Palm Springs is the kind of mirage we all need. It’s a place to escape, hide, recharge, and let the desert wring you out—there really isn’t any other city like it. The well-known vacation town is a modern oasis with a lot to offer any visitor, and a choose-your-own-path kind of experience. Each stay can be a laidback poolside visit with a book in hand or an adventurous ramble through its palm-filled, mid-century modern maze. The choice is yours, and how you decide to approach this SoCal desert hideaway is up to you. With that in mind, our guide below will help steer you in all the right directions for one of our favorite cities to disappear to for a few days.
STAY
If you’re looking for desert vibes paired with pool oasis antics, look no further than Ace Hotel & Swim Club. It’s got the Amigo Room for cocktails, an organic spa, award-winning fare, and epic views of the San Jacintos mountains. Looking to go full Don Draper? Check into The Parker and immerse yourself in luxury and tranquility. Villas, suites, indoor / uutdoor Pools, tennis. restaurants, it’s got all you need to be pampered.
For more of an exclusive hideaway stay, look towards Sparrows Lodge, a completely restored 1950s retreat. It’s a quiet property with a modern rustic vibe that carries through to the rooms, communal barn, outdoor fire pit and vegetable garden. With only 20 rooms and a hidden pool, this desert paradise is where the smartphone is turned off.
Other recs: Del Marcos Hotel, Avalon Hotel & Bungalows Palm Springs, Korakia Pensione
SEE
Take a ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway for some mind-bending views. This angular 1963 station takes you up 10 minutes to a double-digit temperature drop; you’ll witness the entirety of the Coachella Valley from the sky. If you’re looking for some artistic inspiration, the Palm Springs Art Museum offers exhibitions focused on the cultures and themes of the desert: Modernism, American West, and Native American.
Get a good sweat in with a hike to what looks like a location for an Indiana Jones movie, the waterfall at Tahquitz Canyon. Yes, a waterfall in the desert. And if you are an avid hiker, we highly recommend a day trip out to Joshua Tree.
Other recs: Desert X (seasonal), Self Guided Architecture Tour
EAT
Sushi in Palm Springs? Yes, absolutely, you’ll thank us later. Sandfish Sushi & Whiskey dishes out a mouthwatering array of sashimi and carpaccios. Pair any dish with an unrivaled whiskey selection. Don’t miss Rooster and the Pig, offering Vietnamese-American fare in a buzzing atmosphere. The menu here often changes, keeping things fresh and delicious. Looking for classic Palm Springs? Mr. Lyons is seventy-five years in the making. Order a martini to take in the vintage charm and allure of this steakhouse that will have you feeling like it’s 1945—cheers Franky!
Other recs: Workshop Kitchen + Bar, The Tropicale Palm Springs, Biscuit and Counter at the Tiki Hotel
DRINK
First off, a pick-me-up. Hit the patio of Ernest Coffee, dishing out espresso and iced brews that will refresh the heated soul. We all need a little kick in the morning, and Ernest has some of the best coffee in the city.
With no shortage of imbibes, Palm Springs crushes the game when it comes to cocktails, beers, or wine that immediately makes you feel like you’re on vacation. At Bootlegger Tiki, you’ll discover rum-filled cocktails shaken and stirred in the glow of tiki torches. It’s an island paradise in the desert sand. Hunting for top-notch brews? Nestle into Las Palmas Brewing, a family-owned & operated brewery and natural wine bar. The inside of Las Palmas is cool and quirky with a laid-back vibe.
Bar Cecil is a very well-tailored setup, with classy cocktails and mouthwatering bites if you’ve had one too many—just opened last year. The heat got you torched? Find your solace at Dead or Alive Bar, a dimly lit haunt for craft beer, wine, and small snacks. paired with a nice patio—look for the cursive neon ” Wine & Beer”
Other Recs: The Amigo Room, Seymour’s, Truss & Twine
***
Let the desert sands call you in, with this guide any visit to Palm Springs will be an unforgettable one. Soak it up, pack the sunscreen, and point the compass to this wild little paradise in the middle of the vast wide open. And if you’re in the Amigo Room, tell them CYTIES sent you.
