I have visiting Palm Springs for over thirty years. My family owned a second home in Rancho Mirage, where we would go almost every weekend during the months of October – March. Palm Springs feels like home to me, as I spent so much time there growing up. Some of my best memories are learning how to ride a bike in our could-de-sac, driving around in the golf cart before I even had my drivers license, playing tennis at the country club, visiting the animals at the living desert, and of course, many days by the pool.
Now, as an adult, I love escaping for a weekend to visit my home away from home. It is such an easy getaway, being only a 2 hour drive from Los Angeles. I swear, the second I hit the “wind mills” (if you’ve been there you will know) I feel instantly relaxed and at peace.
I know the desert like the back of my hand, however, things are always changing so I like to keep up and try new places every time I visit. Between the endless restaurant and hotel openings, there is always something new to do when I go down there.
This travel guide is a curated compilation of my “most favorite” spots to stay, play, drink and eat in Palm Springs. There is still so much that I could cover, so by no means is this an exhaustive list. I imagine I will keep adding to it after every visit.
HOW THE DESERT IS LAID OUT
What most people do not know about the desert is that it is quite expansive. The term “Palm Springs” has evolved to encompass the entire desert, however, Palm Springs is actually one of many towns in the Coachella Valley. If you are coming from Los Angeles, you will first hit Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, and then finally Indio. The travel time between Palm Springs and Indio (where Coachella is) is actually about 30 minutes.
WHEN TO VISIT
The best time to visit Palm Springs is between January and May, when the daytime temperature reaches the 70s and 80s. During the summer months, the weather can be extremely hot, into the triple digits, but many find that time of year to be perfect for a morning hike or exploring indoor attractions such as galleries, museums, and shops. I personally love the fall as well, as the temperatures are milder during the day, but the nights are still warm enough to eat outside.
GETTING THERE
Palm Springs is about a two-hour drive from Los Angeles. If you choose to fly, Palm Springs International Airport is served by 10 different airlines. There are a few private airports, and Tesla is also now offering Tesloop there (Tesloop is the first service offering city-to-city shared-car transportation in Teslas.)
GETTING AROUND
Once there, it’s easy to explore the downtown Palm Springs area on foot, or you can catch a cab or uber from your hotel if you don’t bring a car. The uber and lyfts are not very easy to come by like they are in a big city, so expect wait times of 15-20 minutes if you’re there any time other than Coachella or Stage Coach.
WHERE TO STAY
Your options are endless in terms of where to stay in Palm Springs. First off, you need to decide if you want to rent an exquisite, private home (the city is known for it’s mid-century architecture) or relax at a hotel with all of the amenities.
There are plenty of boutique hotels to pick from, but The Parker is one of my favorites, with stylish rooms as well as outdoor patios and stand-alone villas. The hotel sits on beautiful grounds laced with footpaths, and features two pools, a fire pit, two restaurants, and a lively bar.
Other hotels to note are The Sands, The Avalon, Colony Palms, Korakia Pensione, and The Ritz Carlton.
WHERE TO EAT & DRINK
The desert is filled with amazing food options – from hip diners to fine dining, there truly is someplace for everyone.
Breakfast: Koffi, Joey, Chi Chi, Cheeky’s, Elmer’s, Wilma & Frida, Peninsula Pastries
Lunch: King’s Highway, The Barn Kitchen, Copley, Farm
Dinner: Birba, Purple Palm, Mr. Lyon’s, Workshop, Jake’s, Las Casuelas Terraza, Rooster & The Pig, Purple Palm
After-Dinner Drinks: Melvyn’s, Bootlegger Tiki, The Nest
WHAT TO DO
I don’t think I have to state the obvious that the first thing you should do in Palm Springs is relax by the pool. But, if you are in the mood for some more activities other than mojitos on the float, check out these fun attractions.
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is super fun to do once… catch a ride in one of the rotating cars up to the Mountain Station to see the best view of the entire desert. At about 8,500 feet, the views from here are breathtaking. If you’re in the mood for a hike, there are over 50 miles of trails easily accessible from the visitor center.
If you are into architecture, embark upon a Palm Springs Modern Tour to check out the city’s midcentury architecture—one of Palm Springs’s main attractions.
If you like flora and fauna, take it all in at Moorten Botanical Garden and Cactarium, where you can walk among the beautiful native plants and cacti that call the low desert home.
Is art your thing? Check out the Palm Springs Art Museum for its modern and contemporary exhibits.
Lastly, whether you have kids or not, the Living Desert Gardens & Zoo is always fun to visit, where you can see an impressive variety of wild animals from giraffe to wallaby’s to cheetah.
I hope you enjoy the desert!
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