Palm Springs has been our go-to weekend getaway for the past few years! It’s just a 2 hour drive from LA and it’s all sunshine, palm trees and guacamole – and really, what more could you ask for?
I’m rounding up my favorite places to eat, drink and stay while in the desert in this edition of Gaby’s Guide to Palm Springs! And it’s no coincidence that as winter rolls around, we now have plenty of excuses to head to Palm Springs and soak up some sunshine. Let’s do this!!
Eat:
Workshop Kitchen + Bar – one of the nicer restaurants in Palm Springs, Workshop is fab for a night on the town. It’s minimalist design is perfect for your instagram obsessed folks like me – and the food is amazing. Their menu changes frequently, but fingers crossed you can order the octopus because it’s the best!!
Cheeky’s – my go to place for a casual breakfast! There always seems to be a line but it’s absolutely worth the wait! The chilequiles are to die for!! And if you don’t wake up in time to hop over there for breakfast, check out their sister restaurant ….
Birba – it’s the sister restaurant to Cheeky’s and if you go you’re in for some really incredible pizza and wood fired food. The cocktails are fantastic (and strong) and the scene is so fun! It’s not to be missed.
4 Saints – some truly epic food at Kimpton rooftop!!
So.pa – an all-day outdoors only restaurant with some pretty epic Middle Eastern food right smack in the middle of Palm Springs. It’s soooo cute!
Norma’s – nestled right at the front of The Parker, Norma’s is without a doubt the place to be. A boozy brunch here is beyond and you can meander down to the lemonade bar when you’re done so you can continue your leisurely morning.
Cork & Fork – and if you venture past Indian Wells into La Quinta (which is where all the amazing golf is) you’ll need to somehow make your way to Cork & Fork. It’s the cutest little wine bar in the desert and their tiny outdoor patio is gorgeous. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu but their Poke Nachos are kinda out of this world!!
Drink:
Colony Palms – one of the best places to get a poolside cocktail and enjoy the scenery! Colony Palms is not only gorgeous, but it’s right smack in the middle of Palm Springs – so go toodle around and grab a mid-day cocktail here!
El Jefe – I mean, what’s a trip to the desert without the best guacamole, tacos and margaritas. El Jefe takes the cake on that 100%
La Quinta Resort + Club has the sweetest piano bar with a pretty fantastic wine list! They also have about 3 other restaurants with amazing outdoor patios. The whole property is beyond gorgeous, so make sure to wander around and check out the sites!
Stay:
Beau Monde Villas – There are 2 ways to do Palm Springs. 1 is by hotel and the other is by rental. When we head out to the desert with a group of 8+ people, it’s all about renting a sweet mid-century modern house complete with a gorgeous kitchen, pool area and living room. I’ve been renting from Beau Monde Villas for the past few years and each property has the cutest personality and never fails to disappoint!!
Miro Haus – another one of my FAVORITE rental properties ever for smaller groups. The Miro Haus is so cute, easy to book on Airbnb, the hosts are INCREDIBLE and the back yard is magic. MAGIC I TELL YOU. Their fire place and I spent a LOT of time together last time we were there!! And it’s so close to downtown you can be at dinner in 3 minutes flat!
Rowan Palm Springs – one of the newer Kimpton properties that is tres chic and great food. It’s basically a little mini Vegas in Palm Springs so if you’re going for a party… THIS IS IT.
Holiday House – Ugh. How do I even count the ways I love Holiday House. It’s one of the newer and smaller properties in PS and it’s glorious! Great pool / great vibes / and amazing poolside snacks.
Colony Palms – FAVORITE hotel in PS. Period. The pool is small and fun, the guacamole is out of this world. and it’s right in town so you can walk everywhere.
La Quinta Resort + Club – like I said before, La Quinta Resort is GORGEOUS! If you’re into staying a bit further out from Palm Springs proper – this is the place!! It’s perfectly situated if you’re going to the festivals or checking out the annual tennis tournament in Indian Wells!
Where was this guide 2 weeks ago!! Seriously, I took a weekend trip to Palm Springs and swore you had one of these, even went to your site looking for it before my trip , but you didn’t. Ahhh, love these recommendations and will be checking them out next trip out there! Thanks, Gaby!! 🙂
We have been to Palm Springs at your recommendation and have used Beau Monde Villas and were NOT disappointed! Dining out is also a real treat. So many great places – love the ones that you suggested. Can’t wait to go again!!
After reading this I clearly need to add Palm Springs to my travel list asap! Love your travel guides 🙂
What a great list! I will have to keep this handy for when I visit Palm Springs!
: le sigh : I ADORE Palm Springs! This post really makes me miss it even more! <3
Bookmarking this one in case I ever make it out to Palm Springs! Loving all the photos- and how fun are those pool floaties?? lol! 😉
Oh gosh, this looks so amazing and your photos are fantastic! Wish we’d get to visit soon, too 🙂
Wow! This looks so amazing!! Great photos!! So beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
Oh how I love the LQ Hotel….I grew up about 5 minutes away and worked there during a summer in college. I can just smell the orange blossoms now! 😉
Great recommendations, my hubby is going to Joshua Tree next week and wants me to go with him on his next trip which to me means Palm Springs! So this will be a great guide for when I go!
When I lived in Northern California I loved hopping down to Palm Springs. This list is great Gaby, a perfect size to pick from covering all anyone would need to know. It’s making me want to board a plane, now….
Love this! Definitely makes me want to jump on a plane to visit Palm Springs!!
I have never been to Palm Springs but it looks so nice! I wish it was warm enough to be in a pool here in NY. Also, how adorable is that flamingo floaty!
At the top of the bucket list!
Hi Gaby…thank you for posting some of your favorite places to eat. We are heading to PS for 2 glorious weeks in February 2016 so can’t wait to try out a few of these eateries you have recommended.
omg 2 weeks?! you’ll have the best time!! I’m jealous! Keep me posted with your favs 🙂
Great sandwiches can be found at Aspen Mills (look it up!). They bake all the bread in the store and you can buy loaves for the road. SO good!!
Great list Gabby. I only discovered the joy of Palm Springs last year, even though I’ve been in LA forever, and I have to agree – palm trees and guacamole. What more do we really need (except that list of fantastic places to eat). Cheers!
What’s the area best to stay in in Palm Springs if renting a house?
I like to stay as close to palm springs proper as possible so I can walk to dinners!
FAZE
We go to PS every year, and will definitely have to check out more of these recommendations!!!
I’m going to Palm Desert for 3 weeks, so thanks for the list. We’re golfers so Palm Desert is our favorite, and it’s next door to Palm Springs.
Any other places in the desert that you’ve been too?
You’re the best
everything is on the list but we go every few months so I will always update when I find a new gem!
Thank you Gaby. I am going in two weeks. Are there any updates to your list. Thank again and happy new year
Stephanie