The Fussy Flyer » Destination » North America » USA » California » Destination: Palm Springs

Destination: Palm Springs

Destination Palm Springs what to do for a day or a week

Always a fun place for a few days to get away from LA in the winter. Palm Springs was hit hard after the last recession, but has come back 10 times better. It’s fun and really hard to get super serious in Palm Springs. But in the summer, lordy… you will just melt right into the desert.

Small Blank Bar 12
Destination Palm Springs How to get here and where is it

If you hop in the car and leave LA before 12 noon, you can get to Palm Springs within two hours or so… leave after 1 pm, you are doomed to start adding those hours to the trip. Leave after 4pm you may get to Palm Springs before 10pm. They have a cute little airport for all the snowbirds that fly in during the winter as well.

Small Blank Bar 12
Destination Palm Springs Where to stay Hotel Recommendations

THE ROWAN PALM SPRINGS
100 W. Tahquitz Canyon Way
Currently the new, hot hotel, and for good reason. 7 stories tall makes it one of the tallest building in Palm Springs, with sweeping views of the mountains and the valley. Kimpton Group did a good job putting this together. And The Arlo Suite is a winner, though generally booked several months in advance.


COLONY PALMS HOTEL
572 N Indian Canyon Drive
This has always been my go to place in Palm Springs. Get a Casita and the dog can lounge in private courtyard. The Restaurant and bar are pretty good, and the location is right in the middle of The Movie Colony, the heart of Old Palm Springs.


L’HORIZON RESORT & SPA
1050 E Palm Canyon Drive
In the Deepwell Estate area where there is a a cool strip of Post Modernish Hotels. Most definitely a contender for the best place in Palm Springs.


AVALON HOTEL & BUNGALOWS
415 S Belardo Road
The Palm Springs cousin to the Avalon in Beverly Hills. I nice hideaway option just off the main drag, for a few nights in Palm Springs.


ARRIVE
551 N Palm Canyon Drive
Another cute mid-century(ish) hotel/motel. Easy to hang out, and close to the main town. And the pricing is rather nice.


THE WILLOWS HISTORIC PALM SPRINGS INN
572 N Indian Canyon Dr
Just up the street from the fabulous Le Vallauris Restaurant, The Willows is Classic Old Palm Springs.

A few other good Hotel options:

ACE HOTEL & SWIM CLUB
PARKER PALM SPRINGS
SPARROWS LODGE

Small Blank Bar 12

but don’t forget a few deep desert options as well:

PIONEERTOWN MOTEL
5240 Curtis Rd, Pioneertown, CA 92268
Originally a Roy Rogers movie set, you too can spend a night in the old west.

PIONEERTOWN MOTEL WEBSITE


JOSHUA TREE INN
5240 Curtis Rd, Pioneertown, CA 92268
For kitsch factor, this is the place, and the rooms have been updated quite nicely.

JOSHUA TREE INN WEBSITE

Small Blank Bar 12
Destination Palm Springs What and Where to Eat

LE VALLAURIS RESTAURANT
385 W Tahquitz Canyon Way
Love coming here for dinner. The patio is a wonderful dining area and you feel so “Old School”. And the food is almost as good as the ambiance.

LE VALLAURIS RESTAURANT WEBSITE


JOHANNES
196 S Indian Canyon Drive
Best Austrian Restaurant in town, most likely the only one. But a very good sit down dinner to be had here.

JOHANNES WEBSITE


CHEEKY’S
622 N Palm Canyon Drive
Brunch was invented in Palm Springs, and this is where Palm Springs goes for Brunch.

CHEEKY’S WEBSITE


WORKSHOP KITCHEN + BAR
622 N Palm Canyon Drive
New American dining in a non-Post Modern setting.

WORKSHOP KITCHEN WEBSITE


PAPPY & HARRIET’S
53688 Pioneertown Rd, Pioneertown, CA 92268
And for the classic old style of American Diner food, get on out to Pioneertwon

PAPPY & HARRIET’S WEBSITE

Small Blank Bar 12
Destination Palm Springs Good Bar or Hang out

TRUSS & TWINE
800 N Palm Canyon Drive
Part of Workshop Kitchen. Crafty Cocktails and small bites.

TRUSS & TWINE WEBSITE


BOOTLEGGER TIKI
1101 N Palm Canyon Drive
Yes, it is a Tiki bar and the Spike Tyson will get you hammered.

BOOTLEGGER TIKI WEBSITE

Small Blank Bar 12
Destination Palm Springs Things to do or see

MOORTEN BOTANICAL GARDEN
1701 S Palm Canyon Dr
A great pleace to see some of the magic of the desert all in one place. Admission is only $5.00 for adults.

MOORTEN BOTANICAL GARDEN WEBSITE


PALM SPRINGS ART MUSEUM
101 N Museum Drive
For such a small city, the Art Museum is quite good, actually surprisingly good. It seems there were a good many patrons who donated some very interesting works of art. Worth an afternoon visit, and then head to Le Vallauris for an early dinner.

PALM SPRINGS ART MUSEUM WEBSITE


MODERNISM WEEK
All over the region
Every February (8 – 18, 2021) the the style council for modernism come out in force. Best way to see some of the treasures of architecture and design.

MODERNISM WEEK WEBSITE

Small Blank Bar 12
You may be interested in these destinations as well

Destination California General Information Page and travel assistance
California Information Page

Destination California General Information Page and travel assistance
Los Angeles – the East Side and DTLA Information Page

Destination California General Information Page and travel assistance
Los Angeles – the West Side Information Page

Destination Santa Barbara The American Riviera California General Information Page and travel assistance
Santa Barbara Information Page

Have a favorite thing to do or see in Palm Springs?
Need a bit of help planning a trip?
Let me know.

CLICK HERE TO MAKE CONTACT


page updated: April 2021

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *