Palm Springs Travel Guide
By now it's pretty clear that Palm Springs is a popular destination for a quick desert getaway. We've seen celebrities, bloggers, stylists, musicians and more post about this not-so-hidden gem, and now we finally got to see for ourselves how Palm Springs really is the place to fulfill both your relaxation and inspirational needs.
WHAT TO DO
A Self-Guided Architectural Tour
It's literally impossible not to notice the mid-century architectural influence all over the city, but if you really want to learn who built what and what celebs partied where, use this self-guided tour as a starting point. It's less time consuming than the guided tours, and you can tailor it to your preferences in terms of owners, architects, and neighborhoods you want to see.
Hike Tahquitz Canyon
Palm Springs has a lot of options for any level hiker. Joshua Tree is a short drive away and at the edge of town are the Indian Canyon and Tahquitz Canyon Trails. We opted for the Tahquitz Canyon because of its proximity and it was just a quick two-mile loop to the Canyon falls and back. The waterfall was dry so that was a little anti-climactic but it was a great way to start our Saturday.
Relax Pool Side
You can't come to Palm Springs and not hang out by a pool! I found most all of the Airbnb's I looked had pools and of course the major hotels did as well. It all depends on how much of a scene you want. We visited in December so the temps were a tad too cool to really take advantage of those flamingo floats people went crazy for during Coachella, but I was super happy to come home to our Airbnb post hike and hop into the hot tub!
Shop for Vintage Gems
If you've got the budget, there's also a high chance you'll score big on some mid-century decor items in Palm Springs. The most notable window shopping for me was on Palm Canyon Drive where I found store after store curated with pieces I'd die for, though sadly could not afford. If you're looking to actually purchase, The Estate Sale is glorious.
Where to eat
Cheeky's
Cheeky's is the go-to spot for breakfast in Palm Springs. Get there well before you're starving as they do not take reservations and there is always a line. Luckily there's a lot of standing and sitting room outside while you wait and you can always pop into the stores next door.
King's Highway
Located in the Ace Hotel the King's Highway has a super cool, retro vibe (everything the Ace does is amazing). You can eat inside at the diner or outside by the pool. If King's Highway is too busy, walk around the back of the hotel and see if you can grab a seat at one of their famous "Drag Me To Brunch" shows. Like many places in Palm Springs, it's dog friendly and even has a dog menu.
Workshop
Ok, this place is a) so cool and b) so so good. The only issue is it's up there in terms of price. If you plan one big meal out, I say book it at Workshop as it is the ultimate dining experience. It's located in a 90-year old movie theater that is now a Class 1 historic paseo building, and it is a winner of the James Beard Award. What more could you want?
Birba
Birba is a great casual and affordable dinner spot. The pizza was amazing and their outdoor patio was so cute. It was a great spot for our last meal out.