This summer I traveled to Palm Springs for the first time and was so mad at myself for not visiting sooner. What a dessert gem I’ve been missing out on! The fun architecture, vibrant vibes, vintage boutiques, and amazing restaurants have Palm Springs on must return list.
We only had a few days there but got to explore downtown, some great eateries, and check out all the magnificant mountan views. If you’re headed to Palm Springs in the near future make sure to save this list of must-dos!
Let’s start with resorts. There are so many great places to stay in Palm Springs but the ones that top my list are:
Palm Mountain Resort & Spa A favortie among traverlers for the pool, resort feel and mountain views.
The Hilton Palm Springs Spacous rooms and great resort vibes.
The Westin Mission Hills Villas. We ultimatley decided on this place for the pools and space. Having a whole villa to spread out in was great. I worked for the Westin brand for over seven years so I’m partial to them and their heavenly beds.
If you’re looking for something eclectic with old Palm Springs charm, you have to stay at The Saguaro Palm Springs.
Let’s move on to eats. I’m a foodie so anytime I travel, I scope out the best resturants to try. Here are some we visited and some that were recommended to me.
Tommy Bahama Restuarant & Bar The open bar and patio were amazing. They have a great drink menu and the food was beyond expectations. I would make this a staple if in Palm Springs.
Farm Palm Springs features South of France vibes with a signature cocktail list that will have you going back for more. I highly recommend dining on the patio. It has a very intimate feel.
Okura Sushi was a local’s referral and I’m glad we got this referral becasuse the sushi was fantasic! They had some great signature rolls, the space itself was gorgeous and the cocktail list was great too!
Lulu California Bistro Palm Springs is the best for brunch! They have an all day menu too, but bruch is where it’s at. The colorful mid-centry modern vibe is so fun and and the food is so delish! The patio is perfect for people watching and you get the best views of old Palm Springs.
Maracas is another Old Town Palm Springs gem. Located right on the strip, their patio is spacious, their margaritas hit the spot and their portions are large! Highly recommend!
Before you leave Old Town Palm Springs be sure to grab a crepe and visit all the local boutiques. I found several vibrant cute pool cover ups and some fun jewlery at Fashion Fix. Here’s a little glimpse of Old Town Palm Springs.
If you want to visit some of the local attractions I highly recommend checking out Salvation Mountain. Salvation Mountain is about an hour from Palm Springs and is a tribute from artist Leonard Knight to God and his gift to the world with its simple yet powerful message: God is Love. It’s a beautiful piece of art and is worth the short drive.
My last recommendation is to visit the Cabazon Dinasours. Another short drive from Palm Springs, this iconic roadside attraction is a must. You may recognize this attraction from Pee Wee’s Big Adventure and The Wizard movies. They have a fun dinosuar museum with a gift shop, and they also dress up the dinosaurs for the holidays. Even if you just want to snap a picture, it’s worth a stop.
My only suggesstion when planning a visit to Palm Springs is to not go in July or August unless you can handle extreme heat. This Chicago girl was definitely struggling. I can’t wait to go back, but this time it will be in winter or spring.
What are your favorite Palm Springs spots? Comment below or send me a DM on Instagram.
