Palm Springs, the oasis in the desert made famous by the Rat Pack in the 1960’s along with Elvis, Marylin Monroe, and Elizabeth Taylor to name a few. It was the perfect destination to get away from the glitz and glamor of Hollywood and relax in the pool under the desert sun. And being less than two hours from LA (depending on traffic of course) it is still the perfect weekend getaway or side trip to any visit to Los Angeles. The architectural look that made Palm Springs famous is known as mid-century. Single story, open floor plan, with slick lines playing off each other with a massive glass sliding door facing your much-needed pool. The area is still a huge tourism pull for art shows, golf, tennis, or a break from city life. When I first went, I wasn’t too sure what to expect and there weren’t a lot of guides on the city. With new hotels constantly popping up, here are some pointers to get you started.
Stay:
A luxurious hotel with a boutique feel reminding you of Palm Springs mixed with the Beverly Hills Hotel. The hotel was nominated for the 2024 Condé Nast Readers' Choice award. It’s close to the downtown area making it walkable to shops and restaurants. The Colony offers a large pool with a view of palm trees with the San Jacinto mountains in the background. The serene and classic feel of this hotel Palm Springs is one of the reasons to choose this hotel for your stay. According to Google, the average rate is $541 per night.
This 21+ hotel has a unique and playful vibe from the moment you enter. The property features citrus trees and greenery surrounding the pool to make you feel like you're in a hidden oasis. The spacious rooms are one of the unique factors of this hotel. We’ve stayed here twice and one room had a good-sized kitchenette perfect for group gatherings or if you’re staying over multiple days. The other room had a private outdoor shower in the back patio. The location is perfect for a short walk to the main downtown area. In 2024 the Holiday House won the Michelin Key award for top-rated hotels worldwide.
If you are looking for a dog-friendly alternative Kimpton is a great alternative since there is no dog fee. A very different design than the typical mid-century modern architecture that was made famous in Palm Springs. It is a sleek taller structure with three different bars, a rooftop restaurant with live music on the weekends, and boasting the only rooftop pool in Palm Springs. Set up against the rocky San Jacinto Mountain range, the Kimpton is located off the main street. Although not the typical vibe of the area the hotel is right on downtown and offers great dining and cocktails.
Vegan Friendly Bites:
Luckily Palm Springs’ Mexican food options have improved over the last years. No more having to settle for the overhyped Las Casuelas Terraza. Although the address is on Palm Canyon Drive the restaurant is located behind the main street; and offers both indoor and outdoor seating. They have an extensive cocktail selection including many signature drinks along with the classics. The restaurant is not vegan but offers a decent selection of plant-based options. They serve jackfruit enchiladas, vegan tamales, and an oyster mushroom cochinita pibil. You can tell that they took pride in creating their vegan options; unlike many other restaurants where the vegan dishes are not made with the same love as the meat options. I have tried all of the vegan options and they are great! I recommend this restaurant if you are looking for an upscale dinner when you are in Palm Springs.
An alfresco Italian dining experience is located in a garden underneath trees and the stars. This restaurant is open for dinner on Thursdays through Mondays. According to their website, their menu will fluctuate according to the season and ingredient availability. The restaurant does not specifically say they serve vegan options but some of the dishes are easily customizable to be vegan. The times I have visited the restaurant I have ordered pizza and pasta which they have kindly customized for me. The food is delicious, fresh, and the atmosphere is chic. This is a great option for dinner if you are going with a group of people to make sure everyone has a great meal. Make a reservation to ensure a table, but I have been able to be seated without one before.
This dining option is quite different because it includes a show. It stays true to the Rat Pack era with different shows nightly. It has a very cool, chic, 60s ambiance with big curtains and pictures of members of the Rat Pack from their time visiting Palm Springs and The Purple Room was a favorite hangout of theirs back in the 1960’s. If two of you are dining, you’ll want to get a table along the wall so that you both can watch the show. The performance is a mix of classic songs with a bit of comedy to keep you entertained. It's a very fun night out whether it be friends or a date. It's also family-friendly.
Cocktails:
A very vibey spot focusing on a darker environment with lots of black concrete throughout the bar, Truss and Twine focuses their cocktails on different eras from pre-prohibition to modern originals.
A bit of a speakeasy as it is a small bar within the steak restaurant Mr. Lyon, this place takes its cocktails seriously. With knowledgeable bartenders who have a passion for the work, you will not only get an amazing drink but a bit of a history lesson too. Opened Wednesday through Sunday, you may want to check ahead that it is open to the public as it gets reserved for private events quite a bit.
Craft cocktails bar menu and full restaurant for a fancy dinner and cocktail. Choose to sit inside in the restaurant or go to the pool bar for live music on the weekends American and international fair lounge vibe with ambient lighting. Great service.
Do:
Play 18 or 36
Golf a world-class course (PGA WEST Stadium Course - as played on the PGA tour)
There are over 120 golf courses located in the Coachella Valley area (not all public) but with so with so many options, what do you pick? Well, if you had to pick one, why not the one which is featured on the PGA Tour? The Pete Dye-designed “Stadium Course” is located about 40 minutes from Palm Springs and features a couple of signature holes. There is an island green par 3 known as “Alcatraz” and a par 5 hole known as “San Andres Fault” that has a 19’ deep greenside bunker. Cost varies by time of year and when you tee off. So sometimes teeing off 15 minutes later can save you a couple hundred dollars.
Hike the Tahquitz Canyon Trail
This trail hike shows a different side of Palm Springs that you might not suspect. A river that runs underneath the ground feeds water to these massive palm trees, creating this sense of an oasis in the middle of the desert. Lots of history as the Cahuilla Indians have had roots here for approximately 5000 years. Depending on the time of year, you would want to get here early as it will get very hot very quickly, however, the massive palm trees and native huts provide a sense of shade and tranquility. Makes you feel like you have stepped back in time and can see a glimpse of the Native American culture and how they used to live in this area. Great for families as well as adults to get a break from pool lounging and move the body. There is a small fee to enter ($15 as of 2024), but we think it’s worth it given that it’s a hike and learning experience at the same time.
Located as you enter Palm Springs coming from Los Angeles, this tram will take you to the top of San Jacinto Mountain. It is very cool that during certain times of the year, it can be 30+°C in Palm Springs Valley, and once you take the tram up there is snow on top of the mountain. Going from a desert valley to a forest on top of the mountain within minutes is pretty exciting. Plus you get some magnificent views from up there. Be aware of annual maintenance times as it can be shut down for a while. In 2024, it was closed from September 9th - October 12th.
This really fun and funky little shop features cool clothing and art all made locally. It features little sections where artists and designers have items for you to purchase or browse around. There is a little liquor shop in the back, and when we went, they were hosting a free wine pop-up.
Honorable Mention: This one sounds interesting although I have not been to it yet.
With a fun play on words, the Palm Springs Surf Club is a manmade wave pool where you can surf in the middle of the desert. The opening hours seem to vary depending on the season but there is an adult night swim along with general admission sessions to surf the wave pool.
With Palm Springs being so much closer than, let’s say, Las Vegas, multiple hotels will host weekend pool parties, including Ace, Saguaro, and Margaritaville (formerly known as The Riviera to those who have visited more recently). So, if you’re looking for a relaxing day around the pool, you might want to check ahead, especially with those mentioned. The food and cocktail scene has continued to improve over the years, and whether you’re going for an event, to relax or a night out, Palm Springs can tickle that itch.
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