Palm Springs is twice as fun as you thought, and half the amount you heard.
Although it is true that architecture and design have not changed much since Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra, Steve McQueen and Marilyn Monroe were dancing, that's part of its iconic charm. It is no longer a place for retirees, as you might have heard.
It's a popular hideout for celebrities and sun-starved tourists looking for the great outdoors. There are also plenty of food and attractions. Local artists have even intentionally graffitied the city benches.
This is your ultimate guide to Palm Springs. It includes tips and tricks for more. Even if you only stay for a month you may find that you could have stayed longer.
How to Get To Palm Springs: Cars and Flights
Palm Springs is a small city, so it's easy to get there from anywhere. However, Palm Springs is often more expensive than other nearby airports in Southern California.
It is a good idea to compare prices in Los Angeles (LAX), San Diego, SAN, Orange County (SNA), Palm Springs (PSP) and weigh up the costs of renting a car and driving from one of those locations.
It takes approximately 2 hours to drive from San Diego, Los Angeles or Palm Springs. This is largely highway driving.
Palm Springs International offers convenience and is only minutes from downtown if you are not on a tight budget. It's only 35 minutes walk from downtown. The airport is served by most major airlines including Southwest, American, JetBlue, United, JetBlue, and Delta.
Hot tip: Uber drivers use games to increase Palm Springs prices. Be aware of this before you arrive and try to speed up your arrival at the airport.
Palm Springs Neighborhoods and Where to Stay
Palm Springs has many neighborhoods and enclaves within walking distance from the downtown Palm Springs strip, which is centered around Palm Canyon Dr.
Palm Canyon Drive runs from North to South. The simplest explanation is that you will find more chain hotels and big-name restaurants the further South you travel. However, the more European-inspired boutiques, cafes, and fine dining options you'll discover the further north you go, the more European-feeling you will be. There are exceptions.
If the mountains are to your left, Palm Canyon Dr navigation terminology says you're heading North. You're heading South. It's easy enough, right?
You can make your Palm Springs getaway a private retreat. This includes choosing the type of accommodation. Airbnb, VRBO, and other sharing economy accommodations can offer great value. They provide private pools, outdoor areas, and multiple bedrooms at a fraction of the cost of resorts.
Hot tip: Usually, homeowners don't have to pay tax for monthly rentals but they do need to for short-term rentals. Therefore, staying longer than two weeks can help you save a lot of money.
You will find great neighborhoods like Old Las Palmas, Movie Colony and Racquet Club. They offer easy access to fantastic accommodation options.
GSTP pick: Movie Colony. This neighborhood is located just blocks from Palm Canyon. It features stunningly designed homes, beautiful views, and a great walk to all the best restaurants and shops. You will feel at home, luxurious and relaxed in this area.
Hotels
The southern part of Palm Canyon Drive is home to many chain hotels, including the Viceroy, Viceroy and Hyatt. All of these locations are within walking distance to Palm Canyon Drive where you will find the majority of the food, shopping, and drinking.
If you are trying to reduce social contact with others, don't be afraid to explore smaller boutique hotels. Palm Springs is known for its small boutique hotels. There are many cute options scattered throughout the streets like the Saguaro and The Ace.
Palm Springs has beautiful benches.
But first, coffee
Good coffee is essential for any trip. Palm Springs is witnessing a remarkable exodus of Angelenos who are moving to this desert paradise where they can enjoy the best of city life. It's also very difficult to leave the weather. Hip third-wave coffee is a big trend in the city. Good news if you love the good stuff.
The following are the top spots in Palm Springs for a V60 pour over, flat white or specialty coffee: Cartel Coffee Roasters (La Jefa), Ernest Coffee and Ernest Coffee.
La Jefa is a beautiful outdoor space where you can enjoy your curated coffee while Ernest and Cartel battle it out for the best. You can expect well-brewed and well-roasted coffee.
Palm Springs Best Dining Spots: Brunch, Lunch & Dinner
Palm Springs has a remarkable balance right now for tourists. There are amazing options to dine-in, but almost all of the best restaurants also offer takeout and delivery. Sometimes, the best thing about a great restaurant meal is to enjoy it at your own pool.
Palm Springs is home to at least 10 restaurants that should be given the seal of approval by any food critic. Each restaurant has its own twist on American classics or regional mastery from faraway lands. These are the ones that you should prioritize.
Birba: Real Italian food done right. Real, because it is seasonal and uses top-quality produce. New Yorkers might compare it with the Barbuto of yesteryear, while Angelenos could say it is Jon & Vinnys. It's innovative, fun, and has a great atmosphere. You can also order takeout.
Roly: This is Chinese/Asian fusion without the failures and trappings of many other places that attempt it. It's a lovely setting, indoors and out by the pool. Each dish is prepared with the freshest seasonal ingredients. As a frequent traveler to Asia, it is authentically spiced. It's a great comfort food and reasonably priced.
Cheekys is a popular lunch spot in town. It offers al fresco dining and a variety of delicious dishes. There are many international inspired menu items, from an Asian chicken salad to zucchini fritters straight out of a Greek Taverna.
El Jefe: California is not complete without homemade masa corn tacos and guacamole. There are many mass-market margaritas and fajita bars in town, but EJ Jefe's at the Saguaro offers great Mexican food. The short rib and al pastor are a favorite of meat-eaters, while the sweet potato with herbs & aioli is a favourite of veggies. Guac is another popular choice.
Rooster & The Pig - In America, Southeast Asian food is usually portrayed as Thailand, but Rooster And The Pig makes that a little more interesting. Although it is more Vietnamese than Thai, the menu features authentic regional dishes. Every dish is packed with the authentic flavor, heat, and aroma of the real thing. This hole in the wall makes a great take-out meal. You can order in advance as it is very popular.
Eight4Nine is a fun and sceney place to find new American classics that are well executed, as well as some innovative international flavors. The outdoor seating area is perfect for lunch or dinner. The carne tacos or the roasted cauliflower steak, with puree, are delicious.
Sandfish: High quality sushi with a traditional focus. There are also a variety of specialty rolls. While the rolls are excellent, the rotating nigiri specialty rolls are delicious, but it's the Brussel sprouts that are the most impressive.
Jakes: Simple classics, but with a twist. There's a lively patio with lots of people and a buzz around the place. The margaritas (and the sandwiches) are large and delicious. And the staff is friendly. Think of a BLT with basil and tomato aioli. Weekend brunch features an expanded menu and some amazing pastries.
Monsoon: Indian food that you love and some you don't, all done well. This North Indian restaurant serves delicious chicken tikka masala as well as Indochina-inspired bites and daal makhani. The cauliflower tastes like crack. If you are craving Indian food, this is the place to go.
Shopping in Palm Springs
Shopping is at an all-time high in Palm Springs, with more young people moving to the area, often from cities.
There are many things to love about the new boutiques and small-scale designers opening their doors. From trend tie dye hoodies made of organic cotton to hand-poured candles and Scandinavian homeware options, there is a lot to choose from. GSTP fell in love a few shops in the area.
The Shops at 1345 is the first, a chic boutique and gallery that combines into one fun little market. There are many items to choose from, including throw pillows, jewelry, and high-end loungewear.
Second, Windmill City. This shop aims to promote regionally produced products from local producers and designers. This is a great place to find candles from Joshua Tree Candle Co, limited-run clothes, bags, and postcards. People are also very nice.
Pelago is the place to go if you want to bring Palm Springs inspiration into your home. It is a top-rated shop among many homeware and design shops. You can also get prints by Michael Murphy, an artist who promotes aviation and retro Palm Springs.
You can just walk along North Palm Canyon Drive to find great shops, art galleries, and coffee places. They might be gone if you blink. If all this seems too much, you can pull off to the beautiful hidden courtyards located just off the main street, such as the one between Alejo and Chino near Palm Canyon.
Things to Do in Palm Springs
So you have your food, drink, and shopping covered. What else do you need? It's all a joke, actually. Palm Springs has a lot to offer, including tennis, golf, hiking, and other outdoor activities. There are also a host of other things nearby.
The Palm Springs Art Museum has a rotating collection of exceptional exhibitions, and is great if it's hot. It is worth the drive to visit the city's Modernist Week.
Ruth Hardy Park is a great place to entertain children or play tennis with friends. It's also within walking distance to most hotels. You can take hikes to explore the valley that Palm Springs is situated.
A giraffe in the Living Desert, Palm Desert.
The Living Desert, a world-class zoo and garden, is just 20 minutes from Palm Desert. The Living Desert is open to all ages and well worth the effort. Keep an eye out for the giraffes. They live in a large area that could be used to fool your friends into believing you've been to Kenya.
Indian Wells, which is located in the middle of March and features all the top players in tennis, hosts a massive ATP Tour tournament. All of them are scheduled to return next season in 2022.
DesertX is an amazing art initiative that brings installations all over Palm Springs and the valley with moving exhibitions against nature. This attraction is sure to grow in popularity, both now and in the future.
Palm Springs is all about relaxation, so don't feel guilty if you lounge by the pool, take photos, or walk through Movie Colony or other old neighborhoods with their classic homes.
Day Trip to Joshua Tree Excursion
Joshua Tree is worth a visit even if you aren't often in the area. It's easy to get there from Palm Springs and takes less than an hour. If you're traveling alone, the Joshua Tree National Park can be reached by car. Simple snap trips are possible without a guide.
It's great to have a guide. This opens up many possibilities for you, such as late-night astronomy using huge telescopes, and much more. Even though it isn't cheap, a Joshua Tree Excursions adventure is highly recommended. Nothing beats a sunset in the desert.
Hot tip: It gets colder at night, than you might think. Even Bostonians, and people from harsh winter areas, will need to be aware of this warning if they plan to stay up past sunset.
Palm Springs is the Place to Be Right Now
Palm Springs is a great destination for outdoor recreation, social distancing, and lively vibrant features. The curated elements of Palm Springs will continue to improve as more people leave the city for the tranquility and solitude offered.
