Palm Springs Travel Guide
My go-to weekend getaway is Palm Springs, and whether you’re going for a girls trip or couples getaway this mid-century modern oasis is a lovely place to be. I love the historic part of Palm Springs, and it’s so cool hearing stories about Sinatra, Elvis and the mob spending their time here back in the day. It’s just a few hours driving from LA, and the perfect way to relax and hit the reset button.
STAY AT
Palm Springs hotel options are endless! Choosing your hotel in Palm Springs is important because you’ll be spending most of your time poolside, and if you want to go to any pool parties on the weekend the hotel you’re staying at will be free entry as opposed to getting a pool pass. These are a few of my favorites…
KORAKIA
The Korakia is the dreamiest boho spot. It’s a tiny Mediterranean meets Morroccan spot, and one of the most peaceful hotels in Palm Springs. You’re surrounded by lemon and olive trees, it’s a perfect paradise in Palm Springs.
ACE HOTEL & SWIM CLUB
A Palm Springs classic. My love for the Ace goes way back, my sister even got married here, and I usually stay there at least once a year. They have my favorite pool, cocktail (I order the desert facial always!), and there’s always something going on at the Amigo Room at night. Something about the Ace just feels right. I’d definitely recommend staying there.
THE PARKER
Ahh The Parker makes me feel relaxed just thinking about it! It’s a huge property, and you can wander around it for hours. It really feels like a tropical jungle maze where you turn one way and find a croquet court, then a fire pit, and then a bocce ball court. Between the lemonade stand, two pools, and restaurants you basically don’t need to leave! It’s also a dream at magic hour, the perfect light!
THE SANDS HOTEL & SPA
A brand new Moroccan dream spot outside of the main Palm Springs area, The Sands Hotel & Spa is the perfect 60’s Hollywood Glam spot. It’s a bit of a way out from everything else in Palm Springs, so I’d stay here if you want to spend most of your time there.
THE SAGUARO
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly hotel to stay at, the Saguaro is a colorful option! It’s a rainbow-filled color oasis with a good restaurant and cafe for breakfast. I prefer to stay here on weekdays as weekends can be a bit of a mess there.
EAT + DRINK AT
BOOTLEGGER TIKI
My favorite tiki bar in Palm Springs! Bootlegger is a tiny spot next to Earnest Coffee, and the tiki drinks are top-notch. It’s located in the space where Don the Beachcomber’s tiki restaurant used to be in the 50’s, and they still have the original tiki torches out front. A must-go for all tiki lovers!
SANDFISH
Looking for the best sushi? Sandfish is where it’s at! They have the most delicious spicy shishito sour cocktail. Everything we ate there was perfection.
COUNTER REFORMATION
A little tapas and wine bar speakeasy tucked away behind Norma’s at The Parker. Counter Reformation is a dimly-lit little spot with a mid-16th century was a Roman Catholic theme, and a wooden confessional from Italy. All of the wines we had were delicious, and the food here blew me away. We got the carpaccio and I can’t stop thinking about it. The bill comes inside of a cutout hymn book with fun goodies inside, so classic!
EARNEST COFFEE
My favorite place to get coffee in Palm Springs. Earnest is a fun coffee bar, and they serve alcohol too. It’s connected to Bootlegger tiki and the former site of Don the Beachcomber’s 60’s tiki restaurant was.
KINGS HIGHWAY
I always stop at King’s Highway for breakfast and to take a photo in their old photo booth. It’s an old 1950’s Denny’s inside of the Ace Hotel that still has the classic mid-century diner feel with counter seats.
NORMA’S DINER
The cutest spot tucked inside of The Parker. Normas can be a big pricey, but the food is really delicious and the decor is lovely.
WORKSHOP KITCHEN + BAR
Workshop is a minimalist, detail-oriented restaurant that won’t disappoint. Their menu is always so fresh and seasonal, and you can taste how much detail is put into every dish. I’d definitely come by for a nice dinner.
EL JEFE
Inside of The Saguaro, it’s a simple lunch and happy hour spot to grab tacos and cocktails. I always grab a drink here if I stay at The Saguaro.
THE PINK CABANA
My new favorite spot in Palm Springs! The Pink Cabana is 1950’s glam interior, delicious Mediterranean food, and cocktails make it the perfect spot to grab dinner or drinks. Talk about a pink dream world.
THINGS TO DO
Though you’re probably in Palm Springs to lounge by the pool, there are lots of things to do around the neighborhood. Shopping, home tours, museums and hikes are all options to fill your time in Palm Springs.
SHOPPING ON PALM CANYON DR
There are so many vintage shops and mid-century modern furniture stores on Palm Canyon Dr. It’s a perfect place to walk around and stop inside some shops.
DRIVE THROUGH THE MID-CENTURY NEIGHBORHOODS
The mid-century modern architecture is everywhere in Palm Springs, and more than any other city people in Palm Springs keep the tradition alive. I always spend a little bit of time driving through the neighborhoods Vista La Palmas and Deepwell Estates for some pretty eye candy. There’s the Neutra Kaufmann House, Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway, and that pink door house to see too.
