Dramatic natural wonders, iconic personalities, and the good life are prominent characteristics of Palm Springs. The surreal landscape is loaded with outdoor activities for first class adventures. Shopping, fine dining, and more are nearby! With sky-scraping palms, celebrity residents, and midcentury-modern architecture, it’s here that the lounge act will never be forgotten. Palm Springs, a beautiful desert sanctuary, was once a safe haven for Hollywood stars of the 1930s when it was beyond the reach of the prying eyes of gossip columnists.
The Small List
Best Hotels
Holiday House – The Holiday House is a 28 room boutique hotel located in downtown Palm Springs. Holiday House features modern midcentury inspired elements combined with a communal atmosphere and a whimsical edge. Moreover, with bright colors and bold textiles, the attention to the room decor and details is impeccable.
Colony Palms Hotel – The Colony Palms Hotel’s rich and colorful history established it as an iconic part of Palm Springs. Over the years it has been host to Hollywood’s elite, mobsters, athletes, film producers, gamblers and, in addition, politicians. As a result, the hotel is an iconic destination.
Best Restaurants
Workshop Kitchen + Bar – For true food lovers, this James Beard Award winning restaurant is, after all, reason enough to plan a trip to the desert. An abundance of seasonal foods harvested, most importantly, from local farms comprises the market driven menu.
Spencer’s Restaurant – Spencer’s offers a popular Palm Springs tradition of culinary excellence. The restaurant features a fresh approach to classic American cuisine. Spencer’s Restaurant is located at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains.
Top of the Rowan – Lush California wines, creative cocktails, prime meats and fresh seafood are all served with a side of sweeping desert views seven stories above Palm Springs. Rowan’s rooftop destination is HOT!
Peaks Restaurant – Peaks is a culinary experience above the clouds at the summit of the tramway. The chef has created a menu featuring a variety of fresh vegetables and greens from the Coachella Valley.
Chi Chi’s Restaurant – Chi Chi’s offers California cuisine with a dash of wellness in a playful setting. Each dish is, of course, prepared with the freshest local ingredients and homestyle cooking.
Things to Do
Palm Springs Air Museum – At the Palm Springs Air Museum, one of the top aviation museums in the world, there is always something new to see. Most importantly, history comes alive. For instance, visitors can get close to the one of the world’s largest collections of vintage World War II, Korea, and Vietnam era aircraft.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway – This is the world’s largest rotating tram car. The tramway travels over 2.5 miles along the breathtaking cliffs of Chino Canyon. Most importantly, it transports riders to the pristine wilderness of the Mt. San Jacinto State Park.
Palm Springs VillageFest – VillageFest takes place in downtown Palm Springs on Palm Canyon Drive every Thursday night. The street is closed to vehicular traffic. As a result, it is transformed into a festive, pedestrian street fair.
Best Shopping
The Shag Store – Helping you to better curate your life, Shag is a Lifestyle Brand featuring limited edition prints and merchandise exclusively from artist Josh Agle (aka Shag). The unique designs will, above all, compliment any home, office or building decor. An iconic shop worth a stop!