Whether you’re making the frequent two-hour trip from L.A. or flying in from across the world, Palm Springs (and the surrounding Coachella Valley) draws in visitors for its magical ability to constantly reinvent itself. There’s always a new restaurant, exhibit, or attraction thanks to its 354 days of sunshine during any given year — a major plus for being able to social distance most places outdoors. And, after a two-year hiatus, the famous Coachella music festival is returning on April 15. We can’t think of a better time to take advantage to flock to the desert. Check out The Edit’s city guide to Palm Springs below for the best places to stay, what to do, and where to eat to recover from your pandemic fatigue.
Where to Stay
Holiday House Palm Springs ($$$)
If there was ever an Instagram-worthy hotel, this would be it. It was designed by architect Herbert W Burns whose modernist style makes up the iconic vibe of Palm Springs. Guests are welcomed to the adults-only oasis with a glass of rosé as they soak in the bright, airy space that’s punctuated with splashes of royal blue accents and eye-catching artwork (which they sell on their online shop). The 28-room hotel is just steps from the downtown area, features a shuffleboard court, mountain views, and one of the best pools you’ll find in Coachella Valley. It’s 60 feet (impressively large compared to the size of the hotel), heated, and lined with blue chaises so you can enjoy pool service with a mouth-watering menu of lobster rolls and fruity cocktails.
Two Bunch Palms ($$)
Twenty minutes away from downtown Palm Springs, this adults-only hotel provides a luxurious oasis to sleep, eat, and recharge. The entire resort uses 100% renewable energy by using its own solar field and a greywater system, which uses recycled and filtered water from the property’s sinks and showers. In addition to stylish rooms and access to a 600-year-old natural hot spring that stays at over 100 degrees, there’s a spa, tennis courts, therapy pools, a lap pool, yoga and meditation in the Celestial Yoga Dome, plus workshops where you can do creative classes like hand-thrown ceramics. If you actually don’t want to leave the hotel (we don’t blame you), there’s an on-site restaurant and bar, Essence, and a juice bar to really focus on the wellness from the inside out.
Ace Hotel Swim Club ($$)
Bring the kiddos, bring the pets — everyone is invited to this 179-room, bohemian-inspired hotel, spa, and resort that’s biking distance from downtown and close to popular sites like Joshua Tree. Some of the rooms are decked out with fireplaces, garden patios, and old (functional) record players. Two huge pools (one’s a “party” pool; the other is more low-key), a vintage photo booth, the Feel Good Spa, and a weekend DJ help round out the good vibes.
Where to Eat and Drink
Bar Cecil
If you’re the last-minute type, chances are you won’t get a spot at Bar Cecil (pronounced “sessel”). But, if you’re able to plan ahead (we recommend a month in advance even when it’s not a popular travel season), then you might be lucky enough to score a table at this chic, sexy New American restaurant/bar that opened last spring. Chef Gabriel Woo (formerly of The Pantry — the on-site restaurant for the aforementioned Holiday House), creates bistro-style dishes like burgers branded with Bar Cecil’s logo and served in paper boxes, “steaks + frites” (originally a typo, but they thought it was fun and kept it as-is on the menu), and tons of sharing plates like shrimp cocktail, onion tarts, and deviled eggs. And because we’re here to have a good time, check out the drink menu, which focuses on classic cocktails in sophisticated glassware — plus, the “Fifty Dollar Martini.” While you’re sipping your drink and enjoying the decor and ambiance, yes, that indeed is an original Andy Warhol on the wall.
Boozehound
Do humans bring their dogs here or do dogs bring their humans? Either way, this contemporary, dog-friendly restaurant and lounge offer a chill escape from the heat for both two- and four-legged friends. It’s 7,000(!) square feet with plenty of nooks and private dining areas across the main indoor dining room, lounge, main bar, and outdoor patio space to make yourself at home. The food has a Japanese influence (like avocado poke toast for brunch or miso Chilean fish and chips for dinner) and the unique craft cocktails are designed to specifically complement the entrees. Yep, there’s a specific menu for dogs!
Azucar Palm Springs
Even if you’re not staying at the La Serene Villas where it’s located, this adults-only rooftop deck is a gem worth visiting for gorgeous cocktails, appetizers, or light bites that are a modern spin on tapas. All the fresh, farm-to-table food somehow tastes better when you’re enjoying it next to the outdoor fireplace as you’re overlooking the mountain landscape.
What to Do
Downtown Park
The 1.5-acre park, known as Downtown Park, opened up to the public in October 2021 to give residents and visitors an oasis to enjoy the heart of downtown — just steps away from the Palm Spring Art Museum. It includes an event stage where you’re likely to catch a free concert, a splash pad perfect for kids, and plenty of shady areas to soak in the magic of Palm Springs.
Palm Springs Art Museum
With a rotating collection of 12,000 objects based on modern and contemporary art (including pieces from major names like Andy Warhol, Dale Chihuly, Anish Kapoor and Marina Abramović), there’s something for everyone. You’ll appreciate the smaller size (easy to walk through in just an hour or two) and free entry every Thursday from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Open Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and until 7 p.m. on Thursdays.
The Well Spa at the Miramonte Indian Wells Resort
Restore your body and soul at this spa nestled in the Santa Rosa Mountains. It has nine treatment rooms, three outdoor relaxation spaces, hot and cool soaking pools, a eucalyptus steam room, as well as a relaxation lounge. Whether you’re looking for a couples massage, a body scrub, or a facial, the spa’s offerings are more curated which allows them to get more creative. They have oils infused in-house with citrus grown on the property and herbs from the chef’s garden. Couples can even use brushes to paint each other with clay before they bask in the sun to let it dry. Open Friday through Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Palm Springs Windmill Tours
While driving through the interstate into Palm Springs, the first thing you’ll probably notice are the rows and rows of windmills along the highway that are converting wind into energy. San Gorgonio Wind Park in Palm Springs boasts 2,700 wind turbines — it’s the oldest wind farm in the U.S. During this tour, you can choose between a self-guided option if you have your own car or you can hop on one of their VIP chartered buses to get an up-close view of the mighty windmills. Both options take about an hour and a half.
Open daily from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cactus to Clouds Hike
Surrounded by multiple mountain ranges, the Palm Spring terrain and Coachella Valley offer many different options for hiking, depending on your experience level. Joshua Tree is an obvious (and beautiful) choice, but there are plenty of options that are closer to the city center. For those who are avid hikers and like a challenge (believe us, Backpack magazine ranked it as one of the most difficult hikes in the world), the Cactus to Clouds Hike is worth the view. The 21.2-mile trail gives you plenty of opportunities to soak in the wildlife and scenery until you literally reach the clouds. From bottom to top, it’s about 10,800 feet.
P.S. Looking for a hike that’s, er, a tad less strenuous? The McCallum Trail is a gorgeous 1.7 mile, flat walk across an immaculate desert retreat.
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