City Guide: Palm Springs
We've never given ya'll our proper recommendations for things to do and see in Palm Springs. With Modernism Week approaching, it about time we listed out our favorite things to do. Local's note: up in the Yucca Valley/Joshua Tree area, we live in the "high desert" which is about 3,000 feet above sea level. Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley is the "low desert" at just under 500 feet. The low desert is typically about 10 degrees or so warmer than where we live. High desert people head "down the hill" to the low des for doctor's appointments, big box store shopping, staycations at fancy hotels, a day soak at a hot springs resort in Desert Hot Springs, to catch a flight at the best airport or enjoy a nice dinner out. Expect more traffic, snow birds, higher prices and mid century modern architecture.
Places to Stay
Sparrow Lodge is a relaxing refuge and Michelin rated hotel. Behind the fence is a serene sprawl of a hotel centered around the pool. The rooms feel like white washed cabins with stone floors.
Azure Palm Hot Springs in Desert Hot Springs features eight different pools and hot tubs, drawing water from the underground hot spring beneath Desert Hot Springs. Soak in a private concrete tub that pumps hot mineral water, while gazing at the San Jacinto Mountain Peak. You can book a day pass, but an overstay grants you access to the hot salt room and the ice room.
For low-key, budget friendly hotel, we like Caliente Tropics Resort. The tiki themed hotel is basic but sufficient, and they serve a great burger! If you want to walk over to catch the scene, Ace Hotel is right next door.
Place to Eat
There are plenty of fancy places to dine in Palm Springs, those are easy to find and research - but we want to give you our recs from a local POV. . the places we eat when we aren't looking for a fuss.
The Heyday has a simple menu of smashburgers and fries. What started out as a pop-up finally moved into their own brick and mortar spot a couple of years ago
When we describe Gabino's Creperie we like to say they make the hoagies of crepes. These aren't little wimpie crepes. The crepes at Gabino's are full meals, full of protein, special sauces and veggies. It is no surpise that the owner Marcel is from the East Coast, where people know how to make good sandwiches!
Paul Bar doesn't take reservations, so you show up to an unassuming looking strip mall on Gene Autry road, find the sign that just says "BAR/FOOD" and wait in line to get in. Bronx-raised Paul, the consumate owner host, makes cheeky small talk before he seats you. The dark wood interior and wait staff uniforms feels very old New York.
Places to Shop
RTH was our favorite shop in LA, how lucky are we that René moved it to the desert not long after we did. Truly like no other shop, RTH conjures up a strange blend of East Coast silhouettes with southwestern flair. It works.
Phylum is the best home goods store in the low des, period. Modernist vibe alongside the best California craft brands.
All Roads Mojave Flea inside this 10,000 square foot mixed vendor space we have a pop up shop, along side lots of other local vendors. The curation is a mix of vintage and small businesses. Something for everyone.
Daiso recently opened in Palm Springs, and it always fun to have a little inexpensive retail therapy in the Japanese variety store.
Places to See Nature
If you are up for a hike, Tahquitz Canyon or Indian Canyons are worth the trek. In the winter, you will find waterfalls. Year round you will find lush stands of palm trees. Since the sites are on tribal land, each person must pay a fee to enter.
Moorten's Botanical Garden and Cactarium has an incredible collection of cactus specimen. They greenhouse feels like a dream with decades old plants sprawling over the sand and rock filled raised beds.
In the summer, you will find a lot of high desert people cooling off at Whitewater Preserve. The shallow Whitewater River is just deep enough to sit in and cool during the endless summer days.
Place to Sight See
Cabot's Pueblo Museum We love touring architecture sites when on the road, and Cabot's is a favorite. This sprawling pueblo style structure built by Cabot Yerxa after he discovered both hot and cold springs on the land. It is a handmade desert home, and so interesting to see how people lived before having the modern comforts we do now for desert living.
The Palm Springs Art Museum is really good! I love their downstairs all-orange auditorium and have seen a lot of good artist's talks and programing down there. Thursday nights are free.
Yes, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is the world’s largest rotating tram car. After floating over two miles up the side of San Jacinto mountain from the desert floor, you are treated with cooler temperatures and evergreen trees. In the winter there is snow!
