Palm Springs Travel Guide

Palm Springs, a place known for its endless sunshine, Coachella Music Festival, and golf courses for miles; but this holiday hot spot (literally) has so much more to offer. In this Palm Springs Travel Guide, I’m sharing with you where to stay, where to eat & drink, what to do, what hikes you shouldn’t miss, and of course, what to pack!

Last year, Ben and I hopped down for a long weekend in March to soak up the sunshine, and explore what the desert had to offer. I had been to Palm Springs years ago, but it was my boyfriend Ben’s first time and I was excited to check out some new spots & show him around. So whether you have been to Palm Springs before or if this is your first time, I hope this guide will equip you with some new things to try.

How to Get There

Ben and I, unfortunately, bought our flights fairly last minute, and because March is spring break in North America, flights were more expensive. To save some dough, we ended up buying our return flights to LAX, and then rented a sexy convertible to drive to Palm Springs (a beautiful 3-hour drive, with traffic). If you can, I definitely recommend flying straight into Palm Springs airport to savour every minute there. Typically direct flights to Palm Springs or LAX from Vancouver are just short of 3 hours, which makes it the perfect location for a quick weekend get-away!

Where to Stay

• Airbnb or VRBO: we were lucky to stay with my parents who had rented a beautiful house (with a private pool – #winning!!) through VRBO for the month. If you are travelling as a big group and want something more private, or if you want a budget-friendly option, Airbnb or VRBO is a great way to go for Palm Springs!

Other options I haven’t stayed at, but are on the top of my list for future trips to Palm Springs:

• Ace Hotel
• The Saguaro Palm Springs
• The Parker  (The most beautiful hotel – I dream of staying here one day)

Where to Eat

Lavender Bistro

Best enjoyed at night on their patio lined with twinkle lights. We went on Saturday night and we’re excited to see they had live music outside. Make sure to make a reservation for their back patio, as it is their claim to fame! They even have bigger booths for large groups.

Tommy Bahamas

Being Canadian, I was very confused to why my mother wanted to take us to Tommy Bahamas to eat…but in the States these clothing stores have attached restaurants that are just as beautiful as they are delicious. They are famous for their amazing happy hours, that serve discounted drinks and half price appies! I definitely recommend trying their coconut shrimp & flip-flop lemon drop martini!

Las Casuelas

Following the night market I mentioned above, we ate at this delicious Mexican restaurant right off the main road. If possible, try to get a table outside on the ‘Palapa patio’, as most nights they play live Spanish music and people get up and dance. If you are looking for a more romantic evening, they also have a quieter patio with a fountain.

The Parker

Their menu is pricey but going for a drink or brunch is a great way to enjoy their gorgeous patio and see their electric décor they are so famous for. I was bummed they were closed for a private event the weekend we were there, but it’ll be first on my list for our next trip.

The Nest

Palm Springs is known to be a destination for seniors & retirees, and The Nest is where they all go to party! Now you may be wondering why the hell I would recommend a bar filled with 50+-year-old cougars, but guys, it’s actually a hopping spot and a lot of fun! Expect to sing & dance the night away to classic oldies, but get there before 11 pm, as that’s when the line-up really starts.

In-N-Out Burger

A Iconic California fast-food favourite. If you go make sure to try the ‘animal fries’ – fries topped with their famous thousand island sauce. Also, a milkshake, and burger of your liking! Make sure to snap a picture – this is definitely an Instagram worthy shot!

What to Do

• Palm Springs Night Market (VillageFest): Every Thursday night in Palm Springs they close down the main road and open it up to a huge night market filled with over 180 vendors. Think vintage clothes, food, art, and jewelry. This place had everything and was so much fun to check out!
• Shopping on El Paseo: Only the best place in Palm Desert to shop & people watch! Shops like Free People, Tiffany’s and Co., Anthropology, and J.Crew, just to name a few. And just off of El Paseo you will also find incredible outlets where you can snag a great deal. I was so excited to shop at Sacks off Fifth & Nordstrom Rack, as we don’t have these shops in Canada. If you are Canadian and haven’t heard of them, think of designer clothing for reasonable prices!
• Moorten Botanical Garden: A bazaar but beautiful garden full of succulents and cacti. Bring your camera! Admission is $5 and give yourself at least 30 minutes to an hour to walk through & snap some pictures.

• Pool Parties: Ace Hotel and Saguaro are both known for their happening pool parties – perfect for a girl’s weekend away or bachelorette parties!
• Pink Door: Visit the iconic Pink Door & snap a shot for your Instagram (see my picture above). This door is so famous to Instagramers it even has its own Instagram account. This road is also filled with other stunning retro Palm Spring houses to drool over during your drive.
• Relax by a pool and get lost in a good book – you’re on vacation after all! 😉

How to Stay Active (Hikes)

For all activities in Palm Springs/Desert, I highly recommend doing them in the morning, as this is the coolest time of the day!

Hike the Palm Desert Cross

45 minutes-1 hour round trip. Hike to the top where you will see a massive cross at the top. Apparently, some people do this one at night with headlamps because the cross is lit up at night time. Personally, I enjoyed it in the morning because the views were breath-taking. Also, there is an optical illusion wall art installation that is at the base of the mountain. See my picture below, but honestly, you have to see it for yourself. (Hike was 6/10 in difficulty)

Bump and Grind Hike

1.5 Hours round trip.  Entrance point is located behind Target in the city of Rancho Mirage. *Tip: When you start this hike you can either start the trail to the right or to the left, as it is a big loop. I HIGHLY recommend starting to the right as this option is not nearly as steep and difficult than if you hike the trail to the left. Instead, we came down the left-hand side, and I was very grateful when I saw how steep it was. This hike offers incredible views of the valley below and the surrounding mountains. Make sure to bring lots of water on this one! (Hike was 8/10 in difficulty as it is very steep in places)

Play Tennis or hit the links for a round of golf

Palm Springs is famous for its American Open tennis tournament in March, which is when we were visiting Palm Springs. Inspired by watching the sport on TV we booked a court and played some morning tennis with my parents. It was SO much fun! Similarly, Palm Springs is full of different golf courses so it’s a great place to practice your swing.

What to Pack

• Lots of bathing suits & sunscreen!
• Sundresses to wear in the hot heat during the day, and to dress up with some accessories for dinners out!
• A good book & magazines to read beside the pool
• Running shoes and workout gear if you want to hike or play tennis

*UPDATE. A year after this post, I went back to Palm Springs and wrote another posts on some hip new spots I missed in this guide. In it, I’m sharing my experiences at The Parker, Saguaro, Ace Hotel, a hike to two amazing waterfalls, and a jazz bar that Frank Sinatra used to hang out at! Make sure to read it by clicking the link below!

*HIP GETAWAY GUIDE TO PALM SPRINGS*

PIN 

Pin this photo as a reference during your Palm Springs trip!