Destination Known | Palm Springs

Stay @ Holiday House - we couldn't have loved our hotel, staff, pool, rose (for the non-pregnant among us), or crudité any more

Eat

  • Lunch @ Norma’s (Parker Hotel) | fun, outdoor weekend brunch scene at the re-designed (by Jonothan Adler) Parker Hotel. Unfortunately, the Parker has a ridiculously strict "no roam policy" if you're not a guest so, don't expect to see anything beyond the lobby and patio.

  • Lunch @ State Fare Bare + Kitchen (Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage) | didn't make it here but the Ritz is supposed to be a site. No idea what their stance is on non-guest ooglers of the property, so, check on that to ensure a stop-by is worth your while.

  • Dinner @ Birba | dining al fresco here was the *culinary highlight* of our trip - cauliflower and GF pizza crust options + zucchini spaghetti + the typical Italiano indulgences.

  • Dinner @ SO.PA (L’Horizon Resort & Spa) | Another beautiful din al fresco. Romantic upscale vibe w/ a unique American menu and a non-sweet, uber delish non-paloma paloma cocktail.

  • Dinner @ Workshop Bar + Kitchen | Very cool interior, request one of the side booths or, if you're a large group dine in the non-depressing but rather inspiring, recessed, semi-private room.

  • Post-Din Drink @ Truss & Twine | Dark, trendy bar next to Workshop

  • Sunset Drink @ Purple Palm (Colony Palms Hotel) | didn't make it here

Hike 

  • Joshua Tree National Park | unbelievable, crazy unique landscape 1 - 1.5 hours from Palm Springs. We opted for the Ryan Mountain trail which took ~2 hours and ascended 1,000+ ft to the 6,000 ft peak.

  • Living Dessert Zoo & Gardens | 30 min outside Palm Springs in Palm Desert is the most scenic nature preserve and zoo ever with hiking trails on the backside of the property. We opted for the 3/4 mile trail and a 2 hour walk around the zoo. Bighorn sheep mountain and giraffe feeding were THE COOLEST.

  • Tahquitz Canyon | 2 mile loop 2 minutes from town with relatively flat, gorgeous and varied terrain that we finished in an hour before hopping on our flight

Do

  • Walk Gardens @ Sunnylands | the old Annenberg Estate, now a diplomatic gathering place, has the most precisely planted desert garden you'll ever hope to see. Unfortunately, the house containing their expansive art collection is closed for Feb, but, don't let that deter you from a visit.

  • Hotel Pool

  • Shopping @ Downtown Design District | Save your energy for hikes, your time for the pool, and your money for food. Palm Springs shopping is a BUST - I can say this with confidence after walking 2 miles of it. If however, money is burning a hole in your pocket and you're jonesing to (1) look at some vintage art deco furniture, A La Mod and Trina Turk Home could occupy all of half an hour, or (2) spend some real dough, drive to the shops in Palm Desert.

  • Palm Springs Aerial Tram | didn't make it here but views & short hike @ top await. temp can be as much as 30 degrees colder than the bottom.

  • Palm Springs Art Museum | didn't make it here

 

travelAlyx Gautier-Winthertravel, palm springs, california, joshua treeComment