Guide to the Perfect Palm Springs Weekend

A few friends and I recently took a long weekend desert trip to Palm Springs. Since we had such a great time, I wanted to share our guide:

Saturday:

8:00 am Our journey started from San Diego, and it was a quick 2-hour drive. Note: make sure to look at your driving directions beforehand as the mountain route is a bit winding. If you get car sick easily, just take the major freeways.

10:00 am First stop: "Dive-In" by Superflex, a Desert X installation in Palm Desert. These art exhibitions are scattered throughout and displayed for a select period of time each year.

10:30 am Brunch at The Pink Cabana! What. A. Dream. The Pink Cabana is a restaurant located at the Sands Hotel & Spa in Indian Wells, a short drive from Palm Springs. Walk into the Pink Cabana and you'll be in awe of how gorgeous it is. Tropical wallpaper, pink accents, gold bar, and pretty cocktails. What's not to love?

1:00 pm Checked into our hotel: The Saguaro. You know, the really colorful one you always see on Instagram? Yep, that's the one. If you don't want to spend $300+ a night, this is a good option. We went straight to the pool and got a daybed. Head there early in the day if you want to reserve a space. It does fill-up quickly. If you're not a guest at the hotel, they sell day passes to the pool.

8:00 pm Dinner at Birba. The space was magical. and I definitely would go again!

Sunday:

7:30 am We started our morning early and headed to Ernest Coffee, one of my favorites in Palm Springs. They have unique drinks like the rose pistachio latte and lavender mint matcha latte (my order).

8:30 am The weather was amazing, so we decided to take a stroll around the surrounding neighborhood, and snap a few photos of homes before the sun came out in full force. We used the door tour guide from Whismy Soul!

10:00 am The Mojave Flea Market just so happened to be at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club the weekend we were there. It only comes to Palm Springs a couple times a year, so it was an unexpected treat. The market had wonderful makers from all over the country. Entrance is free, so reference their schedule online and plan your trip accordingly.

11:30 am Brunch at Jake's. They have an intimate patio surrounded by green hedges and white umbrellas. It's the perfect ambiance for brunch. Order the mimosa "family style" and you get a bottle of sparkling wine with a side of orange or pomegranate juice. Pro tip: make a reservation. Even with a reservation we still had to wait 20 minutes.

5:00 pm Drinks at Bootlegger Tiki. I've talked about this little tiki bar before, but it really is one of my favorites bars in Palm Springs. It's dim lit, intimate, and tiki themed! The drinks are not only beautifully presented with flowers, crazy straws, and unique glassware, they're also soooo delicious.

7:30 pm Dinner at Del Rey. The Del Rey is located inside the Villa Royale, a Spanish style boutique hotel. Tucked through the lobby and around the corner, it has a classic look (leather bucket seats) and feels like the type of place where the old Hollywood movie stars would've frequented. We ordered the charred octopus and grilled steak. Both were delicious.

9:00 pm We ended the evening at High Bar, a rooftop bar at The Rowan, a swanky new Kimpton hotel that popped-up in downtown Palm Springs. We lounged on the huge couches while sipping our drinks. If you want a great view of the city, this is the place.

Monday

7:30 am Coffee and tea at Koffi on 515 N Palm Canyon Dr. I specify the address because they have several locations. It doesn't look like much from the front, but head to the back and it's like discovering a secret garden. There are benches and chairs to enjoy a little sun in this desert oasis.

9:00 am Monday was our relaxation day, so we each got a pool pass ($30) to the Avalon Hotel located downtown. Once again, the entrance to the hotel seems unassuming, but step in and you'll find lush greenery, white Spanish style casitas, and a tranquil adult only pool. We got there early enough to claim beds by the pool and enjoyed the morning sun before our brunch reservation at Chi Chi. I drank a fresh young coconut coupled with a tuna poke bowl. After brunch, it was back to the pool.

3:00 pm Before leaving, we had to stop by my go-to ice cream shop: Kreem. Their ice cream is handmade in house, and they are constantly creating new flavors. They also carry vegan options for all you herbivores out there. I had coconut latte (vegan) and it tasted like coffee ice cream.

A few other notable mentions: the Palm Springs Art Museum, Azucar at La Serena Villas, Norma's at the Parker Palm Springs, Melvyn's Restaurant & Lounge if you're feeling like you want to be transported to classic Palm Springs, and Workshop Kitchen + Bar for a fabulous meal.

Palm Springs is ALWAYS a good idea if you're looking for an easy getaway. Whether you want to party, relax, or just enjoy art and culture, this town has you covered.

Seldomly Still