxury brands. There are a bunch of stores in the historic part of town near Palm Canyon Drive and Indian Canyon Drives, but you will find many other great shops all over town. If you’re into vintage then you are in luck! Palm Springs has some of the best vintage clothing and second-hand stores around. Check out The Frippery, Mitchells of Palm Spring, Revivals, and Gypsyland. If you are looking for some high-end shopping, El Paseo Drive has gorgeous high-end stores like Dior, Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, and many more lining this famous street. Mid Century furniture can be found in shops like Mid Mod Collective and Modern 50s. You can also find some great antiques at places like Retro Vibes. The Front Porch has an assortment of items that are perfect for any home decorating enthusiast. There are tons of tiny hidden gems off-side streets worth checking out as well.
Golf
Palm Springs is home to the largest concentration of golf courses in the world. There are over a hundred places including public, resort, and private courses and Palm Springs is known for its championship golf and celebrity-designed courses. The most popular places to play are the Palm Springs Golf Club and the El Mirador Hotel. There are also many beautiful courses you can get a glimpse of such as Thunderbird Country Club and Vue sur la Mer. La Quinta Resort is home to PGA West Golf Academy if you are looking to improve your game.
Architecture
Since the 1920s, some of the world’s most cutting-edge architects have fled to the desert to put into action their vision of architecture on a guided or self or tour of many notable homes and buildings.
Palm Springs is kinda a mecca for its mid-century architecture and design. You can book one of the various home tours or go on your own Go on a DIY Palm Springs Door Tour. It’s a great time searching around for all the colors of the rainbow on doors all over town. The most famous Palm Springs architects were Albert Frey, Donald Wexler, William Cody, and E Stewart Williams. If you’re into mid-century modern anything this is the town for you!
Spa
If you’re looking for a little relaxation when visiting Palm Springs, there is plenty of spas and day spas around town like Vdara Day Spa and The Desert Hot Springs Spa. La Quinta, A Waldorf-Astoria Resort is a historic property that has a quintessential palm beach vibe and well-appointed spa. Just the smell of orange blossoms in the air will relax you.
Wine and Dine
SO.PA is the stellar signature restaurant of the newly refurbished L’Horizon Resort & Spa, situated on the edge of Agua Caliente Indian Canyons with all outside seating. It boasts a menu filled with inventive and unexpected dishes. The prawn croquettes and burrata are amazing.
At night you can check out one of the many bars or clubs in downtown Palm Spring. The Ace Hotel & Swim Club has a disco called Pasha that is a great place to dance all night long and weekend poolside DJ’s
The Vintage Park coffee shop is a nice casual spot for coffee (their cappuccinos get really high marks), salads and sandwiches. The Public House is a great spot for craft beers and burgers.
Day Trips and Tours Options
J
oshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park is just under an hour from Palm Springs and is perfect for those who enjoy the outdoors. It’s often photographed Mars-like setting and is a great spot to go rock climbing, mountain biking, or even take a quiet hike with a picnic lunch (but be sure to bring sunscreen and lots of water). It has iconic desert views, but it’s rugged and doesn’t have the same facilities like many other national parks so come prepared. It’s also a popular spot for rock climbers. There are a ton of options whether you like free climbing, highlining, or bouldering. If you need a guide, gear, or a group, there are a bunch of outfitters that can get you the equipment and connect you with a guide or group.
Salvation Mountain.
Salvation Mountain is a super cool 12-acre roadside art installation with bright-colored eclectic art installations featuring messages about love and God which you can climb on and look out over the entire Coachella Valley. While you are there you can also check out the funky Salton Sea, which is the largest lake in California and one of the largest inland seas in the world. It’s cool in a sort of zombie wasteland kind of way.
The Cabazon Dinosaurs are located about half an hour drive from Palm Springs these famous landmarks are known for their size and kitsch factor. The Cabazon shops are also a great place to stop for a bite to eat or some shopping before or after your visit. If you are driving from LA or San Fran this is a stop along the way.
If you are a foodie, Palm Springs has many food tours to try out; Frying Pan Food Tours is a fun walking tour. The Best of The Best tour company overs a few different excursions options including a celebrity sights tour and a Modern house tour.
Crazy Horse Ranch in Morongo Valley is a fun excursion is horseback riding is your thing. I would recommend a morning ride to avoid the mid-afternoon heat.
The Palm Springs Art Museum is a great way to learn about the history of Palm Springs, its architecture, and its design. The best time to go is mid-day to cool off and get out of the desert sun for a few hours.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is a ten-minute journey that travels over two and one-half miles along the spectacular cliffs of Chino Canyon, taking riders (8,516 feet) to Mt. San Jacinto Park. Once you arrive at Mountain Station, you will find restaurants, a museum, and miles of hiking trails to explore. This tram ride truly offers a fun, unique experience. Wear sneakers or hiking shoes and bring a jacket because it can get chilly on top of the mountain.
Old Town Trolley Tours
Old Town Trolley Tours offer a great way to get the lay of the land in town. These tours take visitors around town with commentary provided by locals who give their opinion on what they see along the way. They have two routes that cover different parts of old town Palm Springs. One route takes you through the heart of downtown where there are lots of shops and restaurants. Another tour goes up north past some beautiful houses and gardens before ending back near the center of town.
Where to stay:
If you are one of those people that are looking for a stylish place to stay in a laid-back environment – look no further than Ace Hotel Palm Springs is at the south end of downtown and features an infinity pool with panoramic views of the Sonoran Desert, contemporary rooms, two big pools, a vintage photo booth, and ‘glamping’ tents. It’s also pet-friendly which is a bonus. There’s also a poolside DJ most weekends.
Another great spot is The Parker, a Jonathan Adler designed hotel with beautifully manicured grounds, two saline pools, a fire pit, two restaurants, and a bar. Even if you don’t stay here it’s worth stopping by to check it out, snap a few photos, and enjoy a cocktail at the Mini Bar.
Definitely plan ahead when visiting and make reservations ahead of time. Top spots like Birba, Pink Cabana, Norma’s, and Sandfish Sushi & Whiskey fill up quickly. Many of the best Palm Springs restaurants are connected to top-notch hotels and Counter Reformation is no exception. It’s a super romantic spot with an inventive menu, tucked away in the sprawling Parker Palm Springs.
Sands Hotel & Spa’s Insta-worthy decor is reason enough for a visit, bit the on-site restaurant The Pink Cabana is the perfect spot for an end-of-the-day craft cocktail or a glass of wine. If you stay for dinner you won’t be disappointed as the menu offers a fresh take on Mediterranean cuisine with bold Moroccan flavors.
4 Saints in the newly opened Kimpton Rowan on W. Tahquitz Canyon Way has one of the best brunches around. You can also catch the sunset from the hotel rooftop. It’s definitely worth staying here or stopping by and just checking it out!
Palm Springs is filled with so many great spots, you really can’t go wrong on a weekend here with these recommendations.
