I was playing golf in Palm Springs and after a round I asked the waitress to bring me a glass of iced tea and lemonade. A lady sitting nearby heard me and asked the waitress to bring her a “Palmer,” too. The name caught on and the beverage spread quickly around the country.
Arnold Palmer
I grew up a mere one hour from Palm Springs. On some days, and for some weekend forays, my mother and I — and occasionally our friends, would drive that stretch of I-10 between the Inland Empire and this illustrious desert oasis.
To a small town girl, Palm Springs was a glamorous destination. Frank Sinatra Drive. Dean Martin Drive. Bob Hope Drive. Allan Ladd’s “hardware” store sold only the finest of fixtures, furniture and decor of that era. Palm Springs Life magazine adorned everyone’s coffee tables. There were restaurants inspired by Hollywood folklore: Melvyn’s and Wally’s Desert Turtle, among others. (By the way, these restaurants are still open.) And of course, the swath of golf courses and beautiful estates enclosed behind elaborate gates that we passed on the road that connected Palm Springs to Desert Hot Springs.
Ah, the memories. And not, it’s so much the same, and so different at the same time.
During Hollywood’s Golden Years, Palm Springs was a popular spot for Hollywood icons to escape. Today, Palm Springs retains the glamour of Hollywood, albeit with a modern twist. Apart from being the site of Coachella, a boho-star-studded music festival held each April, the city is a veritable destination in and of itself. Charming boutiques and restaurants line the sunny streets. Mid-century modern architecture lends a retro-chic vibe. It’s easy to stay active here: there are ample hiking and biking trails, plus golf courses and tennis courts abound.
You will never run out of activities to indulge yourself in this delightful escape of a town. Palm Springs has much to offer. Connect with me, and I’ll curate a trip that exceeds expectations — whatever vibe you’re feeling. In the meantime, read on for a little travel inspiration including some of my favorite places to stay, eat and play on your dreamy desert getaway.
Palm Springs Life Magazine Cover
Need to Know
Airports: Palm Springs International Airport (PSP)
Transportation: You’ll likely want to rent a car or Uber around Palm Springs, especially if you plan on visiting some of the surrounding areas and towns (Joshua Tree, Palm Desert and LaQuinta). But downtown Palm Springs is quite walkable.
Best Time to Visit: Palm Springs is a desert; it gets very hot in the summer. For milder temperatures, stick to January to April (although expect more visitors), or vacation here during the fall.
Ideal Length of Stay: You can cover a lot of ground in three to four days. If you want some time to linger, lounge and relax (and this is a great place to do just that), five to seven days is ideal.
Where to Stay in Palm Springs
Rooftop Pool | Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs
Colony Palms Hotel: A history, glamorous Art Deco gem that is an adults-only resort. Only 57 rooms occupy this beautiful space that will make you feel like the “star” that you are. Book with me to snag a $25 food/beverage credit, a welcome amenity, an upgrade and late check-out.
ARRIVE Palm Springs: Hip, boutique playfulness in the heart of the desert. Exclusive Palisociety partner perks include a welcome amenity, an upgrade, and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Parker Palm Springs: Expect soothing vibes, bright eclectic decor, and pops of color at this luxury hotel. Delight in some unique on-site experiences like a romantic table for two by the pool (there’s only one table), cocktail classes and a multitude of wellness and outdoor activities. Or venture off-site for a Palm Springs mid-century modern tour, biking, hiking and/or horseback riding. Book with me to receive perks like a $100 hotel credit, $45 daily breakfast credit, an upgrade and extended check-in/out.
Ingleside Estate: This desert landmark was the place to be among the Hollywood elite back in the day. Now an adults-only resort, it’s a palce to truly escape for wellness activities, croquet, tennis, pickleball and more. Be sure to indulge in a timeless dinner or brunch at the aforementioned, Melvyn’s. Book with me to receive a $50 daily food/beverage credit, a welcome amenity, and an upgrade.
Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs: A fun downtown getaway with a rooftop pool and bar. The hotel also offers in-room spa services and custom-designed bikes for riding around town. Book with me to receive IHG Luxury & Lifestyle perks such as a $50 hotel credit, welcome amenity, an upgrade and extended check-in/out.
Holiday House Palm Springs: A 28-room boutique hotel with a tasteful design scheme featuring artwork by David Hockney, Roy Liechtenstein and others extends into their sculpture garden. Recently awarded a Michelin Key, the Holiday House is only for over 21 guests. Book with me to receive exclusive partner perks such as a $25 hotel credit, welcome amenity, an upgrade and late check-out whenever possible.
Ace Hotel & Swim Club, Palm Springs: Youthful and vibey, always with something fun going on. Great pools and an organic spa to help you take the edge off.
Where to Eat in Palm Springs
Bar | Workshop Kitchen & Bar
Start your day at Cheeky’s, a legendary breakfast spot serving comfort food like fried chicken and waffles and chilaquiles. Cheeky’s boasts an entire menu dedicated to bacon. (They also serve lunch, but they’re famous for breakast.) For your morning cuppa, Koffi Coffee is a local favorite; there are a few locations sprinkled around town. Enjoy pizza, pasta and cocktails at Birba, also from the team behind Cheeky’s. The James Beard Award-nominated Workshop Kitchen & Bar is sleek and tastefully spare (the restaurant’s design is famous for a reason). go here for seasonal, well-crafted plates like wood-fired cauliflower with tahini and ras-el-hanout spiced beets with date labneh.
Palm Springs’ Mexican food game is strong. Tac/Quila is a hip mainstay beloved by locals and Michelin alike. The all-day Maleza is breezy and casual, perfect for elevated fare and craft cocktails (and an excellent Mezcal list). For ice cream, head to the scoop-shop-gift-shop hybrid Ice Cream Scoop Shop(pe), where roating flavors may include delights like vegan date, Mexican chocolate or lavender. (Move over Hadley’s date shakes.) Bar Cecil is great for a playful brasserie moment, and Colony Club, at the Colony Palms Hotel, is ideal for a locally sourced meal in a handsome space.
Where to Play in Palm Springs
Mid-Century Modern House | Palm Springs
Palm Springs is brimming with activities perfect for nearly everyone from the cultural enthusiast to the history buff to the nature lover. Explore the desert gardens and art exhibitions at Sunnylands, a sprawling mid-century modern estate. Discover additional contemporary art, sculpture and architectural masterpieces at the Palm Springs Art Museum. (The museum’s Annenberg Theater regularly hosts performances by notable comedians, musicians, dancers and artists.) For a chic art gallery moment, the Janssen Artspace does not disappoint.
The Palm Springs Air Museum displays aircraft from WWII, the Vietnam War and other pivotal global conflicts. It also offers Warbird Rides, opportunities to fly in historic aircraft yourself. To get a taste of the city’s architectural history (Palm Springs is something of a mid-century modern mecca), opt for a self-guided or guided architecture tour — something I can totally arrange for you.
Palm Springs is also natural playground perfect for an outdoor lifestyle. Hiking Tahquitz Canyon is one popular option; it’s a little under two miles taking less than an hour and leads to a waterfall. If hiking isn’t your thing, or if you’re after additional stellar views, take a ride in the rotating Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which traverses along Chino Canyon and offers views of the surrounding Mt. San Jacinto State Park. Golf and tennis are incredibly popular here. There are numerous golf courses to choose from, but a few favorites include Escena Golf Club, PGA West, and Indian Wells Golf Resort (which is also home to a world class tennis facility and the BNP Paribas Open tennis championship every March).
Downtown Palm Springs boasts tons of charming boutiques, cafe’s, and restaurants. If you’re really into shopping though, consider an excursion to The Shops on El Paseo, a bit outside of Palm Springs proper, in Palm Desert. For an especially local feel, don’t miss the Palm Springs VillageFest, a vibrant street fair that takes place every Thursday.
Consider a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park. Absorb the views from a hike, take a drive with splendid views, or design your own miniature wellness getaway. The Integration, a white-domed structure in the desert, regularly hosts sound baths, while the Mojave Desert Skin Shield Spa offers integrative retreats and Ayurvedic treatments that prioritize organic, natural plant ingredients.
Festival Highlights in Palm Springs
