Palm Springs
Eat
Birba: my favourite dinner spot, resos are definitely recommended, delicious pasta and the pizza with homemade sausage is the bomb, all outdoor seating.
Tyler’s Burgers: a must, only open from 11-4 and closed Sun (double check hours online), burgers that taste homemade… fresh lemonade and coleslaw, cash only, worth the wait.
Cheeky’s: same owners as Birba, right next door, breakfast spot, always a long wait, but they have flights of bacon!
Workshop Kitchen + Bar: lovely spot for dinner, definitely book ahead and request to be seated in the courtyard, connected to Truss & Twine so you can have cocktails there before/after, there’s also a nice bar at Workshop.
Norma’s: breakfast/lunch restaurant at the Parker hotel, really good and lovey spot, on way to Cathedral City, make sure you leave time to explore and enjoy the hotel lobby, a photo in front of their famous white wall is a must.
Mr Lyons: same owners as Birba, near Ace Hotel, steakhouse which is fairly expensive, but they also do a good prime rib in the lounge for happy hour, after dinner sneak over to their salon Seymour’s for a cocktail (see Drinks below).
Eight4Nine: a good option for dinner, great happy hour food/drinks in the bar area, also outdoor seating available, try the key lime pie.
El Mirasol: good Mexican food, outdoor courtyard, Cadillac margarita is a must!
Draughtsman: pub in the Arrive hotel, haven’t tried yet but looks good for a casual bite.
Reservoir: restaurant at the Arrive hotel, good food, can be a bit windy so watch your dress!
Sherman’s Deli: haven’t tried yet but have heard that the Rueben is amazing and massive!
Rooster & The Pig: modern Vietnamese.
Ernest Coffee: the spot to go for good coffee and pastries, they serve Stumptown coffee from Portland.
Koffi: another coffee shop, a few locations around downtown.
DRINK
Truss & Twine: newer cocktail spot, usually have a DJ, right next to Workshop Kitchen.
Seymour’s: salon at Mr. Lyon’s.
Bootlegger Tiki: cocktail spot, pretty small so if you get a table you’re lucky!
The Amigo Room: little bar at the Ace Hotel.
Las Casuelas: a must see to experience Palm Springs, go on a Fri/Sat night for the best people watching, outside palapa with live band, dancing, margaritas.
Village Pub: next to Las Casuelas, Pub downstairs and club upstairs, sometimes cover, can be a bit wild, but if you want to keep on dancing this is one of the only options later on.
Sammy G’s: for a laugh and a dance, go on Fri/Sat nights and not too late, great people watching, live band.
4 Saints: rooftop bar at the Rowan, Kimpton Hotel.
SHOP
Trina Turk
Dazzles
Elizabeth & Prince
The Shops at Thirteen Forty Five
Thick As Thieves
DO
Old Las Palmas: beautiful neighbour, quintessential Palm Springs, lots of mid-century modern homes, largest number of celebrity homes, fun to walk/bike/drive through the streets.
BUZZ Bus: free trolley that runs along Palm Canyon & Indian Canyon, check online for schedule, usually limited to certain days of the week.
Indian Canyon: oasis right in Palm Springs, hiking destination but you can also drive through and see the sights, park entrance fee.
Joshua Tree National Park: short drive from Palm Springs, super cool, lots of yucca trees, park entrance fee.
Pioneertown: super cute little town, Pioneertown Motel is pretty trendy and has been popping up on Instagram lots lately, there is a great bar called Pappy & Harriets that has live music... Paul McCartney played there in 2016!
STAY
I have been lucky enough to stay at the iconic Villa Hermosa almost every time I have visited Palm Springs! My mum used to own an apartment there and now we rent from her old neighbours because we just love it there! But, I have often dreamt of staying at one of the many, many spectacular hotels… here are a few that top my list.
Alcazar: connected to Birba and Cheeky’s so of course this is the first on the list!
Ace Hotel: as always, the Ace is the spot to be seen, a bit further off the main strip, but the BUZZ Bus stops nearby so don’t worry.
Kimpton Rowan: new to downtown Palm Springs, centrally located, great rooftop bar (4 Saints) and pool.
Parker: home to Norma’s, beautiful setting and surroundings, just outside of downtown Palm Springs.